Recreation
Jetton Park, Blythe Landing and Ramsey Creek Park in the Cornelius/Huntersville area offer boat launching ramps, paved bike and walking trails, playgrounds, tennis courts and athletic fields, fishing piers and sandy beaches.
Jetton Park
704-896-9808
18441 Nantz Road
Cornelius, NC 28078
Blythe Landing (Lake Norman)
704-896-9808
15901 NC Highway 73
Huntersville, NC 28078
Ramsey Creek Park
704-896-9808
18441 Nantz Road
Cornelius, NC 28078
Shopping Near the I-77/I-485 interchange, NorthLake Mall opened in 2005 with 150 specialty stores and anchors Dillard's, Belk, Hecht's, Dick Sporting Goods and a 14-screen cinema megaplex. The 1.1 million-square-foot facility brings thousands of new jobs to the area.
Lake shoppers now can browse unique boutiques, quaint village shops, upscale specialty stores and national chains such as Target, Lowe's, Home Depot, Stein Mart, Kohl's and Old Navy. Several Charlotte specialty retailers have opened second sites at the lake, as have a number of restaurants.
Birkdale Village, a new, 52-acre mixed-use development in Huntersville off Sam Furr Road, offers more than 60 stores and restaurants including Williams-Sonoma, Banana Republic, Ann Taylor Loft, Dick's Sporting Goods, Barnes and Noble, and a 16-screen movie theater.
Charlotte Motor Speedway - Located 12 miles northeast of Uptown Charlotte, Charlotte Motor Speedway is truly the "Mecca of Motorsports". The speedway annually hosts NASCAR Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series races; gigantic AutoFairs, a 10-week Legends Car Summer Shootout Series, stock car driving schools and a variety of annual events at The Dirt Track and Zmax Dragway. Tours are available daily at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Gift Shop (704) 455-3202.
Town of Love Valley
133 Henry Martin Trail
Love Valley, NC 28625
704.592.2622
Love Valley is a town where the main street is dirt on purpose, sidewalks are constructed of wooden planks and there are hitching posts in front of the stores compared to parking meters. Love Valley became a town in 1963 and now has a current population 170, includes close to 30 different businesses, mainly supplying to campers and day visitors who have a love for horses and western culture. You are encouraged to bring your own horse, or you are able to rent one to ride on more than 75 miles of trails. Besides blacksmiths and stables, there's an old-fasioned hardware store, Moonshine Gifts & Ice Cream, and a general mercantile where you can purchase just about anything. Love Valley also offers a realistic saloon; The Silver Spur that is open Tuesday through Sunday. For more information on Love Valley, NC visit their website at www.townoflovevalley.com.
LAZY 5 RANCH
Highway 150 East
Mooresville, NC 28115
704.663.5100
Features 400 animals from around the world. Take a 3.5 mile safari through the gently sloping pasturelands to experience animals from 6 continents. Study the animals and their behavior from the safety of your own car or take the wagon ride. Petting Zoo and family gathering areas available.
Great Wolf Lodge
Concord NC
Exclusive indoor water parks, interactive games, and cabin-inspired suites only begin to describe the extraordinary experience ahead.
LOCH NORMAN HIGHLAND GAMES
Rural Hill, 4431 Neck Road
Huntersville, NC 28078
704.875.3113
The Lock Norman Highland Games are held on the third FULL weekend of each April near Charlotte, North Carolina. The Catawba Valley Scottish Society sponsors the annual games. This organization is dedicated to reintroducing others of Scottish descent to the rich resources of their common heritage. The purpose of the games is to reward the efforts of those who pursue a standard of excellence in traditional Scottish arts, music and athletics. The Loch Norman Highland Games want to educate people about the culture, heritage and contributions of the Scotch and Scotch-Irish.
Yadkin Vally wine and Amish Country
Hamptonville NC
Vineyards with tours and tastings. Horses and Buggies. You can pretend you are in Itatly.
NORTH CAROLINA AUTO RACING HALL OF FAME
Lakeside Park
119 Knob Hill Road
Mooresville, NC 28117
704.663.5331
"Our Mission is to celebrate and enhance the rich heritage of motorsports and its cultural contributions to our lives." The museum, dedicated to all types of racing, features 35+ race cars on display. Relive racing's greatest moments in the Goodyear Mini-Theater now featuring "NASCAR's Greatest Drivers" narrated by Dr. Jerry Punch, filmed at the Hall of Fame. You can also simply stroll by the many showcases and displays.
