

Hickory is located between Charlotte and Asheville, at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Although a city, Hickory has the charm and feel of a small town, with much history and fun to be had. If you’re visiting for the first time, worry not - accommodations such as hotels and Airbnbs abound! There are plenty of amenities and activities to explore here, so if you don’t know what to do in Hickory, keep reading. Here are some of the best things to do in Hickory, North Carolina.
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1. Hickory Furniture Mart
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
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)
2. Hickory Museum of Art
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Friendly reminder that HMA's Galleries and shopHMA will be closing at 12 Noon today for a staff enrichment afternoon...
Posted by Hickory Museum of Art on Friday, June 24, 2022
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
3. 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
4. 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
5. 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
6. 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
7. Emerald Hollow Mine
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
$20 to sluice, creek and dig. Tools included!! Come visit us in this beautiful weather!
Posted by Emerald Hollow Mine on Tuesday, April 19, 2022
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
8. Hickory Aviation Museum
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by Hickory Aviation Museum on Friday, July 8, 2022
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
9. 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
10. 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
11. Hatch Sandwich Bar
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Shelves are Restocked!!!! Beer cooler is full, all bottles of wine are 1/3 off, and we have premade boxes even cheaper than that!!! Clear the shelves!!!
Posted by Hatch Sandwich Bar on Saturday, July 16, 2022
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
Have you ever had our fried cheese curds? They go great with a Blowing Rock Kolsch! • • • • • #apps #kolsch...
Posted by Blowing Rock Brewing Co. on Thursday, July 21, 2022
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
Everyone gets a warm welcome when you enter the Big Top
Posted by Lake Hickory Haunts on Monday, June 13, 2022
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!
Frequently asked questions about the best things to do in Hickory, North Carolina
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