Lake Norman has a lot more than just a beautiful lake. There are exciting driving experiences, top NASCAR shops, museums and nature centers, plus the region has wonderful historic sites and rejuvenated historic downtowns.
Where birds soar. And spirits do too. Have a conversation with a magpie; go behind the scenes where our rehabilitation and education birds live, or just try to spot the 23 species of raptors living along The Raptor Trail. Open M- Sat 10am-5pm and Sun 12pm-5pm. Closed Mon and Tues Nov 1 – Mar 31. Located within Latta Plantation Nature Preserve.
Owners Dave & Ester DeFehr envisioned planting a vineyard and bringing the first winery to Iredell County. After locating an ideal 52-acre pastoral setting, the property was purchased in 2004. The land was manicured to enhance natural features and the soil prepared. Four acres of vines were planted in 2005. Wine was produced from the first harvest in 2006. We opened the doors to our timber frame-style tasting room and art gallery in 2008! Closed Tue and Wed
The EnergyExplorium at McGuire Nuclear Station is a creative, hands-on energy education center where you can learn about electricity and nuclear energy. The EnergyExplorium has exciting interactive exhibits that are educational and fun, including a touch screen exhibit on energy efficiency. The site features a nature trail, butterfly garden and picnic shelter. The EnergyExplorium is free and open to the public year-round except on Sundays, New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. For more information call (980) 875-5600 or visit www.duke-energy.com/energyexplorium
Offers a very affordable way to enjoy sailing and rowing on beautiful Lake Norman. Over 50 sailing and rowing craft available for youth and adults of all skill levels. They supply life jackets and all necessary safety support. Youth and adult programs available with seasoned instructors. Also serving those with special needs. Located at the southern tip of the lake at Blythe Landing. www.nccsailrow.org
Serving NASCAR fans for over 10 years!. We do the driving to all the top race shops in the Lake Norman region. Serious racing fans will enjoy racing history and modern racing excitement! Our South West Tour is action packed with visits to JR Motorsports, Hendrick, Roush Fenway Nationwide & Truck Shops, Red Bull, NC Racing Hall of Fame and Joe Gibbs. Our North East Tour takes you to popular remote locations like Richard Childress, Childress Vineyards, Stewart Hass Racing, and Roush Fenway Concord. www.raceshoptours.net
Offering premium pontoon boats and personal watercraft rentals on beautiful Lake Norman for over 12 years. Whether you are local or just visiting and want to enjoy a hassle free day on a pontoon boat or a refreshing spin on a jet ski, they take the work out of boat ownership. CS Rentals is committed to offering their customers the best rental experience on Lake Norman. Located at Queens Landing, 4 miles west of I-77 at exit 36. www.lakenormanjetskirentals.com
The Depot at Gibson Mill A tourist destination for “Pickers” of antique furniture, household items and mementos from the past. Folks drive in from across the region, and from as far away as New York and Florida, to explore the Depot’s huge 88,000 square feet sales floor. More than 600 individual dealers stock their booths with one-of-a-kind items. The Depot at Gibson Mill has quickly become the largest and most popular antique mall in the South.
Provides extraordinary and rich play experiences that value imagination, fun and learning. The Museum offers an adventure in play for children age birth through 7 and their parents or caregivers. Join us for daily puppet shows and story time. Discovery Place KIDS is located at 105 Gilead Road Huntersville. Visit www.discoveryplaceKids.org
13 miles of the Lake Norman shoreline is within this 1,300 acre state park’s border where you can swim, camp, hike, mountain bike, or fish in the beautiful lake front woodlands. 33 campsites can be rented on a first-come, first-served basis, each including tent pads, picnic tables, and grills. Camping for groups up to 25 people is available by reservation. Call for details. A boat launch is available free for boaters while pedal boats and canoes can be rented at the swimming area bathhouse. The lake front swimming area is the only public swimming area on the lake and boasts a sandy beach, diving platform, and a roped off swim area . Picnic tables are scattered throughout the park with two larger picnic areas available that can be reserved. You can also enjoy a hike along nature trails that wind along the shore and through the park. To reach the park take Exit 42 west off I-77. For information visit www.ncsparks.net/lano.html
Memory Lane Motorsports and Historical Automotive Museum Displays a huge collection of NASCAR and vintage race cars, plus many one-of-kind famous vehicles from the past and popular movies. Several cars driven by Dale Earnhardt are on display. The museums 8000 sq. foot souvenir shop is the region’s largest racing and collectables store. You’ll find everything from books, apparel and die-cast cars to other types of rare collectibles. West at Exit 36. www.memorylaneautomuseum.com
JR Nation, a retail store devoted exclusively to Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his JR Motorsports brands. The store offers a wide variety of merchandise and collectibles. Inside the store is a life-size Dale Jr. wax figure sculpted by world renowned Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum and a large viewing window into the race shop. The store is also home to the Dirty Mo Radio studio where you can catch live recordings of various podcast shows hosted by our own JRM personalities and drivers. All DMR podcasts are available to listen for free @ DaleJr.com & other podcast-catching networks such as iTunes & RSSRadio. The retail store is open from 8:30-5:00 Monday -Friday, 10-3 on Saturday and closed Sundays. Shop tours are available on Thursdays and Friday by appointment, email shoptours@jrmracing to schedule.