QUEEN'S LANDING
1459 River Highway
Mooresville, NC 28117
704.663.2628
Features the Catawba Queen and Catawba Belle riverboats, restaurants, two 18-hole putt-putt courses and bumper boat pool.
DALE EARNHARDT, INC.
1675 Coddle Creek Hwy.
Mooresville, NC 28115
877.334.9663
Experience his vision - Highlighting the careers of Dale Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Michael Waltrip. A tribute to one of the greatest in racing history.
HISTORIC DAVIDSON
Davidson, NC 28036
The town is located east off exit 30 of 1-77. Many nineteenth century home and college buildings are featured in a walking tour of historic Davidson. Home to Davidson College.
DUKE POWER ENERGY EXPLORIUM
13339 Hagers Ferry Road
Huntersville, NC 28078
800.777.0003
Families and school groups enjoy a unique attraction in the Lake Norman area, Duke Power's Energy Explorium at McGuire Nuclear Station. The Energy Explorium hands-on exhibits and computer games offer a fun and exciting way to learn about electricity. You will also enjoy spectacular views of the lake and a mile-long nature trail. Duke Power's Energy Explorium is free and open to the public year-round.
HISTORIC LATTA PLANTATION
5225 Sample Road
Huntersville, NC 28078
704.875.2312
c. 1800 Restored and furnished plantation house of James Latta, a Piedmont merchant-planter. Includes meat house, outbuildings, log house, garden and barnyard. Admission. Additional attractions include the Carolina Raptor Center and Latta Plantation Natural Preserve.
LATTA PLANTATION NATURE PRESERVE
5225 Sample Road
Huntersville, NC 28078
704.875.2312
The Natural Place to Be. Amenities include a Nature Center, full service Equestrian Center, 18 miles of hiking,trails and horseback riding, picnic area with shelters, lake overlooks, fishing, canoe and kayak rentals and launch area. Additional attractions include Carolina Raptor Center and Historic Latta Plantation.
AMAZING MAIZE MAZE
Rural Hill, 4431 Neck Road
Huntersville, NC 28078
704.875.3113
With a crowing interest in rural tourism in the U.S., this Maze in a cornfield has been recognized as a new twist on an old-time family entertainment and a unique educational opportunity for people of all ages. The Maze has all the elements to illustrate that victory can be achieved through bravery, audacity, planning and perseverance. The Maze will challenge your skills in problem solving as you explore the nooks and crannies of the schoolhouse with a little "readin', writin"n"rithmetic", game boards and puzzles pieces.
CAROLINA RAPTOR CENTER
Latta Plantation Park
6000 Sample Road
Huntersville, NC 28078
704.875.6521
Eagles, falcons, ospreys, owls, hawks and vultures are among the birds of prey at the Carolina Raptor Center located within Latta Plantation Nature Preserve. The Raptor Center is dedicated to the rehabilitation, research, and conservation of these birds as well as educating the public about raptors. A walk on the Nature Trail takes you to the outdoor aviaries, which host over 20 different species of live birds of prey. Programs presented on weekends provide interesting information about raptor education, rehabilitation and research.
CAROLINA RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL
Davidson, NC 28036
704-896-5544
The Carolina's annual Renaissance Festival is rapidly becoming a popular regional attraction and tradition. Thousands of visitors drive to the charming forest and meadows, just north of Charlotte, that have been transformed into an elaborate 16th Century village celebrating the adventure, pageantry and romance of the Renaissance era. You can mingle with royalty, townspeople, equestrians and artisans; enjoy endless entertainment, tasty and savory foods, rides and games. From the lowliest of peasants to King Henry himself, along with lovely maidens, and gamesmen, all bring to life the ambience of a Renaissance village at play. The Festival performs for seven weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) October through November.
CONFEDERATE MONUMENT
Cornelius NC 28031
Located in front of the Mount Zion United Methodist Church in Cornelius, this monument to Confederate soldiers is said to mark the iste where Confederate soldiers signed up for service. The Church dates from 1828.
