Activities - Gaston County

From one of the country’s most spectacular botanical garden, to a historic cathedral, Gaston County is filled with interesting things to do and places to see. Here’s a list of some of the highlights. For more information on activities in and around Gaston County, visit the Gaston County Visitor’s Center in Belmont, just off I-85 at exit 26. And visit the Travel and Tourism website at: http://www.visitgaston.org/

American Military Museum

Military memorabilia from past wars

The American Military Museum, originally founded by American Legion Post 23, houses an authentic college of military and related memorabilia from past wars and periods.

• 109 West Second Ave., Gastonia, NC
• 704-866-6068
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Belmont Abbey

Once the only abbey cathedral in the nation

The church at Belmont Abbey, completed in 1893, was once the only abbey cathedral in the nation. In 1998 it was named a Minor Basilica by Rome, a rare Papal honor. Located on the 650-acre campus of Belmont Abbey College, its beautiful painted-glass windows won a gold prize at the Colombian Exposition in 1893.

• 100 Belmont-Mt. Holly Rd., Belmont, NC
• Historic Tours:
• 704-829-1082
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Belmont Historical Society

Dedicated to preserving the history of the city of Belmont NC and its surrounding area.

Dedicated to preserving the history of the city of Belmont NC and its surrounding area. The BHS records the places, people, and times from the past that have made Belmont the community that it is. Tracing from the early days, through the years as a textile manufacturing giant, to the current days of a growing community of interesting people and places.

• 40 Catawba Street, Belmont, NC
• 704-825-4848
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Brevard Station

Historical museum in Stanley, NC

The Brevard Station museum open for visitors to see pictures, artifacts, and documents from the past. A significant factor in the history of Stanley was the discovery of a wild magnolia tree by French botanist, Andre Michaux. The descendants of this tree still thrive in Stanley.

• 112 S. Main Street, Stanley, NC
• 704-263-9801
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C. Grier Truck Museum

Discover the World of Trucking

The C Grier Beam Truck Museum has a wonderful display of trucks dating back to 1927, plus lots of photos and memorabilia. Experience the early days of trucking as they come alive through exhibits at the C. Grier Beam Truck Museum. This truly impressive attraction was founded in 1982 by the Carolina Freight Carriers Corporation as part of its 50th Anniversary celebration.

• 111 North Mountain St , Cherryville, NC 
• 704-435-3072
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Carolina Speedway

Friday night racing!

Carolina Speedway is attracting crowds every Friday night to its improved dirt race track in southern Gaston County. The 4/10 mile track has excited fans and drivers in Gaston County for 44 years, and its seating, concession stands and other facilities have recently been improved to keep pace with fans' expectations.

• 6335 Union Road, Gastonia, NC
• 704-869-0313
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Cherryville Heritage Park

19th Century Buildings in Cherryville, NC

Located in the downtown, the park includes 19th century buildings that illustrate the developments of Cherryville. They include the first City Hall, a school, smokehouse, liquor bonded warehouse and a jail. No admission fee.

• 104 S. Jacob St., Cherryville, NC
• 704-435-6998
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Cherryville Historical Museum

The history of Cherryville from the early 1800's until today

Exhibits that follow the history of Cherryville from the early 1800's until today. One of the interesting exhibits is the painting of a bull! The American Tobacco Company used the bull to advertise their Bull Durham brand tobacco. Painted on thousands of buildings in the United States and Europe, there are only four known paintings existing today on brick buildings. The bull was painted in 1910 and was covered with plaster for 80 years but reappeared in 1991 when the plaster was removed. No admission fee.

• 109 Main Street, Cherryville, NC
• 704-435-8011
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Christmas Town USA

Each December, hundreds of thousands of twinkling light turn this small mill town into a spectacular holiday display. Visitors stroll down Main Street surrounded by the sights and sounds of Christmas.

• McAdenville, NC
• 704-823-2260 - 704-823-2261
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Crowders Mountain

State Park with Spectacular views

Climb rugged peaks rising 800 feet above the surrounding countryside and watch raptors soar in the wind currents. Rocky ledges and outcrops are the perfect seats from which to view the panorama below. The park itself is 5,096 acres.

• 522 Park Office Ln., Kings Mountain, NC
• 704-853-5375
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Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

One of the finest display gardens in the southeast

Located on 450 acres along the banks of Lake Wylie south of Belmont, the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden offers 110 acres of rolling meadows and woodlands are being developed as one of the most beautiful gardens in the world. Already the perennial garden has been called one of the finest in the Southeast.

• 6500 South New Hope Rd., Belmont, NC
• 704-825-4490
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Downtown Historic Dallas

Listed on the National Register Historic Places

Listed on the National Register Historic Places is the downtown area of Dallas, NC, featuring the Old Gaston County Courthouse, the Gaston County Museum, the Old Jail, and other buildings surrounding the court square. Walking tours are available at Gaston County Museum.

• Dallas, NC
• 704-922-7682
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Gaston County Museum

Fascinating artifacts in Dallas, NC

Begin your tour of this multifaceted attraction with the museum's main building, the former Hoffman Hotel, constructed in 1852 in an elegantly simple Greek Revival style. It features authentically furnished period rooms, a "hands-on" parlor, a gift shop and changing exhibits which explore art, history and historic preservation.

• 131 W. Main St., Dallas, NC
• 704-922-7682
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King Sporting Goods

• 1102-B Union Rd., Gastonia
• 704-215-5514
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Lake Wylie Kayak Rentals

There's nothing like flat water kayaking.

Conveniently located on the banks of the Catawba River, in Mount Holly and only 15 minutes from Charlotte.

• 1000 Marina Village Dr, Mount Holly, NC
• 704-827-0000
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Lineberger Maple Spring Farms

Something for the whole family.

Whether you like fresh strawberries or blackberries, golden pumpkins or cornstalk mazes, Lineberger Maple Springs Farm in Dallas has something for the whole family.

• 906 Dallas-Stanley Hwy, Dallas, NC
• 704-922-8688
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Monarch Nutrition

• 182 W. Main Ave., Gastonia, NC
• 704-864-3282
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Quilted Thimble Cottage

• 26 N. Main Street, Belmont, NC
• 704-266-6445
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Schiele Museum

A Natural History Adventure

Featuring the largest collection of land mammal specimens in the Southeast, Five permanent galleries, plus an outdoor Indian Village and an 18th Century Farm. The Schiele is one of only 70 museums in the U.S. designated as an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, enabling it to work with Smithsonian artifacts and materials.

• 500 East Garrison Blvd, Gastonia, NC
• 704-866-6908
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Sew Much Fun!

• 831 S. Church St., Lowell, NC
• 704-824-1961
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The Floating Goat Canoe and Kayak Rentals

Located on Goat Island in Downtown Cramerton, NC.

Come and enjoy cookouts, swimming, canoeing or kayaking and so much more! Minutes from I-85.

• 100 8th Ave., Cramerton, NC
• 704-734-8599
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US National Whitewater Center

Whitewater rafting, ziplining, rock climbing and more

The U.S. National Whitewater Center is an outdoor recreation facility set on the banks of the Catawba River. Our 307 acres of woodlands is home to the world's largest recirculating river, 14 miles of biking, hiking and running trails, and one of the world's largest outdoor climbing facilities...

• 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 
• 704-391-3900
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Walk & Run Belmont

• 200 N. Main Street, Belmont, NC
• 704-829-1082
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