We recently visited Flowers Plantation in Johnston County, a 25 minute drive from Raleigh, to explore all the amenities this community has to offer (hello, free Band of Oz concert). Ranging from 20+ miles of walking trails to on-site shopping + an elevated YMCA, the community has something for everyone.

What we tried (with pricing):

When we first arrived, we stopped by the Visitors Center to gain our bearings of the neighborhood. Next, we were offered information about available home collections in the neighborhood. (We've already picked out our dream layout.)

Then we strolled around the on-site East Triangle YMCA (we’ve never seen a better-looking gym). This YMCA is complete with an outdoor pool + slides, top-notch gym facilities, pickleball courts, athletic fields, and programs for all age groups. Pro tip: It’s within walking distance of Flowers Crossroads shopping center.

We followed the trail behind the gym to Flowers Crossroads to watch the Band of Oz perform and ended our night with tacos + margaritas from Don Beto’s Tacos and Tequila.

Keep reading to find out about upcoming events.

What not to miss:

A major perk toliving in this community is that everything is within walking or biking distance (or a quick ride on your golf cart) with paved paths leading to the Flowers Crossroads shopping center + other on-site amenities. The shopping center features:

Restaurants
Two grocery stores
A pet store
A pharmacy
Primary care
A dentist office
Hair + nail salons

One of our favorite hidden gems was The Grocery Bag at The Percy Flowers Store. This convenience store offers red hot dogs, burgers, and standard breakfast to-go fare. The store has also been featured in the Tar Heel Traveler.

Enjoy tacos while listening to live music on Don Beto’s patio at Flowers Crossroads. | Photo by RALtoday

What we’re still talking about:

We’re still talking about the freeon-site concerts + experiences provided by Flowers Plantation. After rolling out our blanket on the lawn in Flowers Crossroads, we grabbed a glass of wine from one of the vendors and watched the locals get down to the Band of Oz.

Along with music series, Flowers offers neighborhood socials + events like Thales Academy Grand Opening on Sat., Oct. 22. This extravaganza is complete with a bounce house, face painting, tours of the campus, and balloon twisting, and a special appearance by Madison in the Morning from 96.1 BBB.

How you can experience this:

Schedule a visit to see if Flowers Plantation is where you want to plant your roots, or to just browse around.

Take a self-guided tour of Flowers Plantation by taking one of the many greenway routes. | Photo by RALtoday

Things to know if you go:

Experience: Explore Flowers Crossroads in Johnston County
Price: Free to visit
Website: flowersplantation.com
Address: Dr. Watson Inn Visitor Center, 500 NW Flowers Pkwy., Flowers, NC
Hours: Mon., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun. by appointment
Social: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube *