Also known as the USA’s Race City, Mooresville is a fast-paced town located in Iredell County, North Carolina.
There are well over a dozen NASCAR and IndyCar teams in the area and several racing-related companies.
As NC’s largest racing hub, many visitors flock here each year to see their favorite racer, visit a museum, and pick up a racing-themed gift at one of the many stores representing some of the world’s biggest racing brands.
Many businesses have unique viewing windows so visitors may see their favorite teams prepare for their next major event.
A tour of racing facilities and branded goods is a must for racing fans, while adrenaline seekers may test their guts at go-kart circuits.
Apart from being a sports-centered economy, Mooresville is a lively and welcoming town with events for everyone, not just car enthusiasts!
Mooresville has a lot more to offer, including outdoor leisure, the arts, and a great restaurant scene, among other things.
In addition to apple picking, you can try its horse-drawn wagon safari and join art gallery workshops.
Are you thinking of fun activities and great places to explore in the USA’s Race City?
We’ve got your back!
Here are the 15 best things to do in Mooresville, NC:
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For a fantastic dinner treat, the Epic Chophouse offers you a great fine dining experience in the Lake Norman region like no other.
This restaurant on South Main Street started in 2010 and has been known for its delectable steak and seafood dishes.
They only serve the finest cuts of prime and top-choice meats so you’ll surely enjoy every flavorful bite.
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Sink your teeth to some tender New York Strip, Rack Chops of Lamb, Porterhouse, or the Epic 48-ounce Long-Bone Tomahawk Ribeye.
Also on the menu are appetizers like Chophouse Cheese Toast, Artisan Breads, Ô Colossal Shrimp Cocktail, Epic House Salad, and more.
Order house specialties like BBQ Baby Back Ribs or Tenderloin Kabobs, soups, salads, side items, and chicken dishes.
Epic Chophouse also has a good selection of mules, martinis, cocktails, and after-dinner drinks to cap off your evening.
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From fishing, paddleboarding, hiking, and camping, you will never run out of things to enjoy at Lake Norman, a nationally renowned bass fishing lake.
The surrounding area provides a variety of paths for hikers and bicyclists.
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You may also rent pontoon boats and tubes from Lake Norman Boat Rentals that offer pontoon boats and tubes for hire within 15 minutes of downtown Mooresville.
Boats range from 10 to 30 feet in length and include sport boats, fishing boats, and pontoon boats.
If you love to fish, Black Crappie and Largemouth Bass are just a few of the many species you may catch at the lake.
Team Penske’s 105-acre, state-of-the-art race facility hosts all of its NASCAR and IndyCar racing teams.
Race spectators can walk over a 432-foot suspension bridge built on top of these vehicles and get a glimpse of how the racers prepare for their events.
The best part is some racers even come to the park to meet the guests!
You will enjoy shooting with trophies and race cars, and you will be able to see how hard the race crew is working.
If you wish to see the facility in person, free guided tours are offered daily between 9 am and 5 pm.
Oh, and you don’t want to miss grabbing a Penske Racing memorabilia at its 4,986-square-foot gift store!
The Welcome Home Veterans Living Military Museum is a one-of-a-kind fusion of a living museum and a coffee shop.
It honors Vietnam War veteran Richard Warren, who owned a neighborhood café that served as a meeting place for veterans.
The museum has a café dedicated to Richard’s memory and an extensive collection of war memorabilia.
It is also a gift store where visitors may buy military items.
Monday through Saturday, it serves breakfast, lunch, and coffee, and veterans get free coffee on Thursdays.
Saturday mornings are an excellent time to visit, as artists gather here to perform music.
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There’s something for everyone at this museum regarding cars, racing, or automobile history.
More than a hundred cars and associated artifacts are on exhibit at this unusual museum.
To recognize “exceptional accomplishment in preserving automobile history,” The Antique Automobile Club Of America (AACA) named Memory Lane one of its “Best Of 2003”.
There are almost 15 different race vehicles on exhibit, including soap derby, drag racing, Winston Cup Stock, and NASCAR cars, as well as damaged race cars that illustrate how the sport’s safety measures have evolved through time.
Additionally, there is a wide variety of vintage vehicles and movie cars available for viewing.
There is also a vast collection of go-karts and vintage toys on exhibit.
The museum is open Monday through Saturday, with extended hours during racing weeks.
Guided visits are available, but you must call the museum beforehand.
Mooresville’s lakeside seafood is a must-try.
Big Daddy’s of Lake Norman started as a tiny, family-run hot dog stand on the beach.
It has now grown as a large seafood restaurant with an oyster bar that seats 500 people.
