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Fun Things to Do in the Winter in Mooresville

Though we are thankful to have a mild and relatively short winter compared to much of the country, there are still days where being outside for extended periods is not the preferred way to spend a day. Luckily, we have plenty of indoor activities (and some outdoor ones for those who are hearty or just enjoy pushing the limits!) Read on to find some of our staff favorites for things to do in the winter.

If you want a little activity to combat the winter doldrums (and the aftermath of those Christmas cookies) head over to Cliff Hangers Climbing Gym, where beginners and professionals alike will love the indoor and outdoor climbing and boulder walls. This incredible facility features climbing walls up to 50-feet high, a 3,500 square foot bouldering area, kids climbing zone, a fitness and yoga studio and a cool cafe where you can order smoothies, snacks and craft beer after your workout.

If you want to get in some racing action under a roof, The PIT Indoor Kart Racing has you covered. The 70,000 sq. ft. track is one of the largest, single indoor kart tracks in the country, with more than 20 turns and a 20-foot width the entire track. There are adult and youth carts, making this kart track fun for the entire family. After your race, there is still plenty to entertain at the facility, with laser tag, bumper cars, blacklight mini golf and lots of arcade games. You can literally entertain the whole family for hours here!

Honor Our Veterans

Labeled “The Most Patriotic Coffee Shop in America” by “Our State”, the official North Carolina state magazine, Welcome Home Veterans Living Military Museum is the only non-profit coffee shop and living military museum in the United States. And it’s located on Main Street in downtown Mooresville. The Museum includes a coffee shop inside, where many veterans of all ages gather for friendship and camaraderie. It is also home to the “Book of Honor”, which is signed by the veterans when they first visit the coffee shop and carries the names of around 9,000 veterans from all over the world. Stroll the impressive displays grouped by conflict and all donated by the patrons of the museum or their families. A great learning experience for kids and adults alike, the museum is a must-see when visiting Mooresville.

Take a Hike

We know, we know. It’s cold. And maybe dreary. But you won’t be cold for long when you hit the trails at Lake Norman State Park. Whether you are up for a challenging moderate hike or relaxing easy walk, more than 30 miles worth of trails will deliver the perfect outing. Many of the trails offer great views of the lake, and you will certainly see an abundance of birds and other wildlife. If you want a little more speed, bring your mountain bike. If the weather has been particularly wet, check the website for trail closures before you head out, or just go spend some time on the visitor center deck overlooking part of the lake.

Go Behind the Scenes

They don’t call us Race City USA for nothing! Mooresville is home to many of racing’s top teams, and stopping in to the shops is a great way to spend a day. At JR Motorsports, check out the racing memorabilia and watch mechanics preparing cars for upcoming races. Shop for cool merchandise while helping a good cause: all proceeds from sales go to the Dale Jr, Foundation. Also a fun stop on the race shop circuit is Kyle Busch Motorsports, where you can recall races while viewing the trucks and cars that ran in those races. Be sure to head just up the road to Penske Racing, where their Fan Walk spans the entire length of the working garage where crews are setting cars for races. The more than 5,000 square foot gift shop is sure to have something you’ll want to take home.

Find Something to Sip

When it’s nippy out, we always crave a great cup of coffee. Luckily, there is no shortage of awesome coffee shops in Mooresville. Among them is Black Powder Roasting Company. More than just a shop, they are roasters who specialize in sustainable, responsibly harvested small batch brews. The store’s aroma alone will make you want to linger, and with an impressive selection of craft roasts, we know you’ll find a new favorite. Luckily, you can take home your favorite beans and reorder online when you drink it all!

Speaking of craft, if you’re leaning toward something a little more brisk, head over to the beautiful King Canary Brewing for a sampling of craft beer. There is a great selection of beers on tap, with seasonal offerings to spice it up. If it’s a pretty day, take advantage of the outdoor spaces or just belly up to the bar and quiz the bartenders on the selections. Snacks are available and a rotating schedule of food trucks offer more hearty fare. Check the Facebook page for the schedule and upcoming events.

Show us your winter fun!

As always, keep us in the loop as you are loving the things to do in Mooresville this winter by mentioning us @visitmooresville or tagging us #VisitMooresville in your posts and photos!

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Fall in Love with Mooresville

Fall in Love with Mooresville

There are so many things for visitors to love about Mooresville: the beautiful sunsets over Lake Norman, the unique swimming hole at Carrigan Farms, adrenaline inducing action of karting at GoPro Motorplex. While summer in Mooresville is filled with fun activities and things to do, for those of us at the Visitors Center, we tend to love autumn here the best. Maybe it’s the promise of cooler weather, or all of the awesome festivals, or perhaps it’s because of everything PUMPKIN! Whatever the reason, we wanted to share some of our favorite things about Fall in Mooresville.

