Richmond County is on the rebound in 2012, having once again secured NASCAR racing at the Rockingham Speedway, but the area has much more to offer visitors in the way of historical attractions and outdoor adventures.

Early next year, Discovery Place KIDS Museum will open its second location in Rockingham, offering children a place to play, discover and explore their imaginations —all under the banner theme of “I CAN.”

Many people don’t know how much railroad history can be found in Hamlet. The Hamlet Historic Depot & Museum is the most photographed train station in the eastern U.S. The National Railroad Museum and Hall of Fame hosts priceless artifacts from the former Seaboard Air Line Railroad, and the Tornado Building houses the first steam engine locomotive in North Carolina. All are within walking distance of each other.

Looking for an outdoor adventure? Check out the 63,000-acre Sandhills Gamelands. From scenic hikes to bird-watching, this area has it all. Drop a line in Blewett Falls Lake and you might find a record-breaking blue catfish lurking under the surface. A visit to the McKinney Lake State Fish Hatchery, which stocks most of the Piedmont lakes, might include a bald eagle sighting —along with 150,000 catfish fingerlings.

The Town Creek Indian Mound in Mt. Gilead offers visitors a chance to see 400 years of Native American archeological history. Ellerbe-based agritourism farms like the Berry Patch, Triple L Farms and David’s Produce are must-sees and parents are sure to enjoy a wine-tasting experience just down the road at the Little River Winery.

Richmond County is more than just a crossroads to the beach. It’s “Rich in History, Rich in Outdoors and Rich in Heritage.” 

—Jeffrey Cheatham