Hickory’s “Life. Well Crafted.” motto may have been inspired by its early days as a town built around furniture manufacturing. Today, the idea of “well crafted” encompasses and extends beyond the city’s artisans. Hickory brims with inspired features that elevate the everyday: Brick sidewalks line the streets of downtown’s bustling Social District. A riverwalk nature path encourages peaceful contemplation. Friendly business owners stand at the helm of local bistros and shops. To make the most of this riverside city, read on for a list of our own Hickory-crafted favorites.
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Sip and Stroll: With open container laws permitted within marked boundaries, folks can enjoy libations in downtown Hickory’s Social District. Grab a chilled Death by Hops IPA from Olde Hickory Brewery, and explore shopping, dining, art galleries, and common park space within the multi-block radius.
Feel the Beat: Live entertainment keeps the scene fresh in Hickory, whether it’s a band at The Hum, the eclectic outdoor music venue, or a show at The Premier, an indoor venue and bar. The Premier is a great place to test your knowledge at trivia night or try your hand at one of its cornhole tournaments. They even have comedy shows and concerts. If you schedule your visit around Hickory’s free Sails Original Music Series in the spring and fall, you can sip your vino on the lawn and tap your toes to the beat.
Home Grown: If you’re looking for local flowers, fruit, jam, or eggs, the Hickory Farmers Market is the place to go. Located in Union Square, the Under the Sails Farmer’s Market is open year-round and features top-quality homegrown and handmade delicacies. For an unbeatable spicy-savory combo, grab a cheddar-jalapeño loaf from the Knob Hill Bakery. With specialty artisan cheeses, marinades, and buttery baked goods for sale, you won’t leave hungry.
Shopping: Hit up Ella Blu for trendy women’s clothing, accessories, and shoes. Lou Lou’s Corner is a child’s (and parent’s!) dream, with toys and clothing up to size eight. Vintage Blue offers mid-century to modern furniture and home decor gems.”
Frothy Rooster: There’s no better start to the morning than an order of yeast roll doughnuts paired with a macchiato. For your breakfast main course, the hash plate — a delicious combination of pork belly and grilled veggies all drizzled with their house-made chipotle ketchup — will keep you going for the rest of the day. If you’re feeling more traditional, try the Angry Bird, a Frothy Rooster signature with buttermilk-and-pickle-brine fried chicken.
Kick-start your day with a hearty, Southern-style breakfast at Frothy Rooster. If you work up an appetite again after a day of activities around town and on the water, take your pick between burgers or sushi (or both!) at Cowa-Saké. Photography courtesy of Visit Hickory
Cowa-Saké: Unlikely pairings often yield perfection. Cowa-Saké, the sushi-meets-burger place in the heart of the Social District downtown, is one of those combinations. Discover your favorite Cowa-cocktail as you settle in; Rajah’s Paloma, with the house-made green tea syrup, always hits the spot. For food, a Cowa-Saké Bento Box is the best of both worlds, featuring sushi and beef in a perfect little package. Be sure to include an order of kimchi fries.
Cranford Brothers BBQ: Zack and Tucker Cranford know a thing or two about good food. The brothers behind Cranford Brothers BBQ smoke their meats daily in custom-built pits, and the smell alone will draw you in. They serve from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day — or “until we’re out.” Their beef brisket is one of the best around, and be sure to add a side of the Scott Family Cheezy Apples and collard greens.
Bring a group and order a feast of house-smoked turkey, pulled pork, barbecue chicken, and cheese-stuffed sausage from Cranford Brothers BBQ. And don’t miss the eye-catching presentations of seafood and seasonal vegetables on the menu at FOURK. Photography courtesy of Visit Hickory
FOURK: A Hickory staple since 2015, FOURK uses creative seasonings and homemade sauces to put a special twist on every menu item. The marinated lamb chops — served with feta, tabbouleh, organic pearled couscous, tzatziki, and hummus — bring bold Mediterranean flavor to the table in a beautifully balanced dish. And don’t skip dessert: The homemade blackberry wine pound cake, finished with a light sugar icing and topped with a sweet blackberry compote, is a local legend all on its own.
