What to Do This Fall in Mooresville, NC
Mooresville offers so much for visitors to love: beautiful sunsets over Lake Norman, the unique swimming hole at Carrigan Farms, and adrenaline-inducing go-kart racing at the Trackhouse Motorplex. While summer in Mooresville is filled with fun activities and things to do, we at Visit Mooresville tend to love autumn best. Maybe it’s the promise of cooler weather, all the awesome festivals, or maybe it’s because of everything pumpkin! Whatever the reason, we wanted to share some of our favorite things about Fall in Mooresville.
Hike or bike through the woods
Lake Norman State Park is not only great for watersports, but it is also a great place to hike or mountain bike. With more than 30 miles of trails, moderate elevation changes, and gorgeous scenery, it’s easy to see why Lake Norman State Park has one of the highest visitor rates in the state, with nearly one million visitors in 2017! The Lake Shore Trail offers beautiful water views and was voted a must-see trail. Once the leaves start turning, you are in for an awesome display of nature on your walk, run, or ride.
Pick a Pumpkin at Carrigan Farms
Aren’t Pumpkins the real reason everyone loves fall? From pumpkin lattes to ice cream to beer, the fruit that screams autumn turns up almost everywhere. Whether you want to decorate your porch or use it in a recipe, what better way to get your pumpkin than to pick it straight from the patch? Better yet, take a tractor-drawn hayride to get to the patch. To learn what to expect before you go, read the blog about what to know before you go.
Tap Into Your Wild Side
Though the animal parks near Mooresville are open year-round, fall is a great time to visit, as the animals enjoy the cooler temperatures as much as we do! Get up close and personal at the Lazy 5 Ranch Drive Thru Safari with more than 750 domestic and exotic animals from six continents. Take a horse-drawn wagon ride through the park for the full experience. The park hosts a Fall Festival from October 3-25, 2026, included with admission. (Keep in mind that extra additions and snacks are cash only!) See how high you can climb on the straw castle, or try your hand at the pumpkin slingshot.
Craft Brews & Cool Temps
Thanks to some awesome local breweries, enjoying craft beer in Mooresville is easier than ever! Visit the beautifully decorated and lively scene at King Canary Brewing. Owners Matt and Andrea wanted the taproom to be a family place where people could gather and relax, and they have done just that. The outdoor patio area is perfect for the coming cooler temps and is a great place for kids to play while the adults socialize. A food truck is usually on hand for meals, and the bar also serves snacks like popcorn and pretzels.
One of the first breweries in Mooresville, Ghostface Brewing prides itself on creating unique and tasty beers – and features up to 20 at any given time. They also serve mead and ciders as well as pizza from a brick oven. Housed in a quaint building with exposed brick walls just a couple blocks off Main Street, this brewery is a popular local hangout. Check their events page for some fun happenings like yoga classes and the Mooresville Artisanal Marketplace, where you can sip and shop.
OnTap Crafty Brews is located in the heart of historic downtown, in a corner building with a great view of the Main Street scene. Built in 1907 as a bank, the building’s original vault was converted into a beer cooler during the renovation, preserving a piece of history and adding to the bar's “cool” factor. OnTap features 23 taps of craft beers and ciders, plus a prosecco and wine tap. Order toasted sandwiches if you’re hungry, and strike up a conversation with other patrons for a laid-back experience.
Credit: Carrigan Farms
Spooky Halloween Fun
If your idea of fun is walking (or running) down a totally dark trail with creepy clowns and freaks with chainsaws jumping out at you, you will probably get a kick out of Scarrigan Farms! Not for the faint of heart, the one-mile trail promises to be one of the scariest that you can encounter, and it is the perfect way to welcome in the Halloween season. Tickets are sold at the gate only and are first-come, first-served. Check the website for the full schedule of dates and times. And don’t get into that creepy clown’s van!