First time playing here and really enjoyed our round of golf. It's challenging for a first time…read moreplayer but in the end was a great experience and look forward to playing here again.

Quiet little golf club and restaurant on Lake Hickory; friendly service and good food. The place…read morewas not very busy sans 10+ people enjoying card night. I had the chopped Cobb salad , which was good. We also had the steak; which was ok and the Chicken Parm - very good. For the price this is a great place; wonderful atmosphere, friendly bar service and good food. Definitely a place to keep in mind for special events and large parties.

Quite busy today when I stopped in, there was some sort of organized baseball game going on with…read moreteams in uniforms and a heck of a lot of fans. Most of the parking was in use in that area and that's perfectly okay. That ballfield is lighted but there are also youth baseball and soccer fields, four lighted tennis courts, one outdoor basketball court, play area with picnic shelter and a half mile walking trail. The park is in very good condition with mowed grass and only a few bits of litter here and there. [Review 15894 overall - 3110 in North Carolina - 1399 of 2021.]

This large park is not far from I-40 and might be a useful stop to stretch your legs though the…read moreCatawba County rest areas (https://www.yelp.com/biz/catawba-county-i-40-eastbound-rest-area-claremont and https://www.yelp.com/biz/catawba-county-i-40-westbound-rest-area-claremont) are nearby. Multiple picnic shelters, most of which have charcoal grills and power outlets available. Horseshoe pits. Playgrounds. A paved quarter-mile walking trail! If you're here, don't miss the Bunker Hill Covered Bridge https://www.yelp.com/biz/bunker-hill-covered-bridge-claremont?hrid=twO_8DgV2Wt_6oz9CihX6Q. It's a mile and a half east and worth the stop. [Review 16909 overall - 3236 in North Carolina - 425 of 2022.]

Cliff Teague Park has a small parking lot that's probably enough for a few people but a big party…read moreor ball game and it's going to be full. The park features an open multi-use space, playground, tennis and basketball courts and a permanent building with restrooms. The park is handicapped accessible with dedicated parking and a paved path from the parking area to the playground. Picnic table are in the shade and it's a nice spot. The playground has a soft base and is in excellent condition. [Review 15410 overall, 913 of 2021, number 2960 in North Carolina.]

Nice park that is free and accessible. It has clear walking trails, beautiful scenery, and…read moreoverlooks the Lake. I visited just for the new Riverwalk and enjoyed it. There are some restrooms available, lots of maps and signage, and also mountain biking trails. Connected with other greenways and hiking trails - there is much to explore!

This stunning park is located along the edge of Lake Hickory and does feature a boat ramp (that is…read morecurrently closed for construction). Around 100 feet long, the longest straight ramp I've ever seen and if you are able to launch from here, you're clearly a backing up trailer expert. The park has a picnic shelter with tables and grills, a pretty gazebo and a fishing pier. An activity building (currently closed) has restrooms. The shoreline has a fabulous view of the lake and the picnic tables would be perfect for doing exactly that by the waterside. Parking lot is the trailhead for a paved bikeway and walking trails. [Round number review 15400 overall, 903 of 2021, number 2950 in North Carolina.]

The picnic area was very scenic. Loved the gazebo. Trails were nice, especially the new lakeside…read moreboardwalk. I haven't tried the mountain bike trails yet. Maybe another time. Here's the BIG negative- the bathroom facilities at the northern end were disgraceful. Totally disgusting. Unusable. I hope there is a plan to rectify this situation.

Hickory City Park has eight lighted tennis courts with an outdoor covered shelter and restrooms…read more There is a large multi-purpose facility with an indoor meeting room. From here, there is access to a paved bikeway and the Lake Hickory Trails, a system of mountain biking and nature trails. The trails have some change in elevation and lead to Geitner-Rotary Park as the opposite end. [Review 15403 overall, 906 of 2021, number 2953 in North Carolina.]

This park is centered around the Hickory Music Factory (which is closed now) but also has some…read moreoutside features. The basketball court was in good shape but definitely don't miss a pass as out of bounds is a pretty steep drop and you're chasing your ball for a while. There is a nice playground here too with a spiral slide. The park is fenced in, which will keep the little ones from wandering off. At the park entrance is an 8 foot tall white obelisk and four plaques that detail the Miracle of Hickory, telling the story of Hickory's historic polio hospital that was here for a time. In 1944, a polio epidemic spread across Western North Carolina. In rapid response, the Hickory community rallied together to construct an emergency hospital to treat polio. The hospital was conceived and built in just 54 hours and experienced one of the lowest mortality rates in the country thanks in part to the revolutionary Kenny method of treatment. These events became known as the "Miracle of Hickory." There is a dedicated parking lot though small. [Review 15399 overall, 902 of 2021, number 2949 in North Carolina.]

Silver Creek Golf Club - A Hidden Treasure in the Foothills…read more I spent the last 4 days playing at Silver Creek while hosting and annual Ryder Cup event. If this course was in Charlotte, I would definitely be a member. It's a course you can play everyday and it doesn't feel the same. Below is a full review and I highly recommend you give it try. Nestled in the heart of Morganton, North Carolina, Silver Creek Golf Club offers a complete golfing experience that rivals some of the best-known courses in the region, yet still maintains its welcoming, community-focused charm. Course Layout & Playing Experience The course is beautiful, with a thoughtful and strategic layout. Silver Creek strikes that rare balance--challenging enough to test low handicaps, but fair and forgiving enough that mid- and high-handicap players walk off the 18th with a smile. The variety in hole design ensures that no two shots feel repetitive, and there's a natural flow to the round that golfers will appreciate. Conditioning & Pace of Play Course conditions are superb. The fairways roll true and set up scoring opportunities, while the greens are nothing short of excellent--quick enough to be exciting, but never unfair. Be aware of some of the down hill down grains putts though. They are so quick. The greens hold well, run smooth, and consistently reward a confident stroke. Silver Creek's commitment to 10-minute tee times is a game-changer. It allows for an unhurried pace of play, and my four consecutive rounds all finished in just about four hours--unheard on the weekends at the public courses where near my home. Scenery & Setting The mountain views are simply spectacular. From elevated tees and open fairways, you catch sweeping glimpses of the Blue Ridge that frame your round with natural beauty. Those views alone make any downtime an experience, giving Silver Creek an atmosphere that's as memorable as the golf itself. Hospitality & Amenities Equally impressive is the people. The staff embodies southern hospitality--warm, attentive, and genuinely invested in making sure each golfer has the best possible day. After the round, Papa's Grill is the perfect capstone. The food is superb--well beyond what you'd expect at a golf course restaurant. Whether it's a hearty burger, fresh-made sandwiches, or daily specials, everything is served with the same attention to quality that you find out on the course. Final Verdict Silver Creek Golf Club isn't just a place to play--it's a place to return to, time and again. With a challenging but fair layout, exceptional conditioning, stunning mountain views, a staff that makes you feel like family, and a restaurant that could stand alone on its own reputation, Silver Creek has carved out a well-deserved spot among North Carolina's most enjoyable golfing destinations.

We went in mid July and the course was in great shape. I will say, my wife and I are beginner/…read moremediocre golfers, on a good day, and this course was challenging. It has A LOT of hills and valleys. If you struggle keeping the ball on the fairway, I might recommend practicing a little more before attacking this course. However, if you bring a lot of extra balls, you'll be in good shape. The staff was very friendly and welcoming.