Piedmont Pursuits
Piedmont Pursuits: The Great Staycation
(Left) Lake James State Park; (right) Fonta Flora.
Piedmont Pursuits
In the Piedmont, the slopes are gentler, but the innate loveliness of its terrain shines. At the Catawba River and Lake James, water sports take a front seat, but you’ll find high-octane adventures here as well. Quaint towns dot the landscape, welcoming visitors like new friends.
From Water to Sky
Enjoy the pristine waters and verdant woodlands at Lake James State Park, sparkling in the summer sun. A 700-foot sandy stretch at the Paddy’s Creek Access gently slopes into the lake creating an inviting swimming beach. The concession stand rents kayaks, stand up paddleboards, and canoes during the warmer months. If you’d like to stay awhile, the campground at Paddy’s Creek, which includes 33 tent sites, makes a convenient base camp for exploring the hiking and mountain bike trails within the park.
Looking for an exceptional way to appreciate the western Piedmont landscape? Take to the sky with Thermal Valley Hang Gliding and feel the rush of air as you soar up to a mile high. You’ll have a bird’s eye view of Table Rock and Grandfather Mountain on your tandem trip.
Marvelous Museums
If the arts and sciences are more your jam, drop by the SALT Block, Hickory’s museums and cultural arts campus. Visitors of all ages can find something here—from stargazing at the planetarium in Catawba Science Center to perusing original works at the Hickory Museum of Art.
The Mitford Museum celebrates Hudson’s own Jan Karon, a New York Times bestselling author who has written 24 books. Housed within the historic Hudson Uptown Building where Karon attended elementary school, the museum gives an intimate look into the writer’s life, displaying inspirations for her writing and capturing the world of Mitford, the setting for 14 of her novels.
Welcome to Dinner
When it’s time to unwind with a beer and pizza, make your way to Happy Valley Filling Station, a brewery and pizzeria five miles north of Lenior. What you’ll find here is more than great craft brews and wood-fired Neapolitan pies; it’s a community gathering spot where new friends are always welcome. Dine outside on the patio or deck, and walk down to the Yadkin River, just a stone’s throw away.
Don’t let the unassuming brick building of Cazuelas Dona Vicky fool you. The restaurant serves authentic Mexican dishes with high quality ingredients and generous portions. You’ll feel like you’ve made your way to a south-of-the-border market when you taste the pastor tacos with house-made corn tortillas.
Fonta Flora Brewery is named for a long-gone North Carolina town that, in local lore, was somewhat of a utopia. It’s said that neighbors of all races and walks of life lived harmoniously there. The brewery aims to recreate its namesake’s cooperative spirit by making its beers with ingredients grown and produced within the state. At its historic downtown Morganton location, you can sip a Mimosa City, white ale fermented with fresh oranges and aged with earl grey tea and coriander, while peering into the brewhouse next door.
Unforgettable Lodging
If you’re looking for a memorable place to stay, you’ll find it at Brown Mountain Beach Resort. Located beside the scenic Wilson Creek and surrounded by 49,000 acres of wilderness, its guests can swim in the creek, hike trails, and visit with the resident alpacas, horses, goats, and chickens. The resort’s rustic accommodations include yurts and cabins.
With a focus on Southern hospitality, Shan and Rina Norwood, owners of Boutique Aubergine, offer modern luxury in the fully restored 1939 Rudisill House in Newton. The stately colonial home and beautiful gardens are walking distance to Catawba History Museum and Old Post Office Playhouse.
Resources
Discover Burke County (828) 433-6793; discoverburkecounty.com
Explore Caldwell (828) 726-0616; explorecaldwell.com
The Chamber of Catawba County (828) 328-6111; catawbachamber.org
Lake James State Park
2229 Lake James State Park Rd., Nebo
(828) 544-6800; ncparks.gov
Thermal Valley Hang Gliding
4085 Old Amherst Rd., Lenoir
(828) 292-7473; thermalvalley.net
SALT Block
243 3rd Ave. NE, Hickory
(828) 324-4906; saltblockfoundation.org
Catawba Science Center & Hickory Museum of Art
243 Third Ave. NE, Hickory
(828) 322-8169; catawbascience.org
Hickory Museum of Art
243 Third Ave. NE, Hickory
(828) 327-8576; hickoryart.org
The Mitford Museum
145 Cedar Valley Rd., Hudson
(828) 572-4898; themitfordmuseum.org
Happy Valley Filling Station
1275 NC-268, Lenoir
(828) 726-3100; happyvalleyfillingstation.com
Cazuelas Dona Vicky
361 Harper Ave. SW, Lenoir
(828) 572-7112; cazuelasdonavickync.com
Fonta Flora Brewery
317 N Green St., Morganton
(828) 475-7501; fontaflora.com
Brown Mountain Beach Resort
6785 Brown Mountain Beach Rd., Lenoir
(828) 758-4257; brownmountainbeach.com
Boutique Aubergine
420 N Main Ave., Newton
(704) 880-1259; boutiqueauberge.com
Catawba County Museum of History
30 N College Ave., Newton
(828) 465-0383; catawbahistory.org
Old Post Office Playhouse
10 S Main Ave., Newton
(828) 464-6128; thegreenroomtheatre.org