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Hampton Inn
If you need a home base, the dog-friendly Hampton Inn in Benson is conveniently located to both I-95 and downtown, plus directly next to the Benson Dog Park for your pup to get those zoomies out.
Cornerstone Café
Grab a table outside at this family-owned cafe and choose from more than a dozen Belgian waffle varieties including s’mores, maple bacon and bananas foster. Can’t make it for breakfast? The cafe serves waffles all day alongside gourmet sandwiches and salads.
Benson Museum of Local History
Just across from Cornerstone is the Benson Museum of Local History with exhibits depicting the town’s early days. Stroll through a vast collection of artifacts with themed exhibits on local subjects like farming, home life, artists, military history, merchants, the State Annual Singing Convention, country doctors and Benson Mule Days (it celebrates the often-overlooked mule every September at one of the largest annual festivals in the state).
JP’s Pastry
Enjoy artisan cupcakes, pastries, and biscuits at North Carolina’s first certified gluten-free bakery. Their whimsical, handcrafted desserts are so popular they even ship nationwide.
Fainting Goat Brewing Co.
If you’d rather indulge in craft beer, the answer is just a few steps away at Fainting Goat Brewing Co. Founded in 2014, Fainting Goat is an independent-, veteran- and woman-owned brewery that offers a variety of handcrafted brews in a casual atmosphere with a dog-friendly patio. Their taproom doesn’t have Wi-Fi because they believe strongly in personal interaction — so hang out, play a game, listen to music, enjoy food trucks and meet new friends.
Broadslab Distillery
If by now you're feeling like an expert at downtown Benson, and you’re staying multiple days in the area, it’s time to explore East Benson and West Benson. Broadslab Distillery, NC’s only “dirt to bottle” distillery, where Jeremy Norris carries on his family’s moonshine legacy. Sip a handcrafted cocktail on the porch or take a tour to learn about the five-generation tradition. It’s a stop on the JoCo Beer, Wine and Shine Trail.
Gregory Vineyards
Gregory Vineyards is a picturesque 135-acre working farm showcasing hills of planted vineyards, a winery, a distillery and a tasting room where you can sip on double gold-winning Mary Elizabeth and Lee Love muscadine wines. The family also operates Lane’s Seafood & Steak House, where Lane himself often stops by tables to say hello.
Smith’s Nursery
Pick your own adventure at this family-owned and -operated farm with a wholesale plant nursery, U-pick strawberries and blueberries in spring and summer, a pumpkin patch and hayrides in fall, a roadside produce market, an ice cream and coffee shack, plus events and workshops throughout the year.
Redneck BBQ Lab
Eat in the outside picnic area or go through the drive-thru and get it to go. Choose from pulled pork, brisket, turkey, ribs and chicken, then take your pick of classic sides such as slow-cooked baked beans, green beans, collards like mama used to make, jalapeno mac and cheese, or slaw. Don’t sleep on the most important meal of the day here, either; Redneck’s breakfast sandwiches are out of this world.
This article was produced in partnership with, and all photos are courtesy of, Johnston County Visitors Bureau.
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Your Trip at a Glance
Stop 1
Hampton Inn
Stop 2
Cornerstone Café
Stop 3
Benson Museum of Local History
Stop 4
JP’s Pastry
Stop 5
Fainting Goat Brewing Co.
Stop 6
Broadslab Distillery
Stop 7
Gregory Vineyards
Stop 8
Smith’s Nursery
Stop 9