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Things To Do In Wilkes County NC

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  • Art and Architecture
  • 101 West Main STreet, Wilkesboro
  • 3368383951

This architecture walking tour includes thirteen buildings that showcase the character of the town of Wilkesboro and its historic downtown area as it has developed. All buildings that are included are wonderful examples of the distinctive styling and culture of their times and each one is included in the National Register of Historic Places. Each represents an aspect of community life that is historically noteworthy.

  • Art and Architecture
  • 913 C Street, North Wilkesboro
  • 336-667-2841

The Wilkes Art Gallery features twelve exhibitions annually, offers a variety of workshops and classes to children and adults, and has a gift shop in which local and state known artists and crafters present their finest art and hand-crafted items. The Wilkes Art Gallery exhibit hall is also available for meetings, parties and receptions.

  • Art and Architecture
  • Barn Quilt Trail, Wilkes County
  • 336-838-8662

Reflect on times past as you travel through scenic Wilkes County, with generational homesteads, barns and farms. Quilt patterns were chosen from centuries old, placed on barns of local residents wishing to ensure this legacy, and enjoyed by all who gaze and recognize it as a form of art. - 8 Point Stars - 11605 W. US 421, Purlear - Carolina Lily - 196 Victory Ln, Ronda - Double Wedding Ring - 319 Shingle Gap Rd, Purlear - Double Wedding Ring - US 421 East between exits 276 and 278 - Drunkard's Path - 10421 Longbottom Rd , Traphill Drunkard's Path 5124 Sparta Rd, NC 18, North Wilkesboro - Little Dutch Girl - 6281 S NC 18, Boomer - Tulip Block 3450 Sparta Rd, NC 18, North Wilkesboro REMINDER: Use caution when traveling along the Quilt Trail. Traveling under speed limit, pausing and/or stopping along any road can be dangerous and illegal. All barns are located on private property and should be viewed from the public road unless otherwise indicated on site. Wilkes County Quilters' Guild hosts an annual quilt show the 1st Friday and Saturday of September featuring a different theme each year.

  • Art and Architecture, History and Heritage
  • 300 D Street, North Wilkesboro

Wilkes Playmakers has been a part of Wilkes County Theatre and North Carolina Community Theatre since 1990. The organization is committed to expanding both the availability of and interest in the arts and drama in the Wilkes region of Northwestern North Carolina. The Wilkes Playmakers’ home is in historic Benton Hall. See our website for our upcoming events.

  • Art and Architecture
  • PO Box 1273, Wilkesboro
  • 336-838-4278

Bleu Moon Productions presents the world-famous outdoor drama "Tom Dooley: A Wilkes County Legend" each summer. Bleu Moon Productions is dedicated to acting in its many forms - indoor & outdoor stage productions, film, murder mysteries, children's theatre, dinner theatre and more. For more information on Tom Dooley, other productions, and Bleu Moon, please visit our website.

Brown-Cowles House

  • Art and Architecture, History and Heritage, Outdoor Activities
  • 200 East Main Street, Wilkesboro

The Brown-Cowles House is the oldest known house remaining in Wilkesboro, dating from the 1830's. Hamilton Brown (1786-1870- built the central structure and Congressman William Cowles (1850-1901- expanded it. The kitchen and curing house are among the few outbuildings still remaining in the area. This is a privately owned home – please do not trespass.

  • Art and Architecture
  • 101 West Main Street, Wilkesboro

The "Where the Mountains Begin" mural celebrates the colorful landmarks and legends of Wilkes County: Stone Mountain State Park, W. Kerr Scott Reservoir, and Doc Watson. Local artist Wes Gregory designed the mural of Doc Watson, a well known area musician who helped start MerleFest, in honor of his son Merle Watson. MerleFest is a world-famous 4-day Americana roots-music festival with more than 80,000 participants, including over 100 artists and bands performing on the festival’s thirteen stages.

  • Art and Architecture, Outdoor Activities
  • 1328 Collegiate Drive, Wilkesboro
  • 336-838-6469

The garden has been designed and planted so that everyone, regardless of their visual ability, may enjoy it. The garden is part of a large complex of multivariate botanical gardens located on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. This particular garden is named in memory of Eddy Merle Watson, the gifted musician son of legendary blind acoustic musician Arthel "Doc" Watson. The garden contains many ornate raised planters, a diversity of plants which were chosen for their strong fragrances and unusual textures, and braille identification plaques which identify each plant for the visually impaired. The most prominent element of the garden however, is a serpentine brick wall of approximately 150 feet which contains a series of elaborate brick sculptures called "Nature's Alphabet" and "The Tree of Memories." This inspiring work of art was designed and sculpted by noted Goldsboro, NC brick sculptor and artist, Patricia Turlington. "Nature's Alphabet" spans two panels, each 16 inches high and 27 feet long. Images on the panels represent letters in the English alphabet, from an armadillo for "A" to a zebra for "Z". A "pocket" outline of each image enables the visually impaired to insert their hand and follow the outline of whatever is pictured there. Open sunrise to sunset.

  • Art and Architecture
  • 1328 Collegiate Drive, Wilkesboro
  • 336-838-6114

The James Larkin Pearson Collection is located on the lower campus of Wilkes Community College. This collection houses the writings, correspondence, books, and memorabilia of Wilkes County native James Larkin Pearson, who was the North Carolina Poet Laureate from 1953 to 1981. Exhibits of Pearson's printing presses, newspapers, and other artifacts are on permanent display in Lowes Hall and may be viewed during the college's regular operating hours. Pearson's writings, correspondence, and other documents are housed in Pardue Library on the second floor of Alumni Hall and are available by appointment only.

  • Art and Architecture, History and Heritage, Outdoor Activities
  • 202 Bridge Street, Wilkesboro
  • 336-667-3171

FREE Self-guided walking tour visiting 13 buildings that reveal the character of the town of Wilkesboro as it developed. All are examples of the distinctive styling and culture of their times and are included in the National Register of Historic Places. Each represents an aspect of community life that makes them historically noteworthy. The buildings are within walking range of each other. Included on the tour are The Old Wilkes Jail, The Robert Cleveland House, The Federal Building, The Carl Lowe House, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Wilkes County Courthouse, Old Law Office, The Smithey Hotel, J.T. Ferguson Store, The Johnson-Hubbard House, The Presbyterian Church, Cowles Law Office, and The Brown-Cowles House.