Attractions and Recreations

Recreation,
Attractions,
Activities
The Charlotte Region and North Carolina and its people offer an
abundance of events, celebrations, attractions and recreation venues.
&
Events
Health and Fitness
(There are twenty-two YMCA branches in the
Greater Charlotte area including Lincoln County)
• Two YMCA’s in Lincoln County
─ Sally’s YMCA
• 1601 Forney Creek Pkwy,
Denver, NC 28037,
(704) 716-7300
─ Lincoln County YMCA
• 1402 Gaston St,
Lincolnton, NC 28092,
(704) 748-9311
Other Gyms & Health Clubs in the Area
Lincoln County and the surrounding counties have a vast number of fitness centers and spas. Lincoln County
has seven fitness centers and spas.
• Lincoln County: 13
• Catawba County: 19
• Gaston County: 20
• Iredell County: 11
• Mecklenburg County: 60 includes County/City Government Park and Recreation locations)
Walk, Run or Bike — Trails
and Tracks
Marcia H. Cloninger Rail Trail
Lincolnton, NC 0.5 mile
Ace TrackMaiden, NC`4.5 mile loop
PEE Wee’s Mountain Bike Park
Lincolnton, NC
5.5 miles
Avon/Catawba Creeks Greenway
Gastonia, NC
2.88 miles
Greenway Mountain Bike Trail
Hickory, NC
2.4 miles
Lincoln County Challenge
Stanley, NC
41.0 miles
Kings Mountain Ramble
Kings Mountain, NC
7.0 miles
Lake Norman Challenge
Denver, NC
43.0 miles
Lake Norman State Park
Statesville, NC
8 trial loops (varying distances)
Itusi Trail Laurel LoopTroutman, NC4.7 miles
Organizations
• Kiwanis Club of Lincoln County
•Rotary
─ Sunshine Rotary
─ Lincolnton Rotary
─ Denver Lake Norman Rotary
•VFW
•
American Legion Post
• Optimist Club
─ East Lincoln Optimist Club
─ East Lincoln Optimist Club
─ Optimist Club of Lincolnton
• Moose Club
• Shriners Club
• Knights of Columbus
• Lions Club
• Lincolnton Lions Club
• Civitan Club
• Habit for Humanity
• Lincolnton Toastmasters
•
The Lincoln Chapter of the Eastern Star
•
Lincoln Theater Guild
• Lincoln Arts Council
• Lincoln County Concert Association
Alder Trail where Park Lake
meets Hicks Creek.
Golf Courses and Country Clubs in Our Area
• Lincoln County Country Club
• Crowder’s Mountain Golf Course
• Westport Golf Course
• Linwood Springs Golf Club
• Verdict Ridge Golf and Country Club
• Henry River Golf Course
• Cowan’s Ford Country Club
• Rock Barn Golf and Spa
• Briar Creek Golf Course
• Seer Brook Golf Course
• Glen Oaks Country Club
• Kings Mountain Country Club
• Apple Oaks Executive Golf Course
• Cramer Mountain Country Club
• Pine Grove Golf Club
• Hampton Heights Golf Course
• Green Meadows Club
• Lake Hickory Town Course
• Catawba Lakes Golf Course
Local Community Parks — Lincoln County
• Beatty’s Ford Park (Denver)
• Highland Drive Park (Lincolnton)
• Betty G. Ross Park (Lincolnton)
• McBee Street Park (Lincolnton)
• East Lincoln Park (Denver)
• Vale Recreation Park (Vale)
• East Lincoln Rescue Park (Denver)
• West Lincoln Park (Vale)
– Phase 1 under development
State Parks
Listed below are nineteen North Carolina State Parks located in the western
region of North Carolina. Twenty-six more state parks can be found in the central and
eastern regions of the state.
• Gorges State Park
• Mount Jefferson State Natural Park
• Chimney Rock State Park
• New River State Park
• Mount Mitchell State Park
• Stone Mountain State Park
• Lake James State Park
• Pilot Mountain State Park
• Crowder’s Mountain State Park
• Hanging Rock State Park
• Lake Norman State Park
• Mayo River State Park
• Grandfather Mountain
• Haw River State Park
• Elk Knob State Park
• Marrow River State Park
Regional Vineyards and Breweries
Breweries in the Charlotte Region has been
growing in the last decade, but more so in the
last five years.
