Things To Do in Hickory, North Carolina

Sports & Recreation

The Hickory Metro offers a reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the state’s larger cities while still providing top notch recreational opportunities. Whether you prefer hiking or biking in public parks, or are looking to tee off on some of the best golf courses in the Charlotte region, there are an abundance of things to do in Hickory.

Sports enthusiasts are sure to find plenty of action in Hickory. Spend spring time in the stands for a Hickory Crawdads minor league baseball game. Hear the roar of 700 horsepower at Hickory Motor Speedway. Discover the best golf courses in the Charlotte region as you hit the links at the foot of majestic mountains.

Located midway between Asheville and Charlotte, Hickory and western North Carolina is your wine tasting destination. The area’s prime geographic location allows visitors to explore the most exquisite vineyards in the Southeast. The Hickory area’s wineries and vineyards have the perfect pairing for your taste buds.

Take advantage of outstanding outdoor activities in Hickory. Mine for precious stones at the “Gem Capital of the World” at Hiddenite Gems, located in nearby Taylorsville. Blaze a new trail in one of Hickory’s parks or go on a boating excursion at one of the areas crystal clear lakes.

Fine wines, sports and recreation, friendly folks, and Southern hospitality at its best. Whatever your pleasure, Hickory has it all!

Contact the Hickory Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau or call 1-800-509-2444 and discover all the things to do in Hickory during your stay!

Entertainment/Activities

AMF Colonial Lanes

1951 US Highway 70 SE, Hickory

828-327-2695

Bowling, video arcade, food and fun.

Bo’s Bodacious Family Entertainment

1115 Blowing Rock Boulevard, Lenoir

828-754-9000

www.bosfamilyfun.com

A 45,000 square foot entertainment facility offering a full service restaurant, catering, banquet rooms, lounge, billiards, a large arcade, a 24-lane bowling center, private birthday rooms and a soft-play for younger children. The facilities also include 18-holes of Putt Putt Golf, wireless internet throughout and a full-service sports bar.

Buffalo Beal’s Animal Park

3259 Water Plant Road, Maiden

828-428-4388

www.buffalobeals.com

Encounter elk, antelope, camel, ostrich, muatijak, blackbuck, kangaroos and many other exotic and domestic animals at this 40-acre animal park.

Carmike Cinema 14

2000 SE Catawba Valley Boulevard, Hickory

828-304-0004

Twelve theaters, four with stadium seating, six with Dolby Digital Surround and six with DT5 Sound.

Catawba Science Center

243 3^rd Avenue NE, Hickory

828-322-8169

www.catawbascience.org

The center features three levels of hands-on exhibits and engaging activities for all ages. Catawba Science Center is also home to a recently constructed aquarium and the new Milholland Planetarium.

Chuck E. Cheese’s

2032 Catawba Valley Boulevard, Hickory

828-328-3694

Always a hit with the youngsters, this restaurant and entertainment center features musical and comic entertainment by life-size, computer-controlled robotic characters, family-oriented games, rides and arcade-style activities.

Hickory Crawdads

2500 Clement Boulevard NW, Hickory

828-322-3000

www.hickorycrawdads.com

This Class “A” affiliate of the Texas Rangers excites over 187,555 fans during 70 thrilling home games. Regular season runs April-August, with a playoff series following.

Hickory Dickory Dock

825 US Highway 70 SE, Hickory

828-322-3625

www.hickory-dickory-dock.com

33,000 square feet of indoor activities for families: bumper cars, mini-golf, soft play, laser arenas, restaurant and more.

Hickory Motor Speedway

3130 US Highway 70 SE, Newton

828-464-3655

www.hickorymotorspeedway.com

Entertaining motosports sfans since 1950, the track roars into action every Saturday from March-October with the best short track racing around.

Hiddenite Gems

1001 Sulphur Springs Road, Hiddenite

828-632-3394

www.hiddenitegems.com

Dig and sluice for emeralds, sapphires and more in their natural state at the Gem Capital of the World.

Marquee Cinemas

101 South Green Street, Morganton

828-437-8084

State-of-the art, 7-screen multiplex theater.

Pin Station Bowling & Mini Golf

525 West A Street, Newton

828-466-2695

Forty-two lanes, arcade, pool tables, snack bar, and two 18-hold miniature golf courses. On Fridays and Saturdays from 11 p.m.-2 a.m., “Cosmic Bowl” features glow-in-the-dark pins and strobe lights.

