The whole state of North Carolina is centuries old and has changed a lot over the years, and Huntersville is the same.
It was the first city to be established in and recognized by the state of North Carolina in 1873.
Huntersville was originally called Craighead, but citizens renamed it after a cotton farmer named Robert Boston Hunter.
Before the town even had a name and was recognized by the state, trains regularly ran through it, which allowed people to move into the area quickly, and because of its interesting history tourists still frequent the city to this day.
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Warrior Dash North Carolina
Source: Flickr.com/Chris Ballance | CC BY 2.0 GenericThe annual North Carolina Warrior Dash is held in Huntersville.
What’s a Warrior Dash?
It’s sort of like a 5k run, but with some fun and challenging obstacles thrown in the mix, like Goliath and the Fisherman’s Catch.
This charity run is held all over the country, and people who run in the Dash are called the “Warrior Nation”.
You aren’t obligated to, but if you choose to run, you can raise money for the St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
The Warrior Dash is a great way to get active, meet new people, have fun, and raise for a good cause!
Checkout their Facebook page for upcoming events.
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Metrolina Greenhouses
Source: Flickr.com/U.S. Department of Agriculture | CC BY 2.0 GenericIf you’ve bought plants from a hardware store or Walmart, there’s a chance you’re already familiar with the work of Metrolina Greenhouses in Huntersville, North Carolina.
They’re an industry-leading producer of all sorts of ornamental plants.
The unique thing about Metrolina is that although it’s a HUGE company, it’s still family-owned.
They don’t do public tours, and educational tours are limited.
But, don’t let that dishearten you!
They do an annual open house, so if you watch for details on their Facebook page, you have the opportunity to witness a rare experience!
Address: 16400 Huntersville-Concord Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078, United States
Carolina Renaissance Festival
Source: Wikipedia.org/Greg Douglas | CC BY 2.0 GenericIf you’re a fan of cosplay, blacksmithing, fencing, or medieval history, then get out your costume and head to Huntersville!
The Carolina Renaissance Festival is 250 acres of 16th century living, performance art and amusement park at its finest!
There’s a little something for everyone, including games and attractions like the word’s biggest rocking horse, a rideable version of DaVinci’s flying machine, a free petting zoo, loads of artists and vendors, and live mermaid performances.
You can take a ride on a camel, or check out all the food. Don’t forget to get a turkey leg! There are even jousting tournaments 3 times a day, and falconry demonstrations!
You can check out the festival around the end of September until mid-way through November.
Address: 16445 Poplar Tent Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078, United States
Discovery Place Kids
This is the perfect venue for kids between the ages of 6 months and 7-8 years old!
It’s a children’s museum with hands-on interactive educational exhibits.
Kids can do everything from learn about physics to learning how to create, or learn about various careers (like being a firefighter or chef), or even learn how to garden.
The museum has different exhibits, and events like sensory hours.
And you should definitely check out their website not only to learn about their daily schedule and special events, but also because you can get discounted tickets.
Address: 105 Gilead Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078, United States
Birkdale Village
Source: Wikimedia.org/Brett VA | CC BY 2.0 GenericIf you’re new to the area or visiting, then you should definitely check out Birkdale Village for a shopping outing.
It’s home to more than 60 different shops, which include everything from Dick’s Sporting Goods,
Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works to Barnes & Noble and Total Wine & More.
You’ll also find 10 different restaurants, which means you won’t have to settle for a boring lunch!
There’s even a 16-screen theater, which you could check out with friends or the kids, or take someone on a special date!
You could literally wine and dine someone, then take them to a movie at Birkdale Village!
And you don’t have to worry about traffic woes because it’s got an integrated linear parking design that allows you to take in some of the design features, like fountains and gardens, as you stroll from your car to the shops.
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Carolina Raptor Center, Huntersville NC
Source: Wikimedia.org/DickDaniels (theworldbirds.org) | CC BY-SA 3.0 UnportedThe Carolina Raptor Center can be a unique educational experience for kids, or something fun to do to break your weekend activity funk.
It’s a museum that focuses on birds of prey, called raptors.
The raptor trail is ¾ mile long, and it features more than 25 different raptors, both native to the area and exotic.
