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Museums and Train Attractions in the NC Foothills

July 11, 2019


This article is a part of the Fun in the Foothills Passport series.  Download your free, printable Passport and adventure in the Western Piedmont of NC and beyond!

Welcome to the Western Piedmont of NC, an area full of rich history and amazing opportunities to reconnect with nature and your neighbors! Our area, including the cities of Hickory, Morganton, Lenoir, Taylorsville and Statesville (as well as many wonderful small towns), provides many chances for your family to make memories together while learning something new.  From aviation to zoology, our museums and attractions are great places to get acquainted with our region and find your family fun!

The Fun in the Foothills Passport and Guide is made possible by great sponsors like Jay Brown Realtors®, located in Hickory, NC.  Jay Brown, Realtors® is the Catawba Valley's premier team of real estate agents. Specializing in helping families and individuals buy and sell residential homes, Jay Brown set out to create a team that delivers a personalized, top rated experience to their clients. Jay has been a top producing agent since 2012 and received Hickory -W Piedmont Macaroni Kid Gold Daisy Award for "Favorite Realtor" in 2013, 2014, 2018 and 2019. Locally and independently owned, he and his team members strive to bring connections to their day-to-day interactions, constantly asking themselves, “who can we help?”  Visit them at www.jaybrownrealtors.com.



Catawba Science Center
243 3rd Ave NE, Hickory, NC 28601 at the SALT Block
35,000 sq. ft. science technology children’s museum offering hands-on exhibits, salt and freshwater aquarium galleries, and a state-of-the-art digital planetarium theater plus regular events
Read about Catawba Science Center from our archives

Hickory Museum of Art 
243 3rd Ave NE, Hickory, NC 28601 at the SALT Block
See American art, Southern folk art and changing exhibitions.  Family-friendly with kids art opportunities throughout the year
Read about Hickory Museum of Art from our archives

Hickory Aviation Museum
3101 9th Ave Drive NW, Hickory, NC 28601
Celebrates the Gold Age of Aviation and provides a unique opportunity for all generations to learn and appreciate aviation history
Read about Hickory Aviation Museum from our archives

Catawba County Museum of History
30 N. College Ave, Newton, NC 28658
Experience life in early Catawba County, learn about Hickory's NASCAR roots and celebrate the many cultures that call Catawba County home
Read about Catawba County Museum of History from our archives

Lucile Miller Observatory
N C Avenue, Maiden, NC 28650
The Catawba Valley Astronomy Club hosts monthly Star Gazes at the Observatory. Learn about the night sky with local amateur astronomy enthusiasts.

History Museum of Burke County
624 S. Green St, Morganton, NC 28655

Dedicated to preserving and displaying Burke County heritage for both current and future generations. Exhibits include a barbershop, cafe, and and information on the 1828 Gold Rush.

Waldensian Heritage Museum
109 M Street E, Valdese, NC 28690
A guided tour provides information on the Italian Waldensians who settled in the area in the late 1800s.

Iredell Museums

134 Court Street, Statesville, NC 28677
Observe "Margaret," North Carolina's only authentic Egyptian mummy, and experience over 3,000 years of history in this unique exhibit. Includes self-directed STEM activities and games.

KidSenses Children's Interactive Museum
172 N. Main St, Rutherfordton, NC 28139
10,000 sq. ft. space with 12 interactive exhibit areas that allow kids to explore science, technology and imagination. Includes a seasonal children's garden within ongoing activities.
Read about KidSenses Children's Interactive Museum from our archives

The Schiele Museum of Natural History 
1500 East Garrison Blvd, Gastonia, NC 28054
Natural history comes alive though a NC natural history dioramas, a Catawba Indian Village, dinosaurs, and a NC pirate play ship.
Read about The Schiele Museum of Natural History from our archives




SE Narrow Gauge & Shortline Museum
1123 North Main Ave, Newton, NC 28658
The only railroad museum in the south with a concentration of narrow gauge railroading- houses a collection of vintage railroad equipment that dates as far back as the era of Reconstruction, days when primitive iron rails endeavored to connect the cotton fields of lowland farms to the vast timber interests of the Appalachians. This collection includes boxcars, log cars, passenger cars, cabooses, and a steam locomotive, as well as many models.
Read about the SE Narrow Gauge & Shoreline Museum from our archives

Morganton Depot Museum
624 S. Green St, Morganton, NC 28655
The Morganton Depot Museum allows visitors to step back in time to a world where steam and diesel trains moved and maintained life in Burke County.

Spencer Transportation Museum
1 Samuel Spencer Dr., Spencer, NC 28159
Located on the site of what was once Southern Railway Company's largest steam locomotive repair facility. The site features an authentic train depot, antique automobiles, and a 37-bay Roundhouse that includes 25 locomotives, dozens of rail cars and other exhibit areas. The museum offers seasonal train rides and special events scheduled throughout the year.
Read about the Spencer Transportation Museum from our archives

Tweetsie Railroad
300 Tweetsie Railroad Lane, Blowing Rock, NC 28605
Old West theme park nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, an hour drive from Hickory, NC.  Open April through December and features Locomotive No. 12, "the last surviving narrow-gauge steam locomotive of the East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad (ET&WNC), which ran service from Johnson City, Tennessee, to Boone, North Carolina, from 1919 to 1940"

Granite Falls History and Transportation Museum
107 Falls Avenue, Granite Falls, North Carolina 28630
Open Saturdays and Sundays, the Granite Falls History and Transportation Museum takes a look into the past of one of the founding members of the Granite Falls community.


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