Things to Do While You're in Concord, North Carolina
Concord is often associated with Charlotte because of how close they are to each other. Most of Concord's tourist attractions are also close to Charlotte. The two cities are about 25 miles away from each other and have a 40-minute ride distance from each other. If you're flying in, the city has the Concord-Padgett Regional Airport. The Charlotte Douglas International Airport is also close by. Both airports are less than 30 minutes from the city's top attractions.
Though many pay more attention to the bigger city of Charlotte, Concord is known for the best NC attractions. The city is home to the Charlotte Motor Speedway and Concord Mills, two of the must-see places in the state.
Most tourists who come to Concord are racing fans, but the town has its fair share of other attractions. Here are 8 things you can do in Concord, North Carolina.
Charlotte Motor Speedway
NASCAR's Charlotte Motor Speedway is the most popular attraction in Concord. It's also the most popular destination for motocross fans everywhere. You can find it halfway between Charlotte and Concord, with a 20-minute drive to and from both cities.
Other popular Concord attractions are also near the speedway. From here, it's easy enough to go to Concord Mills, zMAX Dragway, and Frank Liske Park. It's also 15 minutes away from the Concord-Padgett Regional Airport.
The place has been the venue of many racing events, including the annual NASCAR All-Star races. The main track is a 1.5-mile quad-oval track seen in Charlotte Motor Speedway. However, that's not the only attraction here. The complex has 2,000 acres of space, with other dirt tracks in nearby areas.
Other events use either the zMAX Dragway with a quarter-mile strip or the Dirt Track with a 1,300-foot clay oval.
Website: Charlotte Motor Speedway
Address: 5555 Concord Pkwy S, Concord, NC 28027, USA
Location: Lat|Lon 35.35128658951572, -80.68851360308797
Concord Mills
Concord Mills is known as the biggest outlet and retail mall in North Carolina, with over 200 stores inside. There are a ton of branded shops, local stores, and anything you can possibly think to buy in a mall is here.
It also has many dining options and an AMC 24 Theatre. But more than the branded shops, Concord Mills also houses the SEA Aquarium. An indoor aquarium that spans 26,000 square feet inside a mall is something you will definitely not find elsewhere. It's got 5,000 marine animals and a fun, family outing for the kids.
They are open from Monday to Thursday from 11 am to 8 pm. On Friday and Saturday, they open from 10 am to 9 pm. On Sunday, they open from 12 to 6 pm.
The mall is 10 minutes from Charlotte Motor Speedway and 5 minutes from the airport. It's also just 10 miles from Uptown Charlotte.
Website: Concord Mills
Address: 8111 Concord Mills Boulevard, Concord, NC 28027, USA
Location: Lat|Lon 35.3692360470044, -80.72178821235184
Great Wolf Lodge
Great Wolf Lodge is a great place to stay if you don't want to go too far for a fun adventure. The place is a waterpark and resort that's perfect if you've got the little ones with you. It's only 3 miles from the airport and minutes away from other destinations like Concord Mills and the Charlotte Motor Speedway. It's located right at Exit 49 off I-85.
Aside from the rooms, a stay at the resort includes Water Park passes, free wifi, and free kids events happening there. The indoor water park stays at a constant 84 degrees all year so that you can enjoy it in whatever season. It has 11 water slides and 4 pools. Outside of the pool, their other attractions include mini-golf, an arcade, laser tag, and many more. They also have several different dining options to choose from.
You have three options for suites: a standard room, a themed room, or one of their premium rooms.
Standard suites include:
- Luxury King Suite
- Queen Sofa Suite
- Family Suite
Themed suites include:
- KidKamp Suite
- Wolf Den Suite
- Kid Cabin Suite
Premium suites include:
- Royal Bear Suite
- Grand Royal Bear Suite
- Great Bear Suite
- Grand Bear Suite
- Majestic Bear Suite
- Grizzly bear Suite
Website: Great Wolf Lodge
Address: 10175 Weddington Road, Concord NC 28027, USA
Location: Lat|Lon 35.36150052445959, -80.71168438722172
Morrison Motorcar Museum
Morrison Motorcar Museum is a museum dedicated to vintage and antique cars. You might not be able to use these for races, but many motocross fans will still love a visit here. The museum's collection takes you back through years of automobile history. It goes back as early as the 1920s to the present day, with more than 50 cars and motorcycles. The museum covers 18,000 square feet along with other vehicle memorabilia and artifacts. You can browse through the gift shop and see any vintage souvenirs you want to bring home.