You can view eagles, falcons, hawks, kites, merlins, vultures, and more! The center is open 7 days a week from March to October, and Wednesday through Sunday November through February.
They have frequent events, like Thanksgiving with the Raptors, an owl spotting event, and Christmas with Owl Santa.
Check out their webpage for more information on events.
Address: 6000 Sample Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078, United States
Latta Place (Formerly Latta Plantation)
Source: Wikipedia.org/Carol M. Highsmith | Public Domain Mark 1.0Latta Place was formerly called Latta Plantation, and as its former name suggests, it was a Southern slave plantation.
The 742-acre plantation was built by James Latta in 1800, and at one point he owned more than 34 enslaved people on the property.
The reason for the name change is because of protests in the area about how the plantation was being presented.
It’s now being re-branded as an educational center, and it’s focused on transparency and presenting the history of the site with empathy and truth.
It’s currently not open to the public because of the re-structuring project, but they plan on re-opening it in 2026, and when it’s open to the public once more, it’s definitely something you should see, not just to take in the history but because it really is a beautiful piece of architectural.
Address: 5225 Sample Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078, United States
Primal Brewery
Source: Unsplash.com/Olivia Bauso (Representative Image) | Unsplash LicenseThe Primal Brewery is a great, adult-friendly attraction, and it may quickly become your new favorite bar!
It’s designed to encourage interaction with the bartenders and other patrons, and because of that there aren’t any televisions.
It’s got a home-like feel to it, which makes it cozy.
When it comes to the beer itself, they’ve got beers that everyday beer-drinkers will love, craft beers that aficionados will appreciate, and some that beginner craft beer drinkers will enjoy.
The outdoor beer garden is really where it’s at!
They’ve got live music, fire pits, outdoor games, and party lights that give the environment a special feel.
If you’re going to get food from the outdoor beer garden section, try out their Big Brew House Pretzel with a side of beer cheese, or if you’re in the mood for a sandwich, their Primal Burger or a Pulled BBQ Sandwich with Carolina Gold BBQ sauce is sure to hit the spot!
They regularly host trivia nights and music bingo nights, so you’re sure to have fun whenever you go.
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Address: 16432 Old Statesville Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078, United States
Joe Gibbs Racing Team Store
Source: wikimedia.org/No Author | CC BY 2.5 GenericThe Jo Gibbs Racing team, headquartered in Huntersville, North Carolina, has won four Nascar Xfinity Series Championships and Nascar Cup Series Championships.
Some of the drivers on the JGR team are Karl Edwards, Matt Kenseth, Kyle Busch, and Denny Hamlin.
Nascar fans should head to Jo Gibbs Racing.
They don’t provide any tours, but they have an excellent viewing area and a gift shop that’s open to the public.
If you’re lucky and observant, you might even have the chance to see Jo Gibbs himself walking through the gift shop!
Address: 13415 Reese Blvd W, Huntersville, NC 28078, United States
Meg-art Pottery Painting Studio & Espresso Bar
Source: Unsplash.com/Anna Kolosyuk (Representative Image) | Unsplash LicenseBring your creativity to life at the Meg-art Pottery Painting Studio & Espresso Bar!
They have more than 1,000 pre-made pottery pieces for you to paint in whatever fashion you want. You don’t need any experience (or talent, honestly) to paint in their studio.
It takes around a week to get your piece back because they have to fire it, and it can take 10-30 days if it has art or writing on it.
You can pay extra for rush firing if you just can’t wait to show off your creation.
And since you get a punch card, you can earn points towards free pottery! If you feel like you could benefit from instruction, you can sign up for classes.
And whether you want something tall, dark, hot and caffeinated, or something sweet for the kiddos, the Espresso Bar has you covered!
Address: 15940 Northcross Dr Ste A, Huntersville, NC 28078, United States
Frankie’s of Charlotte
Frankie’s is an amusement park that has fun for the whole family.
You can visit with friends, family, or a special someone for a fun and unique date night experience.
Don’t be fooled into thinking this is the typical amusement park experience.
Sure, there are the typical outdoor park rides, like a mini-golf course, three go-kart tracks, a tea cup ride, and three roller coasters.