As one of Mooresville’s oldest eateries, Big Daddy’s on Lake Norman continues to be a favorite with locals and visitors alike.
The menu has nearly every kind of seafood conceivable, but the seafood platters are the most popular.
Steak, pasta dishes, and hamburgers are also available for those who do not like seafood.
Plus, all guests have access to the restaurant’s renowned all-you-can-eat salad bar.
Head to GoPro Motorplex, the state’s only outdoor track, for an outdoor racing experience.
There are 11 bends on the 0.7-mile track, which allows you to reach up to 55 mph speeds.
Every day of the year, Adult Rental Karts are available to the public.
You can drive speeds up to 55 mph are possible in the rental fleet of karts!
Fast and well-maintained, the karts are a pleasure to drive.
However, you must be at least 16 years old and has a driver’s license to be permitted in the facility.
Also, did you know GoPro Motorplex follows the design of the renowned Kartdromo Parma track in Italy?
As opposed to the indoor courses, this one has a distinct feel to it, and it seems more genuine when you can place the tires on the rumble strips while turning.
The facility also caters to large groups and corporate team-building outings.
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This privately owned zoo features exotic species, such as zebras, giraffes, and more common farm animals.
It is divided into three sections by a three-and-a-half-mile driving road; guests are free to drive their cars or, for an extra charge, enjoy a horse-drawn wagon trip.
Many animals approach the wagons directly to be fed and petted, and wagon passengers get a half-bucket of animal feed.
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If you want more, you can also purchase additional buckets.
The ranch now houses over 750 animals from six different countries.
It is committed to conserving and reintroducing endangered species, such as the Grevy Zebra and Ring-tailed Lemur.
NC Auto Racing Walk of Fame is a must-see for racing enthusiasts.
Along Mooresville’s Main Street, engraved stone pavers honor Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, Junior Johnson, and others.
Each disk or marker contains the driver’s name, vehicle number, and year of induction.
Long-time racing enthusiasts will be most interested in this since most of the drivers are from decades ago, with just a handful active in the past 20 years.
Less than two blocks in length, the walk of fame has 18 markers.
The walk of fame only covers a short stroll and can be easily inserted into your day’s itinerary.
Nearby shopping and dining options are also available here.
Are you prepared for the most extensive antique mall you can imagine?
The Lake Norman Antique Mall, housed in a restored mill, is a gem in Mooresville.
It is a great place to browse for furniture and décor.
It offers a wide variety of items.
Since different individuals own each booth, there is a vast range of items to see.
More than 200 exhibitors offer various antiques and collectibles.
Each time you come, it seems as if new riches appear out of nowhere!
You might spend hours perusing the many sellers in search of the ideal vintage item or quirky antique to complement your house.
In addition, if you can’t make it to the mall during business hours, you can purchase certain items on their website.
The building also has a pizza and a burger restaurant if you get hungry while you’re shopping.
Moreover, it is air-conditioned to provide some respite from the hot Carolina days.
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At Kyle Busch Motorsports, you can see Kyle Busch’s trophies as well as his winning cars and trucks.
For racing lovers, this 77,000-square-foot venue offers lots of exciting experiences!
Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM) has become one of NASCAR’s most successful teams in only a few years.
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Busch Motorsports is the brainchild of two-time NASCAR Cup Series winner Kyle Busch driven by his love for winning.
Two of its drivers, Erik Jones, and Christopher Bell, have won the Owner’s Championship in addition to the owner’s series record.
Here, you’ll see trophies, messages from fans, and vehicles from KBM’s victories for his fans to enjoy.
Ghostface Brewing is Mooresville’s most famous brewery.
With two locations—one for pizza and another for their “Beer Lab”—Ghostface Brewing offers a changing tap selection that appeals to all beer palates.
A unique feature of Ghostface is that most of its beers have lower gluten levels than usual and are thus deemed safe for celiacs.
One of the founders has a gluten allergy, and she used this to develop a gluten-reduced beer.
Ghostface Brewing offers up to twenty unique and delicious beers, as well as mead and ciders.
Whether it’s malty, hoppy, dark, or light beers, it has something for you to appreciate.
Kart racing is one of the best things to do in Mooresville for race lovers who want to test their speed!
The Pit Indoor Kart Racing is one of North Carolina’s most popular entertainment venues.
Over 140,000 square feet of excitement await you only 30 minutes north of Charlotte.
With its indoor setting, the weather is never a concern. Birthday parties, group gatherings, and business events are no problem.
The 70,000-foot course has 20 tricky bends and lots of room for passing, and the karts can achieve speeds of up to 45 mph while seated just inches above the ground.