Charlotte: 17
Charlotte Region: 18
Breweries in Planning: 9
Wineries
There are more than one hundred wineries and Vineyards in North Caroina, with
approximately sixy or more wineries and
vineyards are located in the Western
Piendmont Region. Lincoln County has
one winery located in the western region.
Charlotte Ciders: 2
Charlotte Regional Ciders: 1
Charlotte Distrilleries: 3, 1 coming soon
Charlotte Regional Distilleries: 3
Woodmill Winery, Lincoln County, NC
Currently there are 217 Breweries now established in
North Carolina (05/2016)
Events in the Area
• Apple Festival (2 Day event) (Lincolnton, Wilkesboro, Morganton)
• Old Soldiers Reunion (parade) (Newton)
• Hog Happenin (regional biker fest and barbecue) (Lincolnton)
• Art Crawl (1 night event) (Lincolnton)
• Scottish Highland Games (Grandfather Mountain)
• Highland Celtic Festival (Asheville)
Apple Festival Lincolnton (vendor)
• Carolina Balloon Fest (Hot Air Balloon) (Statesville)
• Oktoberfest (Hickory, Charlotte, Asheville)
• Asian Festival and Dragon Boat Race (Cornelius)
• Drumstrong Rhythm and Arts Festival (Charlotte)
• Annual Festa Italiana (Charlotte)
• Coca Cola Speed Street presented by Chevrolet (Charlotte)
• Civil War Re-Enactment at Historic Latta Plantation (Huntersville)
• Taste of Charlotte (Charlotte)
• Harrisburg Art Walk (Harrisburg)
• Artisan Program (Charlotte)
Lincolnton’s Hog Happenin
• International Collectibles and Antiques Show (Charlotte)
• Color Festival (Charlotte)
• Queen City Bike Fest (Charlotte)
• Festival in the Park (Charlotte)
• Kwanzaa Celebration (Charlotte)
• Auto Fair (Charlotte Speedway — Spring & Fall)
• Good-guys Southeastern Nationals (Charlotte Speedway)
• Southern Rodeo Association Circuit (Statewide)
• Mint Hill Madness Festival (Mint Hill)
BalloonFest (Stateville)
Attractions
• Billy Graham Library
• The Knight Theater
• NASCAR Hall of Fame
• Lazy 5 Ranch
• Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
• Light Factory
• Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
• Mint Museum
• Belk Theater at Blumenthal
Performing Arts Center
• NC Music Factory
• Biltmore Estate
• Old Salem Museum and Gardens
• Bird Brain Ostrich Ranch
• Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
• Booth Playhouse at Blumenthal
Performing Arts Center
• Carolina Actors Studio Theatre
• Carolina Raptors Center
• Carolinas Aviation Museum
• Catawba Queen—Queens Landing
• Charlotte Ballet
• Charlotte Museum of History
• Charlotte Nature Museum
• Charlotte Symphony
• Catawba Science Center
• Ovens Auditorium
• PNC Music Pavilion
• President James K. Polk State Historic Site
• Spirit Square Center for the Arts and Education
• Time Warner Arena
• Memory Lane Museum
• North Carolina Racing Hall of Fame
• The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway
• Dirt Track Racing School
• Pure Speed Racing
• Richard Petty Driving Experience
• CPCC Performing Arts Center
• The Fillmore
Amusements Parks, Zoo’s — Great Places to Go!
