For fans of The Hunger Games films, this is a must-see!…read more We stopped in on a beautiful spring day. We were given an informative tour by Donavan, who was hilarious and full of knowledge. After the tour, we were free to explore the 78 acres. It's a beautiful place and we had a great time looking at the mill homes and the surrounding terrain. They also offer a military discount which is always appreciated! Great place!

Excellent self guided tour, was very cool to see........however.......there are NO SIGNS stating…read moreit's "more of a museum" and that you have to pay to walk thru. That being said the guy that runs the place was very rude to me and my elderly mother!

https://youtu.be/wrIKUIVwv10?si=UT58vvEoSqtm5E76…read more A beautiful place that I'm sure is very calming and relaxing in the daytime. We did a paranormal investigation here - the link is above. We didn't experience a lot of activity other than from a spirit box. We heard some weird noises but didn't see anything out of the ordinary. Someone had dumped their trash at the site before we got there, but there were no signs of anyone else there. We did feel like we were being watched the entire time, though. If you visit at night it is a pretty sketchy looking area. Make sure you go with someone and protect yourself.

Man does this entire area have a glorious and also a very dark past! The quick history I'm…read morerevealing was passed down from my great, great, great, maternal grandmother. In the early 1800's a cotton gin was located at the top of the dam ( picture included) . It utilized Eli Whitney's cotton gin model. Cotton was king of all crops around here for a hundred years or so. With the outbreak of the Civil War, crops of large scale were abandoned. Below the dam with water wheel still in place was constructed an iron ore smelting furnace. It produced metal for confederate arms. After the war it was replaced by a cornmeal gin that used two large limestone stones to grind the corn into corn meal. I actually saw this in operation once as a small boy. After years of abandonment, only skeletal remains are left. Interesting and sad! Great local history!

The Earl Scruggs Center is located in Downtown Shelby in the 1907 built Cleveland County…read moreCourthouse. Free parking is available on the street. The entrance is on the Washington Street side of the building. Make sure to stop at the smaller building outside as that is where you buy your tickets and receive your earbuds. From there you can proceed inside the renovated courthouse and a docent with start the introduction film then explain what order to go through the museum. The Center opened in 2014. I did not know who Earl Scruggs was before my visit. The North Carolina Musicians Mural Trail brought me to Shelby, NC. But he was a well-known banjo player and who had his own style of playing while developing the sounds of bluegrass. Besides Scruggs, the museum tells some of the history of Cleveland County. The Rotunda has the instruments used by the Scruggs family. In These Hills tells Earl Scrugg's story and has some interactive exhibits. There is a board where you can listen to his music and that of other artists. Out of Carolina is the next room and covers the next stage in Scruggs career. The radio history, Shelby Dynasty and textile mills in the area. Turning Road is the last room covers the Civil Rights Movement, textile mills closing, and changing music styles. I recommend a visit to the center if you are near Shelby.

Very interactive and interesting to learn about Earl Scruggs and bluegrass music. I enjoyed it…read morewith my family.

I was not aware that this was a bookable event center when I spotted the historic marker, so I did…read morenot manage to see the inside. Instead, I was able to appreciate the exterior of this Civil War era home in Statesville. The marker reads, "Col. Silas Alexander Sharpe. March 5, 1840 to December 9, 1903. Dedicated to the memory of Col. Silas A. Sharpe, a prominent industrialist and political leader in Statesville throughout the second half of the 19th century. He was sworn as the first Mayor of the City of Statesville on March 25, 1867. The home of Col. Silas A. Sharpe remains here as one of the oldest houses in Statesville and has been rightfully placed on the National Register of Historic Places." The Classical Revival home has deep ties to the civic leadership of Statesville as it was the home of the city's first mayor. Construction began in the 1850s but the Civil War delayed progress and it was eventually completed in 1866. The two-story three-bay frame dwelling includes a dramatic two-story portico with clustered columns and a symmetrical facade. The large windows, central hallway plan and deep porch are all classically intended to improve ventilation and comfort in the Southern climate. As I mentioned, I didn't tour the home but perhaps on a future visit to Statesville, I will see about doing that. [Review 588 of 2026 - 4677 in North Carolina - 25769 overall]

We held our son's wedding at The Historic Sharpe House and it was better than I could have ever…read moreimagined. First and foremost they treated us like royalty. Leading up to and booking was simple and Keith Rhyme kept in contact for any potential problems with the changing conditions we live in. Once the day arrived, the house staff took care of the ladies beyond belief with an elegant tea, and handled any of their needs while giving them all the privacy they needed to prepare for the big day. The wedding ceremony went off perfect as Keith also served as wedding director. Then the dinner. The service was incredible, and meal was one of the finest I have had. The best part was it was all very affordable. If you want your family to experience a dream event without spending a kings ransom. I recommend Crown Events at The Historic Sharpe House. #Wedding #ElegantDining #Affordable #BabyShower #Anniversary

I was so looking forward to my stop at the Hickory Aviation Museum located at the Hickory Airport…read morein what used to be baggage claim. Admission is free as is parking in the lot. When you enter the airport, follow the hallway back to the museum. I was greeted at first then asked to sign the guestbook. From there I was on my own and felt like I was interrupting the groups conversation and not welcomed. Although they continued talking about medical conditions; whether they liked the menu at the reopening restaurant in the terminal; what they were going to eat for lunch, etc. It made it difficult to read the signage. The museum had many artifacts and memorabilia that provide insight on how flying has changed over the years and military history. One section is dedicated to Bill and George Preddy. A Wall of Honor was created for those who have died. Outside there are many aircraft to see. It would have been nice to get some background information and extra details while there but that might just depend on the volunteers that day.

