The cooler days of fall are here and it is a great time to enjoy all the things to do in and around Mooresville. From the adrenaline pumping excitement of go-karting to a soul-feeding hike or paddle at Lake Norman State Park, pick the speed you want to go! Take your pick of family friendly attractions and entertainment, as well as great festivals and special events. We can’t wait to show you all of the great things you can do right now in Mooresville!

Nothing says fall like a festival! One of the most highly anticipated events in our area each fall is the Carolina BalloonFest. Held just north of Mooresville at the Statesville Municipal Airport, this year will mark the festival’s 47th year delighting attendees with the daily ascension of more than 40 hot air balloons, a true wonder to behold. Guests can even schedule a tethered balloon ride to get a feel for the thrill of flight. Other entertainment includes live music, a ninja obstacle course, artisan and marketplace village, kids’ zone, NC wine and craft beer garden and much more! The festival takes place October 14, 15, 16 and tickets can be purchased online at www.carolinaballoonfest.com.

Other festival fun will take place at one of our safari animal parks, at some of our great craft breweries, and also downtown. Check out the full list here.

If you love a blending of old and new, historic and modern, then you will love our inviting downtown. Browse a more than 100-year-old hardware store as well as a contemporary artisan shop dedicated to giving back, all in the same block! Stop for lunch in a charming café or for a beverage at a historic bank turned corner pub.  Step back in time with the historic murals on many of the downtown buildings. Many of the murals have been refreshed and restored, but some are brand new. They are super popular for social media photos – and are one of our most popular Instagrammable places in Mooresville! Take a stroll through the fall flower exhibit in the John Franklin Moore Park on Main Street. You’ll also find a number of contemporary craft cocktails and fun watering holes at our Main Street bars, like 158 on Main for an elevated cocktail experience. There are so many treasures in our beautiful downtown – schedule a day to see it all!

Main St. Antiques & Design Gallery is a treasure hunters dream! With nearly 500 vendors in the 160,000 square foot former textile mill, you are sure to find something you can’t live without. Items range from vintage to repurposed to brand new, with furniture, home decor, and even clothing items. Though it is vast, the Antiques mall is only a small part of the mill property, which covers 40 acres and more than 1 million square feet of space. There are other retailers, like home decor store Nest & Bower, as well as popular restaurants Alino Pizzeria and Barcelona Burger Bar. Defined Coffee recently opened a beautiful space, and you can shop for fresh produce and local goodies at the Merino Mill Market.  *FUN FACT* The mill has been a backdrop for a number of tv shows and movies, including the Cinemax show “Banshee”.

Get kisses from a giraffe, or one of the many other species of animals you’ll find at our two animal parks, Lazy 5 Ranch and Zootastic Park.  Take a drive through the safaris and feed the animals that come right up to your window.

With more than 30 miles of wooded trails, Lake Norman State Park offers visitors a great way to enjoy the fresh air, abundant wildlife, and stunning scenery around Lake Norman. Take an easy trail around the lake or challenge yourself with a more moderate hike, or bring your mountain bike for a fun workout.

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! The rental karts are capable of speeds up to 55-miles per hour, and the twists and turns of the track will test your skill. In fact, many of racing’s top drivers use the track to stay in shape during the off season.

The best part about a weekend away is treating yourself to some goodies! Luckily there are some great places around Mooresville to do just that. Take a step back in time when you visit Mooresville Ice Cream Company in downtown Mooresville. They have been providing freshly made ice cream to the community since 1924! Enjoy your treat while you stroll downtown and take in the artist murals on the buildings, or pop in one of the charming shops. If cookies are your thing, you have to check out Red’s Scratch Made on Main Street. These cookies are next level, with flavors like Pumpkin Cheesecake, Rocky Road Brookies and Spiced Caramel Apple. Just be sure to get there early as they frequently sell out before closing time! CynTucci’s Bakery features classic tarts, cupcakes, and other confectionary treats in their charming Main Street storefront. For a complete list of sweets and other treats check out our listings.