•Carowinds
• Great Wolf Lodge Concord
• Discovery Place
• Ghost Town in the Sky
• Tweetsie Railroad
• GoPro Motorplex
• North Carolina Zoo
• Charlotte-Concord SEA LIFE Aquarium
• The Speed Park Condcord Mills
Professional Sports Tand Venues
• Carolina Panthers (NFL Football )
• Charlotte Motor Speedway (NASCAR)
• Charlotte Hornets (NBA Basketball)
•
• Charlotte Checkers (Hockey)
• Concord Speedway
• Charlotte Knights (Baseball)
• Hickory Motor Speedway
• Hickory Crawdads (Baseball)
• Charlotte Hounds (Lacrosse)
zMAX Dragway
Motorcycle Riding Clubs
• Piedmont Blue Ridge Adventures Riders
• Statesville & Mooresville Riders
• Seek GOD First FBCH
• Catawba Valley Scenic Riders
• Carolinas BMW Motorcycle
Owners Association
• Upstate SC Motorcycle Riders
• Winston-Salem Motorcycle Riders
• Charity Ride for CHNH
• The Greensboro Cruisers Group
• Triad Ducati Club
• Family Road Riders Club
• Independent Riders meet up group
• East Asheville Riders
• The ARC (Advanced Riders Club)
• Charlotte CBA
• CRC Charlotte Riders Club
• Diversity Riders
• Upstate Motorcyclist
• Asphalt Sisters Blue Ridge Chapter
• Holston Valley Riders
• NC Piedmont Triad Dual Sport/Adventure Riders
• Follow the Spirit Riders NC
• Diavel AMG Enthusiast
• Ebony and Ivory Charlotte
Car and Truck Clubs
• Catawba Valley British Motor Club
• Metrolina Corvettes
• Roush Owners & Enthusiast Association
• Native Street Machines
• Central Carolina Auto Enthusiast
• Cross Members
• Hillbilly Hot-rodders
• Mountain Gateway MOPAR Association
• Blueridge Thunder Group
• British Car Club of Western Carolina
• Cadillac LaSalle Club, Inc.
• Carolina Cougar Club
• Carolina Opel Club
• Carolina Region Cadillac LaSalle Club, Inc.
• Carolina Regional Mustang Club
• Carolina Chapter Buick GS Club of America’
• Carolina Falcon Club
• Classic Camaros of the Carolinas
• NC Stangs
• Rock Hill Classic Chevy
• Smokey and the Cruisers
• Carolina Jaguar Club
Local Biking Trails and Events
Many biking trials are available for beginning to experienced bikers in the Lincoln County area.
Whether you bike independently, as a couple, family or even ride in a group organized activity, there
are many trails locally available that you will enjoy. Charity and fund raising events involving bike runs
and marathons do take place throughout the year by different organizations. Local bike shops can
assist you with information on these events.
Below are some local trails to consider:
Denver Trails
Located in the heart of Denver, NC. The Denver trail
developed by cared for by Blood Sweat Gears and
supporters.
U.S. National Whitewater Center
Approximately 18 miles around the
U. S. National Whitewater Center is
is a great single track for all level of riders.
North Meck Park
Approximately 3.5
miles of trail with little
to no elevation change
which makes it a nice
and easily ride.
Lake Norman
State Park
This trail is approximately
30.5 miles long. This is a
fast and flowing trail that is
sure to put a smile on your
face.
Credits: Maps , trails and information is
credited to Blood Sweat Gears (BSG)
Lake Norman Activities
Created in 1963 by Duke Energy,
Lake Norman is 34 miles long
with 520 miles of shoreline.
• Boating, Ski and Jet Ski
•Fishing
• Chartered Cruises
• Boat Access and Marinas
• Sailing
• Rowing and Scooling
• Para Sailing
•Fly-boarding
•Kayaking
• Paddle Boarding
• Walking, Hiking, Cycling
Lake Norman is the largest manmade lake in the State of North
Carolina and is only 15 miles away
from Uptown Charlotte. Lake Norman is host to many communites
including Lincoln Counties Denver,
the towns of Cornelius, Huntersville
and Mooresville. Filled with great
places to shop, dine and great accomodations, Lake Norman is rich
with with culture, leasure and year
round commnity events.
Lake Normans direct purpose is
to supply water and electricity to
many communities surrounding its
shorline. Lake Norman provides
electrity to much of the Piedmont
Region of the Carolinas through the
Hydroelectic station generators at
Cowans Ford Dam. This is used by
the Marshall Steam Plant and the
McGuire Nuclear Station. Water
from Lake Norman services Lincoln, Catawba, Iredell Mooresville,
the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County.
Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina — Activities
• Drive, cycle, bike or hike the Blue Ridge Parkway
• Birding (over 200 species of birds call the North Carolina mountains home)
•Camping
— Otter Creek, Peaks of Otter, Rocky Knob, Doughton Park, Julian Price Park, Linville Falls, Mt Pisgah
to name a few areas.
