A common complaint of students in Rocky Mount is the lack of ways to enjoy their free time on the weekends. Some bigger cities entice younger generations with shopping malls, social scenes, and new restaurants, leading the youth of our beloved town to venture away for the weekends. This desire to leave town has led people to overlook the great weekend activities Rocky Mount has to offer! Read the list below to discover the fun!

10. Go to the movies!

Whether you are going with friends, family, or for a first date, the movie theater is a great place for a weekend outing! UEC Theater 14 was recently remodeled. Watch high quality movies in nice leather seats while sipping on an Icee or snacking on buttery popcorn. Make sure to check out one of the best deals in Rocky Mount! Every Tuesday, a movie ticket, medium popcorn, and medium drink only costs five dollars with a loyalty card. A great deal for great entertainment!

9. Bowling

The bowling alley on 301 is a favorite place for all ages in Rocky Mount. For those who have not been to the bowling alley since that birthday party in first grade, you are missing out! The bowling alley offers a fairly good deal on games and shoes. There is also an arcade and a food court. They even have a claw machine. Classic! Just try and remember your own pair of socks, and you will be ready for a night of fun with friends. Maybe you will even take on one of the teams of skilled bowlers!

8. Go for a Drive

Though some may label it as a waste of time and gas, many licensed teens love to blow off some steam by taking a nice drive through our town. You can view historic sights of downtown while trying not to get caught going the wrong way on a one way, or you could venture around the outskirts of town. Some drivers bring a friend along, and the drive becomes the perfect setting for deep conversations or light hearted laughter. A drive alone can be the ideal time to think deeply. Turn on some good music, keep your hands at 10 and 2, and have fun!

7. Hangout with Friends at Dunkin or Sonic

It is no secret that the youth of Rocky Mount love to hangout at restaurants such as Sonic or Dunkin Donuts. The drive-in inspired Sonic is a popular place for students to go after school to enjoy incredible discounts on slushies or fried food. Students from several high schools in the area can often be found spending time here on Friday nights. Another popular hangout is Dunkin Donuts. Friends gather here to enjoy donuts and coffee together or have some precious study time. When you are bored on a Saturday evening, stop by Dunkin or Sonic with some friends!

6. Become a Member of the Y

The gym is a great place to spend some time on the weekends! The Harrison Family YMCA is one of the nicest gyms in and around Rocky Mount. Members of the gym can challenge themselves in a wide range of classes held by amazing instructors who are always there to push you to the limit! The Y has a stellar swim program and natatorium. Many gym-goers play basketball on the courts downstairs, offering entertainment for people running around the track. Treadmills and several types of machines are available upstairs, but some are only for the use of people 16 years old and up. Support the YMCA!

5. Get a Job

One problem that accompanies growing up is that your parents expect you to support yourself financially in some settings, and it is not cheap. Lunch outings, shopping sprees, and the occasional “treat yo self” can start to take a toll on the savings in your piggy bank. To keep your financial status afloat, get a job! Though some people may say a job would conflict with school and sports, most bosses would be willing to work around the schedule of a hard-working high schooler. Try your hand at working in a restaurant or tutoring for an hour after school. My flexible work schedule allows me to only work four-hour shifts on Saturdays and Sundays. Getting a job is a great way to turn leisure time to productive time.

4. Play in the Park

People often overlook the beauty of Rocky Mount parks, of which there are 48. Stop by a newer addition to the parks system: the Best Friend’s Dog Park. The dog park’s mission is to create a beautiful and safe environment for humans to bring along or interact with four-legged friends of all shapes, sizes, and breeds. The parks offers different areas for dogs to play in off-leash based on weight and size. Close in proximity to the dog park is the Sunset Park. The park offers a fun jungle-gym, recently remodeled tennis courts, and the legendary spray park (a favorite among the Summer Camp kids at RMA). The park closest to RMA is Farmington Park. Many citizens of our town enjoy playing frisbee golf on the outstanding course by the park, and local churches often utilize the baseball field at the park for pick-up games of kickball. Support the Rocky Mount Parks and Rec. and play in the fresh air!

3. The Tar River Trail

The Tar River Trail is a classic Rocky Mount destination! The trail is seven miles long, and it goes through Sunset Park and Battle Park. It links to the Rocky Mount Sports Complex, Martin Luther King Jr. Park, and City Lake. The most popular section of the trails is behind the Rocky Mount mills! You can go for a walk with friends, jog with a faithful pet, or even ride a bike.  You can even carefully climb and explore the rocks by the dam. People can often be found fishing in the Tar or eno-ing between the trees. The Tar River Trail is a great place for outdoor lovers to spend some quality leisure time!

2. Try out a restaurant you have never been to!

Most people venture away from Rocky Mount when looking for a fun dinner outing, ignoring the splendid new options we have in town! Rocky Mount, the city on the rise, has welcomed a variety of new restaurants in recent years that have amazing menus. A popular spot for a fancier dinner is Lou Reda’s on Sunset Avenue. The Washington Street Grille is a family-owned joint that is new to the restaurant scene. They have an amazing menu for both lunch and dinner, and it is in the beautiful and historic downtown! If you have guests in town, make sure to take them to the classic Central Cafe, whose short but always solid menu is a go-to when in need of some fried food.

1. Chill at the Mill

In the past year or so, the Rocky Mount mill has become the preeminent social scene for all ages. People are attracted to the amazing restaurants in the historic mill houses. TBC West offers a delicious selection of tacos and the like, and their neighbor Tipsy Tomato offers delicious pizza. Those who are over 21 can enjoy the Koi Pond Brewery and Ramblers. The Mill holds many events such as food truck gatherings and live music, and they also have ping pong and corn hole. They have even remodeled and built houses in the Mill Village! Stop by the mill on a Saturday night for good food and entertainment, and you are sure to see some friendly faces!