Travel Diary: Saxapahaw

We managed to throw together another cheap and quick trip last weekend (read about our last cheap & quick trip here)! We ventured to Saxapahaw, NC which is only 45 minutes from downtown Raleigh. It’s just outside Durham yet you feel like you are in a completely different part of the state. Kyle had been through the town for work a while ago and that is the only reason we even knew it existed. I started researching after he told me all about it and I became obsessed with going. I found Terrastay Farm on AirBnB and immediately booked. Everyone living close enough to drive needs to adventure to Saxapahaw immediately. It was such a fantastic time and it was such a fun change of pace from the city.

Where We Stayed

Kyle and I got an early start on Saturday and checked into our cabin a little early. We were blown away by how nice the little cottage was. We were some of the first people to stay there and it was simply perfect for the four of us, because we of course brought the pups! It was impeccably clean and had everything you need for a weekend trip. It was close enough to walk to town but it felt secluded and private. We explored the farm area a little bit before heading to town. There is a trail down to the Haw River that was a beautiful walk through the woods. I had never been to a real produce farm let alone stayed at one so it was interesting to walk around and see how it all goes down. Terrastay Farm is a beautiful place and I can’t recommend staying there enough. There are a lot of neat yurts and even old buses that you can stay in on local farms in Sax. But with the summer heat and all the outside time we were REALLY thankful for the AC and all the comforts the cottage had to offer.

What We Did

After we explored the farm we headed down the road to the town. When I say town I really mean a handful of restaurants and shops that are in the old mill building. It is tiny but everything they have to offer food and beverage wise is unreal. We had lunch at the Saxapahaw General Store, known as the “local 5 star gas station”.  My god the food was good. We sat outside with the dogs and had gourmet sandwiches that were the best damn gas station food I’ll ever have. From there we ventured to Left Bank Butchery that had my husband in total heaven. They only process whole animals so that nothing is wasted. They are doing it right. I am not a big meat person but damn did they have some good stuff! Last but certainly not least we went to Haw River Farmhouse Ales that is brewing up some insane beer. They grow everything they brew with locally and are coming out with some really special brews.

Nightlife

We headed back to the farm for dinner after exploring the town. There happened to be a cookout the night we were there to benefit SAFE so we indulged in the whole roasted pig they had been cooking all day. It was the best BBQ I’ve ever had, and living in North Carolina and Texas, I’ve had quite a bit! After the BBQ we had another beer at The Eddy Pub before heading to the Saturdays in Sax celebrations. If you do decide to visit Saxapahaw, defiantly try to be there on a Saturday night. During the summer the Saturdays in Sax festival is put on by the town. It us usually outside but since it rained they had it in the Haw River Ballroom, which is a large indoor music venue in town. There were bands playing, homemade goods, local food trucks, and of course good beer. It was such a great end to the night.

The next day we woke up early (even heard roosters crowing omg!) and went back to Saxapahaw General Store for breakfast, it’s THAT good. It was nice to get home early after a trip and have all day Sunday to lay around since it was so close.

We had such a great time and I honestly can’t say enough about how it is a place everyone should experience. Saxapahaw is truly a hidden gem in NC and we will definitely be going back at some point. I’d love to hear if you plan on going in the comments below!

Here’s to small farm towns & and gourmet gas stations.

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