One of the premier organizations in NASCAR and home to the sport’s most dynamic lineup of drivers, which include Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, and Matt Kenseth. Visitors have a unique opportunity to watch the team prepare for the race weekend from a large observation window that looks down on the main shop floor. Fans can shop for their favorite team apparel in the retail store. Open to fans weekdays from 8 AM to 5 PM, with special hours during race weeks. www.joegibbsracing.com
Invites you to come experience Lake Norman’s only lighted driving range and par 3 course. Or come enjoy our new 18-hole Mini Golf Course. It’s fun and challenging for entire family! If your swing is a little rusty, or if you are trying to get to the next level, SwingCrafter’s Golf Academy can get you in shape for your next round. Full service golf center with club sales and repair, snack bar, practice putting green and lessons for all ages and skill levels. www.mooresvillegolfrange.com
The North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame is dedicated to all types of racing—from drag racing to stock cars, and the museum houses more than 35 cars that represent and help relive some of racing’s greatest moments. Numerous racing displays and showcases are continually rotated in an effort to promote North Carolina’s motorsports heritage. The Gift Shop carries a wide selection of racing memorabilia and is also the Official “RACE CITY, USA” merchandise headquarters. We carry race used authentic tires, rims, sheetmetal, and crew shirts from various drivers and teams. All tires come with a certificate of authenticity from the North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame. The North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame is the Official Visitor Center for (Exit 36, I-77) Mooresville, providing race fans with a free race shop guide and map. Spend a day in Lakeside Park visiting the Hall of Fame, and race shops. www.ncarhof.com
Business Hours Monday-Friday: 10am - 5pm Saturday: 10am - 3pm CLOSED SUNDAYS
Tour the uniquely designed and fully furnished Catawba River Plantation built in 1800 for James and Jane Latta, along with the circa 1850’s smoke house and the nine other relocated or reconstructed plantation outbuildings. The site is alive throughout the year with farm crops, gardens, heritage breed livestock, costumed interpreters, and special events. Open year round Tuesday-Saturday 10-5, Sunday 1-5.
Visit a premier hot rod shop located in “Race City” U.S.A. Specializing in all builds from hot rods and prestigious restorations to vintage NASCAR racing. Realizing dreams is our specialty. We tirelessly build because it’s what keeps us awake at night - we’re artists of speed and metal. Vintage appeal is our niche. Speed is our vice. Building with our hands is our craft. Man Made Legends is our name. Hrs 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. / M-F | 8 a.m. - Noon / Sat
What better way to enjoy Lake Norman during your vacation that gliding over the water in a Kayak. Lake Norman Kayak Rentals can let you do just that. Worry free kayak rentals that include free delivery to most location on the lake! Just look for the bright yellow with the kayaks on top!
Lake Norman’s only lakeside entertainment center. Enjoy great music at the new Melanie L. Williams Amphitheater or ride the Mississippi Riverboat replica, Catawba Queen, or cruise on the Lady of the Lake Cruise Ship. Come by boat or car. Queens Landing also features Pirate Land Golf and Jack’s Lakeside Grill.
A Day in Historic Valdese One of North Carolina’s historical and cultural treasures is the town of Valdese, just off I-40 in Burke County. Founded in May of 1893 by a group known as the Waldensians, Valdese offers the visitor a day filled with fabulous attractions that tell the Waldensian story. Visit the Waldensian Winery, Waldensian Trail of Faith, Waldensian Museum and stop into our downtown shops! Group tours are available! Call or go to townofvaldese.com for further information.
An affordable, interactive zoo that creates a unique, fun and educational experience for families or large groups. Explore the days of the cowboys in the Western Town and learn about snakes, reptiles, tortoises and coatimundi. Interact and learn about farm animals in the Barnyard Petting Zoo. On the Wagon Ride you get close to (and pet some) wonderful creatures such as zebras, wildebeests, watusi and camels and the grand finale is three tigers, Sasha, Jasmine and Raja. Zootastic also includes many picnic areas and a playground to fill your day of fun.
GoPro Motorplex’s 0.7-mile, 11-turn, outdoor karting facility offers adrenaline-pumping, Arrive-and-Drive rental kart racing seven days of the week! Our fleet of rental karts are capable of speeds over 55 MPH. In addition to rental karting, GoPro Motorplex hosts national touring series kart races, as well as in-house, weekly racing championships featuring NASCAR drivers, Denny Hamlin, Kasey Kahne, Scott Speed, Michael McDowell, Justin Allgaier and many more. Open to the public! Located at Mooresville, N.C. 28115. For hours and pricing information visit: www.gopromotorplex.com or call. Check us out on Facebook and Twitter!