Get a workout on the water
Most people think fall means starting to bundle up in sweaters, but here in North Carolina, there are still plenty of nice warm days for enjoying Lake Norman. In fact, many of our residents use their boats and water toys almost year round. If you want to try your hand at watersports like Stand Up Paddleboarding or kayaking, fall is a great time to do so. Not only are the temperatures great for outdoor sports, but in some places and at times, you could have the lake almost to yourself. You can rent paddle boards or kayaks at Lake Norman State Park as well as other places around Mooresville. Check out our watersports page for more information.

Hike or bike through the woods
Lake Norman State Park is not only great for watersports, it is 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
Pumpkin. Isn’t that 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 acquire your pumpkin than to pick it straight out of the patch? Better yet, take a tractor drawn hay ride to get to the patch. Does it get any better than that?

Let Your Imagination Soar
2018 will mark the 45th year for the Carolina BalloonFest! This must-see event fills the sky with colorful balloons twice per day (weather permitting) to the delight of festival goers. There is a ton of entertainment for attendees, including an artisan village and marketplace, wine and craft beer tasting garden, live entertainment, food vendors, kids zone and more! You can even book a balloon ride for the ultimate experience. Be sure to take your camera and tag us in your photos! (@visitmooresville)

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! At the Lazy 5 Ranch Drive Thru Safari, get up close and personal to more than 750 domestic and exotic animals from six continents. Take the horse drawn wagon ride through the park to get the full experience. The park hosts a Fall Festival for the month of October, included in the admission price. See how high you can climb on the straw castle, or try your hand at the pumpkin slingshot. It’s great family fun!

At Zootastic Park, giraffe selfies are a favorite with visitors! You can feed and pet these gentle giants, as well as many other animals around the zoo. You can also purchase animal encounters where you can play with animals such as Fennec Fox, Lion cubs, Kangaroo or Ring Tail Lemurs. Zootastic also hosts a Fall Festival. This year’s date is October 27-28.

Get Crafty
Thanks to some awesome local breweries, experiencing craft beer in Mooresville is easier than ever! Visit the beautifully decorated and happening 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. There is usually a food truck on hand for meals, and they also serve snacks such as popcorn and pretzels from the bar.

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 in the renovation, preserving a piece of history and adding to the “cool” factor of the bar. OnTap features 23 taps of craft beers and ciders, as well as a prosecco and wine tap. Order up some toasted sandwiches if you’re hungry, and strike up a conversation with other bar patrons for a laid back experience.

Get Your Scare On!
If your idea of fun is to walk (or run) down a totally dark trail with creepy clowns and freaks with chainsaws jumping out at you, then 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!

We want to know what you love about Fall in Mooresville! Please tag us in your photos as you enjoy the festivals, attractions, and activities this fall! @visitmooresville #visitmooresville

Fall in Love with Mooresville

Summer Fun In Mooresville, NC!

Summer Fun In Mooresville, NC!

Summer Fun in Mooresville NC!

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy all that Mooresville, NC has to offer. From hiking, paddleboarding, or kayaking at Lake Norman State Park to experiencing exotic animals up close at Lazy 5 Ranch, plenty of exciting adventures await you this summer in Race City USA!

Soak up the Fun on Lake Norman
With more than 500 miles of shoreline, Lake Norman is the largest manmade lake in North Carolina. Whether you like the speed of a jet ski or prefer to take a more leisurely pace, you can find a watersport that suits your mood on Lake Norman.

Spend the day at Lake Norman State Park, which offers year-round boating, fishing, camping, hiking and mountain bike trails. You can rent Stand Up Paddleboards, kayaks and canoes to enjoy the beautiful shoreline around the park. There’s also a swim area with a 125-yard-long sand beach that’s open from April to October.

If you want to enjoy paddleboarding and windsurfing on other areas of the lake, look into rentals from Hard Core Sports and Swell Board Shop during the summer months. Check out What’s Up Watersports for jet skis, boats, paddleboards and kayak rentals – available April through early October. And for a truly unique experience, take in a sightseeing and dinner cruise on Lake Norman aboard the Catawba Queen or Lady of the Lake at Queens Landing.

Take A Walk On The Wild Side
Mooresville is home to the Lazy 5 Ranch and Zootastic Park. At the privately owned Lazy 5 Ranch, you and your family can embark on a drive-through safari featuring over 700 animals. Drive your own vehicle or book a horse-drawn wagon ride, and feed the animals along the way.

Also privately owned, Zootastic Park offers educational programs and animal encounters. Take the whole family for a leisurely stroll through the park, and visit the many animal species, including Arabian camels, kangaroos, ring-tailed lemurs, tigers and much more. Taking selfies with the giraffes is a visitor favorite at Zootastic Park!

