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Mooresville, North Carolina

by ShanaCorbin

Mooresville, North Carolina  is filled with a surprising variety of experiences. Centered around a downtown filled with local gems, Mooresville’s appeal extends to a variety of outdoor activities from U-pick farms to mountain bike track trails to a swimming hole like no other. Just 20 minutes north of Charlotte on Interstate 77, this is where hard core race fans come to get their fix in what is known as Race City USA. And this destination not only delivers for NASCAR fans, its diverse mix of attractions and experiences are a winning combination that appeals to so many other visitors, as well.

Mooresville’s vibrant downtown is filled with independent retail shops, art galleries, spas and more. Dining options are diverse, too. From fine dining or a taste of famed North Carolina barbeque to smash burgers and ethnic specialties, it can all be found here. And beer drinkers will find seven craft breweries to enjoy. Those who enjoy history will find the original town hall, the old train depot, and the more than 100-year-old D.E. Turner hardware are still a part of the landscape here.

Beyond downtown, there is fun to be had on beautiful Lake Norman, from boat and watersport rentals to guided fishing trips on the state’s largest manmade lake. Lake Norman State Park also has more than 30 miles of trails to explore that add to Mooresville’s mix of options for both hikers and bikers to enjoy. Summer brings the fun of a 70-foot rock quarry open seasonally for a one-of-a-kind swimming experience. And fall is filled with opportunities to enjoy local bounty, from the U-pick farms that dot the map to the tables of local restaurants.

And of course, there are the stellar racing attractions. This is home to race teams and auto shops sporting names known around the world. JR Motorsports and Team Penske welcome visitors year-round, as does the North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame. The stories and cars of many early racing heroes as well as present day champions can be found here, and their names are also enshrined along the downtown Walk of Fame. There are also hands-on racing attractions, from indoor remote control car tracks to both indoor fun and outdoor professional kart tracks.

Mooresville offers all this along with a host of lodging options and a dose of Southern hospitality to make visitors feel right at home.

Fast Facts

  • Mooresville is renowned as the home of many NASCAR teams and drivers, earning it the nickname “Race City USA.”
  • Trackhouse Motorplex, a world-class outdoor kart track, was modeled after the Kartdromo Parma circuit in Italy.
  • Visitors can swim in a former granite quarry at Carrigan Farms.
  • Main Street Antiques & Design Gallery, located in a former textile mill, covers 160,000 square feet and has nearly 500 vendors.
  • Merino Mill, once a textile mill, has been used as a backdrop for movies and TV shows, including the Cinemax show “Banshee.”
  • Mooresville Ice Cream Company, in downtown Mooresville, has been serving up freshly made ice cream since 1924.
  • Lake Norman State Park has over 30 miles of wooded hiking and mountain biking trails.
  • Welcome Home Veterans Living Military Museum in downtown Mooresville is the only non-profit coffee shop and living military museum in the United States. The museum is also home to the “Book of Honor,” which contains the signatures of approximately 9,000 veterans. 
  • Scarrigan Farms, a popular haunted attraction, is located on the 275-acre Carrigan Farms.
  • Lowe’s Home Improvement, a major retailer, has its corporate headquarters in Mooresville.
  • Mooresville is situated on the shores of Lake Norman, a popular recreational lake for boating, fishing and swimming.
  • Mooresville’s historic downtown area features charming shops, restaurants and historic architecture.
  • The Mooresville Dragway hosts drag racing events throughout the year.
  • The Mooresville Golf Club offers a challenging 18-hole golf course.
  • The North Carolina Auto Racing Museum, located in Mooresville, showcases the history of racing in the area.

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