Year after year, the Raleigh area is heralded as one of the best places to live in the US, with the Raleigh suburb of Clayton being recognized as #1 on the 2023 list of. best places to live in Johnston County. Quality of life is a big reason for the top ranking. And the fun things to do in Clayton, NC, contribute to that quality.
Clayton is just 17 miles from Raleigh, but you don’t need to travel even that far to have a good time.
Experience Downtown Clayton
Downtown Clayton delivers a unique experience—unique in the variety of locally-owned businesses, the artistic expression, and the diverse nightlife options. Day or night, weekdays or weekends, head to Downtown Clayton for a quick stop or a long visit.
The artistry of Clayton
Clayton fosters appreciation for the arts of all kinds, and sculpture is a particular trademark—and landmark. One of the fun things to do in Clayton, NC, is following the Downtown Sculpture Trail. The self-guided tour takes you along the streets of Clayton where you can view 12 works by artists from North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, New York, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Virginia. These stunning pieces represent an array of styles, from whimsical to contemporary. Two sculptures—Magic Man and On Two Wheels—were created by an artist from nearby Lillington, NC, and displayed in front of the popular Mannings Restaurant.
In addition to the Downtown Sculpture Trail, Sam’s Branch Greenway features a public display of artwork crafted by local schoolchildren. The paved trail stretches 1.25 miles and connects with the Clayton River Walk on the Neuse River.
Art is ageless, and evidenced at the Artmosphere Community Arts Center. The Center cultivates a love of the arts through classes for all ages in drawing, painting in various media, and pottery. Summer camps are offered for children as young as 3!
The performing arts are on display at The Clayton Center. The 600-seat auditorium in the lovingly restored historic building presents live theater, music, and dance throughout the year.
Light up the nightlife
Living in Clayton, NC, doesn’t limit your choices for entertainment. The downtown district’s eateries serve a varied menu of choices, from casual to fine dining. Cafes, bistros, diners, brewpubs, and bakeries satisfy any appetite.
At night, take your pick of places to stop in for a diversion. Revival 1869 presents live jazz, craft cocktails, and an ever-expanding selection of more than 300 whiskeys and spirits from around the world. A visit to InStill Distilling Company is an event—like poker night, karaoke, dance parties, open mic night, food trucks, and a steady supply of inspired spirits. The Cardinal Bar is known for a rotating selection of brews on tap, great hot dogs, live music, pool, pinball, and a patio. Downtown Clayton is also home to the First Street Tavern and Deep River Brewing Company, Johnston County’s first legal brewery and purveyor of award-winning brews.
Do you want a little more activity in your nightlife? Epic Axe Throwing & Social House is truly a fun thing to do in Clayton, NC. Hurling a hatchet is a great way to try something different, and work out whatever is bothering you!
Shopping
Downtown Clayton is an eclectic mix of locally owned businesses. For satisfying retail therapy, purposeful gift-giving pursuits, or just to satisfy your curiosity, wander through the many shops, boutiques, galleries, and studios. From handcrafted originals to upcycled and resale items, the shops of Downtown Clayton will certainly entertain you. And if you need an energy boost to get you through the day, stop in at Boulevard West, which serves fresh ground coffees and bobas along with a mouthwatering menu of sandwiches and waffles.
Name your sport
Clayton is a somewhat rural area so outdoor recreation is easy to find. The Neuse River flows along the town, and if you like paddling, this is the place to be. Neuse Adventures can guide you along a two- or three-hour trip in a canoe or kayak, with everything provided.
You’ll find hiking and biking trails in many locations around the town. Living in Clayton, NC, you’ll also discover convenient venues for just about anything from golf, tennis, and yoga to rugby, disc golf, and ping pong, plus a dog park.
With 42 acres dedicated to sports and activities, Clayton Community Park is the place to go for sporting fun—3 ball fields, 2 sand volleyball courts, 6 tennis courts, 2 playgrounds, 8 bocce courts, and both paved and unpaved trails. In the warmer months, plan to cool off at the splash pad at Clayton’s Municipal Park.
