Cultural Arts
Historic Sites and Museums
Public Parks
Sports & Recreation
Fun Things To Do

Cultural Arts
Acoustic Stage 828-324-5951
This all-volunteer, non-profit organization annually presents 25 concerts and performances by nationally known artists.

The Green Room Community Theatre 828-464-6128
Performing in the Newton-Conover Civic & Performance Place, 60 West Sixth St., Newton. An award-winning community theater featuring a season of musicals, comedies, dramas and children’s plays.

Hickory Choral Society 828-322-2210
A volunteer organization of over 125 voices, the Hickory Choral Society presents three concerts annually: a traditional Christmas Concert, a classical Winter Concert and a Spring Concert featuring a guest artist.

Hickory Community Concert Association 828-465-6775
Nationally and internationally acclaimed performers take the local stage, thanks to the Hickory Community Concert Association. Call for concert schedules and information.

Hickory Community Theatre 828-327-3855
In historic Old Hickory City Hall, 30 3rd St. NW, Hickory. One of the largest community theaters in North Carolina. Operates September-June in two performing spaces. Season includes comedies, dramas, musicals and children’s shows.

Hickory Museum of Art 828-327-8576
243 Third Ave. NE, Hickory. The second-oldest art museum in North Carolina and the first museum in the Southeast to collect American art, the Hickory Museum of Art offers exciting exhibitions, lectures, art classes, films and outreach programs to schools and other groups. Visitors will find unique art items in the Museum gift shop. Located in the Arts and Science Center of Catawba Valley. Call for information on exhibitions or events. Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Closed Mondays.

The Lenoir-Rhyne College Summer Theatre 828-328-7230
Performances in late July and early August each year include dramas, comedies, and musicals. In Belk Centrum on Lenoir-Rhyne Campus.

Lenoir-Rhyne Playmakers 828-328-7163
7th Ave. and 8th St. NE, Hickory. Playmakers offers mainstage productions in November and April, and a February presentation alternating yearly between children’s theatre and a student showcase event. Call for show information and ticket prices. All plays are staged in the college’s Belk Centrum.

Western Piedmont Symphony 828-324-8603
243 3rd Ave. NE, Hickory. This professional orchestra presents an annual season of top-notch symphonic music featuring guest artists who are rising stars of classical music.

More Performing Arts
Accapella Fellas, Carolina Moonlighters, Catawba Valley Community Chorus, CVCC Show Choir, First Baptist Concert Series, Lenoir-Rhyne A Cappella Choir, Sweet Adelines, Western Piedmont Youth Symphony

Historic Sites and Museums
Balls Creek Campground
Buffalo Shoals Road in Catawba. The tradition of annual religious revivals started at Grassy Branch (now Terrell) by Methodists during the late 1790's. This tradition continued when the present Ball Creek Campground was constructed in 1853 as a central location to all the Methodist congregations in eastern Catawba County. The yearly two-week revivals at the Balls Creek Campground continue to the present day. The campground and its several hundreds of tents are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Bunker Hill Covered Bridge 828-465-0383
14 miles east of Hickory off Hwy. 70, Claremont. The 1895 historic Bunker Hill Covered Bridge is one of only two covered bridges remaining in North Carolina. It also remains as the lone example of the use of the "haupt" truss design named for Civil War engineer / bridge builder Herman Haupt. The bridge's 85 foot span crosses Lyles Creek.

Catawba County Museum of History 828-465-0383
Catawba County's history is exhibited at the 1924 Catawba County Courthouse. The extensive collection includes a rare British Revolution era red coat, a 1930's racing car and a fine collection of locally crafted furniture. The Catawba County Historical Association's valuable collection is housed in the greater part of the courthouse building with eight major galleries, museum store and reception area. The lower level features a law and government gallery, which includes an old jail cell. Closed Mondays.

Catawba Valley Furniture Museum 828-322-3510
Hickory Furniture Mart, 2220 Hwy. 70 E. Trace the roots of the furniture industry in Catawba Valley. Tour the authentic reproduction of an early Catawba woodworking shop and see the collection of vintage tools and furnishings.
Monday - Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Firefighters Museum of Catawba County 828-466-0911
3957 Herman Sipe Rd., Conover. Equipment and photos dating back to the early 1900's are on display in this museum, which includes a 40' x 100' exhibit hall. Among the items on display are six fire trucks, the oldest of which is a 1936 American LaFrance pumper. Open to the public Saturdays 11:00 am - 4:00 pm; Sundays 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm; Monday-Friday by appointment only for school and community groups.

