They say you can’t buy happiness. But you can buy doughnuts, and that’s kind of the same thing. That’s why we recommend you stop by the Wilson Donut Shop. This place has been a fixture in Wilson since God was a boy. They serve a full menu for breakfast and lunch. But who are we kidding? You’re here for those circular bites of heaven. Grab some chocolate Iced and cream filled donuts. Or pick up some giant eclairs and blueberry poppers. Either way, your sweet tooth will find just what it’s craving.

Just a few minutes from downtown you’ll find Lake Wilson. This park covers over 320 acres and has some of the best hiking and biking around. Visitors will find two looping trails that circle the lake. The inner loop is about 1.33 miles and the outer loop 1.76 miles. The trails are mostly flat with the exception of one hill about halfway around. Along the paths a bridge will take you over the back of the lake and around the bottom side of the dam. The trails start and end at the parking lot. So just when you think you’re getting tired, you’re back at your car.

There’s nothing like walking into the ballpark on a warm summer evening. The electric buzz of anticipation for the opening pitch. The familiar wafting aromas of hot dogs and popcorn on the breeze. Historic Fleming Stadium has hosted baseball since 1939 and was the on-site filming location for the 1988 hit film Bull Durham. Watch amateur players battle it out in the Coastal Plains League at this charming ballpark. Cheer on the Wilson Tobs and watch out for Slugger--the tobacco worm mascot is full of mischief.

Everyone loves a good home cooked meal, and Bill’s Grill loves serving them. Their family-style restaurant serves comfort food made with fresh and homemade ingredients. Their portions are large, so come hungry. Try the hamburger steak plate with okra and onion rings. Regulars love it for the friendly service and their favorite cheeseburger. Visitors will soon be repeat customers once they taste the homemade cakes and brownies.

The hum of tiny engines fills the track. Drivers nervously grip their controls. In a split second the race is on. Rubber tires spin into action, kicking dirt in the air. Drivers rip through the track. They lean into the curve. They accelerate on the straightaways. They take flight on the hills, hoping for a safe landing and not a crash at the finish line. Welcome to a typical adrenaline filled day at Thunder Alley RC Speedway in Wilson. This local RC track offers visitors a chance to test their driving skills and nerves against other RC novices and enthusiasts. There are two dirt tracks; one oval and one off-road. Try your luck at both or remain a supportive bystander who reminds everyone “I could’ve done better.”

There’s something hypnotic about watching a race at County Line Raceway. Maybe it’s the sound of the engines reaching deep for that next lap. Maybe it’s the tension of multiple cars lined up bumper to bumper, one wrong move away from a crash. Maybe it’s the cheers of the crowd, yelling encouragement and back-seat driving from the stands. Maybe it’s all those things combined. But when you’re here, you don’t want to be anywhere else. For that brief moment you’re locked on that clay oval --watching, hoping, waiting for the checkered flag to crown a winner and end your suspense. That’s racing in Wilson.

You just can’t beat Parker’s Barbecue. A Wilson staple since 1946, Parker’s weekly smokes about 150 whole hogs — which are chopped and seasoned with a vinegar-and-red-pepper sauce — and fries about 8,000 chickens for 20,000 customers. We suggest you head over early to grab a space in line. You may also want to grab a fist full of napkins. If you’re not getting messy eating this barbecue, you’re not doing it right.