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Mooresville began in the late 1850s as Moore's Siding, a depot John Franklin Moore set up where the railroad crossed his farm in southern Iredell County. The town was incorporated in 1873, and brick stores, cotton gins and, from 1900, textile mills soon lined the tracks. Its old downtown still follows Main Street beside the railroad, with the early 1900s depot now serving as an arts center.
Today Mooresville is known as Race City USA. Dozens of NASCAR teams and racing suppliers are based here, and several shops welcome fans to look around, from Team Penske's showroom to JR Motorsports. The North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame and the Memory Lane Motorsports museum display everything from early stock cars to modern racers, and N.C. Highway 3 through town is numbered in honor of Dale Earnhardt.
Lake Norman wraps around the west side of town, bringing boating, waterfront dining and Lake Norman State Park within easy reach, while families head to Lazy 5 Ranch to see giraffes, zebras and other animals from their cars or a wagon ride.
WiserMap travel guideMooresville North Carolina NASCAR Shops and Lake NormanPlan a Mooresville, North Carolina trip with the Memory Lane Motorsports Museum, NASCAR team shops, Lake Norman, Lake Norman State Park, downtown and local food...Read the guide
Team Penske, one of the most successful teams in NASCAR and IndyCar, runs its race shop in Mooresville, and visitors can view the shop floor through a public viewing area and see trophies and cars in the lobby. A team store sells merchandise. It is free; visit on a weekday when work is underway.
North Carolina's largest man-made lake, created in the 1960s by Duke Energy's Cowans Ford Dam, has more than 500 miles of shoreline. Mooresville sits on its northern arms, with marinas renting pontoons, jet skis and paddleboards. Summer weekends are crowded, so rent early and check local boating rules.
A state park on the northern shore of Lake Norman near Troutman, just north of Mooresville, with a swimming beach, boat ramp, paddle boat and canoe rentals, campsites and the popular Itusi mountain biking trail. The beach is seasonal. Arrive early on hot weekends, as the park can close when full.
A lakeside family attraction on Lake Norman, best known for the Catawba Queen paddlewheel boat, which offers sightseeing, lunch and dinner cruises. The site also has mini golf, go-karts, bumper boats and a restaurant. Cruises run seasonally and sell out on weekends, so book ahead.
Mooresville's compact historic downtown along Main Street has restored brick buildings with restaurants, cafes, antique shops and boutiques, next to the active railroad line. Seasonal events include holiday parades and summer concerts. It makes a relaxed break from the busy lakefront highways.
Mooresville Arts is based in the town's restored historic train depot downtown, with gallery exhibits of works by local and regional artists, along with classes and art sales. Exhibitions change regularly and entry is free. It is a short stop that pairs well with a walk along Main Street.
A drive-through safari park east of Mooresville where visitors drive or ride a horse-drawn wagon along a 3.5-mile route past hundreds of animals, including giraffes, zebras, camels and bison. Buy a bucket of feed at the entrance, as many animals come right to your window. Allow about two hours.
A waterfront development on the lake's shore off Interstate 77, with restaurants, outdoor patios, shops and a lakeside lawn that hosts summer concerts and events. It is one of the easiest places in Mooresville to eat beside the water. Weekend evenings are busy, so reserve a table if you want a lake view.
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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: Cdtew at English Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Cdtew at English Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Photo: Government & Heritage Library, State Library of NC from Raleigh, NC, United Stat, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: DiscoA340, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: DiscoA340, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: DiscoA340, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: DiscoA340, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: DiscoA340, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0