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Lake Mountain Coffee
Lake Mountain Coffee with its two-story space in a 100-plus-year-old building is a great spot to caffeinate for the day. Grab a morning treat made with high-grade Arabica coffee and head out on foot to discover the city's rich history and charming architecture. Peruse local shops, boutiques and art galleries to find unique souvenirs and handmade crafts.
Iredell Museums
Learn about the history of the area at the downtown Iredell Museums, which houses a collection of regional art and artifacts, plus rotating exhibits. You can also explore the Statesville Historical Collection, where hundreds of thousands of pieces of Statesville’s history are on display. Think: advertising posters and novelties, newspapers, obsolete products made by local businesses, professional baseball items and much more.
Broad Street Burger
Options are the name of the game at Broad Street Burger with nearly 30 taps of local NC beer and 25 specialty burgers and sandwiches (feel free to sub in fried chicken, a turkey burger or black bean burger). For something a little lighter, try 220 Café, where visitors love enjoying the huge, fresh salads on the sidewalk outside.
Lake Norman State Park
Head to Lake Norman State Park for outdoor adventures. Enjoy activities like hiking or biking on the park's scenic trails year-round, and in the warmer months, you can also go swimming, fishing, or rent a kayak or paddleboard to explore NC’s largest manmade lake.
Daveste Vineyards
Daveste Vineyards — right near the state park — offers wine flights, wine slushies, vineyard views, food trucks, and even events such as dance classes and dueling pianos. Not a wine drinker? Daveste also brews a handful of small-batch beers onsite.
Twisted Oak
Return to downtown Statesville for a delightful dinner at local favorite Twisted Oak. Cocktails are on point, and the Twisted Cajun Pasta is one of the more popular menu items.
Red Buffalo Brewing Company
Finish up with a night cap at Red Buffalo Brewing Company (their tap blends are popular) or D’Laney’s — a sports bar that also happens to have an incredible Sunday brunch.
Roots Outdoor NC
Rent a bike or grab some gear from an outdoor outfitter such as Roots Outdoor NC, then head to Bigleaf Slopes Park or the Statesville greenways for hiking and biking for a peaceful morning in nature.
Beaver Farms
Visit Beaver Farms, Rotary Farmers Market or the Evening Farmers Market to pick up fresh produce, homemade jams and artisanal treats. Pack your just-purchased food items for a picnic lunch at a picturesque spot at Lake Norman State Park. Taking time to savor your food in the heart of nature can be relaxing and rejuvenating.
Fort Dobbs State Historic Site
The afternoon calls for more local history. Learn about the area’s significance in the Seven Years War at Fort Dobbs State Historic Site, the life of a former NC governor at the Zebulon Vance House and Statesville’s first mayor at the Historic Sharpe House.
Southern Distilling Company
Book a tour through Southern Distilling Company’s 30,000-square-foot facility. Passionate and friendly guides will give you all the details of the distilling process, and samples of bourbon whiskeys are included in the tour price. Park up at the bar afterward for an expertly crafted cocktail.
Mezzaluna II
Take your pick from more than 80 locally owned restaurants for your farewell dinner. Choose a place that offers a cozy atmosphere and delectable cuisine (Mezzaluna II for Italian; Randy's Bar B Que for some ‘cue). Then consider catching a live performance at a local theater or attending a seasonal event — Carolina Balloonfest in October is the most well-known, but don’t miss out on the Hops & Harmony Craft Brew Fest in May, Statesville Pride Parade & Festival in September, and Statesville Pumpkin Fest in November.
This article was produced in partnership with, and all photos are courtesy of, Statesville CVB.
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Your Trip at a Glance
Stop 1
Lake Mountain Coffee
Stop 2
Iredell Museums
Stop 3
Broad Street Burger
Stop 4
Lake Norman State Park
Stop 5
Daveste Vineyards
Stop 6
Twisted Oak
Stop 7
Red Buffalo Brewing Company
Stop 8
Roots Outdoor NC
Stop 9
Beaver Farms
Stop 10
Fort Dobbs State Historic Site
Stop 11
Southern Distilling Company
Stop 12