Boca: A Spanish tapas place where ambience abounds, Boca serves up Mediterranean-inspired small plates with bold flavor and fresh, local ingredients. The menu blends Spanish classics with global flair — perfect for ordering a few dishes to share around the table.
City Walk: The Hickory Trail connects 10 miles of Hickory. Even if you don’t have time to traverse the entire path, be sure to cross the Riverwalk section, a unique suspended bridge walkway that allows pedestrians and on-leash pets to traverse the Catawba River. The Riverwalk connects a network of beloved nature destinations, like the Lake Hickory Trails, paved Geitner Trail greenway, and Boy Scout Cabin at Rotary-Geitner Park.
Lake Hickory is a paddler’s dream, but if you don’t have time for a full-blown water adventure, you can still immerse yourself in greenspace by riding or strolling along the Riverwalk. Photography courtesy of Visit Hickory
Riverbend Park: The main entrance to Riverbend Park yields sweeping views of the Catawba River. Come fly-fish, let your pup splash around, or relax and enjoy the sound of trickling water. Riverbend Park is a great place to hit the trails—over 19 miles of scenic paths wind through forests and along the Catawba River, with a mix of easy to moderate terrain. It’s also dog-friendly, so your pup can enjoy the adventure, too.
Take Me Out to the Ball Game: Grab your glove and head to the Hickory Crawdads stadium to catch a game with the local class-A, minor league baseball team. Featuring theme-night baseball games, promotions, and special events, this stadium has it all!
Head to Hickory Crawdads stadium to cheer on the home team or listen to the roar of engines as racecars whip around the Whelen All-American Series short track. Photography courtesy of Visit Hickory
Start Your Engines: Often referred to as the “Birthplace of the NASCAR stars,” Hickory’s Motor Speedway boasts a rich history of stock car racing. Check out one of the country’s most famous short tracks, the Whelen All-American Series, which is still used for NASCAR’s club racing division.
Warehouse Distillery: This family-owned and -operated distillery in Newton sits so close to Hickory that it’s an easy drive over to experience their bourbon, rye, and whiskey. The special maple rye whiskey remains a fan favorite. A pet-friendly, all-indoor cocktail lounge features local craft beer and a full wine list. Munch on North Carolina-made Poppy Popcorn, a small charcuterie plate, or order from a steady list of rotating food trucks to keep you satisfied while you sip.
Sipping local — grab a handcrafted cocktail from Warehouse Distillery or a curated pour at Hickory Wine Shoppe and toast to good times. Photography courtesy of Visit Hickory
Hickory Wine Shoppe: Whether you’re a seasoned sipper or just wine-curious, Hickory Wine Shoppe is the perfect spot to explore and unwind. Their rotating selection of boutique wines — from crisp whites to bold reds — offers something for every palate, and knowledgeable staff are always ready to guide you to your next favorite bottle. Not sure where to start? Order a flight and sample your way through different regions and styles. The cozy space also serves craft beer, cider, and nonalcoholic options, making it a welcoming hangout no matter your taste.
City Walk Brewery: If you’re a Hickory native, you know that “the old pawn shop,” where City Walk Brewing and Distilling is located, just so happens to be in the heart of the city’s Social District (talk about great city planning!). Enjoying a Reasonably in Shape Vienna-style lager in the outdoor beer garden with live music and friends is exactly what weekends are made for.
City Walk Distillery: Just steps away from the brewery, City Walk Distillery’s menu features craft bourbon, gin, and vodka — and weekend tours available by appointment. While you’re there, grab a Tea for One cocktail at No Entry Lounge, a genuine speakeasy with more curated cocktails and bar snack options.
In the heart of downtown Hickory’s Social District, City Walk Brewery is a popular spot to gather with friends over craft beer and bar snacks. Just steps away, the No Entry Lounge at City Walk Distillery welcomes those looking for an upscale bar scene. Photography courtesy of Visit Hickory
Hickory takes pride in cultivating a small-town community with big-city flair; ready to experience it for yourself? Click here to start planning your trip to this well-crafted city along the Catawba River.
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