" From This Day Forward" 800-743-8398
401 Church St. NW, Valdese. Explore the history of the Waldensians, a religious sect dating back to the Reformation. The historic drama depicts the plight of the Waldensians in the Alps of Italy and their eventual arrival in Valdese in 1893.

Historic Newton Walking Tour 828-465-7400
Take a tour through the Newton North Main Avenue historic district. You will find 100 historically significant buildings including two churches and one school adaptively reused as an administrative building and a civic performance place. The 1924 Courthouse is the home of the Catawba County Museum of History.

The Ivey Arboretum in Carolina Park 828-323-7500/828-322-7046
Located adjacent to downtown Hickory on NC Hwy. 127 North. Hickory is the home of the Ivey Arboretum, a collection of over 400 labeled species of native and rare trees and shrubs within a three-acre park. The Arboretum was founded by local industrialist and tree enthusiast George Ivey in 1936 in historic Carolina Park (1904). Guided tours are available.

Maple Grove 828-322-4731
542 2nd St. NE, Hwy. 127 North, Hickory. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, Maple Grove is a restored Italianate-style house built in 1883. Experience Maple Grove’s tranquility featuring authentic Victorian furnishings.

Murray’s Mill Historic Site 828-465-0383/828-241-4299
NC Hwy. 10, near the town of Catawba. I-40, exit 138. One of the few agriculturally related North Carolina historic sites, the Murray’s Mill complex is nestled in the rolling hills along Balls Creek in rural Catawba County. This restored complex consists of a grist mill (first built in the 1880's and later restored in 1913) powered by a huge overshot waterwheel, an 1890's country store, an 1880's wheat house, and the miller’s residence, first built in 1913 and later restored in 1935.

Old Hickory Brewery 828-323-8753
The only micro-brewery in the Unifour, offers not only unique beer but a very unique atmosphere as well. The eight handcrafted beers available on tap are accented by a dining room furnished with booths made from 1000-gallon wine casks from the Old Bernard Winery of Valdese. The beers themselves keep with the "local" theme by having such names as Brown Mountain Light and Table Rock Pale Ale after local western North Carolina sites and Crawdad Red after the local minor league team.

Old St. Paul’s Lutheran Church 828-464-9786
St. Paul's Church Rd., Newton. Old St. Paul’s Lutheran Church is a two-story log weather-boarded church, featuring an impressive federal-style interior including intricately carved sounding board and moldings and a slave balcony. Built in 1818, it remains the oldest existing church in North Carolina west of the Catawba River.

Propst House 828-322-4731
547 6th St. NW in the Shuford Memorial Gardens, Hickory. A Second Empire-style cottage built in 1883, the Propst House is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. House Beautiful magazine referred to this home of a master craftsman as a "Victorian gem."

Terrell Country Store 828-478-2065
Corner of Hwy. 150 and Sherrills Ford Rd. Built in 1891, this country store was the focal point of Terrell for trade and commerce in southeastern Catawba County. The post office was housed in this building from 1893 to 1997.

Public Parks
Baker’s Mountain Park - 828-324-8461
Bakers Mountain can be seen off Hwy 127 in Mountain View. The park entrance is located on Bakers Mountain Road just off Old Shelby Road.
The 196 acre park features hiking trails that are not for the faint of heart. With elevations ranging between 1200 to 1780 feet, the mountain can be a difficult trek even for the most experienced hikers.

Winkler Park 828-322-7046
2500 Clement Blvd. NW, Hickory. Picnic shelter with tables & grill, playground equipment, restroom, walking, fitness & nature trail, horseshoe pits.

Glenn Hilton, Jr. Memorial Park 828-322-7046
2000 6th St. NW, Hickory. Picnic shelter with tables and grill, playground equipment, restroom, gazebo, walking, fitness & nature trail, canoe access, horseshoe pits.

River Bend 828-465-8957
Hwy. 16 at River Bend Rd. Designed to preserve the existing natural beauty of the area, the 475-acre scenic park features walking, horseback and riding trails, fishing, rafting, canoeing and wildlife observation decks.

Southside Park 828-465-7470
South on Hwy. 321, Newton. A 27-acre park featuring: group picnic shelters, amphitheater, concession and restroom facilities, playground area, informal ballfield, sand volleyball court, horseshoe pits, paved parking for 125 cars, open area for informal activities.

South Mountains Park 704-433-4772
Connelly Springs (18 miles south of Morganton on State Route 1904). The park’s 100,000 acres offer visitors hiking, horseback and bike riding along its mountain trails. It also offers numerous waterfalls and cascades, as well as camping, picnic areas and fishing.

