As much as we hate to bid farewell to summer, we so love the cooler air and fun events that come with fall in Mooresville! From picking pumpkins from the patch, to devouring those apple cider doughnuts, to taking a soul-feeding hike or paddle at Lake Norman State Park, we can’t wait to show you all of the great things you can do right now in Mooresville!

Nothing says Fall like a pumpkin patch, and the apple cider doughnuts to go with it! For an authentic pumpkin picking experience, head over to Carrigan Farms every day in October. Take a hayride out to the patch where you can select a pumpkin right off the vine. A stop at the petting zoo awaits you on the return trip, as does the apple cider doughnut food truck. Visits this year require face masks on the shuttle as well as reservations. Visit the Carrigan Farms website for details.

A huge selection of pumpkins is available at Josh’s Farmer’s Market, a favorite farm stand with locals. Their Fall Market is set for September 25, featuring the Granny’s Old Fashioned Donuts truck with their apple cider doughnuts. Prepare to wait in line for this wildly popular event, but the freshly prepared donuts are totally worth it. They are set to reappear on October 9th.

Our beautiful and happening downtown features some highly anticipated events, kicking off a fabulous weekend with the Uncorked and Artsy fall edition on Friday, October 1. The gallery crawl and wine/beer tasting event takes place on Broad and Main Streets, with shops holding special events and sales. The following morning get ready for one of Mooresville’s most fun, and unique, events. The Downtown Mooresville Wiener Races. This entertaining, charitable event helps raise awareness and donations for Lake Norman Humane and is open for the public to attend at no cost! Come watch Dachshund dogs race for the tile of champion in multiple events. There’s no need to leave downtown after the races because the Festival of Food Trucks gets started at 5pm on Main and Broad Streets. More than 13 trucks are scheduled with fare ranging from lobster dogs to dumplings to barbeque. Bring a chair and hang out for the live music in the last food trucks event of the year.

With more than 500 miles of shoreline, Lake Norman is the largest manmade lake in North Carolina. The pleasantly warm days of fall are perfect for exploring secluded coves and taking in the scenery.

One of the best ways to see the lake at a leisurely pace is by paddleboard. Don’t have one of your own? Rent one at one of the rental shops around the lake. Or if you want to speed things up a bit and explore a larger area, rent a boat or jet ski for the day. Check out all the rental options. Pack a picnic for the day or visit one of our lakefront restaurants for a bite.

You can also hire a fishing guide to help you navigate the great fishing spots on Lake Norman. For a truly unique experience, schedule a wakeboarding or wakesurfing lesson with a professional wakeboarder at Ride LKN Wake & Surf School or Stephen Pierce Wake.

Get kisses from a giraffe, or one of the many other species of animals you’ll find at our two animal parks, Lazy 5 Ranch and Zootastic Park.  Take a drive through the safaris and feed the animals that come right up to your window.

With more than 30 miles of wooded trails, Lake Norman State Park offers visitors a great way to enjoy the fresh air, abundant wildlife, and stunning scenery around Lake Norman. Take an easy trail around the lake or challenge yourself with a more moderate hike, or bring your mountain bike for a fun workout.

Experience exhilarating racing action at the world-class kart track at GoPro Motorplex. This track was built by racing professionals and modeled after the famous and historic Kartdromo Parma circuit in Italy and is sure to get your adrenaline pumping! The rental karts are capable of speeds up to 55-miles per hour, and the twists and turns of the track will test your skill. In fact, many of racing’s top drivers use the track to stay in shape during the off season.

The best part about a weekend away is treating yourself to some goodies! Luckily there are some great places around Mooresville to do just that. Take a step back in time when you visit Mooresville Ice Cream Company in downtown Mooresville. They have been providing freshly made ice cream to the community since 1924! Enjoy your treat while you stroll downtown and take in the artist murals on the buildings, or pop in one of the charming shops. If cookies are your thing, you have to check out Red’s Scratch Made on Main Street. These cookies are next level, with flavors like Pumpkin Cheesecake, Rocky Road Brookies and Spiced Caramel Apple. Just be sure to get there early as they frequently sell out before closing time! CynTucci’s Bakery features classic tarts, cupcakes, and other confectionary treats in their charming Main Street storefront. For a complete list of sweets and other treats check out our listings.

 

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