Tours are self-guided with an $8 admission fee. They're located a mile away from Charlotte Motor Speedway. They're also near other museums dedicated to cars like the Mustang Owner's Museum and Hendricks Motorsports Museum.
They are open from 9:30 am to 4 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. On Saturday, they're available from 9:30 am to 3 pm.
Website: Morrison Motorcar Museum
Address: 4545 Concord Pkwy South, Concord NC 28027
Location: Lat|Lon 35.35986871756179, -80.67318932339224
Rocky River Golf Club
The Rocky River Golf Club is one of the best golf courses you'll find in Concord. The city owns the public golf club. It offers accommodations through the Embassy Suites by Hilton Charlotte Concord Golf Resort & Spa.
The course is an 18 hole course that maximizes its surroundings to create a challenge to the game. The area is surrounded by the Rocky River and some wetlands, which affects the course. There are 4 sets of tee, and an average round lasts about 4 hours and 20 minutes. They welcome players of any skill level, from beginner to pro. You can practice at their driving range for $6 per small basket. After tee time, grab a bite in the Stonehouse Grille, their in-house restaurant.
- From Monday to Thursday, 9 holes cost $29, while 18 holes cost $52
- Friday, 9 holes are $33, and 18 holes are $62
- On Weekends, 9 holes go for $37, and 18 holes go for $72
The course is North of the Charlotte Motor Speedway, right beside zMAX Dragway and The Dirt Track. It's also 20 minutes from downtown Concord. Book your tee time on their website.
Website: Rocky River Golf Club
Address: 6900 Bruton Smith Blvd, Concord, NC 28027
Location: Lat|Lon 35.36238517267639, -80.69025395838554
Lil Robert's Place
Lil Robert's Place is right at the heart of downtown, near other local shops and restaurants. The place is owned by a local hoping to share craft beer, music, and hidden treasures with the city of Concord.
The site is one of the first of its kind in town as a craft beer store. It soon became a bar where you can hear live music to go along with your drinks. The place has a cozy vibe with art decors all around and friendly staff. Aside from a bar and music, they also have a connecting thrift store called The Mullet Thrift Shop. They have regular shows, so swing by if you're in town.
They're open from Monday to Saturday from 11 am to 12 am. On Sunday, they're open from 4 to 9 pm.
Website: Lil Robert's Place
Address: 25 Union Street South Suite A-B, Concord, NC, 28025
Location: Lat|Lon 35.41029397701732, -80.58069384489262
Old Courthouse Theater
Another downtown spot is Old Courthouse Theater. It's a few minutes from Lil Robert's Place and a non-profit community theater. They host a total of 4 plays each season, with one play running for two weekends. They also have regional and local talents, and it's all run by volunteers who have a passion for the craft. The theater is in a 1920s church, so you've got gothic architecture to mix with the dramatic plays.
Tickets are affordable, and watching local talents is an excellent way to spend your evening in town. Before you see a show, you can explore downtown for a taste of the local cuisine.
Location: Lat|Lon 35.41075742122968, -80.58421290314146
ClearWater Arts Center & Studios
There are a few art galleries worth going to in Concord, and ClearWater Arts Center & Studios should be on your list. The gallery is also downtown, but it's a couple of blocks away from the Old Courthouse Theater. You can check out their gallery every Wednesday to Friday from 12 noon to 5 pm.
The studio has a main gallery, classrooms, and a space for events to take place. Many of their resident artists are locals across the region, and they even rent out artist studios if needed. The center also has events for up-and-coming artists to help them get their start with Guest Artist shows. Their collection is a little bit of everything, from traditional paintings to crafts, pottery, and even stained glass art.
Website: ClearWater Arts Center
Address: 223 Crowell DR NW, Concord, NC 28025
Location: Lat|Lon 35.41017305304863, -80.59254057743442