Plan a Day Trip

Plan your own day trip to Henderson/Vance County & Kerr Lake, North Carolina. Yours to discover and enjoy! Build your day around the activities and suggestions we have offered below. Since operating days and hours are subject to change we suggest that you call ahead to your points of interest for a current schedule before planning or making your trip.

For the recreational, leisure and fitness minded

Kerr Lake State Recreation Area/Parks Office and Visitors Center A 50,000 acre lake straddling the North Carolina and Virginia border with over 800 miles of shoreline. Enjoy fishing, boating, skiing, swimming, camping, hiking/walking, picnicking, bird watching and nature study. Satterwhite Point day use area, about 9 miles from town, is the closest park to Henderson. It offers the following amenities: a tot lot with swing set and sliding board for the kids, a volleyball area, a designated swim area with accessible changing rooms and restrooms and a short walking trail. There is no lifeguard on duty. Picnic tables with adjacent grills are scattered throughout the parks and will allow you to have an outdoor cookout while visiting the lake. A visitors center, housed inside the parks office and located across from the entrance to Satterwhite Point Park, provides the history of Kerr Lake along with an exhibit hall identifying plants, birds, fish and wildlife native to the area. Visitors must bring their own equipment needed for the activities they plan to participate in. Seven different camping areas offer over 600 sites on or near the shoreline. Bullocksville Park and Henderson Point each offer a handicap accessible fishing pier.
6254 Satterwhite Point Rd.
252-438-7791
http://www.ncparks.gov

Aycock Recreation Complex full size gymnasium, 25 yd. indoor pool, 1/12th mile indoor walking track, weight room and outdoor walking tracks. Day use fee applies.
305 Careys Chapel Road
252-492-9400
http://www.ci.henderson.nc.us

Adventure Island indoor/outdoor recreation facility that offers miniature golf, lazer tag, bumper boats, batting cages, indoor arcade, game room and a playmaze.
1211 Coble Blvd.
252-492-9888
http://www.adventureislandnc.com

Before The 1st Frame Bowling Center 12 lane bowling alley.
85 US 158 Bypass West
252-598-1100

Kerr Lake Country Club 18 hole, par 72 golf course. Putting green, driving range and pro-shop. Non-metal spikes required. Semi-private. Green fees accepted. Meeting facilities available for parties, weddings, retreats, family reunions and other needs. Call for additional information.
600 Hedrick Dr. (off Satterwhite Point Rd.)
252-492-1895
http://www.kerrlakecountryclub.com

Independence Day Weekend Celebration Mark your calendar: Celebrate Independence Day Weekend with us at Kerr Lake in Henderson. Held at Satterwhite Point Park, enjoy music, food vendors and a beautiful fireworks display over the water at dark. Bring your favorite lawn chair or a blanket and just relax and enjoy the show. See event calendar for date and additional information.
Henderson, NC
252-438-2222
http://www.kerrlake-nc.com

Steele Creek Marina & Campground The marina provides the following amenities: Wet slips and campsite rentals, marina store, gas dock, pump out station, RV dump station, boat ramps, and pontoon boat and kayak rentals.
1603 Townsville Landing Road
252-492-1426
http://www.steelecreekmarina.net

McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center McGregor Hall is a new 1,000 seat, state of the art Performing Arts Center located in downtown Henderson, North Carolina. McGregor Hall presents a diverse schedule of performing arts including all genres of music, dance, Broadway touring theatricals and national, regional and local touring artists.
201 Breckenridge Street
252-598-0662
http://www.mcgregorhall.org

Gear & Beer- Kerr Lake Outfitter Welcome Friends, Family, Kerr Lake visitors and Henderson Neighbors!
Gear & Beer is located at 221 S. Garnett Street in downtown Henderson, just 10 minutes from Kerr Lake.
The shop has gear you need for a trip to the lake, supplies for camping and locally sourced NC Craft Beer.
Come enjoy a beverage on the front porch or play some games in the lounge.
We have craft beer, domestic beer, seltzers and sours and non-alcoholic beer in stock!
(plus coffee and sodas)
Paddle board and kayak sales, rentals and tours!
221 S. Garnett St.
252-432-4690
https://www.gearandbeerkerrlake.com/

For the treasure hunter and shopper

Downtown area Salvation Army Thrift Store - 218 Raleigh Rd. - Monday - Saturday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. (252) 492-9552
The Everything Store (Thrift Store) - 303 S. Garnett St. - Monday - Saturday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. (252) 432-4117

Henderson Square Shopping Center strip shopping center located between Exit 212 and 213 off I-85. Retail merchants include Belk's, Dollar Tree, Bath & Body Works, Burkes Outlet, Wal-Mart and numerous shoe stores and specialty stores.

Vance County Regional Farmers Market locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables, flowers, plants, crafts, homemade jams and jellies. Open Wednesday and Saturday during season from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. located off S. Beckford Drive behind Lula's Landing Apts.
2010 Southpark Drive, Henderson, NC
http://www.go.ncsu.edu/vcrfm

For the history buff

Heritage Trail Historical Walking/Driving Tour a self guided walking tour of the Henderson downtown historic district. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Downtown starting point is the Fire Dept./Clock Tower, circa 1908 located at 205 N. Garnett Street. See various styles of architecture and noteworthy examples of distinctive building styles associated with particular construction periods. A driving tour of county historic sites and points of interest is also included. Maps and brochures are available at the Vance County Tourism Office located in the Crossroads Shopping Center at 946-T West Andrews Ave. in Henderson. (252) 438-2222. Some of the most visited county historic sites and points of interest are noted below:

Confederate Cemetery a NC Civil War Trails Historic Site. Self-guided tour. The final resting place of 52 Confederate soldiers from VA, NC, SC and GA. All soldiers buried here died at the nearby Kittrell Springs Hotel which had been converted into a military hospital during the war. W. Chavis Lane - Kittrell, NC.

