This suburban town on the shore of Lake Norman has everything from wine to water sports, so everyone in the family will love it.
Huntersville is a pretty suburban town to the north of Charlotte, part of what locals know as North Meck. It was once a busy mining and industrial town but today has spread out over a large area that includes a handful of historic attractions.
One of these historic sites is Rural Hill. At this farm and education center you can discover what life was like in the 1800s in North Carolina at the Latta Plantation. Once a thriving cotton plantation, it’s now a nature reserve and a living museum where you can take guided tours. The plantation also hosts annual festivals. Swing by for the maize maze in fall.
Also held in fall is the Carolina Renaissance Festival, which draws in thousands to experience a slice of medieval life. The fair has over 100 crafts and food stalls and has become one of the biggest experiences of its kind in the country. Want something more modern? Head to Birkdale Village, a quaint outdoors shopping area that has art shows, concerts, and events throughout the year.
Kids will love Discovery Place, an educational play center, while petrolheads should park up by Joe Gibbs Racing. It’s a working NASCAR mechanics and racing museum. Visitors can see the pit crew building the iconic cars through the window.
What Huntersville is really known for, however, is Lake Norman, an enormous man-made lake created in the 1960s. Go to its freshwater shores for excellent fishing, or try all manner of water sports, from sailing to paddleboarding to jet-boating. Along its shores, you’ll find everything from farmers markets to biking trails. Locals organize music and arts events all summer. Microbreweries and wine shops have popped up in recent years too, and the whole field-to-fork movement is growing amongst the vibrant dining scene.