June 30, 2025
There’s still plenty of time left to get out and enjoy the Raleigh area this summer. Are you looking for something different to do? Travel just a short distance from Raleigh and explore these things to do this summer near Cattail in Clayton, NC.
Raleigh is, of course, bustling with activity all year long. But there are so many suburbs and small towns nearby where you can experience something unique to those locations. Just 14 miles southeast of the North Carolina capital, Clayton, NC, is a small town that is growing quickly. In fact, it’s the fastest growing town in Johnston County which is adjacent to Raleigh.
Is it worth a 14-mile drive to find out the things to do this summer near Cattail in Clayton, NC? Well, you be the judge.
The Tourist Checklist covers a variety of things to do in Clayton. Some of the local attractions are available all year, while others are time-sensitive for summer fun.
July 4
Square to Square Independence Day Street Festival
Independence Day festivities fill Downtown Clayton the evening of July 4. Start the downhome celebration with a bike parade at 6pm from Horne Square to Town Square, where free snow cones are handed out at 6:30. Get free watermelon slices from the Clayton Town Councilmembers, and then head over to the Fire Truck Spray Down, where you’re likely to be as soaked as the trucks. Food trucks, amusements, games, and a climbing wall will fill the town. And then a fireworks display lights up the skies over Clayton at 9pm.
July 11
Close your eyes and take in the powerful music of Chicago, one of the most successful pop-rock bands of the 70s and 80s, known for their lively distinctive horns and brass. The Chicago Rewired, the premier Chicago tribute band, takes the stage at The Clayton Center’s auditorium for one night. Whether you recall the massive repertoire or just want an evening of great music, plan now to be at The Clayton Center on July 11.
July 16
Moms Unhinged Stand Up Comedy Show
Who doesn’t need a good laugh? There will be plenty on the stage of The Clayton Center when three comedians explore an uncensored range of topics, from online dating, marriage, and divorce to motherhood, midlife crisis, and all other irritants to women!
July 17 and August 14
Downtown Clayton Concert Series
Every month from May through September, you can take in a free outdoor concert at Town Square, in Downtown Clayton, NC. Regional performers entertain while food trucks serve up their best fare. Bring a lawn chair, a blanket, and your family and friends for a special evening.
July 19
Jorts in July at Green River Brewing
It’s an all-out denim party. Pull on your jean shorts (aka “jorts”) and mingle with other denimists at the Green River Brewing Company in Clayton. There will be games and contests, like Most Unique Denim Outfit, Best Fray, and Best Canadian Tuxedo. It’s a great way to get energized having the blues.
July 24-25
Give your kids some educational fun with a two-day camp that introduces children in grades K through 5 to the exciting work of being a firefighter. Campers get safety lessons, hands-on experience with the trucks and gear, and do role-play to act out a day in the life of a firefighter. Then they will escape the heat and cool off with fire hoses!
July 25
The Motown record label brought us the music of Diana Ross & The Supremes, The Temptations, The Jackson Five, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, and the incomparable Aretha Franklin, to name only a very few. Whether you are revisiting their songs or experiencing them for the first time, The Magic of Motown is a must-see show at The Clayton Center.
July 26 and August 30
There’s always something happening in Downtown Clayton, but on the last Friday of every month through November, the district comes alive with a night market. Shops, eateries, taverns, and galleries stay open late, with special offers and events. Stroll the streets, shop, eat, drink, and be merry.
Every Saturday
Clayton Farm and Community Market
What’s better in the summertime than fresh pickings from local farms and orchards? Every Saturday (March through December), the Clayton Farm and Community Market brings together local growers, bakers, artisans, and purveyors at Horne Square on East Main Street, Clayton. Every week, you’ll discover more temptations!
Every Saturday
Any Saturday night in Clayton, unwind and listen to local musicians perform at the Cleveland Draft House in Downtown Clayton. Come early for a good seat. Enjoy the nightly specials on food and drink. Try one of their signature creations, like hot pickle chicken wings and the Elvis Burger.
