Choose wisely. Connect locally.Add your business Huntersville is a town just north of Charlotte, on the eastern shore of Lake Norman, the largest man-made lake in North Carolina. It has grown quickly from a farming village into a lakeside suburb with historic homesteads, nature preserves and plenty of outdoor recreation.
Historic Rural Hill
Lake Norman
Energy Explorium
Carolina Renaissance Festival
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This guide covers the best places to visit in Huntersville, from Latta Plantation Nature Preserve and Historic Rural Hill to Lake Norman and the Carolina Renaissance Festival, with tips on food, where to stay and when to go.
Huntersville was settled in the 1700s by Scots-Irish farmers and incorporated in 1873. It stayed a small cotton town until Lake Norman was created by Duke Power in the 1960s and Charlotte's growth spread north.
For visitors, Huntersville is a gateway to Lake Norman and some of the best nature preserves in the Charlotte area, along with historic farms that tell the story of early Mecklenburg County.
Two historic sites preserve Huntersville's rural past.
Latta Place, inside Latta Nature Preserve, is a restored early 1800s plantation house and farm, where guided tours explain the lives of the family and the enslaved people who worked the land.
This 265-acre farm preserves the home site of the Davidson family and hosts popular events such as sheepdog trials, a corn maze and the Loch Norman Highland Games each spring.
Historic Rural Hill hosts the Loch Norman Highland Games. Photo: Scot Campbell, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
This 1779 log house and store is believed to be one of the oldest surviving stores in North Carolina.
Water and woods are Huntersville's biggest draws.
Covering about 1,400 acres on Mountain Island Lake, Latta Nature Preserve has hiking and horse trails, a raptor center that cares for injured birds of prey, and kayaking on the lake.
Lake Norman has more than 500 miles of shoreline, with marinas, boat rentals, waterfront restaurants and swimming at Jetton Park and Lake Norman State Park.
Lake Norman has more than 500 miles of shoreline. Photo: DiscoA340, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
On a peninsula in Lake Norman in nearby Cornelius, Jetton Park has a sandy swimming area, lakeside trails and picnic spots.
Run by Duke Energy near the McGuire Nuclear Station, this free center has exhibits on energy and a short nature trail by the lake.
The Energy Explorium has free exhibits on energy. Photo: Murr Rhame, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Huntersville hosts some of the region's biggest seasonal events.
Every weekend in October and November, the Carolina Renaissance Festival fills a wooded village with jousting, costumed performers, crafts and food.
The Carolina Renaissance Festival runs every fall. Photo: 1234bugsy, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
This large community center has indoor pools and a water play area open to visitors.
Huntersville's restaurants range from lakeside seafood and casual grills to Southern barbecue. Pulled pork, fried catfish, hushpuppies and banana pudding are common favorites.
Birkdale Village and the nearby towns of Cornelius and Davidson have many independent restaurants and breweries, some with views of Lake Norman.
Popular dishes to try in Huntersville
Birkdale Village has hotels close to shopping and dining.
Lake Norman waterfront, rentals and lakeside hotels in Cornelius and Mooresville are ideal for boating.
Interstate 77 corridor has many chain hotels with quick access to Charlotte.
Davidson, a small college town nearby, has historic inns.
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Spring is mild, with the Loch Norman Highland Games in April.
Summer is hot and busy on the lake.
Fall brings the Renaissance Festival and colorful leaves.
Winter is mild and quiet.
By air: Charlotte Douglas International Airport is about 25 minutes southwest.
By car: Interstate 77 runs through the town, and Interstate 485 loops around Charlotte.
Getting around: A car is needed to reach the preserves and lake.
Hike at Latta Nature Preserve and visit the raptor center, then tour Latta Place. In the afternoon, rent a boat or kayak on Lake Norman and have dinner by the water.
Visit Historic Rural Hill and the Hugh Torance House, then spend the afternoon at Jetton Park or Birkdale Village. In fall, spend the day at the Carolina Renaissance Festival.
Looking for a boat rental, lakeside restaurant or local shop?
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