Rev Up Your Engines
Experience exhilarating racing action at the world-class kart track at GoPro Motorplex. This track was built by racing professionals and modeled after the famous and historic Kartdromo Parma circuit in Italy and is sure to get your adrenaline pumping!

If indoor racing is more your style, or if you have younger kids, then head to PIT Indoor Kart Track, which features the nation’s largest indoor kart track. The facility also features entertainment in addition to the karts, like a laser tag arena, a rock climbing wall, bumper cars and a black light mini-golf course.

Once you have filled your need for speed, be sure to check out the race shops in Mooresville, including JR Motorsports, Kasey Kahne Racing, Kyle Busch Motorsports, and Team Penske, to see the teams preparing the race cars for the next race.

Swim in a Super Cool Rock Quarry
For a truly unique summer experience, head to the Quarry at Carrigan Farms, where you can swim in a quarry that was mined for its granite back in the 1960s. This natural, spring-fed body of water is 25 feet deep and surrounded by towering cliffs of granite. Jump from one of the rocks if you’re brave! Check their website for hours and information.

Soar to New Heights
If you want to gain some altitude and get a good workout while doing so, check out Cliff Hangers, a climbing facility that features indoor and outdoor climbing walls, bouldering, and a kids climbing area. With climbing walls up to 50 feet, you can get an adrenaline rush as you climb for the top.

Kick Back with a Beer
A day of summer fun would not be complete without a good dinner and beverage to cap off your day. Visit our restaurants page for a complete list of dining options sure to suit every taste. And try out Ghostface Brewing, On Tap Crafty Brews, or King Canary Brewing for a relaxing end to the day.

No matter what speed you choose for your summer fun in Mooresville, we’re sure you’re going to love our town!

Summer Fun In Mooresville, NC!

Welcome Spring with these Fun Events and Activities

Welcome Spring with these Fun Events and Activities

Welcome Spring with these Fun Events and Activities!

Spring is here and the warmer weather and longer days are the perfect time to take in some great events and activities around Mooresville.

April 13 – Uncorked & Artsy

This fun evening event features wine and beer tastings at 15 downtown Mooresville businesses. The tastings event is $25 for advance tickets and $30 at the door. In addition, there will be musical acts inside and outside, as well as artists displaying and selling their works. The music and arts portion is a free event. To purchase tasting tickets online visit www.downtownmooresville.com/buy-tickets.html or you can purchase at downtown businesses.

April 14 – Food Truck Festival One of the more popular events that runs spring through fall, the #FoodTruck Festival is a great way to sample good food and drinks from area trucks. Bring a chair and stay for the evening as you enjoy gourmet fare and live music. The event takes place once a month from April through October on Main Street, #Mooresville. Details at www.downtownmooresville.com/signature-events.html

April 16 – Pick Your Own at Carrigan Farms If you want to experience picking fresh produce from the garden without the work of tending your own garden plot, head over to Carrigan Farms where you can pick your own fruit and vegetables. Asparagus kicks off the season, with strawberries following in late April or May (depending on the weather conditions). It’s great family fun and a learning experience for kids on how and where food is grown.

April 28 – Lakefront Hops Fest at LangTree

This free event will feature beer, wine and hard cider tents, two live bands, food venders, a kids zone, raffles and prizes and more. A great way to enjoy beers from area breweries all in one place! Details at www.facebook.com/events/152875578719140/.

April 29 – Dale Earnhardt Day The annual birthday celebration to honor the late Dale Earnhardt takes place at Dale Earnhardt, Inc.

May 3 – LangTree LIVE!

This popular, 22-week concert series runs every Thursday from May to September, 7-9PM. Each week features a different musical act ranging from 80’s pop, alternative rock to the classic sounds of Billy Joel and The Eagles tributes. D9 Brewery will be on site each week at LangTree Live serving up the latest in craft beer selections. Be sure to get there early and visit LangTree shops and restaurants, and bring your chair to relax on the lawn and enjoy the show. As always, admission is FREE!

May 12 – Race City Festival

The Race City Festival is a celebration of Lake Norman area arts & culture and is held outdoors along Main and Broad Streets in Downtown Mooresville. The Festival features family fun areas, hundreds of vendors, food, antiques, arts & crafts, kids areas, dancing, live entertainment, and more! About 200 vendors, two stages with live entertainment, two food courts, beer garden, kids games, face painting, street performers, mascots. free parking & free admission. Downtown merchants, eateries, art galleries and businesses will also be open.

May 21 – Race City Week

Race City Week in Mooresville celebrates everything racing! Events at race shops feature driver meet and greets, shop tours, and more. Race fans in town for the #CocaCola600 and #600Festival should plan a day in Mooresville, Race City USA! Check our event calendar for updated events during Race City Week.