Indoors, there’s a two-story laser tag facility, and honestly I could end the listing with that because who needs more than that??
But they also have more than 120 arcade games, 24 bowling lanes, a 3-story playhouse for kids, bumper cars and an indoor dropzone ride.
They’ve also started integrating VR technology, and now have a Holodeck, and “The Dark Ride”, which is a 7-D interactive movie experience with 4 different movies to choose from.
And if you need refreshment, you can choose from indoor or outdoor dining.
They have a bar with 12 draft beers on tap, plus various bottle beers, wines and cocktails. Frankie’s is gem that you need to experience for yourself!
Hopewell Presby and Cemetery
Source: Wikimedia.org/Kittycolada911 | CC BY-SA 3.0 UnportedThe Hopewell Presbyterian Church is located in the historic district near Huntersville, and was built between 1833-1835.
Its cemetery was used between 1775- 1840.
It’s got the third largest amount of box markers in the state. Box markers are the ones that appear to have stone coffins on top of them.
The bodies aren’t in those boxes, but underground, which makes their unusual appearance a bit more comforting.
Some of the markers in the cemetery were table markers, which had 6 legs instead of panels, and were popular during the early 19th century because they cost nearly as much as a whole house during that time period.
Some of the people of interest buried here are General William Lee Davidson, who died at the Battle of Cowan’s Ford in the American Revolutionary War in 1781.
Frances Bradley was a Revolutionary War hero, the Lattas family owned Lattas Place, and four or more of the people who signed the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence are also interred here.
Address: 10500 Beatties Ford Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078, United States
Huntersville Business Park
Source: Wikimedia.org/Aussersein | CC BY-SA 3.0 UnportedThe Huntersville Business Park is something that locals are likely intimately acquainted with, but you should track down if you’re visiting the city.
It’s home to all sorts of businesses, which means you can grab a coffee, shop for groceries and hit the gym all in the same area.
It’s home to things like Publix, Harris Teeter, Fedex, Starbucks, Walgreens and Anytime Fitness.
Because it’s along I-77, it’s a hop, skip and a jump from both uptown Charlotte, NC, and the Charlotte-Douglas International Airport. Plus, you can easily reach I-485 and I-85 from here.
Address: 13420 Reese Blvd W, Huntersville, NC 28078, United States
Athletic Park in Huntersville, NC
Source: Wikimedia.org/DMagee33 | CC BY-SA 4.0 InternationalIf you’re an athlete, then obviously the first place you should check out in Huntersville is the athletic park!
It has four full-sized ball fields, as well as a regulation-sized soccer field for you to play ball in, plus a multi-purpose field.
There are lots of amenities, too, like a restroom, concession stand, a covered picnic area complete with grills, two different sets of playground equipment, and a wilderness bike trail.
You don’t have to be a total jock to appreciate the athletic park. It has a 1.7m walking path, too.
Parts of it are paved, and it’s considered an easy walking path that both children and leashed pets can enjoy.
Address: 11720 Verhoeff Dr, Huntersville, NC 28078, United States
Rural Hill Nature Preserve
The Rural Hill Nature Preserve has a little bit of everything all in one site.
It’s a nature preserve, living farm, historic site and cultural events site.
Not only can you take a nature hike on one of its trails through the preserve, but you can also visit the historic structures on the 265-acre property.
These include the Bethesda Schoolhouse, which was the first African American schoolhouse in the United States, and the Davidson One-Room Schoolhouse from 1890.
There’s an open-hearth cooking cabin where you can learn about how foods were cooked in the 1800s, and a blacksmith.
It’s home to lots of events, like the Scottish Festival and Loch Norman Highland Games, the North Carolina Brewers and Music Festival, the Sheepdog Trials, and more.
Make sure to visit the venue’s furry Highland cows while you’re there, because they’re adorable!
Address: 4431 Neck Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078, United States
Conclusion
Huntersville, North Carolina may not be the first vacation destination on your list, but it should absolutely be on your list because of all of the fun attractions and the history in the town.
You can shop, play, learn, and even enjoy an active lifestyle in a new location.
So make sure that you add these fun things to do in Huntersville NC to your list!
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