Clayton (Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro: vacation, diversity, price)

[lovetotri]

What is there to do in Clayton? Do most families
go to one of the larger cities for activities/shopping etc.?
We might be moving to Clayton and I am just
curious on whether there is enough things to do in
that town. Thanks for all your replys!

[ferrickhead28]

Originally Posted by lovetotri

What is there to do in Clayton? Do most families
go to one of the larger cities for activities/shopping etc.?
We might be moving to Clayton and I am just
curious on whether there is enough things to do in
that town. Thanks for all your replys!

Depends. What age group are your children (assuming you have some)?

[seekingwarmth]

I don't live in Clayton, or NC for that matter, but I have been doing some research on the area.
Here is the town website:
Welcome to the Town of Clayton, North Carolina
This might give you a feel for what's in the neighborhood. Good luck!

[lovetotri]

11,9,7,5. We live near a lot of stuff right now. Ex. Target and other shopping places, YMCA, restaurants etc.

[ferrickhead28]

Wow, what a great age group!

okay, one of the main reasons why we moved to Clayton was for the location itself. I'm from Raleigh and even while living in Raleigh, I still traveled all over for fun things to do with the family. North Carolina ITSELF is a great place for families, there's so much to do! Here's a run-down:

(and by the way, there is no offical "YMCA", just a summer camp that is at a middle school..very disappointing!)

I dont think I can provide links to the places, but you can find websites/locations/more info by doing a Google search.
Clayton:
Rainbow Lanes bowling (they even have an indoor ride, lots of games and of course, bowling)
InnerSkate Roller skating (right behind the bowling alley)
Indoor Go-Kart track (I forget the name of it)
Typical shopping centers (Walmart, etc)

Garner: (Hwy 70 runs east to West-Both Garner & Clayton are located on 70)
Great shopping center (Target, BJ's, PetSmart, etc)
Carolina Pet Supply (I highly recommend them. Great prices, friendly staff and a good selection)

Smithfield: Some of the BEST Outlet shopping!

Raleigh: Frankies Fun Park (highly recommend! Fun for every age!), Chuck E Cheese, Roller skating, ice skating, Pullen Park (train, paddle boats, carousel, walking paths, park), movie theaters (all over), bowling, musuems, etc.

*Also worth mentioning....

The beach (Wrightsville) is about an hour & a half straight drive on I-40 East from Clayton (if you want to know where the best place to park for free is, feel free to PM me). Myrtle Beach is about 3 hours (and sometimes cheaper to stay at then at Wrightsville).

The moutains are about 4 hours away (lots of fun things to do there!)

Emerald Pointe Waterpark is about 2 hours away in Greensboro

Carowinds (amusement park) is about 3 hours away in Charlotte

Busch Gardens and Kings Dominion is about 3-4 hours away in VA

Outer Banks is about 4 hours away along the coast of NC (great vacation spot!)

NC Zoo is about 2 hours away (maybe less) in Asheboro

There are also alot of cool things to do and see. There are alot of musuems, corn mazes, fairs, exhibits, etc. I also recommend Noah's Landing, a non-profit nature center, in Coats, NC. They will have some animals on display at the Exotic Animal show on May 3&4 at the State fairgrounds in Raleigh.

If you need more info about anything that I mentioned, feel free to PM me and I can find you a link.

Good luck!
(hope that helps!)
Heather

[lovetotri]

That helps so much! I am going to print that off and keep it for later reference. Is Clayton itself boring though? Do most people go elsewhere to do stuff? Do Clayton people hang out mostly there or usually drive somewhere else?

[North_Raleigh_Artist]

Originally Posted by lovetotri

That helps so much! I am going to print that off and keep it for later reference. Is Clayton itself boring though? Do most people go elsewhere to do stuff? Do Clayton people hang out mostly there or usually drive somewhere else?

I'll be honest: having just moved away from Clayton (back to Raleigh after seven years in Clayton), Clayton is, on the whole, quite boring. The biggest activities most people there get into is going to church (for one hour on Sunday), shopping at Walmart, and... hmmm... that's really just about it.

There are interesting events that take place from time to time, including the wonderful Millstock Music and Arts Faire in the middle of town (first weekend of June), sponsored by The Coffee Mill, The Flip Side Restaurant, Clayton Visual Arts and Clayton Downtown Development. Many folks come to these events, but many more never seem to bother with cultural events of this type.

Oh... not sure any one else mentioned it, but the Clayton Center in downtown Clayton was an enormous step up when it opened a few years ago. Some very good shows in its wonderful auditorium, and many classes are offered there as well.

But, still, Clayton proved much too uninspiring and boring for me. The drive to Raleigh looking for good shopping, movies and bookstores (there are NO bookstores anywhere near that part of the world) was too much for us, and so we finally picked up and went back to Raleigh.

If you want diversity and excitement, I have to say that Johnston County probably won't supply it.

[jerseygirl918]

I'm sorry that Clayton bored you. But I'm really sorry that church bores you so much. I think you need a new church, because for me, church is the best hour or TWO of my week.
Clayton is growing with more to do. New restaurants, shopping and even a comedy club.
No need to always run to Raleigh for entertainment.

[ferrickhead28]

Nah, there's plenty to do in Clayton. I agree, there are some great shows in downtown Clayton and having a new comedy club (LOL-Laugh Out Loud) down the road on 70 is a plus!

Even when I lived in Raleigh (for 30+ years), I still had to drive out of town for entertainment. Its pretty much anywhere you live.

[1966]

Go jerseygirl!! There is plenty of things to do in Clayton. Having four children myself I sometimes look for that break of not doing anything. Lovetotri don't worry about keeping your children busy especially living in a community with so many young families moving here they'll keep themselves busy. Give Riverwood a try we have our own athletic club that the kids can join at 11 years old, indoor swimming pool along with two outdoor pools, soccer fields, schools within the community, walking trails. The community is also convienent to 264, 540,40 and 440 we also are only about 17 miles to Triangle Towne mall.