Headed to the U.S. Open? We have your guide to where to dine, shop and possibly have a beer alongside some golfers.
Where to party while at the U.S. Open at Pinehurst
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The Pine Crest will be holding block parties on Wednesday, June 12, through Saturday, June 15, so that is going to be a hot spot in Pinehurst. The parties start at 3 p.m. and Dogwood Road will become pedestrian-only. There will be food trucks, entertainment and a full bar. Admission is free.
There is a new three-hour public parking time limit in the Village Center that will be enforced from June 10-16 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Those going over the time limit will be fined. The Village Green parking lot will also have a three-hour limit.
There will be a shuttle service at 55 Rattlesnake Trail - about a half-mile from the Village Center. This overflow parking lot will not have have a time-limit.
From June 10-16, the Village of Pinehurst has created a temporary social district that allows possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages in specific areas. See a map of where the district is located.
Fan experiences to enjoy at U.S. Open at Pinehurst
The USGA Experience and World Golf Hall of Fame on the USGA’s Golf House Pinehurst campus offer great fan experiences.
Admission is free and no ticket is necessary to enter the building. They are open:
- Friday-Sunday, June 7-9 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Tuesday-Sunday, June 11-16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The U.S. Open Showcase in the Village at Tufts Park offers interactive programming and spectator entertainment during the U.S. Open. It includes six days of special events that are free and open to the public. There will be live music, a family-friendly film and interactive golf experiences.
Where to park at the U.S. Open
From June 10-16, complimentary parking will be available in two general spectator parking lots:
- Spectators residing north of NC-211 and NC-2/ Midland Road are encouraged to utilize The RED Lot (North). The RED Lot will be accessible from US-15/501 via NC-73 West. From NC-73 West, follow signage to the parking lot.
- Spectators residing south of NC-2 and east of NC-5 should use the BLUE Lot (South). Traffic should follow US-1 South to Roseland Road and follow signage to the parking lot. Residents south of NC-211 and west of NC-5 should follow NC-5 South to US-15/501 and US-1 South to utilize the BLUE Lot (South).
See a map of parking lots and information for U.S. Open
Where to eat while in Pinehurst for the U.S. Open
Fine dining: The 1895 Grill at Holly Inn in Pinehurst offers great Southern cuisine.
Sushi: Ten-Ya on Market Street in Pinehurst.
Steak: Beefeaters and Southern Prime, both in Southern Pines offer great steak.
Pizza: Vito's on Southeast Broad Street in Southern Pines is known for their thick crust. Some of the best pizza in town. They won't take reservations or credit cards. There is an ATM outside.
Barbecue: Pik-n-Pig in Carthage has been serving up some of the best barbecue around for nearly four decades.
Hidden gems:
- Elliotts on Linden in Pinehurst has an eclectic menu and great wine. They focus on farm-to-fork cuisine.
- Ashtens in Southern Pines has a formal dining room, but ask to sit in the wine bar, where living room couches offer a cozy spot to enjoy their pub menu. You will find some great locally sourced items on the menu and make sure to try their appetizers.
- Ironwood Cafe on Midland Road in Pinehurst will likely be packed as people take in their steak and seafood options. If you go, try the sea bass or salmon. Their outdoor patio, which features a fountain in the courtyard, is a popular hangout.
- Buggy Factory by Southern Pines Brewing Company just opened its doors in May. This is the fifth brewery in Moore County and is housed within the old Tyson & Jones Buggy Factory in downtown Carthage. Expect Southern Pines Brewing Company beer and Detroit style pizza. It's around the corner from Pik-n-Pig.
Brad Halling American Whiskey Company (BHAWK) in Southern Pines is Moore County’s first distillery. It is owned by Army veterans Brad and Jessica Halling. BHAWK also is symbolic of the Black Hawk helicopter which Brad flew in and survived a crash during the battle of Mogadishu in October 1993, which inspired the movie, “Black Hawk Down.”
Grab breakfast or lunch at Betsy’s Crepes in Southern Pines. Embers BBQ is next door too!
