Visit JoCo, NC

06/01/2026

You could spend HOURS treasure hunting around Johnston County 🛍️

Vintage finds, collectibles, and plenty of surprises waiting around every corner. Whether you’re searching for something specific or just browsing for fun, you never know what you’ll come across next at these local spots.

Explore more antiques, flea markets, and collectible shops here: bit.ly/4f2s4Qt

📸 Selma Cotton Mill | Brightleaf Flea Market LLC | Harper's Flea Market Mall

05/31/2026

May looked pretty good around here ✨

Festivals, filming, and forests — here’s a little peek at what we’ve been up to around Johnston County lately 👀

05/29/2026

There’s something special about the way food and music bring people together 🎶🍽️

Our newest blog takes you inside Crescendo and Instant Classic, at a restaurant and record store combo in Downtown Clayton, where hospitality, craft cocktails, vinyl records, and live music all come together under one roof.

From album sleeve menus and brunch jams to listening dinners paired with records, Danielle and Dylan are creating more than a restaurant. They’re building a place designed for connection, conversation, and community.

Read the full story and start planning your visit: bit.ly/4dBNClX

Crescendo & Instant Classic, located in The Station
📍231 E Second St, Clayton, NC 27520

Crescendo.Clayton | Instant Classic | The Station Clayton

Crescendo is creating more than a place to eat. The restaurant and record store (Instant Classic) blends hospitality, music, craft beverages, and community into one experience rooted in connection and creativity. Located at the bottom of the brand-new Station Clayton, Crescendo is adding a high note...

05/28/2026

Downtown Clayton is taking the spotlight — to.pbs.org/3S8fyW0📺✨

PBS’ North Carolina Weekend is featuring The Station, a historic downtown space now filled with local food, shopping, art, craft beverages, music, and small businesses.

From candle-making and beauty studios to Crescendo’s music-inspired dining experience, this feature highlights the creativity, community, and small-town charm helping shape Johnston County’s growing downtown scene.

Watch now or tune in tonight at 9 pm on PBS North Carolina.

The Station Clayton | Crescendo.Clayton | PBS North Carolina

05/28/2026

Guess the rest of the league gets one more season before the champs arrive in JoCo 😎⚾️

05/28/2026

This is your sign to make a stop at Waffee Station 👀☕🍔

Sweet Liège-style waffles, loaded drinks, and one seriously stacked Waffee Burger all tucked into the tiny town of Micro, North Carolina.

(And yes… it’s just as good as it looks 😋)

Waffee Station
📍317 US-301 S., Micro, NC 27555

05/27/2026

There’s a reason people keep pulling off Exit 319 in Benson 👀🔥

We stopped by The Redneck BBQ Lab to go behind the counter and see what makes this roadside BBQ stop such a favorite across North Carolina.

From smoky pulled pork and brisket to tender burnt ends, breakfast, and a drive thru for road trippers, this place is serving up BBQ worth planning a stop for.

(After trying it ourselves... we can't blame Jerry for sneaking a few bites)

05/27/2026

May was full of meaningful moments across Johnston County 🌿✨

From welcoming travelers at the I-95 Welcome Centers during National Travel and Tourism Week to helping spotlight local stories through media partnerships and content creation, this month was all about sharing what makes JoCo special.

We loved seeing NC Weekend on PBS North Carolina filming at The Station Clayton, photographing Waffee Station following their Southern Living feature, and taking our Board of Directors out to Clemmons Educational State Forest to learn more about one of Johnston County’s incredible outdoor assets.

Every conversation, collaboration, and story helps more people discover Johnston County in new ways and we’re grateful to the partners, businesses, and community members helping make that happen!

The Clayton Magnolia Inn

05/26/2026

We've got something to make your summer in JoCo sound amazing 🎶☀️

Stay tuned…

05/26/2026

If it ain’t red, we ain’t eatin’ it 🌭❤️

Southern Living recently spotlighted one of Johnston County’s most iconic foods:
Bright Leaf Hot Dogs from Carolina Packers in Smithfield, North Carolina.

For generations, these bright red hot dogs have been part of cookouts, ballgames, church gatherings, backyard BBQs, and family traditions across eastern North Carolina. Now, the story behind them is getting national attention as Bright Leaf celebrates 85 years.

Read the full article and see why this Johnston County tradition still means so much to so many — bit.ly/4v80Hct

Bright Leaf Hot Dogs have been a North Carolina staple for 85 years. Here’s the story behind the iconic red hot dogs, the family-owned company that makes them, and why generations of Southerners still order them Carolina-style “all the way.”