15 Best Things To Do In Hickory, North Carolina

1. Hickory Museum of Art

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Hickory Museum of Art is a beautiful space that holds exhibitions, events and public programs by local and nationally recognized artists. There’s a permanent collection of 19th and 20th-century art and the museum also features a long-term exhibition of Southern contemporary folk art. Located right downtown, Hickory Science Center is connected to the art museum, so you can visit both attractions in Hickory at the same time.

Hickory Museum of Art

Address: 243 Third Avenue NE, Hickory, NC 28601

Website: Hickory Museum of Art

2. Hickory History Center

The Hickory History Center - or Harper House - is a house museum that tells Hickory’s history through the numerous families who once lived there. The house has been meticulously reconstructed in order to display the details of home-life and furnishings from Victorian times, some of which are originally from the era. Visitors can choose a guided tour or to explore on their own and next door is the Lyerly House, which can also be visited at the same time. This Hickory tourist attraction is definitely worth the visit for history buffs and curious travelers alike.

Hickory History Center

Address: 310 N. Center Street, Hickory NC 28601

Website: Hickory History Center

3. Bakers Mountain Park - Catawba County

Bakers Mountain Park is a fantastic place to go hiking amongst the abundance of wildlife and plants. Situated on the highest elevation point in Catawba County (1780 feet/542 meters), the park has nearly 200 acres (80 hectares) of mixed hardwood forest, comprised primarily of mature Chestnut Oak and Mountain Laurel. With plenty of recreational opportunities and picnic areas, there’s certainly plenty to keep visitors busy all day long. Make sure you climb to the top of the mountain, where an observation platform allows for stunning views of the Catawba Valley.

Bakers Mountain Park

Address: 6680 Bakers Mountain Road, Hickory, NC 28602

Website: Bakers Mountain Park

4. Downtown Hickory Farmers Market

Although this market is relatively small, it’s very popular with both locals and visitors alike. Vendors here sell everything you need to stock up your cupboards and home. From the usual goods such as honey, eggs, cheese, and meats to more unique products like mountain trout, preserves, and herbs. So make sure you have plenty of time to wander around and pick up a few bargains along the way.

Downtown Hickory Farmers Market

Address: Union Square, Hickory, NC 28601

Website: Downtown Hickory Farmers Market

5. Union Square

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Situated in the same area of downtown Hickory as the Farmer’s Market, Union Square is the central hub of the city. There are several restaurants and cafes here, as well as an outdoor seating area that is perfect for wining and dining. You can easily spend a few hours people watching, or taking in some live music during the summer months. When you’ve had enough to eat or drink, there are several shops to peruse as well.

Union Square

Website: Union Square

6. Emerald Hollow Mine

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Situated in the foothills of the pretty Brushy Mountains, you’ll literally find this to be a gem of a place. Here you can actually search for your own precious stones from the more than 60 varieties of naturally occurring gems and minerals. It’s also one of the few places where the very rare gemstone, Hiddenite, can be found. You can easily spend hours in this treasure trove before taking your specimens home with you.

Emerald Hollow Mine

Address: 484 Emerald Hollow Mine Drive, Hiddenite, NC 28636

Website: Emerald Hollow Mine

7. Hickory Aviation Museum

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

If you’re looking for fun things to do in Hickory and you appreciate aviation history, then The Hickory Aviation Museum will be a great opportunity for you to discover more about aerospace. The museum provides interesting facts, exhibits, and artifacts from the Golden Age of Aviation and you can even sit in some of the old airplanes they have. It’s located in a former airport terminal and the hangar also has outdoor exhibits on the former airport ramp.

Hickory Aviation Museum

Address: 3101 9th Avenue Drive NW, Hickory, NC 28601

Website: Hickory Aviation Museum

8. Glenn C. Hilton, Jr. Memorial Park

This well maintained memorial garden is a lovely green space and ideal for a short stroll or having a picnic. The nature boardwalk is very manageable, lighted and paved and you can stop off en route to feed the ducks or to take the kids to one of the 2 playgrounds. One of the popular highlights is the 24-hole disc golf course, which has been designed mostly in the woods and has many hills that make for a challenging game!

Glenn C. Hilton, Jr. Memorial Park

Address: 1451 8th Street Drive NE, Hickory, NC 28601

Website: Glenn C. Hilton, Jr. Memorial Park

9. Maple Grove

Maple Grove is an Italian inspired farm house built in 1883 that has since been restored as a house museum. An original family member who lived there was one of the founders of Hickory Tavern, which later became the city of Hickory in 1873. One of the oldest buildings in Hickory, a visit here will take you back in time to the mid-1890s. You can see all the original family furnishings and items from the period here, as well.