Red’s Corner is a food truck and beer pavilion in Southern Pines that has 12 beer taps and as many as five food trucks on-site. They also offer lots of outdoor seating and live entertainment most nights.
Your suggestions:
We got a few suggestions from readers and wanted to share them. One reader suggested Curt's Cucina in downtown Southern Pines saying it is the "best Italian restaurant in the state." Another reader cited the Railhouse Brewery and Pub in Aberdeen for great craft beer and live music.
Where to look for golfers while at the U.S. Open
Besides the course, we have a few places we think golfers might be hanging out and enjoying a drink.
The Holly Inn, located in Pinehurst, has a restaurant and lounge. Great places to grab a bite and possibly see some players.
The neighboring Pine Crest hotel has a nice outdoor bar and seating area. There is another bar and restaurant inside. There will be food trucks and a lot more during their nightly block parties. The venue itself attracts golfers due to its storied history. The night before Payne Stewart won the U.S. Open, he was chipping balls into the fireplace there and later signed his name on the lower entry to the men's downstairs restroom. That autograph is now framed and sits at the front desk. The hotel has played host to tons of golfers through the years, including Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. Look for Pine Crest to get going around 9 p.m. or later.
The Carolina Hotel's Ryder Cup Lounge is also a hot spot to look for players. Enjoy dinner at the Carolina Dining Room and maybe sit on those rocking chairs on the porch.
Dugan's in downtown Pinehurst has a restaurant upstairs and a basement bar that has live music. It is also a popular spot for golfers because of its proximity to the hotels.
Magnolia Inn in Pinehurst has a great outdoor patio and its proximity to the course puts it on the list of golfer favorites.
The Pine Needles Lounge and Golf Club on Midland Road in Southern Pines is going to be a hot spot during the tournament, especially the Women's U.S. Open. Peggy Kirk Bell, a charter member of the LPGA and winner of several tournament championships, and her husband "Bullet" began running Pine Needles in 1953. They bought the golf course and eventually built the resort and purchased neighboring Mid Pines. The family is still actively involved in the day-to-day operations of both resorts.
Where to grab a drink while at the U.S. Open in Pinehurst
- Hickory Tavern is a sports bar with 20 screens. A great place to grab a bite and watch the action.
- Social 165 has a great bar scene with a limited menu. There is always live music, but be ready to pay a cover charge.
- The Bell Tree in Southern Pines has a nice bar and outdoor patio.
- Jefferson Inn has a a great outdoor patio with live music. Popular with the locals.
- O'Donnell Pub in Southern Pines caters to a younger crowd. It features an indoor and outdoor bar scene.
- Wine Cellar and Tasting Room in Southern Pines has a selection of wine, gourmet cheese, hummus and sausages.
- The Village Wine Shop in Pinehurst has beer and wine. They also have tastings and events.
- Villager Deli in Pinehurst will be serving beer and wine. They have a great patio.
- Darling House Pub and Grill in Pinehurst is also a local hot spot.
- Too Blonde Tavern in Pinehurst has a great patio and pub menu.
More breweries to check out: Hatchett Brewing Co. and Southern Pines Brewing Company
Where to relax and shop while at the U.S. Open in Pinehurst
If you are looking to relax, there is no better place than The Spa at Pinehurst! Offering massages, body treatments, facials, salon and nail treatments, it is the best place to recharge your battery.
If are looking for unique souvenirs, there are several shops in the Village of Pinehurst that offer some great stuff:
Men can grab some stylish attire at the Gentlemen's Corner, while there are several women's boutiques along Market Square and inside the main welcome center. Cool Sweats and Village Fox Boutique have great women's wear, while Filthy Rich specializes in celebrity-inspired knock-off jewelry. Tesora decor has some beer glasses with golf balls in the stems and has items made from actual game baseballs and bats. Cameron and Co. has some golf-oriented souvenirs and their own Southern-inspired T-shirt line. Company's Coming and 1 Heart 2 Heart, both inside the welcome center, have fun jewelry and art.
In Southern Pines, just head down Broad Street to the historic district to find boutiques and other shops. The area is divided by a railroad track.