St. James Episcopal Church circa.1860. Erected a short time before the Civil War. The minister at that time, Rev. M. M. Marshall, presided at the burials of the soldiers who died at the nearby Kittrell Springs Hotel Hospital. Corner of Main & Williams St. - Kittrell, NC.

St. Johns Episcopal Church circa 1746. The only remaining colonial Anglican church building in the Diocese of NC. It is also the oldest frame church in NC and the 3rd oldest church standing in NC today. No active congregation. Jct. of NC Hwy 39 North & Stagecoach Rd., Williamsboro, NC

Raleigh Road Drive-In Theater One of only six remaining drive-in theaters still operating in North Carolina. Originally opened in 1949, the theater is the oldest of those remaining. In 2006, new ownership purchased the dated drive-in and made significant upgrades and brought new life to the theater. Today, it is well-known for its family and kid friendly environment. Operating days vary by season. Call or visit website for current schedule.
3336 Raleigh Road (US 1 Business South)
252-438-6959
http://www.raleighroaddrivein.com

Perry Memorial Library originally opened in 1924, the library moved into its present facility on July 5, 2006. With two floors, space for many books and materials, computers, and as an Internet hot-spot, the new Perry Library is ready to serve Vance County as never before. The local history room, located on the second floor, houses information relative to the history of the area and is also a good source for genealogical and family history research. Displays detailing the history of the county from its creation to present day are also located on the second floor.
205 Breckenridge St.
252-438-3316
http://www.perrylibrary.org

Henderson Institute Historical Museum A museum of history, oral and written records, books, photographs, and printed materials regarding the education of African-Americans at Henderson Institute, and artifacts and other items of interest displayed. Located on the corner of Beckford Drive and West Rockspring Street. Open: Tuesday and Thursday 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM; Saturday 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Other hours by appointment 252-430-0616
629 W. Rockspring Street
252-430-0616
http://www.henderson-institute.org

Corbitt Truck Museum Explore the history and evolution of the Corbitt Company from its early buggies to their mighty military trucks from the period of 1899 to 1954. In its early years the company produced horse drawn buggies and later manufactured automobiles, farm tractors, buses, and heavy-duty trucks used by the U.S. military. Call for an appointment to visit the museum. Groups are welcome.

180 Church Street, Henderson, NC
252-767-2247
http://www.corbitttrucks.com

Dining

In the downtown historic district
George's Restaurant - Lunch & Dinner
Hattie's - Breakfast
Mazatlan Mexican Restaurant
Sadie's Coffee Corner
Sunrise Biscuit

US 1 North Business (N. Garnett St/Norlina Rd):
220 Seafood Restaurant
Burger King
Skipper Forsyth Barbecue
Subway
Habanero Mexican Restaurant

US 1 Business South (Raleigh Road)
Burger King
China King
Arby's
Los Dos Amigos Mexican Restaurant
Siplens Finger Lickin' - Seafood Restaurant
Supply Line Country Market
Taste of Soul Restaurant
El Pancito Mexican Bakery

On Main thoroughfares:

Dabney Drive (I-85 Exit 213):
Hardees
Little Cesars Pizza
Golden Skillet Chicken
Wendy's
Bojangles
Biscuitville
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen
Papa John's Pizza
Subway
Jersey Mikes Sub Shop
Bamboo Garden Chinese
Denny's
Kentucky Fried Chicken (buffet location)
McDonalds
Smithfield Chicken & Barbecue
Ruby Tuesday
Chic-Fil-a
Taco Bell
Pizza Hut
Mayflower Seafood
Mezcalito Mexican Restaurant

S. Beckford Dr. (at its intersection with Dabney Dr.):
Big Cheese Pizza
The Village Kitchen (Chinese & American)
Ichibar Japanese Restaurant
Pino's Italian Restaurant
Dominos Pizza
Jersey Mikes Sub Shop

Ruin Creek Road (I-85 Exit 212):
Burger King
Sheetz
Cracker Barrel
Ribeyes Steakhouse
Waffle House

NC 39 North @ Jct. of I-85 (I-85 Exit 214)

Restaurant 39 (Southern home style cooking)

Lodging

In the event your planned activities are not completed by the end of the day we have plenty of lodging choices available to serve you. You can choose from numerous national & regional chain motels including the Hampton Inn, Red Roof Inn Plus, Baymont Inn & Suites, Sleep Inn, Quality Inn, Budget Host Inn, Scottish Inn and the Executive Inn. There are also several AirB&B properties in the area such as the Eleanor on Belle downtown or the Country Manor near Kerr Lake. Several waterfront cottages are available for rent at nearby Satterwhite Point Marina. If you are looking for just the basics or all the comforts of home you will find a property to suit your needs and budget.

Be sure to pick up a Henderson/Kerr Lake Visitors Guide which contains a listing of restaurants and lodging establishments in our area. Local and state maps are also available.

We thank you for visiting Henderson, Vance County and Kerr Lake. It is our sincere hope that your time spent here has created a memorable experience and that you will make plans for a return visit soon.

Your friends at:
Vance County Tourism Department
Crossroads Shopping Center
946-T West Andrews Ave.
Henderson, NC 27536
866-438-4565
252-438-2222
www.kerrlake-nc.