Gaze at stars in the second-largest planetarium in North Carolina. Marvel at the beauty in th only five-story glass-walled orchid conservatory in the Carolinas. Rejoice in freedom at Belmont's Juneteenth Celebration. Check out Gastonia's Downtown Arts & Antiques Districts. 

Arts, culture and heritage take center stage in various ways throughout the year. In the late winter, the Abbey Players open a theater season at Belmont Abbey College like they have done every year since 1883.

In spring, Art & Orchids draws thousands to Daniel Stow Botanical Garden. Summer and fall are great times to learn the history of textiles, trucking and Gaston County itself at one of several well-maintained history museums. Finally, in December, McAdenville into Christmas Town U.S.A with hundreds of thousands of lights drawing visitors to this quaint, little village.

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

This nationally renowned garden was started in the 1990s. Spetacular gardens cover 110 acres and draw visitors year-round. The centerpiece is a large, atrium-like visitor pavilion with a century-old stained-glasse dome. The five-story glass Ochid Conservatory is the only one of its kind in the Carolinas, showcasing orchids and tropical plans.  

6500 S New Hope Rd, Belmont, NC 28012, USA

704-825-4490

The Schiele Museum of Natural History

What began as a place to house the nature collection of a longtime scoutmaster has grown into one of the nation's most significant nature museums with the largest collection of land mammal specimens in the Southeast. The museum has fice permanent exhibit halls areas for rotating exhibits, a spectacular planetarium, a Stone Age heritage site and a re-created Catawba Indian Village.

1500 E Garrison Blvd, Gastonia, NC 28054, USA

704-866-6908

Joy Performance Center

This renovated 1950s theater is home to quality performances and concerts. The Kings Mountain Little Theatre troop hosts comedies, musicals and children's plays. The Revolutinary drama "Liberty Mountain", written by a local playwright, tells the story of the Overmountain Men defeating the British ar the Battle of Kings Mountain and turning the tide of the Revotionary War.  

202 S Railroad Ave, Kings Mountain, NC 28086, USA

704-730-9408

Kings Mountain to Town via Sidewalk

the museum is housed in the 1852 Hoffman Hotel and is a great place to learn about the art and history of Gaston County (and the region). It presents thought-provoking-challenging exhibits and engaging programs for diverse audiences. The museum also contains NCs largest public collectiong of horse-drawn vehicle.

131 W Main St, Dallas, NC 28034, USA

704-922-7681

Belmont Historical Society

Belmont's history is on display at this heritage center in the heart of town. 
Trace the town's progression from early days to the era of textile manufacturing giants to current times as a growing commynity of diverse people and places. It's also home to the Belmont Sports Hall of Fame.

40 E Catawba St, Belmont, NC 28012

704-825-4848

American Military Museum

Founded by American Legion Post 23, the American Military Museum has an extensive collection of authentic U.S. military and related memorabilia from past wars and time periods. The weapons collection also includes pieces from Germany, Japan and Russia. The museum is housed in the American Legion Memorial Hall in downtown Gastonia.

109 W 2nd Ave, Gastonia, NC 28052, USA

704-866-6068

Mount Holly Historical Society Museum

The Mount Holly Historical Museum is the official home of the city of Mount Holly archives and features rotating exhibits as well as a research library with online access to genealogical websites and back issues of the Mount Holly News from 1945-2005.

131 S Main St, Mt Holly, NC 28120, USA

Alfred C. Kessell Center

This center in renovated Loray Mill features touch-screen monitors displaying "Digital Loray", and interactive online exhibit cronicling one of the most famous mills in history. Built in 1902 as the largest single-roof textile mill in the South, Loray was the site of a deadly workers strike in 1929. Also exhibited are artifacts of daily mill life. 

300 S Firestone St (20.28 mi) Gastonia, NC 28052, USA

980-266-9923

C. Grier Beam Truck Museum

Learn how C. Grier Beam began with one truck in 1932 and built what would become Carolina Freight, one of the nation's top carriers until its sale in 1995. Explore the history of Carolina Freight, as well as the trucking industry in general. C. Grier Beam Truck Museum is located in the original gas station where Carolina Freight had its humble beginning.

111 N Mountain St, Cherryville, NC 28021, USA

704-435-3072

The Cherryville Historical Museum

This museum is housed in a 1911 building, formerly city hall, with three floors of artifacts and exhibits focused on Cherryville history from the early 1800’s to today. Learn the story of the town's New Years Shooters, who fire muskets to ring in the new year. The museum is also home to Cherryville Sports Hall of Fame.

109 E Main St, Cherryville, NC 28021, USA

704-435-8011

J. Ralph Beam, Jr. Heritage Park

In Cherryville visitors will find the J. Ralph Beam, Jr. Heritage Park.Five original buildings including: the first city hall, an old jailhouse, a one-room schoolhouse, a smoke house and an early warehouse for federally licensed bonded liquor.

102 S Jacob St, Cherryville, NC 28021, USA

Brevard Station

Brevard Station Museum (named for Stanley's original train depot) has exhibits rangin from to the discovery of rare magnolia by Frech botanist Andre Michaux. Other exhibits cover the railroad's  advent, information and artifacts regarding the textile industry, artifact depicting early domestic like, and a collection of military artifacts.

112 S Main St, Stanley, NC 28164, USA

704-813-5015

Kings Mountain Historical Museum

The Battle of Kings Mountain was proclaimed as "the turning point of the American Revolution" by Thomas Jefferson. At the Kings Mountain Historical Museum visitors can step back in time to learn about this famous battle site and engage with the history of the area.

100 E Mountain St, Kings Mountain, NC 28086, USA

African American Museum of History & Culture

Found in the Loray Mill is the African American Museum of History Culture. This museum preserves the history of the innumerable contributions of African Americans to the growth and prosperity of Gaston County.

300 S Firestone St, Gastonia, NC 28052, USA

980-888-4005

Belmont Abbey

It was founded in 1876 by the Benedictine monks. The Abbey Basilica of Mary help of Christians, under the patronage of Mary Help of Christians, is the central figure in the composition of Belmont Abbey and of the Belmont Abbey Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. The basilica was built in neo-Gothic style in 1892, and was completely renovated in 1965 in a most striking manner. The church, which contains prize-winning painted glass windows and a unique baptismal font, is listed on The National Register of Historic Places. In 1998, the church was named a minor Basilica by the Vatican.

100 Belmont Mt Holly Rd, Belmont, NC 28012, USA

704-461-6693

Heritage Village of Dallas Park

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places is the downtown area of Dallas, NC. The center of Dallas features the Old Gaston County Courthouse, the Gaston County Museum, the Old Jail, and other buildings surrounding the court square. Walking tours of the square are available at Gaston County Museum. 

Dallas, NC, USA

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