There is a city that the most prominent NASCAR, IndyCar drivers and racing teams in the United States call “home,” located 40 kilometers (25 miles) north of Charlotte, North Carolina. Known as “Race City USA,” Mooresville gives the chance to get into the heart of a sport with millions of fans around the world who eat, sleep and breathe speed. However, this amazing region also has lots of family-friendly activities and fantastic outdoor areas that provide the elements for a great vacation. Take a look at Mooresville’s finest attractions and prepare for a trip with lots of fun!
1. Memory Lane Museum Motorsports & Historical Automotive Museum
Your stay in Mooresville can’t be complete unless you pay a visit to the Memory Lane Museum Motorsports & Historical Automotive Museum. It is a wonderful institution with over 150 exhibits that trace the history of the automobile, including the largest private collection of retired NASCAR and vintage race cars and the largest known collection of racing Go-Karts in the world. They provide the complete automotive experience featuring a massive collection of pedal cars, movie cars, vintage motorcycles, gas pumps, tractors, antique toys and even bicycles. The admission fee includes a free postcard, a nice souvenir that captures the spirit of this city.
Memory Lane Museum Motorsports & Historical Automotive Museum
Address: 769 River Hwy, 28117 Mooresville, NC
Website: Memory Lane Museum Motorsports & Historical Automotive Museum
2. Lazy 5 Ranch
A family activity for excellence, at Lazy 5 Ranch, you get a close and personal encounter with more than 750 exotic animals from six continents. This privately owned and operated safari-style facility can be visited by car or horse-drawn wagon ride, where you can feed the animals and learn about conservation. There are walk-through areas to enjoy as well. Don’t forget to bring cash (credit cards are not accepted) and your camera!
Lazy 5 Ranch
Address: 15100 Highway 150 East, 28115 Mooresville, NC
Website: Lazy 5 Ranch
3. Lake Norman State Park
Located 20 minutes away of Mooresville, Lake Norman State Park has everything you need to be delighted by nature. It has the largest man-made lake in the state, with a surface area of 32,510 acres (13156 hectares) and a 125-yard long (114 meters) swim beach with a bathhouse complex and a boat ramp, perfect for swimming and fishing. Also, because of its family and group campground area with 32 sites, the park is great for camping and features free interpretive programs and educational exhibits in the visitor center. It has lots of trails to hike and has one of the region’s most popular mountain biking networks, with 30.5 miles (49 kilometers) of single-track trail. Size matters!
Lake Norman State Park
Address: 759 State Park Road, 28166 Troutman, NC
Website: Lake Norman State Park
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4. North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame
The North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame (NCARHOF) celebrates Mooresville’s “Race City USA” reputation with more than 40 cars on display. It is a place to learn about the history of the motorsports industry in the state, thanks to the wonderful collection of stock cars and drag racers, historic memorabilia and information about the NASCAR legends. Make sure to stop by the Goodyear Mini-Theater to re-live racing’s greatest moments.
North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame
Address: 119 Knob Hill Road, Lakeside Park, 28117 Mooresville, NC
5. GoPro Motorplex
If the Race City USA spirit starts growing in you during your stay in Mooresville and you want to taste some speed, GoPro Motorplex is an excellent choice. This outdoor karting facility has an impressive rental kart fleet. They also host some of the largest professional touring karting series races in the country.
Their history has deep roots in the karting community since the track is based on the famous Kartdromo Parma circuit in Italy. GoPro Motorplex has some original cement curbing from Parma and it has been incorporated into GoPro Motorplex’s Victory Lane podium. You don’t need experience to race the rentals, but you must be at least 16 years of age and hold a valid driver’s license.
GoPro Motorplex
Address: 130 Motorplex Drive, 28115 Mooresville, NC
Website: GoPro Motorplex
6. Carrigan Farms
This family-owned farm has carried the business of growing quality for five generations and 100 years. Carrigan Farms allows you and your family to pick your own fruit and vegetables and participate in special events that are held in different seasons. One of the most famous is their Haunted Trail in October, where you can get your own pumpkin and quite a scare! In the summertime, their jewel is a natural, spring fed body of water where you can enjoy swimming. Don’t miss it!
Carrigan Farms
Address: 1150 Oak Ridge Farm Hwy, 28115 Mooresville, NC
Website: Carrigan Farms
7. Penske Racing South Facility
Team Penske is a professional racing team that competes in the major stock car and open wheel races. Their state-of-the-art-facility has 105 acres (42.5 hectares) and houses NASCAR and IndyCar series cars that are a delight for any fan. You also get to watch the crews prepare cars for upcoming races at the 330-foot (100-meter) fan walk. For a unique souvenir of your trip to Mooresville, visit the nearly 5,000-square-foot (465.5-meter) gift shop.
Penske Racing South Facility
Address: 200 Penske Way, 28115 Mooresville, NC
Website: Penske Racing South Facility
8. Mooresville Historic Walking Tour
If you wonder how Mooresville grew to become the city it is today, the Historic Walking Tour is for you. You can follow the recommended path and see different historic buildings that played a role in the past, like the Train Depot, the original Town Hall or the Willow Valley Cemetery, the suggested starting point. You can follow the map provided at the Mooresville Public Library or at the Mooresville Convention & Visitors Bureau Visitor Center (which has printable PDF online version too) and do the tour at your own pace. You’ll pass some remarkable architecture and historic landmarks.
Mooresville Historic Walking Tour
Address: Mooresville Public Library, 304 S Main St, 28115 Mooresville, NC, USA
Website: Mooresville Historic Walking Tour
9. Main St. Antiques and Design Gallery
With over 110,000 square feet (10,219 meters), Main St. Antiques and Design Gallery is the largest antic mall in the Southern area and a place worth visiting. What used to be an old textile mill is now restored and holds hundreds of shops that buy and sell antiques, vintage goods, arts, clothes, jewelry and many other items that tell a story. A different way to go treasure hunting.
Main St. Antiques and Design Gallery
Address: 500 South Main St., 28115 Mooresville, NC
Website: Main St. Antiques and Design Gallery
Got speed?
With a wide range of activities and places to see, Mooresville will take you down a route full of emotions, history, and identity. So, buckle your seatbelt and enjoy a city that welcomes everyone that wishes to have a good time.
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