It’s almost time to head back to school so I thought I would switch things up a little bit this week. Before I get to this weekend’s events in Raleigh, head with me to Kinston! Last weekend, I did the short 1.5-hour drive to Mother Earth Motor Lodge for a one-night stay and a stop at Lions Water Adventure. It was so much fun for the whole family. If you are trying to squeeze in one more trip before school, I highly recommend Kinston. Keep reading to learn more about some of my favorite spots!
Mother Earth Motor Lodge
Pool, putt-putt, shuffleboard, ping pong—there is so much to do at the Mother Earth Motor Lodge! Travel back in time with the revival of what was once known as Kinston’s Mid-Town Motor Lodge. Originally built by George Dubose of Dubose Realty Company in 1963, in an area known to locals as Mitchelltown, this Motel was intended to accommodate downtown shoppers and automobile travelers from Highway 70 and Route 11 (HWY 11). It has now been revived into the Mother Earth Motor Lodge, named for its sister company Mother Earth brewing, which is located just a few blocks south on Heritage Street.
Lions Water Adventure
Before we went to the hotel, we spent the morning at Lions Water Adventure! The adults and kids on our trip both loved the water slides, 5,000-square-foot kiddie pool, and lazy river. Monday through Thursday, tickets are $10 per person, and Friday through Sunday, tickets are $15 per person. Children two and under are free!
Mother Earth Brewing
We walked from Mother Earth Motor Lodge to Mother Earth Brewing to enjoy a local beer while the kids played on the patio. Beer not your thing? They also have a large selection of wine and seltzers.
The Laughing Owl
The brewery does not serve food and it did not have a food truck that night so we ordered take out to eat at the brewry from The Laughing Owl. The Laughing Owl offers Asian and American cuisine which was perfect for us. The adults were able to enjoy dishes like the Singapore noodles, Pad Thai noodles, and the spicy chicken and fried rice, while the kids opted for pizza, chicken tenders, and spaghetti.
Honorable Mentions: Kings Restaurant, Neuse Sports Shop, and Chef & The Farmer
On our way out, we stopped by Kings Restaurant for lunch and the BBQ sandwich definitely lived up to the hype. We also made a pit stop at Neuse Sport Shop. They brand themselves as the one-stop shop for all things outdoors and that is the truth! Beach props, fishing, hunting, outdoor apparel… they have something for everyone.
Unfortunately, Vivian Howard’s restaurant, Chef & The Farmer, is currently closed for renovations. I will be heading to Kinson again when it reopens.
Did I miss anything on your Kinston to-do list? Let us know in the comments!
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