Once an important centre for tobacco cultivation, Wilson is now a lively county seat east of Raleigh. It was originally known as “Toisnot” before being renamed after Colonel Louis D. Wilson, a prominent 19th-century politician and United States Army general.
Things to do in Wilson
Occupying a 1928-built former courthouse and post office is the Imagination Station Science Museum, which houses interactive exhibits exploring the worlds of science, technology and history. Discover how rainbows form and test your skills on the snowboard machine, then watch as worker bees buzz around the Observation Hive. In the “Journey to Wilson” exhibit, you can see pottery shards and tool fragments from the area’s first peoples.
A short walk away is Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, which is filled with a collection of unique wind-powered sculptures. It was originally envisioned by a farm machinery repairman on the outskirts of the city before being recreated in the downtown area, alongside a grass amphitheatre and a community pavilion. You can marvel at the fans, bicycles and kitchen mixers that have been transformed into animals and people, with the park particularly impressive at night due to its reflective objects.
Sporting enthusiasts can visit the North Carolina Baseball Museum, which is located at historic Fleming Stadium. It celebrates the playing careers of Luke Appling, Gaylord Perry and Hoyt Wilheim in the “Walk of Fame”, with a range of personal memorabilia on display. Coincide your visit with a home game of the Wilson Tobs who compete in the Coastal Plain League.
Getting around Wilson
Wilson is around a one-hour drive from Raleigh and Raleigh-Durham International Airport, which has flights to destinations across North America. Long-distance trains connect to the Wilson railway station and buses travel throughout the city, connecting most of its attractions.