Whether you’re in the mood for an outdoor adventure, some delicious food and drink, or family-friendly fun, Holly Springs has something for everyone. Here are the top ten things to do in Holly Springs over the summer:
Listen to the Sounds of Summer
Come join us on the second Friday of each month, June through September, for a family-friendly concert series: Summer at the Springs. Relax with the whole family on your favorite picnic blankets and folding chairs on the lawn at the Holly Springs Cultural Center. Concerts feature bands such as E.G. Peters Band (Jimmy Buffet Tribute), The Al Williams Band (Motown Revue), Joe Hero Band (Foo Fighters Tribute), and On the Rocks. Grab dinner at the food truck rodeo, savor a beer from local breweries, and enjoy local acts performing fan favorites.
Make Waves at Bass Lake
Relax, unwind, and have fun at Bass Lake Park where you’ll find many opportunities to connect with nature. Through Labor Day, weather permitting, you can rent non-motorized boats like canoes and Jon boats to paddle around the lake. These reservations are only $10, and can be made online at hollyspringsnc.gov/boat or through the Holly Springs RecPass app. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful solo excursion or a leisurely outing with family, boating on Bass Lake is the perfect way to spend an afternoon.
Shop Local at the Farmers Market
Visit the Holly Springs Farmers Market on W. Ballentine Street outside the Cultural Center to grab some tasty, healthy food and local goods. Traditional season hours are 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday from April through October 18. With live music and children’s activities every week, the Holly Springs Farmers Market offers something for everyone. There are so many goodies to choose from, such as farm-fresh produce, pasture-raised meats, free-range eggs, NC seafood, local honey, baked goods, artisanal goods, and all-natural bath and body items. On August 30, the farmers market holds SproutFest Kids Appreciation Day. Enjoy loads of fun kids’ activities that day, like Touch a Truck, where everyone can explore vehicles, including a police cruiser, fire truck, and tractor!
Beat the Heat with a Treat
Beat the Carolina heat with a sweet treat from any of the downtown ice cream shops. Whatever you’re in the mood for, FRESH. Local Ice Cream, JT’s Creamery, and Mama Bird’s Ice Cream each offer a delicious scoop. Stop by any of these local favorites for a refreshing and tasty way to cool down and enjoy a sweet moment in Holly Springs.
Get Outside at a Park
Take a walk on the wild side and explore nature at Bass Lake, Mims Park, Sugg Farm, Ting Park, Veterans Park, and Womble Park. Each park offers its own unique set of amenities, like trails, boating, fishing, greenways, sports fields, tennis courts, playgrounds, picnic shelters, and more. For your furry friends, there is a one-acre off-leash dog park at Sugg Farm. There is no fee to use the park, but make sure your pups are on their best behavior and ready to socialize. Visit the Parks & Recreation pages on the Holly Springs website at hollyspringsnc.gov/parks to learn more and visit the park that suits you!
Sip, Stroll, and Smile
Experience downtown Holly Springs in the Sip & Stroll Social District, which allows people to purchase beer or wine from participating businesses and enjoy the beverages as they walk around the vibrant and growing downtown area. Grab a drink or a bite to eat, take a stroll, listen to live music, and soak in the joys of being part of a friendly, connected community while supporting local businesses. The social district spans Main Street downtown, starting just north of the intersection of Earp and ending at Oak Avenue. The district is active 11 a.m.-10 p.m., seven days a week. Come sip, stroll, and be social!
See Why W.E. Love the Hunt Rec Center
Take a break from the heat and enjoy exercise inside! The W.E. Hunt Recreation Center offers a 3,000-square-foot fitness center, indoor walking track, gymnasium, game room, two group exercise rooms, a playground, and classrooms for programs and community rental. Located at 301 Stinson Avenue adjacent to Womble Park, it’s the perfect place to get those summer gains. On July 10, 5-7 p.m., drop by an Open House event with snacks, inflatables, prizes, and games, while getting a closer look at the facility and checking out upcoming programs.
Pave the Way on Greenways
In addition to all the park trails, Holly Springs is home to several other beautiful greenways. The greenways range from about a third of a mile to the newest one, Middle Creek Greenway, which is nearly three miles long. It generally follows the path of Middle Creek and connects the neighborhoods of Arbor Creek, Bridgewater, Woodcreek, and Sunset Ridge North. Visit the Holly Springs website at hollyspringsnc.gov/greenways for more information and an interactive map of all the greenways. Check out which one is right for you!
Give Back this Summer
What better way to spend your summer than giving back to the community? Available opportunities include volunteering at Parks & Recreation events, organizing litter cleanups, and assisting at the farmers market. Visit the volunteer page of the Holly Springs website at hollyspringsnc.gov/volunteer to learn more and get involved!
Enjoy America’s Favorite Pastime at Ting Stadium
The Holly Springs Salamanders are a proud member of the Coastal Plain League, a collegiate summer league with teams across North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina, and Georgia. Their season runs through early August with plenty of opportunities to cheer them on in Ting Stadium. There are many promotional games throughout the summer, like Bark in the Park, Hawaiian Night, Star Wars Night, Golf Night, College Rivalry Night, and more. Visit salamanderbaseball.com/promos to see a full list of promotional games. In addition to the regular Salamanders games, All-Star teams from the Athlete’s Unlimited Softball League will play at Ting Stadium August 2-4. Watch your favorite team hit it out of the park at Ting Stadium!