Updated: June 26, 24
When traveling, on vacation, or going to a new desination the first thing on our minds is, where can we go new to eat!? Nothing wrong with that Chic-fil-a sandwich you are about to eat but when are on vacation, we like to try new restaurants and do activities that we can't do at home. So, whether you are looking a place to unwind and relax or maybe somewhere a little more unique. JCO has you covered.
#1 Come Glamping with us at JCO Campground at Lee Baysden Pond and enjoy our Customized Tourism Guide. RV/Camper, Tent, and Cabin sites. Bass fishing, kayaking, and wildlife watching. Choose from our A-frame Glamping Cabin or Rustic Floating Cabin. Both include canoes and great views of the lake.
The unique part of JCO Campground at Lee Baysden Pond is the fact that we are divided by Duplin and Onslow counties in North Carolina. We are a short drive to the beach or bigger cities such as Wilmington, Jacksonville, or Swansboro. Our JCO tourism guide reflects the best of the best in both counties.
Bring on the Food
Our First recommendation for our JCO camping guests is only three miles down the road. The Country Barn, a Mennonite owned and operated store. I say store loosely because it's hard to put them in a category. They make their own sourdough breads and make fresh sandwiches. (Let me recommend the roast beef sandwich on jalapeño cheddar sourdough bread) Thursdays are for fresh donuts, and any day pair it with their glass bottled milk! They have bagged ice, homemade ice cream, all kinds of snacks and goodies. Check out their homemade furniture, birdhouses and more throughout the lot. Guests absolutely love this place and so do we!
889 Fountaintown Rd, Beulaville, NC 28518
If you were to choose only one place off our list we would tell you go to Mike's Farm. Mike's Farm could be listed in all 3 categories. They offer something for everyone and in all seasons. Purchase a ticket to ride the hay wagon to pick a pumpkin or to go strawberry picking. Lighted Christmas hayrides or a haunted hayride (haunted hayride put on by our local fire departments) Enjoy the buffet style, country cooking either by reservation or take out. Try a decadent dessert, that is sure to pack on the calories, from the bakery. Shop around the gift shop or NC Products barn and then enjoy wine or a spritzer. There are many other events, outdoor music, petting zoo, and more throughout the property. Personally, I'd like the wine spritzer and a slice of their famous chocolate cake while riding the hayride. That's my kind of adventure. 😄
1600 Haw Branch Rd, Beulaville, NC 28518
If you are looking for some Carolina BBQ check out Thig's BBQ House, just 12 minutes away. Menu offers a variety of southern dishes such as fried chicken, hamburger steak, fried catfish, chicken & pastry, and BBQ ribs. 1722 Catherine Lake Rd, Jacksonville, NC 28540
Maybe Seafood is more your thing? The Community Food and Grill, here in fountaintown, is a community favorite, especially on Seafood Fridays! Just minutes from the campground. During the week enjoy the little diner for breakfast or lunch with their daily specials. A great and easy spot to go to, after setting up the campsite, for the weekend, if you are too tired to grill out. You can tell Glenn and Debra we sent you! They see us at least once a week. 2044 NC-111, Chinquapin, NC 28521 Are camping and wanting fresh seafood for a boil or to grill at your campsite? Check out Southern Breeze Seafood for shrimp, oysters, crab, fish, and all the makings. If their food truck is on site get the crab rolls! You won't regret it. 5138 Richlands Hwy, Jacksonville, NC 28540
Want to try something different while camping or pack a cooler to take back home? (We had a guest do just that. Packed the RV refrigerator and had to buy a cooler to take a cajun haul home!) Louisiana comes to North Carolina at Richlands Cajun Market. They have sampling Saturdays and have items such as alligator bites, boudin, king cakes, and more. 904 Wood Dr, Richlands, NC 28574
Shan's Place is your down home, country diner. Call it in early to pick up in the drive thru. We love the variety Shan's offers for Breakfast and Lunch. Open every day but Saturday and Sunday. Cash only but they have an Atm inside. 5500 S North Carolina 50 Hwy, Wallace, NC 28466
Head on over to Capt. Bob Beck's Marina Cafe for Jacksonville's only waterfront dining experience. They have a wide range of dinner selections, bar, decks and docks to enjoy. Sunset Dinner Cruises are back! We know you love fishing because that's just one reason you are staying with us at JCO Campground. So if you want to book a charter or do a overnight houseboat stay, check out our good friend, David Fountain, with Just Got Reel Inshore Fishing Charters. David charters right out of the Marina Cafe. The Marina also has a catch and cook special on the menu! How cool is that!
110 S Marine Blvd, Jacksonville, NC 28540
I scream you scream, we all scream for ice cream! That's exactly what you might do when visiting Triple C Sweets in downtown, Richlands. Try their themed, Mason jar, fancy shake of the month, Hershey ice cream by the scoop, or something from the bakery display.