Maple Grove

Address: 542 2nd St., N.E. (Hwy. 127N), Hickory, NC 28601

Website: Maple Grove

10. Hickory Furniture Mart

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hickory Furniture Mart (@hickoryfurniture)

This massive, four-story sprawling store is a dreamland of furniture. Every conceivable style, model, brand, and design palate is accommodated in the many displays found at Hickory Furniture Mart. Wooden mahogany tables made with incredible workmanship stand next to luxurious leather armchairs and exceptional sofas. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable and friendly, and there is even an interior design firm to help you plan your space just right. While exploring Hickory Furniture Mart, be sure to stop by the two cafes located inside the building. Taste Full Beans and The Wooden Spool both serve high-quality coffee and delicious snacks to keep you going while you shop.

Hickory Furniture Mart

Address: 2220 US Hwy 70 SE, Hickory, NC 28602, United States

Website: Hickory Furniture Mart

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9am - 6pm (closed on Sun)

11. Hatch Sandwich Bar

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

If you want a restaurant with a small-town local feel that serves up the most incredible sandwiches, Hatch Sandwich Bar is just the ticket. The menu can be intimidatingly large, so don’t be afraid to ask for a recommendation. Every single option is guaranteed to be delicious, and they have gluten-free bread options as well. A wide assortment of beers and drinks are right in the cooler, and their local wines are widely popular with locals and tourists alike. Their brussels sprouts side dish comes highly recommended - even the pickiest eater will be converted. Stop by and try one of their sandwiches or sides for yourself, and you won’t be disappointed.

Hatch Sandwich Bar

Address: 268 1st Ave NW, Hickory, NC 28601, United States

Website: Hatch Sandwich Bar

Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 10:30am - 8pm; Sat: 10:30am - 3pm; Mon: 10:30am - 2pm (closed on Sun)

12. Catawba Science Center

Catawba Science Center is fun for the whole family. An assortment of interactive activities and numerous exhibits are all designed to teach visitors about the wonders of science. From biology to physics, kids will find live animals like Seymour the giant tortoise, and simulated habitats to observe, as well as physical experiments they can participate in to observe the results. Fossils, replicas, and a host of informative signs and touch screens are sure to leave a lasting impression about this wonderful natural world we live in. Don’t forget to drop by while in Hickory as you’re guaranteed to have tons of fun.

Catawba Science Center

Address: 243 3rd Ave NE, Hickory, NC 28601, United States

Website: Catawba Science Center

Opening hours: Wed - Sat: 10:30am - 4pm; Sun: 1pm - 4pm (closed on Mon & Tue)

13. Blowing Rock Brewery

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Prepare for an absolute wonderland of beer and mouth-watering food. Blowing Rock Brewery in Hickory has everything you could possibly want in an American restaurant. Hot pretzels, delicious pizza with gooey cheese, sandwiches and burgers bursting with flavor, and fully loaded fries can all be found on their extensive menu. The real star of the show, however, is their vast assortment of in-house local beers. Blowing Rock Brewery produces its own beer right next to the restaurant, and you can be sure to find several that will pique your interest and quench your thirst.

Blowing Rock Brewery

Address: 152 Sunset Dr, Blowing Rock, NC 28605, United States

Website: Blowing Rock Brewery

Opening hours: Thu: 12pm - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 12pm - 10pm; Sun: 12pm - 8pm (closed from Mon - Wed)

14. Geitner Park

Geitner Park is the perfect spot for those looking to enjoy a laid-back day outdoors. If you find yourself in Hickory and would like to experience a relaxing but fun afternoon, make sure to drop by Geitner Park. It is a popular spot for hiking, fishing, having a picnic, and just overall enjoying the charming beauty of Hickory. Perfect for families with kids looking to spend an idyllic weekend together. Walk the nature trails or go boating in its calm waters. Have a snack or lunch under the shade and delight in the rich nature of the area. Geitner Park is truly a must-visit when in Hickory.

Geitner Park

Address: 2035 12th St Dr NW, Hickory, NC 28601, United States

Website: Geitner Park

Opening hours: 7am - 7pm (daily)

15. Lake Hickory Haunts

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Discover a different side of Hickory with Lake Hickory Haunts. If you enjoy the creepy and spooky or just want to have a unique experience, then you should definitely check out this one-of-a-kind attraction. The tour takes about 45 minutes and is perfect for groups of friends or even a solo traveler looking for a hair-raising thrill. Enjoyed by locals and visitors alike, Lake Hickory Haunts is highly popular, so make sure to make reservations in advance. It’s definitely worth a visit - no need to wait for Halloween to enjoy those spine-tingling chills.

Lake Hickory Haunts

Address: 520 Carolina Ave, Connelly Springs, NC 28601, United States

Website: Lake Hickory Haunts

Historical, modern and fun!

Hickory is one of those places where old meets new and where guests can learn many interesting, historical facts. Visitors will find nature activities, unique shopping experiences and fantastic food from local markets and restaurants, every day of the week!