Artmosphere Community Arts Center
Budding artists and craftspeople of all abilities will enjoy the classes and camps at Artmosphere Community Arts Center in Clayton. Painting, pottery, collage, mixed media, mosaics, and crafts are offered here, for all age groups.
Cool off on a hot day—with or without kids! The Splash Pad at the Municipal Park in Clayton is open daily till 8pm.
Disc golf is a popular sport for all ages. Use special discs to hit the targets throughout this wooded, 18-hole course. Play solo or in groups. And it’s free!
While Clayton has a variety of art galleries, many inspiring pieces can be found along the Clayton Sculpture Trail. The self-guided tour takes you through Downtown Clayton, where 13 pieces—each from a different regional artist—are on display. The juried exhibition changes annually, giving more artists the opportunity to share their work.
The town of Clayton supports all sorts of recreation. At Clayton Community Park, you’ll find courts for bocce, pickleball, volleyball, basketball, tennis, and shuffleboard. Set up a multi-sport tournament, meet other players, and get an entertaining workout while you’re at it.
Clayton River Walk on the Neuse
The Neuse River runs through the town, another scenic advantage to living in Clayton. This 10-foot-wide, paved walkway stretches four miles, perfect for a walk, run, or bike ride. Stop on the pedestrian bridge for a beautiful view! If that’s not long enough, keep going all the way to Falls Lake Dam in Raleigh.
Harmony Playground is perhaps the most unique play area in the entire region! The structure is designed to accommodate children and adults with disabilities. Fully ADA-compliant, it features physical, cognitive, and sensory elements, to stimulate all types of activity.
With all these things to do this summer near Cattail in Clayton, NC, why not plan to make a day of it?
Do the Downtown
Do you like spending a day experiencing the heart of a town? Downtown Clayton has so many shops, boutiques, galleries, restaurants, cafes, and cultural activities happening all year. The diversions in the walkable downtown district will easily occupy your attention all day. Plan your day trip to Clayton for a Saturday and you can start with browsing the Clayton Farmer and Community Market and end with the free outdoor concert. In between, shop, dine, and take a walk on part of the Clayton River Walk. Clayton’s shops and restaurants are locally owned and offer such a wide variety of treasures and fare that you can easily wander all day.
Spend a Day Outdoors in Clayton
Don’t stop for coffee on the way to Clayton. Save your thirst for Ziggi’s Coffee. Their beverage menu includes coffees for every taste, plus a mouthwatering menu of tea, chais, energy infusions, fruit-filled Fresherz and smoothies, sparkling sodas, and their own concoctions, Dirty Sodas—a blend of your favorite soda with other flavors, swirls of cream, and toppings.
After this refreshment, you’ll be properly revved up for a walk or bike ride. The Clayton River Walk on the Neuse offers a leisurely path along a four-mile scenic route. Connect with Sam’s Branch Greenway, also in Clayton, that leads to the Neuse River. Along the way, you’ll see one of the stops on the Clayton Sculpture Trail.
Your outdoor recreation day in Clayton should include some of the wonderful parks here. You can play pickleball or bocce, disc golf, tennis, basketball, volleyball, or jump into the splash pad. Add a river view when you paddle along the Neuse River. Kayak and canoe rentals are available at Neuse Adventures.
When the fresh air has worked up an appetite, continue your love of the great outdoors at the First Street Tavern in Downtown Clayton. Satisfy your appetite with casual dining—inside or outdoors—from an exquisite tavern menu, which includes drinks and craft beers. And it’s both pet- and family-friendly.
The Family Fun Day in Clayton
Is your family active? Or would you prefer a more leisurely outing with them? Either way, you’ll discover things to do in Clayton, NC, that please everyone.
The active family will enjoy a bike ride along Sam’s Branch Greenway, just 1.25 miles, where you can incorporate parts of the Clayton Sculpture Trail. After the tour, plan to stop for lunch at one of the many family-friendly restaurants in Clayton, NC—Manning’s Restaurant, Skylines Cafe, Jones Lunch, Sak’s Deli, or pizza and a lunch buffet at Venero’s.