108 W Hargett St, Richlands, NC 28574
Vineyards and Spirits
When I said spirits, I meant like the alcohol kind. But if you are into the ghostly ones, rumor has it The Country Squire is haunted. The Country Squire is an inn, restaurant, and vineyard that's of Scottish inspiration. They have their own wine tasting room and a banquet room. Their most popular entrées are the Korean beef, marinated turkey, and the filet mignon. The history of the building is quite fascinating. This is our wedding anniversary treat and I'm just warning yall, the Knickerdropper wine is dangerous! 🍷748 NC HWY 24 Bus &, 50, Warsaw, NC 28398
One of the most well known businesses of Duplin County is the ever expanding, Duplin Winery and The Bistro. The Duplin Winery is one of the oldest wineries in the south. Enjoy a bottling tour and tasting package. Then head over to The Bistro for lunch and a slice of cheesecake! If you like sweet wines, you cannot go wrong at the Duplin Winery! Try one of their many flavors of wine-aritas! You can also join their heritage club and have an assortment of wines shipped right to your door. 505 North Sycamore Street, Rose Hill, NC 28458
Our hometown favorite is Huffman Vineyards and Mama's Kitchen located just 20 minutes away from JCO Campground. Opened late on Fridays and Saturdays, featuring fun events like music bingo, trivia, and sip & paint! Enjoy dinner from the Food truck and try a sampling of their sweet to dry wines. I love the blackberry wine or ask them to make you a Sangaria.
221 Haw Branch Rd, Richlands, NC 28574
The Mad Boar Restaurant and Pub offers dining with a wide range of menu items and specials, wine shop, pub with live music weekends. 111 River Village Pl, Wallace, NC 28466
Wine not your taste? Something a little more, manly? Or hard core? Maybe Walton's Distillery is more your speed. From their classic Moonshine recipe to Apple, Peach, and Salted Carmel. They also have Walton's bourbon, vodka, and rum. Tastings and tours are Free running six days a week. Do you have what it takes to get through the sampling lineup? Let us know your favorite if you go!
261 Ben Williams Rd, Jacksonville, NC 28540
Activities
JCO Campground at Lee Baysden Pond is just 30 minutes from Jacksonville, North Carolina. Jacksonville is home to Camp Lejeune military base and if you prefer to do a little history, travel to view the Lejeune Memorial Gardens. Here you will find the Beirut Memorial, the Onslow Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Montford Point Marine Memorial, and 9/11 Memorial Beam from the World Trade Center. Plans for the future include the Corpsman Memorial and the Carolina Museum of the Marine and Civic Institute. As locals to the community, we still have military ties here. You will find my great uncle's name, Michael Johnson USN, listed on the Beirut Memorial.
109 Montford Landing Rd, Jacksonville, NC 28540
For the kids or animal lovers, Jacksonville is the home to Lynnwood Park Zoo. The zoo, is a 10 acre facility that houses over 100 animals, many of which were rescued, re-homed, or rehabbed. We love to visit at least once a year with our kids. They even have an interactive part of the tour where you can hold snakes and other critters, if you dare. Hours and open availability may vary in different seasons. 1071 Wells Rd, Jacksonville, NC 28540
Take a trail ride with County Line Trail Rides and the trained professionals just 15 minutes from the lake. Great for all ages and riding experience. 148 Cotton Top Lane, Beulaville, North Carolina 28518, United States
If you like biking trails Jacksonville's newest attraction is Big Branch Bike Park. It has two courses currently with plans of expansion. If adrenalin pumping, engines revving, rubber burning racing is your thing, cruise to Coastal Plains Dragway and Circle Track. Carolina beaches are around 45 minutes to an hour drive. Drive over to Topsail Island and enjoy the sand and sun. Eat on the water, either beach view or sound side at Daddy Macs, Buddys, or Sears Landing. Karen Beasley's Sea Turtle Rescue or EMA Touch Tank Aquarium are great places to visit on the island. The communities here are also home to some of the greatest events and festivals.
Antiques & Junkin'
Looking to add a touch of history and character to your home decor? Antiques shopping is a fantastic way to discover unique pieces with stories to tell. In our bustling communities around JCO Campground in Chinquapin, NC you will find several charming local places where you can embark on a treasure hunt for one-of-a-kind finds. From vintage furniture to retro artwork, these antique stores are sure to delight any enthusiast of the past. Join me as we explore the hidden gems and eclectic offerings of our community's antique shopping scene.
Beulaville, NC
Duplin Square Market
Beulaville Antiques and Vintage
Wallace, NC
Riverside Barn Antiques
Rustic Antiques and More
Richlands, NC
Fantastic Finds vendor mall
Richlands Community Outreach
Jacksonville, NC
Antique 2 Chic vendor market
The Foundry
The Flipping Rooster
Twice as Nice
The Basement
Adventures....
Make every day an adventure, new, and exciting. Whether you are a Duplin or Onslow County citizen or a guest, passing through, Enjoy all that our great communities have to offer you. Support local business and tourism.
Let us know in the comment section which place(s) are your favorite? Which one would you like to visit? Or do you have a favorite that didn't make our list? Maybe we will want to try it out and add to our list!
If you would like to make a reservation with us at JCO Campground look at the reservations tab on the website or send us a message. We look forward to hosting you.
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