North Carolina's Scenic Lakeside Suburb Is A Must-Visit For Racing Enthusiasts And Nature Seekers

Scenic beauty awaits you at a North Carolina lakeside suburban oasis that is popular with both visitors who crave the quiet of nature and those who love the roar of the engines. Racing enthusiasts and nature seekers love Mooresville; it has something to offer for everyone in the family. This must-visit community of just over 50,000 residents sits on the shores of Lake Norman and is a 32-mile drive from Charlotte Douglas International Airport, making visiting Mooresville a breeze. 

Downtown Mooresville is the heartbeat of the city; residents and visitors alike can enjoy local eateries and charming boutiques, as well as frequent events, such as wine and beer walks, art shows, live music,  and seasonal and holiday celebrations. Learn about Mooresville's history by taking a self-guided tour around downtown. The tour starts and stops at the intersection of Center Avenue and Main Street; plan to spend an hour or so to see all 18 points of interest. 

Lake Norman, the state's largest man-made lake, known locally as the "Inland Sea", spans more than 32,000 acres and has an astounding 520 miles of shoreline, making it larger than the Sea of Galilee. Lake Norman is surrounded by numerous parks and charming villages and is perfect for all kinds of watersports, including wakeboarding, wakesurfing, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and waterskiing. No boat? No problem! There are several rental companies dotting the lake. Fishing is another great way to spend the day on Lake Norman, nationally known as a great bass (largemouth and striped) fishing spot, where anglers regularly catch perch, crappie (yellow and white), and catfish. Be sure and keep an eye out for "Normie", the Lake Norman Monster; North Carolina's answer to the Loch Ness Monster has been sighted in the lake numerous times since the 1960s.

Nicknamed "Race City USA", Mooresville is home to several racing teams and drivers, including those from NASCAR and IndyCar. In addition, companies supply racing technology, and a Universal Technical Institute program (NASCAR Technical Institute) can be found in Mooresville. JR Motorsports is owned in part by Dale Earnhardt Jr, who is in the NASCAR Hall of Fame and was voted the sport's most popular driver for 15 consecutive years. The 66,000-square-foot building houses his four-man NASCAR Xfinity racing team; one of his drivers drives part-time on the Cup circuit as well. The complex has a gift shop and offers free tours of the shop so fans can make a reservation (required) and see "behind the scenes". Team Penske's Mooresville building spans around 400,000 square feet and includes a gift shop that covers almost 5,000 square feet of retail space. In addition to drivers' merchandise and trophies, other memorabilia can be found in the gift shop, along with a viewing window into the garage. Visitors can walk along the "fan walk," stretching out 432 feet, with views of the shop floor.

No trip to Mooresville would be complete without a visit to their crown jewel: The North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame. This must-see attraction is part museum, part art gallery, and all fun. Learn the history of North Carolina motorsports and its cultural impact, see more than 40 drag racers and stock cars (and learn about the wheelmen who pushed these machines to their limits), and spend some time exploring the displays and showcased memorabilia. There is a gift shop, so you can take home a piece of racing history for yourself. Check out nearby Kannapolis, home of legendary seven-time NASCAR champion "The Intimidator" Dale Earnhardt Sr, to fuel your love of racing. 

There are several parks with greenways and trails perfect for hiking or biking, both in and around Mooresville. The Dye Creek Greenway is a one-mile paved loop, primarily shaded, found in Bellingham Park. It intersects with the Carolina Thread Trail, a collection of more than 425 miles of trails that connect communities across two states. Mazeppa Park has a loop trail (with a rating of moderate) that spans just over 4 miles in length with almost 200 feet in elevation; it is also home to more than 6 miles of biking trails. The trails have plenty of twists and turns and are suitable for people of varying skill levels.

Lake Norman State Park is home to almost 40 miles of scenic hiking trails (divided among 15 individual paths) to enjoy; around 30 miles of the trails are for biking as well. Choose from easy trails like the paved quarter-mile Dragonfly Trail or the moderately-rated Lake Norman Lakeshore Trail (almost 6 miles long with nearly 400 feet of elevation gain); if you want a long hike, check out the 30-mile-long Itusi Bike Trail. With so many trails to choose from, you will find the perfect one for your skill level. Want to experience more scenic locations in North Carolina? Less than 60 miles from Mooresville, you will find Norwood, a lakeside town filled with scenic trails and loaded with southern charm.