It offers over 40 arcade games, four pool tables, a 3,600 square foot laser tag arena, a blacklight mini-golf course, and more!
It also has a viewing area with TVs where spectators may enjoy the action.
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Exploring the lovely Carrigan Farms property is one of the best outdoor activities in Mooresville.
Carrigan Farms has been family-owned and managed for five generations.
The farm cultivates some of the most delectable fresh fruit in all of North Carolina.
Between mid-April and mid-November, it usually sells fruits and vegetables.
There are many U-Pick choices, including strawberries and asparagus in the spring and pumpkins and apples in the autumn.
Additionally, the property has a lovely spring-fed quarry with a sandy beach volleyball court.
Guests may engage in open swims, water aerobics classes, or rent the area for a private pool party throughout the summer.
Carrigan Farms also offers spine-tingling activities each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night in October for ages 12 and up.
A vibrant arts organization is the core of every flourishing town.
The Mooresville Arts Gallery is a non-profit institution located in downtown Mooresville that has been the center of the city’s arts scene for decades.
Three gallery rooms feature alternating exhibits of local, regional, and worldwide artists.
It also hosts one Friday evening of monthly artist receptions.
The exhibitions and parties are always free, and all guests are welcome to attend.
Instead of creating your masterpiece, you may also enroll in one of the many arts and crafts courses offered here.
Whether you reside in Mooresville or just traveling through, stop by Josh’s Farmers Market and check out the fresh produce of the local farmers.
It offers a wide selection of fruits and vegetables, as well as organic milk.
Additionally, the market features baked products, garden supplies, and prepared meals.
Do not forget to check out their gorgeous variety of pumpkins and mums!
They begin selling in the first week of September and remain fully booked throughout the month!
Come by for anything you need for the autumn season, including pumpkins, fall decorations, and anything else!
The market also sells a wide selection of Christmas trees, wreaths, and garlands during the Christmas season, among other items.
If you want to find out more about Mooresville’s history and legacy, you can take a tour at Moorseville Museum.
The museum is found on East Center Avenue and features various exhibits and artifacts that tell the city’s significant events and developments over the years.
Browse through antique items like the Typeset from The Enterprise & Tribune, or view the Civil War Drum display.
There’s also an area with Deluxe Ice Cream memorabilia and a vintage Frigidaire model.
See the Local Merchants exhibit and get to know the people that made Moorseville what it is today.
The museum staff will be glad to assist you and answer some questions during your tour.
Moorseville Museum is open on Tuesday and from Thursday to Saturday.
FearLess Adventure Park offers plenty of activities your whole family will surely enjoy.
This amusement spot is located on River Highway and offers a fun and safe space to bring out all the energy.
Get into the Ninja Course or the Trapeze, zoom your way at the Indoor Zipline, or play a friendly game of Dodge Ball or Battle Beam with your family and friends.
Dunk some hoops at the Basketball Dunk, or go for a next-level adrenaline rush with the Stunt Jump, Warped Wall, and Parabolic Slide.
Play the Omni Virtual Reality or have an arcade game challenge with your friends.
Little ones definitely won’t be left out because they’ll have lots of fun at the Toddler Play Zone, Small Kid’s Course, Small Kid’s Court, and Ball Pit.
If you go hungry after all the activity, FearLess Adventure Park has a snack bar with different choices of delicious food and drinks.
Uncorked & Artsy is an evening event happening in Mooresville every Spring and Fall.
This fun event benefits Mooresville Arts featuring wine and beer tastings along businesses in the downtown area.
You’ll also catch several local and regional artists showcasing their original works along Main and Broad Streets.
Watch live music performances and grab some light appetizers at any corner.
With your ticket event, you can enjoy tastings and get a souvenir, too.
Enjoy the happenings at Uncorked & Artsy.
Cliff Hangers on Oats Road offers great fitness and climbing activities you can do together with the family.
This modern indoor climbing facility offers sessions for beginners to speed climbers and areas like a yoga studio, a kid’s climbing area, and a fitness area.
Climb on a boulder with various angles and routes designed even for novice climbers.
You can also try both indoor and outdoor climbing walls to level up your skills or just aim for a good workout.
Kids can practice their skills and grip at the specially designed climbing areas.
If you’re working on your strength and flexibility, you can use the free weights at the fitness area or sign up for regular yoga classes.
Take a break and get some snacks, smoothies, energy drinks, sodas, local craft beer, or coffee at the café.
Check out Cliff Hangers’ classes and programs for different age groups and categories.
In Mooresville, North Carolina, you are sure to have a memorable getaway!
With its warm climate, love for racing, easy access to mountains and beaches, and diverse and small-town culture, you will always find a reason to come back to Mooresville.
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