8 Best Things To Do In Cornelius, North Carolina

things to do in cornelius north carolina
Megan
Megan 
Updated
| 3 min read

Cornelius, North Carolina is a beautiful lakeside town along Lake Norman. It serves as a major suburb to Charlotte, NC. There are lots of excellent places to hike, swim, and eat in Cornelius. Read on to learn more about some great spots to visit on your trip here.

1. Jetton Park


Jetton park is over 100 acres of park land. It is an ideal spot for any one who likes to be outside. There is a play ground for the kiddos, a beach (for walking or sunning, no swimming allowed), picnic tables, and tennis courts. For those interested in walking or running, there is a 1.5 mile loop trail that leads past some beautiful look out points, also great for roller blades as it is paved. There is a bike trail as well that is 1.3 miles long. Jetton Park also has a formal garden to be enjoyed by visitors. Much of the park is shaded, which makes it comfortable on the sunny, hot days.

Jetton Park

Address: 19000 Jetton Rd, Cornelius, NC 28031

Website: Jetton Park

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2. Ramsey Creek Park

Lake Norman in Ramsey Creek Park
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Dough4872 used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Ramsey Creek park is a lovely water front park that offers swimming, a boat launch, and a fishing pier. There are also plenty of nature trails spread through out the 46 acres that make up Ramsey Creek Park. Covered picnic areas are available along the shore of Lake Norman by reservation only. There is a play ground here for the kiddos to enjoy, a dog park for the pups, and a volleyball court for anyone interested in a game. During the summer season, there is an entrance fee collected at the park. Ramsey Creek Park is handicap accessible. There are also plenty of spot within the park to sit and relax.

Ramsey Creek Park

Address: 18441 Nantz Rd, Cornelius, NC 28031

Website: Ramsey Creek Park

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3. Visit Lake Norman

LakeNorman
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Prince Grobhelm used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Lake Norman is the ideal spot to have some fun in the sun. It is an enjoyable place year round. The lake is that largest man made lake in North Carolina. Feel free to fish on the lake or even try water skiing. Paddle boarding is also a great outdoor water activity while at Lake Norman. There is a 30.5 mile single track trail that is popular for mountain biking around the lake. There are loads of parks lining the shores of Lake Norman as well, so you can find a beachy spot to sit back and relax. These also have plenty of boat ramps and fishing opportunities.

Lake Norman

Address: 19900 West Catawba Ave, Suite 102, Cornelius

Website: Lake Norman

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4. Ferrucci's Old Tyme Italian Market


Ferrucci’s Old Tyme Italian Market was established in 1999 in Cornelius. It serves as a specialty Italian food store, butcher shop, and place for good ole home style Italian cooking. There is a variety of authentic Italian foods here that you are sure to enjoy. It is a great spot for lunch or just to pick out some yummy goodies. Really worth a look while in Cornelius, even just to smell all the pleasant aromas inside!

Ferrucci's Old Tyme Italian Market

Address: 20910 Torrence Chapel Rd, Cornelius, NC 28031

Website: Ferrucci’s Old Tyme Italian Market

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5. Robbins Park


Robbins park is a lovely little park, known especially for its excellent play ground.The play ground is shaped like a tree, with plenty of places for little ones to climb and explore. The area is mostly shaded, with bathrooms and picnic tables near to the play ground area. Robbins Park has nice walking and running paths and interesting art sculptures for those who may be interested. There is also a sand volleyball court and a tennis court at Robbins Park.

Robbins Park

Address: 17738 W Catawba Ave, Cornelius, NC 28031

Website: Robbins Park

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6. Lake Town Tavern


Lake Town Tavern bar and grill is a kid friendly, pet friendly environment. It has a traditional American feel, with comfort food specially created by our chef. Burgers are big and beer is good. Staff at the Lake Town Tavern is very kind and helpful, and the prices here are great. It is a great spot to relax and chill with friends or family. Often the Lake Town Tavern has live bands and karaoke. Patio seating is available.

Lake Town Tavern

Address: 19708 W Catawba Ave, Cornelius, NC 28031

Website: Lake Town Tavern

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7. Cornelius Drafthouse


Cornelius Drafthouse is a neat little spot. It is a great hang out place, with a lovely patio to enjoy. There is often live music as well. Cornelius Drafthouse has 16 craft brews on tap. Be sure to taste some while relaxing here. Drink specials vary from day to day, but there is one nearly every day! Food is not served here, but it is possible to bring food in from outside.

Cornelius Drafthouse

Address: -C, 19818 N Cove Rd, Cornelius, NC 28031

Website: Cornelius Drafthouse

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8. My Aloha Paddle and Surf

Paddle board race 150124-F-BD983-060
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Kemberly Groue used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

My Aloha Paddle and Surf offers the largest selection of paddle boards in the area. It is a great spot for beginners to learn stand up paddle boarding, either through private lessons or group lessons. If you are a more experienced paddle boarder or interested in trying something new, My Aloha Paddle and Surf even offers a Yoga course on paddle boards! They have night outings, sunset outings, and kayak rentals too. There is a great selection of boards here and very friendly staff.

My Aloha Paddle and Surf

Address: 17505 W. Catawba Ave., Waterstreet Seaport - Suite 130, Cornelius, NC 28031

Website: My Aloha Paddle and Surf

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Visit Cornelius

The lake, the parks, and the many tasty restaurants offer plenty of things to do on your visit to Cornelius. Enjoy your visit there!

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Megan is an avid explorer and food aficionado. She loves to see the world, experiencing different cultures & traditions. When she’s not off traveling, you’ll most likely find her tucked away with a...Read more

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