•Fishing
— Fly Fishing, Still-water Fishing, Fishing in the Cherokee Waters
• Recreational Mining: Areas of Franklin, Mitchell, Burke, McDowell Counties
— Mining Museums in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge:
— Franklin Gem & Mineral Museum
— Colburn Earth Science Museum
— Museum of North Carolina
•Hiking
— Opportunities for great hikes in the mountains and foothills of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, from a gentle stroll over the grassy meadows of the New River State Park to the steep climbs of Mount Mitchell. Numerous hiking clubs and other organizations sponsor guided hikes for those who like
company and interpretation along the way.
• Areas of Hiking
— Hiking in State Parks and Forest
— Hiking in the City ― Asheville Urban Trail
— Hiking in Cherokee ― Mingo Falls
— Hiking in the Garden Park ― Pearson Falls
Activities in the Blue Ridge Mountains (con’t)
• Mountain Biking
The Blue Ridge Mountains and foothills in North Carolina
of the finest mountain biking in the country.
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Tsali Recreation Trail
Brent Creek Research and Demonstration Forest
Mills River Water Shed
Davidson River Area
Coleman Boundary
DuPont State Park
South Mountain State Park
W. Kerr Scott Damn and Reservoir
• Rafting, Canoing Kayaking and Tubing
Rivers in the North Carolina Mountains provide some of the most popular whitewater rafting in the country. Some claim the sport was pioneered on the Nantahala River, which tumbles through the nine-mile scenic Nantahala Gorge.
— Nantahala River
—
French Broad River
— Davidson River
—
Nolichucky River
— Green River
Activities in the Blue Ridge Mountains (con’t)
The Blue Ridge Mountains
has many winter sports and
activities to offer during the
winter seanson. Here are some
activities that might interest
you. Skiing, snow tubing, snow
boarding, sledding, snow hiking, snowshoe and cross-coun-
Some Areas of Interest:
• Appalachian Ski Mountain
• Beech Mountain
• Cataloochee Ski Area
• Sapphire Valley Ski Area
• Sugar Mountain Resort
• Wolf Ridge Ski Resort
• Snowshoe Mountain
The Blue Ridge Mountains, visit and
enjoy the best of what the North
Carolina Mountains and our foothills
offer.
Coastal North Carolina and the Beaches
With more than 300 miles of barrier island beaches, two national
seashores and dozens of charming small towns, the pristine landscape of the North Carolina coast is just what the doctor ordered.
Explore lighthouses, beaches, tee-off on world class golf courses,
and dine on the catch of the day. North Carolina’s Coastal communities will surprise you; relax you, slowing you down to an enjoyable pace.
Visit the Carolina Maritime Museum and see the Queen Anne’s Revenge on display or go to the Pine Knoll
Shores Aquarium and meet the sea otters at play or visit with
incredible sea turtles. See Fort Macon State Park and experience its history. Travel to the Shackleford Banks and see
even today the wild horses running along the beach area.
Let’s not forget the Cape Lookout Lighthouse; you can climb
the 207 steps to its top. Experience a piece of history, the
lighthouse is open for climbing from the second week in May
to the third weekend in September.
Not familiar with North Carolina Beaches? Here is a list to get
you started:
• Visit the renowned
outer-banks
— Northern Beaches
• Duck
• Southern Shores
• Kitty Hawk
• Kill Devil Hills
• Nags Head
— Roanoke Island
• Manteo
• Wanchese
— Dare Mainland
— Hatteras Island
• Rodan
• Waves
• Salvo
• Avon
• Buxton
• Frisco
• Hatteras
Wilmington’s Historic River District and Island
Beaches offers great dining, unique shops
and nightlife. Downtown, tour local film sites
or board the Battleship North Carolina. Maybe visit one or all three colorful beaches in
the Wilmington area -- Carolina Beach, Kure
Beach and Wrightsville Beach. Wilmington is
active all-year-round, with events like a Greek
Festival, Street ArtFest, Annual Seaside Soccer Classic or the RIMS on the River classic
car show.
Other North Carolina Beaches to Visit:
OuterBanks
Hammocks Beach State Park
Ocaracoke
Carolina Beach
Corolla Beach
Salo
Atlantic Beach
Topsail
Emerale Isle
Mansonboro Island
Cape Hatteras
Pamlico Sound
Salter Path
Ocean Isle
Cape Lookout
Indian Beach
Pea Island
Swansboro