Why Locals Love Morrisville, North Carolina
Morrisville is known for its small-town charm, but it’s packed with big-city cultural offerings
You’ll find tens of thousands of square feet of blooming orchids at The Orchid Trail. Photo credit: @_iamshee_
Self-touted as the heart of the Triangle, Morrisville, North Carolina is just a short drive from Durham, Chapel Hill and Raleigh, making it an easy home base for any trip to North Carolina’s Research Triangle.
Regardless of where they live or work, residents from across the Triangle dart over to Morrisville for a fun outing with kids or a night out with friends. Here are seven reasons locals think this town is worth the trip.
For the foodie
We dare you not to salivate over the slow-smoked goodness at Smokey’s BBQ Shack. Photo credit: @soflafoodie
Morrisville is warm and welcoming to all cultures, says Mark Stohlman, Morrisville’s mayor. “Our restaurant and entertainment offerings reflect Morrisville’s fantastic diversity,” he says. For a firsthand look, Stohlman recommends the East Meets West Festival, which he calls “an exciting day that celebrates diversity in our town with food, culture and music from around the world.”
For an everyday glimpse at the town’s food scene, swing by Carmen's Cuban Cafe and Lounge, which is renowned for its Tuesday salsa-dancing nights and its authentic Cuban cuisine. Get the ceviche to start, then go the standard beef, chicken or pork route, or opt for a more adventurous choice like ravo Cubano—Cuban-spiced ox tail.
For the requisite barbecue experience, head over to Smokey’s BBQ Shack. The small, family-run outfit specializes in both the tangy, vinegar-based eastern North Carolina-style and the sweeter tomato-based, western North Carolina-style barbecue.
Other restaurants worth a look include Neomonde, a Mediterranean spot with a variety of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options; and Babymoon Cafe, which specializes in Italian fare.
If you enjoy indulging in a drink to two, Morrisville is just a 10-minute drive to Cary, home to Chatham Hill Winery, Bond Brothers Beer Company and Fortnight Brewing Company. Take a little longer trip down the road to check out Fullsteam in Durham or to sample the honey wine at Pittsboro’s Starlight Mead.
For the young at heart
Camp out for an afternoon at the Raleigh-Durham International Airport’s Observation Park and watch planes take off and land. On-site picnic tables, a sand pit and a play area for kids with a mini-runway make it a hot spot for parents with young children.
For the history lover
Morrisville is named for Jeremiah Morris, who donated three acres of land to the North Carolina Railroad in 1852 to make room for a water station, woodshed and other supporting buildings. History buffs will find intrigue in the town’s role in one of the last engagements of the Civil War. The Page House, a mid-19th-century home that’s been designated as a Wake County Historical Landmark, still shows the bullet holes and artillery scars in its brick chimney.
For the sports buff
Morrisville is quickly gaining a reputation as a hotspot for cricket. The hometown Morrisville Warriors play in the Triangle Cricket League, home to 28 teams that play regularly in spring and summer. (There’s an annual tournament, too.) Catch games from April through September at the Bethesda Cricket Ground in Durham.
For the gardener
Stop in for a visit to The Orchid Trail and visit with owner John Stanton, who grows, collects and hybridizes the shop’s flowers. Spanning more than 20,000 square feet, the Church Street shop features at least 2,500 different orchids.
For the adventure seeker
There’s no shortage of outdoor adventures in the nine parks and greenways in Morrisville. Lake Crabtree County Park features an observation tower, boat rentals, fishing and nature trails. For an indoor-outdoor adventure, hit up the Triangle Rock Club, an impressive indoor rock-climbing facility that boasts 55-foot climbing walls.
Ready to travel? Find hotels in Morrisville.
More to Explore
Get to Know Durham
The city has moved past its roots as a tobacco town and into a vibrant, modern destination.
New Age Asheville
Make your next journey a spiritual one in the magical Blue Ridge Mountains.
Atlanta: Movies & TV
Georgia’s Hollywood of the South is full of must-see filming locations.