Summer is here and it is a great time to enjoy all the things to do in and around Mooresville. From the adrenaline pumping excitement of wakesurfing to a soul-feeding hike or paddle at Lake Norman State Park, pick the speed you want to go on the lake! Or if you prefer dry land, take your pick of family friendly attractions and entertainment. We can’t wait to show you all of the great things you can do right now in Mooresville!

With more than 500 miles of shoreline, Lake Norman is the largest manmade lake in North Carolina. There are numerous ways to experience lake life. Rent a boat, jet ski, or water toys to get out on the water. Or if you’d prefer that someone else do the piloting so you can relax and enjoy the cruise, try Carolina Cruising Charters or one of the cruise boats at Queen’s Landing, a replica paddleboat named the Catawba Queen, and the luxury yacht, Lady of the Lake. You can choose a site seeing tour or a dinner cruise.

If you crave a little more excitement – why not learn to wakesurf or hydrofoil with the team at Ride LKN Wake & Surf Co.? With their expert coaches, they will have you up and surfing like a pro in no time.

You can also hire a fishing guide to help you navigate the great fishing spots on Lake Norman. Let the experts show you the best spots to reel in a species of bass, crappie, catfish and more.

If you love a blending of old and new, historic and modern, then you will love our inviting downtown. Browse a more than 100-year-old hardware store as well as a contemporary artisan shop dedicated to giving back, all in the same block! Stop for lunch in a charming café or for a beverage at a historic bank turned corner pub.  Step back in time with the historic murals on many of the downtown buildings. Many of the murals have been refreshed and restored, but some are brand new. They are super popular for social media photos – and are one of our most popular Instagrammable places in Mooresville! There are so many treasures in our beautiful downtown – schedule a day to see it all!

Main St. Antiques & Design Gallery is a treasure hunters dream! With nearly 500 vendors in the 160,000 square foot former textile mill, you are sure to find something you can’t live without. Items range from vintage to repurposed to brand new, with furniture, home decor, and even clothing items. Though it is vast, the Antiques mall is only a small part of the mill property, which covers 40 acres and more than 1 million square feet of space. There are other retailers, like home decor store Nest & Bower, as well as popular restaurants Alino Pizzeria and Barcelona Burger Bar. Defined Coffee recently opened a beautiful space, and you can shop for fresh produce and local goodies at the Merino Mill Market.  *FUN FACT* The mill has been a backdrop for a number of tv shows and movies, including the Cinemax show “Banshee”.

Get kisses from a giraffe, or one of the many other species of animals you’ll find at our two animal parks, Lazy 5 Ranch and Zootastic Park.  Take a drive through the safaris and feed the animals that come right up to your window.

With more than 30 miles of wooded trails, Lake Norman State Park offers visitors a great way to enjoy the fresh air, abundant wildlife, and stunning scenery around Lake Norman. Take an easy trail around the lake or challenge yourself with a more moderate hike, or bring your mountain bike for a fun workout.

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! The rental karts are capable of speeds up to 55-miles per hour, and the twists and turns of the track will test your skill. In fact, many of racing’s top drivers use the track to stay in shape during the off season.

The best part about a weekend away is treating yourself to some goodies! Luckily there are some great places around Mooresville to do just that. Take a step back in time when you visit Mooresville Ice Cream Company in downtown Mooresville. They have been providing freshly made ice cream to the community since 1924! Enjoy your treat while you stroll downtown and take in the artist murals on the buildings, or pop in one of the charming shops. If cookies are your thing, you have to check out Red’s Scratch Made on Main Street. These cookies are next level, with flavors like Pumpkin Cheesecake, Rocky Road Brookies and Spiced Caramel Apple. Just be sure to get there early as they frequently sell out before closing time! CynTucci’s Bakery features classic tarts, cupcakes, and other confectionary treats in their charming Main Street storefront. For a complete list of sweets and other treats check out our listings.