Gastonia is a city west of Charlotte in Gaston County, North Carolina, once one of the leading cotton textile centers in the South. Today its downtown has been revived around a new ballpark, and it sits close to the dramatic Crowders Mountain and the gardens of Belmont.
AT A GLANCE
Best time
April to June and September to November, for hiking, gardens and baseball.
How long
One to two days covers downtown, the museums and Crowders Mountain.
Getting there
Charlotte Douglas International Airport is about 25 minutes east.
Why visit Gastonia
Gastonia was incorporated in 1877 and named after William Gaston, a North Carolina judge and congressman. By the early 1900s it had more textile mills than almost any other county in the South, and the 1929 Loray Mill strike made national headlines in the labor movement.
The giant Loray Mill has since been restored as apartments and shops, and the city has invested in a new downtown ballpark and riverside parks. Its location near Crowders Mountain, the Catawba River and Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden makes it a good base for outdoor trips.
Downtown and history
Gastonia's downtown is centered on Main Avenue and the new FUSE district.
CaroMont Health Park
Opened in 2021, this downtown ballpark is home to the Gastonia Ghost Peppers, an Atlantic League team, and the surrounding FUSE district is being developed with restaurants and housing.
Loray Mill
Built in 1902, the Loray Mill was once the largest textile mill under one roof in the world and was the site of a famous 1929 strike. The restored building now holds apartments, shops, restaurants and the Loray Mill history exhibits.
Gaston County Museum
In nearby Dallas, the Gaston County Museum occupies an 1852 hotel on the old courthouse square and has exhibits on local history and one of the largest collections of horse-drawn carriages in the Southeast.
Schiele Museum of Natural History
The Schiele Museum has exhibits on North American wildlife, a planetarium and an outdoor recreated 18th-century backcountry farm and a Catawba Indian village on its nature trail.
Mountains, rivers and gardens
Some of the best outdoor spots near Charlotte are around Gastonia.
Crowders Mountain State Park
Crowders Mountain and Kings Pinnacle rise steeply above the Piedmont, with cliffs and rocky summits that offer views of the Charlotte skyline on clear days. Trails range from easy lake loops to steep climbs, and the park is popular with rock climbers.
Rankin Lake Park
This city park has a lake for fishing and paddle boats, a fitness trail and picnic shelters.
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
About 20 minutes east near Belmont, this large garden has formal gardens, fountains, a glass conservatory with orchids and a seasonal holiday light show.
U.S. National Whitewater Center
Across the Catawba River in Charlotte, the National Whitewater Center offers whitewater rafting, kayaking, zip lines and mountain bike trails.
Belmont
The nearby town of Belmont has a charming downtown, the Belmont Abbey basilica and riverside parks on the Catawba.
Planning a trip to Gastonia?Compare hotels, flights and vacation rentals for Gastonia on Expedia.Book nowFood and local flavors
Gastonia shares the Piedmont's love of barbecue, fried chicken and Southern sides, and it has a long tradition of hot dogs topped with chili, mustard, onions and slaw, known as Carolina style.
Downtown and the Loray Mill area have a growing mix of restaurants and breweries, and nearby Belmont is known for its independent restaurants along Main Street.
Popular dishes to try in Gastonia
Where to stay
Downtown Gastonia is closest to the ballpark, Loray Mill and the museums.
Interstate 85 corridor has most of the chain hotels, with easy access to Charlotte and Crowders Mountain.
Belmont has small inns and restaurants near the gardens and the river.
Best time to visit
Spring brings blooming gardens and the start of baseball season.
Summer is hot and humid, ideal for lakes and the whitewater center.
Fall is the best time for hiking Crowders Mountain.
Winter is mild, with holiday lights at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden.
Getting there and getting around
By air: Charlotte Douglas International Airport is about 25 minutes east.
By car: Interstate 85 runs through the city.
Getting around: A car is needed for most sights; downtown and the Loray Mill district are walkable.
A suggested itinerary
First day
Visit the Schiele Museum in the morning, tour the Loray Mill and explore downtown, then catch a Ghost Peppers game at CaroMont Health Park.
Second day
Hike Crowders Mountain early, then spend the afternoon at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden and dinner in Belmont.
Practical tips
- Start Crowders Mountain hikes early, since parking fills on weekends.
- The Gaston County Museum is free.
- Check the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden calendar for holiday lights and special events.
- Bring water and good shoes for the steep summit trails.
Find local businesses in Gastonia on WiserMap
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