After a hearty lunch, take the kids to the Harmony Playground. This unique play area is designed to accommodate children and adults with disabilities. Explore diversity with recreation!
After all the fun in the sun, cool off at the splash pad at Municipal Park. Then top it all off with homemade ice cream from Louie & Co., Vida Dulce, or the Celtic Creamery.
The Clayton Pub Crawl
Do you love sampling craft brews? There’s no shortage of great choices on tap at the many brewpubs in Clayton. Start your Downtown Clayton Pub Crawl at the Cleveland Draft House and walk over to McKinley’s to savor a pint. Move on to Vinson’s Pub & Eatery for a brew and some appetizing appetizers, like trashcan nachos, garlic cheese curds, or collard jalapeno dip. From Vinson’s walk to the First Street Tavern where you can take your brew outside. Finish up at Deep River Brewing Company, home of such signature brews as Mango Tango Foxtrot IPA, Backcountry Black IPA, Twisted River Wit, and the 4042 Chocolate Stout.
Art Appreciation Day in Clayton
Start your tour d’arte at your choice of coffee shops in Clayton. NC. Boulevard West on East Main Street is known for its coffee menu and extensive array of breakfast fare, including bagels with lox, avocado toast, and Belgian waffles. Or stop in at 9Bar Coffeehouse for organic coffee and tea, with fresh bagels, croissants, and muffins.
After you’ve caffeinated yourself, follow the Clayton Sculpture Trail. Stop and take in the details of each of the 13 pieces on public display throughout Clayton. When you finish your tour, visit the Heart2Hands Art Gallery & Studios. Browse the works of local artists and artisans. Plan ahead and include a workshop in your Art Appreciation Day in Clayton. Or, if you’re interested in learning pottery, take a class at the Artmosphere Community Center.
Finish your Clayton art experience with dinner at one of the many restaurants. Schedule your day for any Saturday this summer and you can add Live Music Saturdays at the Cleveland Draft House to your itinerary.
You’ll never get bored in this wonderful Raleigh suburb, unless that’s your choice. With things to do this summer near Cattail in Clayton, NC—and throughout the year—maybe this should be your new hometown.
New Home Inc. is building a lakeside community of new homes for sale near Raleigh, NC, in Clayton. The first phase of Cattail is now underway, with lots as large as three acres! The community is set on 575 wooded acres surrounding Cattail Lake in Clayton, which feature 2.5 miles of shoreline.
The new homes for sale in Clayton, NC, at Cattail will be built exclusively by four builders. New Home Inc. is proud to be in the company of Crosswind Custom Homes, Homes By Dickerson, and Royalty Homes. The homes will range in size from 1,871 square feet to more than 4,600. Choose your lot and builder, and then work together to create the home you’ve always dreamt of owning.
Living in Clayton at Cattail Lake provides the many advantages that come with a master-planned community. Thoughtful planning went into the design, with the emphasis on quality over quantity. With 575 acres, the developer could have divided the property into small lots, but chose instead to limit Cattail to 296 homes. A considerable amount of land is set aside for common areas and greenways, preserving the natural environment of the scenic surroundings—and a reflection of the family legacy behind Cattail.
The amenities include a lakefront, resort-style pool with pergolas and cabanas, clubhouse, outdoor fireplaces and fire pits, community lawn, paved trails, private docks, public fishing area, and boat launches.
Life in Clayton gives the ideal balance of small town life with easy access to Raleigh. Living at Cattail Lake in Clayton, NC, is even better. Just minutes from downtown, the community will be a small town of its own—private, serene, and yet so close to all things that matter.
Look at the opportunities at Cattail, including the quick move-in homes that could make you one of the founding families. Look at what’s coming, Contact the new home specialists of Cattail today, to learn more about these new homes for sale near Clayton, NC.