Queen Street is the spine of downtown Kinston and the focus of the city's recent revival. The Queen-Gordon Streets Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with several blocks of brick commercial buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries — most now restored or being restored. Boutiques, breweries, the Mother Earth Brewing taproom, and a clutch of restaurants and galleries have filled in the formerly empty storefronts.
A short walking loop from the CSS Neuse Center north along Queen Street to the Hotel Kinston building and back takes in most of the highlights. Friday and Saturday evenings see the most activity; the city's First Friday art walk in summer is worth timing a visit for.