Carthage is the county seat, and its central location makes it convenient to all areas of the county.  It is home to the Annual Buggy Festival held each May, which commemorates Carthage's buggy manufacturing heritage during the mid-1800s to 1920s. 

It is also home to the Carthage Historical Museum (above) displaying 200 years of local history, and to various historic sites including the 1760 McClendon Cabin, Moore County's oldest structure still standing in its original location.  The Bryant House, built in 1820, is also on the McClendon property.  Just 10 miles north of Carthage is the North Carolina State Historic Site, the Revolutionary War-era House in the Horseshoe (Alston House).

Little River Golf Resort, Moore County's newest golfing destination, established in 1996, is just south of Carthage.