21 things to do this spring in Gaston County, NC
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Spring is here, and Gaston County is coming alive. Longer, warmer, sunny days with Carolina blue skies beckon you to get outside and try something new. Here are 21 things to do this spring in Gaston County.
Paddling the South Fork River. Photo courtesy of Catawba Riverkeeper
1 Paddle our blueways
Sunny days warm our rivers making it fun to paddle the blueways of the Catawba or South Fork River. Grab a boat and head to either for a day of fun on the water. If you have equipment, or, check out one of the
paddling companies
that can help you acceess the water. Gaston County offers many ways to enjoy our blueways. See our list of ways to get on the water.
Get On The Water
Hiking Trails with Black Folks Camp Too
2 Hike our greenways
With the help of the
Carolina Thread Trail
, Gaston County offers more than 25 miles of trails incorporating sidewalks, natural surfaces, and paved trails, giving our visitors an excellent opportunity to get outside and enjoy nature. Get the
Trail Map App
to find some of the best paths to explore.
Hike Our Trails
Rock Climbing at Crowders Mountain State Park
3 The pinnacle of fun
An outdoor adventurers trip to Gaston County would only be complete with a Crowders Mountain State Park stop. Crowders Mountain offers some of the best rock climbing
in the Piedmont area, offering expansive views.
Crowders Mountain State Park
4 Home to thrill seekers
One-third outdoor adventure park, one-third nature preserve, and one-third restaurant/concert venue, the Whitewater Center offers rafting, whitewater paddling, flatwater paddling, climbing, ropes courses, ziplines, mountain biking, trail running, and yoga. Festivals, concerts, races, and culinary events give visitors reasons to come back again and again. Most adventures opening in the middle of March.
THRILL SEEKERS
Photo courtesy of USNWC
5 Tuck Fest
Tuck Fest is a multi-day festival that celebrates the outdoor lifestyle through competitions, exhibitions, demos, and live music at the Whitewater Center. The festival features a variety of outdoor competitions that include trail running, kayaking, biking, climbing, stand-up paddleboarding, obstacle, and adventure racing.
Tuck Fest
Photo courtesy of Human Powered Movement
6 Perrenial
"Perennial" is a time based (vs distance based) running event with 3Hr, 6Hr and 10hr options and is the perfect opportunity to hit your distance or duration PR with minimal elevation on a lap based course. Each 5Kish loop, along beautiful waterfront trails on the grounds of
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
, will add up to reach your goal and snag escalating distance prizes.
Adventure Racing
7 Outdoor concerts
Make your weekend even more special by unwinding, relaxing, and refueling with entertainment, live music, and unique eats from some of the individual dining establishments in Gaston County. Each town in the county features outdoor concerts.
Outdoor Concerts
8 Sip craft beverages
The Ridgeline Craft Beverage Trail features breweries, distilleries, and wineries in Gaston, Lincoln, and Cleveland Counties. Each has a unique feel and culture; experiencing together creates a great weekend getaway.
Ridgeline Craft Beverage Trail
9 Tiptoe through the tulips
Located on 380 acres along the banks of Lake Wylie, spectacular gardens, sparkling fountains, a conservatory dedicated to displaying tropical plants and orchids, a visitor pavilion, a garden store, and nature trails await the visitor.
Daniel Stowe Conservancy
10 Pick a pint of strawberries
Step into a strawberry patch in spring and pick ripe, juicy berries. Come summertime, look for vine-ripened tomatoes, homemade salsa, squash, and blueberries.
On the Farm
11 Check out the action track
Roaring to life with spectacular dirt track races the Carolina Speedway in Gastonia is known as “The Action Track”. This 4/10th of a mile oval track hosts different divisions each week. Check the calendar for 700 horsepower engines thundering around the track in the Late Model Division, Street Stock Division, Open Wheel Modified cars, Four Cylinder, Renegade, Hornets or the NDRA Late Models. Come early for dinner and an ice cold Sun Drop then cheer the drivers to the finish line.
Carolina Speedway
12 Fishin' fun
Robinson Catfish Lake is a small lake stocked with fish including huge catfish where family and friends meet all trying to make a big catch. Open weekends only in March.
Robinson Catfish Lake
13 Take a bike ride
Are you searching for that quiet country road to log some miles on your bike or dialing in and doubling down on gnarly singletrack? In the southeast, you'll find what you're looking for in Gaston County, North Carolina. With options for endurance athletes, weekend warriors, families with kids in tow, and everyone in between, We've got a ride for you.
Bike Guide
14 Hit the fairways
Golf in Gaston County will challenge golfers of all levels, beckoning you with beautiful rolling fairways and incredibly scenic views. Our courses offer mountain-like terrain.
Golf Gaston
15 A day at the park
With over 80 parks within the county, enjoyment of the outdoors is easily obtained anywhere your adventure might lead.
Our Parks
16 Check out the best spring festivals
This year promises to be a great year in Gaston County, as our signature events create great reasons to plan a visit. Use this list of events to "Save The Date" and make your plans now to visit Gaston County.
Annual Events
17 A day at the ball park
In Gaston County we pack the house as spectators roar with cheers for their team and favorite athletes. The Ghost Peppers season starts in April.
Gastonia Ghost Peppers
18 Farmers markets
Our farmers' markets have become community gathering spaces where customers can interact with farmers. Some feature live music, chef demos, and kids' activities.
On the Farm
19 Enjoy our outdoor patios
Longer days and warmer weather create the best environment for dining outdoors. Check out JR Cash's in Mount Holly, Drift in Belmont—two excellent restaurants with great patios on the water.
Patio Dining
Meet your favorite farm animals
Celebrate the arrival of spring at Schiele Museum with a meet-and-BLEAT featuring live farm animals. Learn all about them through special keeper talks, then enjoy fun activities that change each week to highlight different farm friends. Choose your favorite, or come every week!
Schiele Museum
21 A day to celebrate arts and culture
Gaston MAX is a Multicultural Arts Xperience in March at the Rotary Pavilion in downtown Gastonia. The City of Gastonia, Gaston County Public Library, Friends of the Gaston County Public Library, and Gaston County Government partner to celebrate the wide variety of cultures living in Gaston County and to showcase artists, authors, and entertainers.
Arts and Culture
Gaston County is located in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, just west of Charlotte, NC, with easy access from Interstates 85, 77, and 321. Our location alone makes for a convenient getaway.
PLACES TO STAY
Things to do this spring in Gaston County
Let the fun begin this spring in Gaston County, NC. Check out our
SPRING GUIDE
and make your plans to stay with us. As you can see, Gaston County is a recreational wonderland you need to explore.
SPRING GUIDE
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DANIEL STOWE
BOTANICAL GARDEN
SCHIELE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
CROWDERS MOUNTAIN STATE PARK
WHITEWATER
CENTER
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