May 22 – Little 600

One of the most popular events during the #600Festival, the #Little600 gives fans a chance to watch drivers battle it out on the GoPro® Motorplex kart track for bragging rights. Past champions include Bubba Wallace and Cory Lajoie. Fans also have a chance for autographs and photos with the drivers. Click for more details.

Lake Norman State Park – Canoe, Kayak, and StandUp Paddleboard rentals

Enjoy swimming at the family friendly swimming area, or rent a water toy and get out on the lake! Hourly rentals are available for canoes, kayaks, paddleboats and standup paddleboards. Availability and hours are seasonal, please check the Lake Norman State Park webpage for details.

Welcome Spring with these Fun Events and Activities

Winter Activities to Keep You Warm

Winter Activities to Keep You Warm

Winter Activities to Keep You Warm in Mooresville

In Mooresville, NC, we are known for our mild climate, which makes outdoor activities a year-round possibility. But sometimes the arctic chill makes its way down here for a few days. But don’t fear! There are plenty of activities you can do indoors to have fun and stay warm.

Go Climbing

Cliff Hangers Climbing and Fitness Gym is a fun challenge for the whole family. This state-of-the-art indoor climbing facility features a speed wall, bouldering, and a designated kids area. All you need is comfortable clothes and determination, and their friendly staff will get you started climbing! The cafe offers snacks to keep you going, as well as a great beer selection to reward you for all of your hard work. Cliff Hangers is located at 326 Oates Road, Mooresville, NC 28117 or visit them at www.cliffhangersclimbing.com.

Go Karting

When it’s a bit chilly to brave the outdoor kart track at GoPro Motorplex, there is also an indoor option for navigating the track. The Pit Indoor Kart Racing’s 70,000 Sq. Ft. track is one of the largest, single indoor kart tracks in the country. With speeds of up to 45 miles per hour, and a 20-foot wide track, that means more passing, more speed, and more of that adrenaline rush. The completely indoor facility also features a climbing wall, arcade, laser tag, bumper cars and more. It’s the perfect spot for entertaining adults and kids for the better part of the day. The Pit Indoor Kart is located at 346 E. Plaza Drive, Mooresville NC 28117. You can visit them online at meetatthepit.com.

Go Down Memory Lane

If you are feeling a bit nostalgic, try a visit to Memory Lane Motorsports and Historical Automotive Museum. Featuring over 150 vehicles on display, this unique museum is a fabulous collection of automobiles, pedal cars, antique toys, motorcycles, tractors, antique clothing, memorabilia, trophies, and so much more! Memory Lane traces the history of the automobile from 1901 to present day and the history of racing from the early moonshine era to the super speedways of today. You can view cars driven by NASCAR greats such as Bobby Allison, Richard Petty, Terry Labonte, Dale Earnhardt, and many more. Memory Lane Museum is located at 769 River Hwy, Mooresville, NC 28117 and online at www.memorylaneautomuseum.com.

Get Brewing

After a day of climbing, karting, or museuming, treat yourself to an afternoon or evening of beer sampling! Mooresville is home to some great craft beer breweries, pubs, and ale houses, where you are sure to find a new favorite. Ghostface Brewing features up to 20 unique and tasty beers along with mead and ciders at any given time in their taproom. They have a second brewery, Beer Lab, which was created from the R&D (Research & Drinking) events at the original location, where they would unleash 7 new beers at a time and experiment with strange ingredients, fruit and yeast. Beer Lab features experimental beers with taps consistently changing weekly if not daily. Ghostface Brewery is located at 427 East Statesville Avenue and Beer Lab is located at 225 S. Broad Street. Both can be found online at www.ghostfacebrewing.com

King Canary Brewing is a craft brew pub with charming decor and a wide range of styles in their brew selection, with a number of IPAs, fruited sours, dessert inspired stouts and everything in between. They also offer wines, light snacks, and a revolving lineup of food trucks. Located at 562 Williamson Rd, or online at www.kingcanarybrewing.com.

Located in downtown Mooresville, (On)Tap taphouse features 23 taps of craft beers and ciders from small, independent breweries and cideries primarily in North Carolina. In addition, they have prosecco and wine on tap, can serve you craft beer flights and fill a growler for you to take home. The renovated historic building is quite beautiful and the perfect location for enjoying a brew or two. (on)Tap is located at 188 N Main St, Mooresville, NC 28115 and online at www.ontap.pub.

Ultimate Ales was the first bottle shop in Mooresville and offers a revolving selection of beers and ciders on tap, as well as an extensive bottle collection. Ultimate Ales is located at 134-C Mooresville Commons Way , Mooresville, NC 28117 and online at www.ultimateales.com.

Enjoy your days exploring Mooresville, and remember you can always stop by our Visitors Center if you need help planning fun things to do while you are visiting!

Winter Activities to Keep You Warm