Sports & Recreation
Henry Fork River Park
The 45 acre park located in Hickory consists of a seven-field soccer complex. Fields are of tournament competition quality and of varying sizes. One field is lighted with stadium seating provided.

Hickory Motor Speedway
Hickory 70 East, Newton
Hailed as the birthplace of NASCAR stars late Dale Earnhardt, Junior Johnson, Ned and Dale Jarrett and Harry Gant, and opened in 1951, this is the country's longest continuously operated NASCAR track. Season runs March through October.

Kiwanis Park
605 7th Avenue, Hickory
The park consists of 16 acres, which include a four field, youth baseball complex. All four fields are lighted for night play. Three of the fields have 200-foot fences with the fourth field having a 188-foot fence. All outfield fences are 10 feet high.

Hickory Crawdads Baseball / L.P. Frans Stadium 800-488-DADS/828-322-3000
2500 Clement Blvd. NW, off Highway 321. From I-40 take exit 123 North, Hickory; 5,100 seat professional baseball stadium. L.P. Frans Stadium is home of the Hickory Crawdads, A "Class A" professional baseball team that plays in the historic South Atlantic League. An affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Crawdads have sent numerous players to the majors. Crawdads Season runs April-September.

Stanford Park
805 13th Avenue NE, Hickory
The park consists of 25 acres with a three field adult softball complex. All three fields are lighted for night play. Two of the fields have 285-foot fences with the third field having a 300-foot fence. All outfield fences are 10 feet high.

Fun Things To Do
AMF Colonial Lanes 828-327-2695
1951 Hwy 70 SE, Hickory. Bowling, video arcade, food and fun. Sunday-Thursday, 9 AM-midnight; Friday-Saturday, 9 AM to 2 AM

Buffalo Beal’s Animal Park – 828-428-4388
3259 Waterplant Rd., Maiden. Encounter exotic and domestic animals in a 40 acre animal park.

Carmike Cinemas 12 - 828-304-0004
2000 SE Catawba Valley Blvd., Hickory.

Catawba Queen / Queens Landing - 704-663-2628
1459 River Hwy, Mooresville. Riverboat sightseeing/dinner cruises, bumper boats and miniature golf.

Catawba Science Center 828-322-8169
243 Third Avenue NE, Hickory, NC. The Catawba Science Center offers visitors of all ages hands-on fun as they learn about the natural and physical sciences through participatory exhibits. Located in the Arts and Science Center of the Catawba Valley.

Crown Cinema - 828-322-5071
577 Hwy 70 SW, Hickory

Hickory Dickory Dock 828-322-3625
825 Hwy. 70 SE, Hickory. Hickory’s only family entertainment center features 33,000 square feet of indoor activities for families, groups, and parties: bumper cars, mini-golf, soft modular play, two laser arenas, restaurant, birthday party rooms, covered picnic areas, over 100 arcade games and a redemption prize center.

Hickory Motor Speedway 828-464-3655
Hwy. 70 E, Newton. Hailed as the birthplace of NASCAR stars Dale Earnhardt, Junior Johnson, Ned and Dale Jarrett and Harry Gant. Season runs March through October.

Hiddenite Gems 828-632-3394
"The Emerald Hollow Mine," Hiddenite, NC. Enjoy digging and sluicing for beautiful stones in their natural state at the Gem Capital of the World. Find aquamarines, emeralds, smoky quartz, amethyst, sapphires and more.

Ice Castle Skating Rink 828-466-1173
1901-N NW Blvd., Newton. The area’s only ice skating rink. Open year-round for public skating, free-style sessions, birthday and group packages.

J.E. Broyhill Civic Center - 828-726-2407
1913 Hickory Blvd., Lenoir NC. Enjoy year-round entertainment at their events and shows that bring in outstanding talent.

Pin Station 828-466-2695
525 West A St., Newton. Forty-two lanes, game room, pool tables and snack bar.

R & N Marina -828-495-8833
5803 Icard Ridge Road, Hickory. Pontoon boats and small fishing boats for rent, half day and full day.

Rack n’ Roll Billiards & Amusements 828-464-POOL
2180 Northwest Blvd., Newton. Pool tables, video games and food.

Skateland USA 828-322-8824
2820 Hwy. 70 SE, Newton. Roller skating, video games and parties.

State Cinema - 828-464-2171
117 N. College Ave., Newton.

Click the following links for more information:
Golf Courses
Arts, Entertainment and Children’s Activities