The East Clayton Community Park dedicates 66 acres to a variety of playing fields, an 18-hole disc golf course, one-mile trail, the inclusive Harmony Playground, and a picnic pavilion.
If you want even more choices, head inside the Clayton Community Center, with 32,000 square feet of space for active people. What’s your preferred workout? For starters, the Clayton Community Center’s indoor walking track, fitness center, and gymnasium give you space to exercise indoors. Then there’s the outdoor ping pong tables and disc golf nets. Beyond recreation, how about “creation”? The community garden, greenhouse, and pottery classroom expand the opportunities to have your own kind of fun, inside or out.
Come home to Clayton NC
Does all this sound like what you want in your next hometown? Living in this growing Raleigh suburb offers so many benefits. This long list of fun things to do in Clayton, NC, represents just part of the opportunities here. The town is growing and it’s an exciting time to move here!
New Home Inc. specializes in developing communities of single-family homes and townhomes in the Raleigh area. We build new homes for sales in Angier, Apex, Fuquay-Varina, Lillington, Smithfield, and Willow Spring. Our newest community is coming to Clayton. Hearon Pointe will feature just 24 homes, each with a large yard that’s hard to find in the area. Our homesites range from a half-acre to 2 acres. The cul-de-sac design adds privacy to your new neighborhood, too.
Our portfolio of distinctive single-family floor plans for Hearon Pointe lets you choose from a variety of styles: Craftsman, French Country, Modern Farmhouse, Georgian, English Country, and Low Country/Coastal. We’ve curated the collection to maintain curb appeal in Hearon Pointe. And you can choose from a single-level ranch or 2-story floor plans, with sizes ranging from 1,871 to more than 3,100 square feet and up to 5 bedrooms and 4 baths. Once you choose your floor plan, work with our professional designer to select every detail and make your new home as individual as you are.
Our standard features are beyond standard
New Home Inc. takes a different approach to building new homes for sale. We look at how you want to live in your home now as well as into the future. Our “Future-Proof” homes take into account that lifestyles change—your family grows or shrinks, changing the way you use your space. So, we build more flexibility into your floor plans. New Home Inc.’s standard features are anything but “standard”. Look at how we incorporate convenient, smart, energy-efficient, and forward-thinking details:
- Our smart home automation package gives you a control panel, whole home network panel, smart door lock, smart thermostat, and video doorbell. You start with the right smart home technology and with our package, and it’s easy to add more!
- The electric vehicle charging station rough-in will make it easy when you have an EV.
- Fully enclosed, secured smart door delivery zone protect your packages from the weather and porch pirates.
- CAT6 cabling is the latest in wiring and delivers strong, reliable connections throughout your home without dead zones. Don’t settle for less than CAT6 cabling in your new home!
Energy efficiency and indoor air quality features:
- The whole home air filtration system protects your family by reducing indoor pollutants.
- We build according to the specifications of the ecoSelect Home Efficiency Program,, which incorporates energy efficiency throughout your home, delivering significant savings on your utility bills.
- Low VOC paint protects you and your family from potentially dangerous fumes.
- The oversized kitchen island provides seating on 3 sides, which expands the workspaces and function of this valuable space.
- Our “messy kitchen” adds on to your work and storage space by providing a separate space with cabinets, countertops, and the option of a sink, mini-fridge, dishwasher, wine chiller, and other features that reduce the traffic and messes in your kitchen.
- A clutter-free drop zone at the garage entry to the home includes a dedicated, organized space with hooks and cubbies.
- The pocket office and flex space make it easy to customize your rooms to your needs, like a workout room, library, media center, hobby studio, man cave, homework station, or a quiet place to call your own.
- On 2-story homes, the space under the staircase can be converted to a pet palace, a quiet hideaway for your furry family members.
Among the fun things to do in Clayton, NC, is searching for a new home. New Home Inc. wants to be part of this important activity. Contact us to explore living in Clayton, NC, and all the ways it can contribute to the life you want to live.
