Cabarrus County, North Carolina, welcomes families this spring and beyond to enjoy outdoor adventure, cultural landmarks, quaint shopping and tasty Southern fare. Located just 30 minutes from Uptown Charlotte, Cabarrus County has much in store for families and promises not a moment of boredom for even the smallest of travelers.
Explore Mines and Search for Gold
At Reed Gold Mine, the site of the first documented discovery of gold in the United States, visitors can tour restored mine tunnels. Perfect to escape the summer heat, these tunnels stay cool year-round. Exhibits and historical mining equipment are also on display, and kids will love trying their hand at panning for gold.
© Explore Cabarrus
Meet a Sea Turtle
Head to SEA LIFE Aquarium, a popular aquarium featuring an interactive touch pool, 180-degree ocean tunnel and recently opened Sea Turtle Rescue Center. At the rescue center, kids can come face-to-flipper with Beasley, SEA LIFE’s newest rescued sea turtle.
Watch a Baseball Game
The Kannapolis Cannon Ballers play at Atrium Health Stadium in the center of downtown Kannapolis all season long beginning April 9. The season lasts through Aug. 31, and promises action-packed games all summer long.
Take a Hike
There’s no shortage of hiking trails in the county. Take the family to Pharr Family Preserve Trail in Midland along the Rocky River. Or opt for a bike ride along a beautiful stretch of Carolina Thread Trail, a regional trail network spanning 15 counties. Families can also hit the water to launch a kayak or canoe.
© Explore Cabarrus
Racing Events
Also known as America’s Home for Racing, Cabarrus is home to Charlotte Motor Speedway, built in 1959 and a fan favorite. This superspeedway (a track longer than 2 miles) hosts NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Infinity Series and more, including the Summer Shootout Series starting June 20. Don’t miss the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals April 26–28 at the zMAX Dragway, the world’s first four-lane drag strip. On May 26, the county hosts the 65th annual NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600, the longest race on NASCAR’s schedule at 600 miles!
Make a Splash
Cabarrus County is home to Great Wolf Lodge, a family favorite. This lodge boasts an 80,000-square-foot indoor water park featuring 11 water slides. The lodge also includes dry land activities like interactive MagiQuest, Howl in One Mini Golf and bowling inside Ten Paw Alley.
© Explore Cabarrus
Endless Food Options
If you’re looking for an authentic Southern meal, 44 Mills is the place to go. Meals consist of seasonal, local ingredients, and kids can choose from a dedicated and delicious kid’s menu. In Downtown Mount Pleasant, Café Lentz serves craft coffee, paninis, smoothies, pastries and more. In spring or summer, sit on the café’s multilevel outdoor patio. And for lovers of BBQ, don’t miss The Smoke Pit, a spot combining barbecue with NASCAR.
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