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Hickory takes its name from Hickory Tavern, a log inn built in the 1790s beneath a large hickory tree beside an old road to Salisbury. The railroad arrived in 1859, the town was incorporated in 1870, and within a few decades wagon works, mills and furniture factories had made it one of the busiest manufacturing centers in western North Carolina. For much of the 20th century, a large share of the country's furniture was made within a short drive of town.
Downtown centers on Union Square, a brick plaza ringed by restaurants, shops and the 1921 municipal auditorium that now houses the Hickory Community Theatre. A short walk away, the SALT Block brings together the Hickory Museum of Art, the Catawba Science Center and the public library, and the city's new trail network links downtown with Lenoir-Rhyne University and the shores of Lake Hickory.
Sports fans can catch the Hickory Crawdads at L.P. Frans Stadium or weekly racing at Hickory Motor Speedway, a short track that has hosted NASCAR legends since 1951. With the Blue Ridge Mountains on the horizon, Hickory is also a handy base for day trips to the high country.
WiserMap travel guideHickory North Carolina Lake Hickory and Blue Ridge Day TripsPlan a Hickory, North Carolina trip with Union Square, the Hickory Museum of Art, the Furniture Mart, Crawdads baseball, Lake Hickory and nearby Blue Ridge day...Read the guide
The heart of downtown Hickory, a pedestrian-friendly square framed by historic brick buildings with restaurants, cafes, shops and a central plaza used for farmers markets and summer concerts. It is a pleasant place for an evening meal. Free public parking is available on the square and nearby lots.
Founded in 1944, this museum is housed in the SALT Block arts and science center and holds a large collection of American art, including 19th and 20th century paintings, folk art and studio glass and pottery from the region. Admission is free or low cost; check current exhibitions before your visit.
Also located in the SALT Block, this hands-on science center has interactive exhibits on physics, the human body and the natural world, an aquarium with a touch tank and a digital planetarium. It is well suited to families with children. Plan two hours, and check planetarium show times at the front desk.
Located at Hickory Regional Airport, this museum displays military and civilian aircraft outdoors on the flight line, including Navy jets, plus a hangar with exhibits on aviation history and local pilots. Admission is free, and volunteers are happy to answer questions. Hours are limited, so check before going.
A private university founded in 1891 with a leafy campus of brick buildings just north of downtown Hickory. Visitors can walk the grounds, visit the library and attend public concerts, lectures and football games at its stadium. Park in visitor spaces and check the events calendar for public performances.
One of the largest furniture shopping centers in the country, with about a million square feet of showrooms and outlets selling furniture, lighting, rugs and accessories from many manufacturers. It reflects Hickory's long history as a furniture-making center. Wear comfortable shoes and allow several hours.
Hickory's Minor League Baseball team, a Single-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, plays at L.P. Frans Stadium from spring to late summer. Games are affordable and relaxed, with family promotions, fireworks nights and Conrad the Crawdad mascot. Lawn and general seats offer good value; evening games are coolest.
A restored 1913 water-powered grist mill on Balls Creek near Catawba, east of Hickory, with a large wooden water wheel, a mill pond, a general store and a small museum. It is run by the county historical association and hosts a fall harvest festival. Grounds are open on set days; check hours before driving out.
A reservoir on the Catawba River along Hickory's northern edge, popular for boating, fishing, kayaking and lakeside dining. Public access points include parks with boat ramps and fishing piers. Rentals are available from local marinas in summer. Sunset is especially pretty from the lakeside restaurants.
A county park protecting Bakers Mountain, the highest point in Catawba County, with forested hiking trails, an overlook with views of the Blue Ridge on clear days and a nature center. The climb to the overlook is moderate. It is free, but only open on certain days, so check the schedule before visiting.
A riverside park on the Catawba River with paved and wooded walking trails, a playground, picnic shelters and a boat launch. It is one of Hickory's most popular parks for walking and kids' activities, with sections along the water. Weekends can be busy; weekday mornings are calmer for a walk.
Part of the city's trail network, the Riverwalk follows the Lake Hickory shoreline with a long boardwalk, overlooks and picnic spots, linking parks near the water. It is good for an easy walk with lake views at sunset. Parking is available at the trailheads; bring a light jacket near the water in cooler months.
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North Carolina, United States
North Carolina, United States
North Carolina, United States
North Carolina, United States
North Carolina, United States
North Carolina, United States
North Carolina, United States
North Carolina, United States
Photo: Tylerg, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Photo: Nyttend, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Nyttend, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
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Photo: Tylerg, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Tylerg, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Photo: Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
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