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Putt-Putt Golf Course

4^th Street SW, Hickory

828-327-2316

Features four 18-hole miniature golf courses.

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Red Wolf Farm

1797 Water Plant Road, Maiden

828-428-1445

An educational farm located in the beautiful rolling hills of Catawba County. Situated on 45 acres of farmland and woodland on the site of the old Jenny Lind Iron Forge that operated in the 1800’s. The Pumpkin Patch season is the busiest time of year. Open Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 11am-5pm. A small admission charges will gain access to the pumpkin patch, a 1 Acre corn maze, hayride, train rides, farm animals, playground, nature trails to the creek, hay mountain with giant crawl tube, corn swim tubs, pedal tractors, and picnic barn.

Skateland USA

2820 US Highway 70 SE, Newton

828-322-8824

Roller skating, video games and parties.

Golf Courses

Brushy Mountain Country Club

Route 2, Highway 64-90, Taylorsville

828-632-4804

www.brushymountaingolf.com

18-hole course features 6,521 yards of golf for a par of 72. Designed by William B. Lewis, Jr. the Brushy Mountain Golf Course opened in 1963.

Cove's Golf Club

1875 Beaver Helton Way, Lenoir

828-754-1992

For a relaxing day on the links, try Cove's Golf Club, located in the beautiful and quiet foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

DL Tee Golf Shop & Driving Range

3005 Highway 70 SE, Newton

828-322-1599

Pro shop and driving range only.

Glen Oaks Golf Club

245 Golf Course Road, Maiden

828-428-2451

www.glenoaksgolf.com

Par 72 course measuring 6430 yards, established in 1966. Clubhouse, banquet facilities/catering, snack bar, full bar, member clubroom, pool and real estate. Owner/architect: Bill McRee

Granada Farms

12 River Drive, Granite Falls

828-396-2313

Nearby Caldwell County is home to Granada Farms, a semi-private course designed by Tom Jackson in 1976.

Hampton Heights Golf Club

1700 5^th Street NE, Hickory

828-328-5010

Hampton Heights Golf Club, a public course opened in 1973, is just a short drive from the shopping and accommodations in Hickory, making it convenient and easy for visitors to the area.

Lenoir Golf Club

701 Norwood Street, Lenoir

828-754-5093

www.lenoirgolfclub.com

Located in nearby Caldwell County, Lenoir Golf Club is an established semi-private course that welcomes regulars and newcomers.

Orchard Hills Golf Club

2515 Connelly Springs Road, Granite Falls

828-728-5036

This semi-private course is located in a quiet neighborhood off Connelly Springs Road in nearby Caldwell County. The 18-hole course is one of the area’s most established, opening in 1963.

Pine Mountain Golf Club

8355 Brookfield Road, Connelly Springs

877-439-7463

www.pinemtnresort.com

Designed by Paul Melard, this 18-hole, par 68 executive bent green grass course surrounds the Pine Mountain Resort and is open year-round.

Quaker Meadows Golf Club

826 North Green Street, Morganton

828-437-2677

www.qmgolf.com

This public 18-hole course is located along the Catawba River in Burke County.

Rivercrest Golf Club

50 Victoria Lane, Hickory

828-495-0017

www.rivercrestgolfclub.net

Located just north of Hickory, off Highway 127. The course offers rolling terrain and good greens. Tee times required on weekends. Public play welcome.

Rock Barn Golf & Spa

3791 Clubhouse Drive, Conover

828-459-1125 or 828-459-9279

www.rockbarn.com

Rock Barn Golf and Spa is situated among breathtaking valleys and gently rolling hills, where a superb 36-hole championship golf course retains the natural beauty and golfing challenge presented by the terrain.

Silver Creek Plantation, LLC

4241 Plantation Drive, Morganton

828-584-6911

www.silvercreekplantation.com

Silver Creek’s championship golf course is designed by leading architect Tom Jackson. The course offers dramatic mountain views, hybrid bermuda fairways and fast bent greens with five sets of tees.

Public Parks

Bakers Mountain Park

6680 Bakers Mountain Road, Hickory

828-324-8461

Bakers Mountain Park is located on the highest point of elevation in Catawba County (1780 feet). The park features 189 acres of mature Chestnut Oak forest with nearly six miles of trail to explore. You will experience a variety of wildlife and plants that are native to the North Carolina Mountains. Come and explore the beauty and diversity of Catawba County’s natural heritage at Bakers Mountain Park.

