More than just a region, downtown Mooresville represents a walk down memory lane for Megan Morrow. Throughout childhood, she came here to visit her dad at his Chevy dealership. In high school, she got her first job at a women’s shoe shop on Main Street. This is also where, as a 20-something, she made her first sale at the dealership where her dad worked, a pickup truck sitting under the “Deal of the Day” sign.
When Morrow strolls around downtown today, now a full-fledged destination for diners, shoppers, music lovers, and art collectors, she sees people connecting with her hometown in ways that feel nostalgic and new. “You can kind of wander around, maybe grab a drink, go into one of the shops,” Morrow says, who now works with the Mooresville Downtown Commission. Mooresville is a blend of old, the stalwart Turner Hardware opened in 1899, and modern, the amphitheater in the renovated Liberty Park. Not to mention its proximity to Lake Norman, North Carolina’s “inland sea,” with 520 miles of shoreline.
About a half hour’s drive north of Charlotte, Mooresville is a welcome weekend getaway for relaxation and getting outdoors. We’ve planned your itinerary of must-do’s — keep reading to make the most of every moment.
In Mooresville, your weekend flows from paddleboarding on Lake Norman to exploring Race City USA. Just under thirty minutes north of Charlotte, it’s where high-octane thrills and laid-back lake vibes come together in one unforgettable getaway.
Settle in with a beer, cider, or wine at High Branch Brewing’s downtown Mooresville location. Photography courtesy of Visit Mooresville
Get acquainted. On a walk down Main Street, stop at High Branch Brewing, the local outpost for the Concord-based brewery. Enjoy a North Main hazy IPA, this location’s flagship brew, while playing old-school Super Mario Bros. on the Nintendo console.
Order a tower of oysters, chilled shrimp, and more for a classic seafood hall experience at Savannah Oyster Co. Photography courtesy of Visit Mooresville
Just down the block in the 1907 Merchants & Farmers Bank building, you’ll find On Tap, another community favorite. The old bank vault now serves as the keg cooler for the watering hole, and the original safe sits near the bar. The tap house, which serves beer crafted at independent breweries in the Carolinas, has a friendly and inviting atmosphere.
“It’s like a Cheers,” Morrow says. “A lot of regulars come into On Tap, but if you’re not a regular, you can easily strike up a conversation.”
For dinner, head over to the lively but sophisticated Savannah Oyster Co., which brings coastal dining to Mooresville. A robust raw bar sits at the center of the restaurant, offering a selection of oysters based on seasonal availability. The dinner menu changes daily, with offerings like tender seared scallops and juicy filet mignon. After your meal, linger and listen to live musicians on the patio.
Fuel your morning activities with the Lox Extraordinaire bagel sandwich from The Counter. Photography courtesy of Visit Mooresville
But first, breakfast. On your way to a Lake Norman play day, rise and shine with breakfast at The Counter. In 2023, this deli opened to bring a little taste of New York to North Carolina. Here, you can select from freshly baked bagels, grain and fruit bowls, and breakfast sandwiches. Try the Classic Egg Sammie for an authentic New York-style favorite: a Kaiser roll layered with soft fried eggs and red bliss potatoes topped with white American cheese and ketchup. Add bacon, sausage, or a pork roll for extra savory goodness.
Swing by the deli case before you leave. The chicken salad, jalapeño-pimento cheese, and croissants might inspire you to pack a picnic for a lakeside lunch.
Bring inner tubes, canoes, kayaks, and standup paddleboards to Lake Norman State Park for a refreshing way to play outside. Photography courtesy of Visit Mooresville
Swim and sun. With 33 miles of sparkling water at its widest point, Lake Norman is the state’s largest manmade lake. Along its northern reaches, Lake Norman State Park provides access to nearly 17 miles of waterfront, making it a great spot for hours of water-centered fun.
The park’s swim beach invites you to settle under the sun with a favorite summer read or build sandcastles with the little ones and take a family swim in the designated swimming area. A gradually sloping lake bottom allows the youngest visitors to get their feet wet.
When it’s time for lunch, unpack your goods from The Counter at tables under the picnic shelters. And a bathhouse by the concessions stand makes changing easy when you’re ready to clean up from the day.
After a day at the beach, find new ways to sightsee around Lake Norman with a guided boat tour. Photography courtesy of Visit Mooresville
Boating bliss. If you’re eager to get on the water, Lake Norman has plenty of options. You’ll find kayaks and paddleboards for rent from Stutts Marina with easy put-in from the beach right there on its property. For a motorized alternative, rent a pontoon from Lake Norman Boat Rentals and sightsee around the lake with the family.
Snap a photo during the Tiki Sunset Cruise aboard the Island Castaway. Photography courtesy of Visit Mooresville
Dustin Keith, owner of Island Vibes Boat Rental and Charter, recommends hiring a charter or joining a charter tour “if you just want somebody else to handle everything for you.” Island Vibes offers all-day tours or two-hour sightseeing cruises.
Keith’s larger boat, Island Castaway, accommodates up to 30 people, many of whom sip their favorite drinks at the on-deck bar while cruising past opulent homes that line the shore. Meanwhile, his tiki-themed pontoon has a thatched palapa that provides shade and ups the fun factor.
For a full meal that embraces the waterside experience, you can dock and dine at some of the lakeside restaurants, such as Blue Parrot Grill. Tie up at the dock, sip a mojito on the deck, and order the sautéed crab cakes to enjoy as the sun sets.
Morning hike. Stretch your legs by exploring the network of trails back at Lake Norman State Park. You can choose your own adventure: Hike six miles of trails or pedal around more than 30 miles of mountain bike trails within the park’s forested boundaries.
Hikers can follow the .8-mile Alder Loop from the visitor center and check out views of Lake Norman and Park Lake.
Mountain bikers gravitate toward Itusi Trail, the park’s sprawling singletrack system. Begin your ride on the trail’s fast flowing loops at the visitor center. Itusi Trail’s varying terrain means you’ll speed over hills and dips and zip through cuts and switchbacks through the lush, lakeside forest.
Brunch on an assortment of Cuban pastries at Havana 33. Photography courtesy of Visit Mooresville
Patio brunch. Want to soak in the beauty of Lake Norman one last time before your visit ends? Round out your Mooresville weekend at Havana 33 and enjoy Cuban-inspired fare in the open air. At brunch, dig into thickly sliced French toast drizzled with guava and a dollop of cream cheese. While you’re sipping Cuban coffee at this lakeside eatery, you’ll be serenaded by jazzy saxophone riffs — another lasting memory of the weekend to take home with you.
Ready to dive into the fun? Click here to start planning your weekend in Mooresville.
In 1968, a couple of potters built a kiln hut and studio in an old tobacco field in Creedmoor. Today, their daughter — guided by the spirit of her late father — leads the community of artisans they crafted.
As summer heats up, sweet corn’s return gives us a reason to smile.
Bottle hunters go to great lengths — and depths — to unearth glittering remnants of North Carolina’s past.
When two childhood friends travel to High Hampton Resort for a weekend of relaxation and memory-making, they revive their happy camper spirit amid grown-up luxury.
