Ryan’s Crossing: a Haven for Good Old-Fashioned Summertime Fun

Here in Ryan’s Crossing, residents of all ages will find an assortment of warm-weather activities to enjoy in and around our conservation community. With 46 acres of our community dedicated to 100% nature conservation, there are plenty of birds to watch, places to picnic, and outdoor adventures to explore. Long evenings with colorful sunsets and fireflies dancing over the creek banks conjure a nostalgic idea of how the farming families who once worked this land spent their hot summer nights. Deer, beavers, otters, and blue herons are our neighbors, and several protected species call this area home including bald eagles, Cape Fear shriners, and multiple types of freshwater mussels.  

 Not only is hiking a great way to exercise and catch a glimpse of the abundant wildlife, but there are several nearby trails you will want to add to your bucket list. In addition to the 1.5-mile trail within our community, Duke Forest, The American Tobacco Trail, and Deep River State Trail offer some of the best hiking opportunities in the Triangle and are all within a short drive. Jordan Lake State Recreation Area also has challenging hiking trails, two swim beaches with playgrounds, campsites, kayak/canoe launches, boat docks, and several fishing piers. Don’t have a boat?  No problem. Discover numerous local companies who provide resources for day trip excursions to give you the perfect day on the water.  Also, don’t forget to look up while you’re on the lake.  You may see a majestic bald eagle or blue heron during your adventures!  

 Just outside of the neighborhood, there are several wild and wonderful things to do and see. The Carolina Tiger Rescue, a non-profit wildcat sanctuary, hosts summer camps and public tours of their facility where tigers, bobcats, lions, and leopards are saved in natural habitats from zoos, circuses, and private owners. The Kidzu Children’s Museum hosts free garden parties every third Friday in June, July and August, and they also provide a “Parent’s Night Out” event on select weekend evenings for children ages 5-9, each night with a different theme.  

Nearby Chapel Hill is well-known for its versatile music venues, but you can also find some hidden secrets a little further south including Bynum Mill Village which has been bringing local artists together for free events since the mid-1900s. This unincorporated township, formerly a textile mill company, hosts Front Porch Pickin’ on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. May through December.  You can also join in on the festivities for the Friday Night Music Series every Friday night until September. Enjoy sweet sounds from local musicians as families come together for open acoustic bluegrass jams, an experience you won’t find inside city limits. Keep an eye out for festival signs on Highways 15-501 and 64 advertising flea market-style craft fairs on Old Bynum Bridge. 

Whether you want to try catching crawdads or tadpoles in our tributary stream, have a farmer’s market-fresh picnic, or experience a star-gazing session near the yoga pavilion, Ryan’s Crossing is the place for you and your family this summer. Our community is teeming with unobstructed nature, enticing you to slow down and enjoy the scenery. Contact us today and find out how you can enjoy the most memorable summer of your life living in Ryan’s Crossing!

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