Catawba River Greenway Park

Greenlee Ford Road, Morganton

828-438-5350

Offers year-round biking, jogging and strolling, canoeing and picnicking. The park features a paved, handicapped-accessible walking trail, picnic shelters and open tables, restrooms, children’s playground, fishing piers, canoe launch, gazebo, a 1200-foot multilevel observation deck and a 170-foot bridge which crosses Silver Creek.

Glenn Hilton, Jr. Memorial Park

2000 6^th Street NW, Hickory

828-322-7046

Five picnic shelters with tables and grills; two playgrounds; restrooms; gazebo; nature board walk, lighted and paved walking trail; fitness and nature trail; memorial garden; 18-hole disc golf course; canoe launch; and horseshoe pits.

Henry Fork River Regional Recreational Park

5655 Sweet Bay Lane, Hickory

828-322-7046

Picnic shelter with tables and grills; seven soccer fields; Alpine Tower ropes course; two playgrounds; restrooms; paved walking trail; and canoe launch.

The Ivey Arboretum in Carolina Park

NC Highway 127 N, Hickory

828-323-7500

A collection of over 400 labeled species of native and rare trees and shrubs within a three-acre park. Self-guided and guided tours available.

J.E. Broyhill Park

509 Ridge Street, Lenoir

828-757-2187 or 828-757-2165

The city of Lenoir operates this park located downtown on Ridge Street. It is the site of a nationally recognized outdoor sculpture competition sponsored each year by Caldwell Arts Council.

Jaycee Park

1515 12^th Street Drive NW, Hickory

828-322-7046

Features an outdoor basketball court, lighted softball field, playground equipment and restrooms.

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Kiwanis Park

605 7^th Avenue, Hickory

828-322-7046

The park consists of 16 acres, which include a four field, youth baseball complex. All four fields are lighted for night play. Three of the fields have 200-foot fences with the fourth field having a 188-foot fence. All outfield fences are 10 feet high. Complex is equipped with concession stands, restrooms, and scorebooths.

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Lake James State Park

2785 NC 126, Nebo

828-652-5047

Hiking, swimming, boating, fishing and picnicking are all available at this 564-acre state park with five miles of shoreline on Lake James.

Matheson Park

Matheson Park Avenue, Taylorsville

828-632-2218

A seven-acre family park with playground equipment, cookout facilities and sheltered eating areas, restrooms, volleyball area and a walking trail.

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McGalliard Falls Park

Valdese

828-879-2132

This park offers a beautiful waterfall, Grist Mill, group picnic shelter and playground.

River Bend Park

6700 NC Highway 16 N, Conover

828-256-9157

Designed to preserve the existing natural beauty of the area, the 475-acre scenic park features walking, horseback and riding trails, fishing, rafting, canoeing, wildlife observation decks and a 2-acre fenced dog park.

South Mountain State Park

18 miles south of Morganton on State

Route 1904, Connelly Springs

828-433-4772

The park’s 100,000 acres offer hiking, horseback and bike riding along its mountain trails. It also offers numerous waterfalls and cascades, as well as camping, picnic areas and fishing.

Southside Park

South on US Highway 321, Newton

828-465-7496

A 27-acre park featuring group picnic shelters, amphitheater, concession and restroom facilities, playground area, informal ballfield, sand volleyball court, horseshoe pits and open area for activities.

Stanford Park

1451 8^th Street Drive NE, Hickory

828-322-7046

The park consists of 25 acres with a three-field adult softball complex. All three fields are lighted for night play. Two of the fields have 285-foot fences with the third field having a 300-foot fence. All outfield fences are 10 feet high. Complex is equipped with concession stands, restrooms and score booths.

T.H. Broyhill Walking Park

945 SW Lakewood Circle, Lenoir

828-757-2187

Features a paved loop surrounding a pond complete with waterfowl and plant life, as well as a botanical garden and the Joe T. Ingram Nature Sanctuary.

Tuttle State Park

3420 Playmore Beach Road, Lenoir

828-757-5608

The forest/park features “talking trees”, hiking trails, picnic and camping area and an amphitheater.

Upper Catawba River Canoe Trail

828-464-0405

Trail starts at the Linville Access at Lake James and continues to Lookout Shoals Access near Lookout Shoals Dam.

Wilson Creek, National Wild and Scenic River

7805 Brown Mountain Beach Road, Collettsville

828-759-0005

One of Caldwell County’s most scenic wilderness areas with fast moving mountain streams originating at the base of Grandfather Mountain. Swimming, canoeing, fishing, camping and hiking are available.