This is a gem of a place for people interested in aviation and as I experienced, Mustangs! I…read morevisited the Museum for the first time when they were hosting the Snakes and Plane auto display where the cars (Mustangs) were on display among the planes. They have some really cool planes from the Blue Angels to some WWII planes and lots in between. Admission is free and it's right at the Hickory Regional Airport. There's also a little Cafe in the terminal building that I want to try on my next visit.

The takeaway for my husband and I, is that from now on, anytime we want barbecue, we will be…read morehappily driving 30 minutes for the best. It was the first stop. Book a tour if you want to be in the know!

John is very knowledgeable about the mills and mill villages in Greenville. We took the textile…read moremill tour and John pointed out things of interest we've driven by for years and never noticed. Tour was well done and learned a lot about Greenville's textile past. We've also done a culinary tour with John which was also great!

My brother and I take annual "retreats" to different cities each year that include a private bike…read moretour. We have done nine different cities in US and Canada. This tour topped them all! Great guide -- informative, flexible, engaging... I could go on and on. We didn't choose to do the brunch part but peddled on to cover more terrain and she was totally amenable. I'd do it again in a heartbeat

From the owner: Bike, see the city, and brunch with us. We keep groups small, and follow CDC guidelines to reduce…read morethe spread of coronavirus. Need a bike? Rentals are available. Bike tours are one of the most recommended and fun ways to connect again in person. We explore murals, history, culture, and brunch!

The Pickle Fetish Co. & Pickle Museum is located in Downtown Lincolnton. It is a unique place. It…read moreis a specialty store filled with pickles, other pickled items and merchandise. I was warmly greeted when I entered the store and given an overview of what was available, and that the museum was from the owner's personal collection. She even tried to help me find a museum I couldn't find. The store opened in August of 2024. Samples were available if you wanted to try before you buy. You can get pickled fudge, pickle-flavored lollipops, freeze-dried pickles, pickled asparagus, pickled beets, beverages and more. There were t-shirts, candles, soap, toys, and more. A refrigerated section sells cheese and other items that require refrigeration, such as pickles without preservatives and pickled lemonade. They sell items you won't find elsewhere. The shop is located inside a historic building built in 1914. The mini museum showcases a variety of pickle memorabilia, from jars and toys to vintage signs, games and other unique items. Parking is available on the street; just make sure you are in the spot for less than three hours, or the parking attendant will give you a ticket. If you are looking for somewhere quirky to visit or a hard-to-find item, you might find it here. You can order from the website if you don't live close enough to shop in person.

Cute store FILLED with specialty pickle products and even a pickle museum section…read more Seriously- a wide variety of pickle and pickled flavored products - toys, mugs, t-shirts, novelties, candy, cheese, hummus, chips, stickers, pickled canned goods, condiments & so much more. Clean, Friendly, & welcoming environment. Whether you're a pickle fan or not, you should go check out this small business when in the area and enjoying the town square.

I'm a native of the CLT, born and raised here also a History Major at UNC Charlotte…read more My Joplin, Missouri friends, Mark & Sonia were in town for a long weekend and wanted to check out this tour and invited me to join them. What a great experience! First of all Caleb, our driver and tour guide was top tier excellent and professional! Not bad for a Massachusetts transplant! He's been in the CLT going on four years and has a solid understanding of the history of CLT. The tour is amazing with essentially a focus on the four Wards. You'll see a 'behind' the scenes view of some of CLT's great statues and historically relevant buildings, business' and homes in Fourth Ward. There are seat belts in the Golf Cart, rear view mirrors, flashers and headlights we all felt very safe. Caleb is very friendly and allows for interactive engagement so you have an opportunity to ask questions and have a dialogue. Easy to find on the sidewalk fronting 7th street and the garage at Seventh Street Market. I especially liked the tour of Fourth Ward and drive by of all the older and historic homes.

We had a wonderful tour guide. Tremain was impressively knowledgeable while at the same time…read morefriendly and engaging. The bus was comfortable. This was part of a "staycation " for us and we learned a lot about Charlotte and saw parts of the city we would not have found on our own.

Came in on a Friday night close to closing (which we didn't realize until we got there)…read moreStaff were still amazingly friendly! My husband got a tasting and had a great conversation about the different selections flavors and ages. It was really cool to listen to. I ordered their whiskey espresso martini. It was SO good. And it looked good too I highly recommend and next time we will come earlier to take the tour and relax in their beautiful tasting room.

Been waiting to make it to this distillery. Came out on a Tuesday and was served fast. Was able to…read moredo a tasting of their 4 selected bourbons. Have had their drinks before, but straight from the source was a treat. They offer different mixed drinks as well and had bottle sells there too.