Wondering what the locals love to do in Cabarrus County? Check out this list and start exploring!
When your home is “Where Racing Lives,” it’s easy to fuel a love for motorsports. Other local favorites include homemade cuisine, craft beer, shopping, family-fun attractions and historic sites in Concord, Kannapolis, Harrisburg, Midland and Mt. Pleasant.
Attending Events at America’s Home For Racing
We love the big shows in the spring and fall. A quick look through the parking lot and you’ll spot plenty of NC plates. When it’s not NASCAR race weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway, you’ll find us covered in clay during the World Finals at The Dirt Track and with earplugs in at zMAX Dragway. At the superspeedway, Tuesdays in June and July are for Summer Shootout racing, cooler weather means car shows (extravaganzas, really), and the track turns into a winter wonderland you wouldn’t believe for Speedway Christmas!
Staying In Style and Under Budget
You might think having the state’s largest outlet and value retail shopping center in your backyard would be bad for the budget. But designer deals at Concord Mills keep our closets and wallets in great shape. And it’s not just about how full the trunk is when we leave. We’re taking home memories of that walk through the underwater tunnel at SEA LIFE Aquarium and challenging each other to another race at The Speedpark.
Strolling Down Union Street
Dinner and a show at the Davis Theatre are always a great choice. For dessert, Cabarrus Creamery is a must. Then, you’ll find us raising a toast at Lil’ Robert’s Place and enjoying live music. Join in on the fun! Shop at places that sustain our community. Bring home items we created. Taste recipes that were passed down to us. Tell us where you’re from and what brings you here. This is what makes Historic Downtown Concord such a great place be.
Getting Away Without Leaving Town
We’re firm believers in the power of travel. But when the annual trip has already passed and we’re overdue for a little down time, staycation it is! Great Wolf Lodge offers a water park, arcade, bowling, great dining, and so much more all under one roof. A few days in 84 degrees can be the perfect antidote to a summer heatwave and a frosty North Carolina winter. Goggles, anyone?
Exploring the Arts
The Avetts are admittedly our favorite when it comes to tunes. Outside of listening to their latest record on repeat, we get our fill of harmony and horsepower at the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame. Carolina-based artists like Charlie Daniels, Eric Church and Roberta Flack are honored right beside racing greats at the Curb Museum. Grab a seat beside us at the next induction ceremony in October!
Cheering on the Home Team
Whether it’s “Thirsty Thursday” or a Saturday night fireworks show, you can bet on the local crowd being there to support our hometown minor league baseball team, the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers. Plan your visit and enjoy all the amenities throughout Atrium Health Ballpark and revitalized Downtown Kannapolis including local beer and cider, boutique shopping, and more.
Panning for Gold
Did you hear Cabarrus County is the home of gold, too? From April to October each year, we visit Reed Gold Mine to make believe we’re Conrad Reed, cross our fingers and sift through silt from Little Meadow Creek searching for a fleck. Even when there’s no jackpot, touring the underground mine at the site of America’s first discovery of gold is pretty rich.
Playing a Round of Disc Golf
Irresistible Carolina blue skies are just part of the reason Frank Liske Park stays on our agenda. Find us enjoying a leisurely picnic in the park, getting active along the trails, playing a round of disc golf on the 18-hole course, and enjoying a paddle boat ride afterward.
Celebrating Hometown Pride
The city of Kannapolis is the hometown of legendary NASCAR driver, Dale Earnhardt Sr. You won’t travel far without spotting that slanted 3 proudly displayed on hats, flags, mailboxes — you name it. The Dale Trail takes us to a lot of special places around the region including the Dale Earnhardt Tribute Plaza in the heart of downtown.
Start planning your getaway to explore Cabarrus County, NC like the locals with these Places to Stay.
