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!
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The Fun in the Foothills Passport and Guide is made possible by great sponsors like Catawba Valley Health System. Catawba. Where Compassion Meets Innovation. This is our promise to you as the region’s only community-owned healthcare system. We take great pride in our lead role in the health of our community, demonstrated by the efforts of our doctors, nurses and caregivers to make every patient’s experience outstanding. In April, we received our fifth consecutive Magnet® recognition for nursing excellence from our peers at the American Nursing Credentialing Center. We have also been recognized by our patients, through the voice of women, with six Women’s Choice Awards – for Obstetrics, Bariatric Surgery, Breast Center, Cancer Care, Orthopedics and Stroke Center. With the addition of Survey Solutions’ Workplace of the Year Award, the Catawba Valley can count on the fact that we continue to improve our compassionate care and our advanced technologies for the health of our community. To help you and your family stay healthy, check out our guide on how to play it safe this summer. |
The following is just a sample of the great Water Attractions around our area--the most comprehensive list of splash pads, outdoor pools, lakes, beaches and water parks is on our Local Places to Get Wet Guide!
Kiwanis Park
805 6th St SE, Hickory, NC 28601
Home to the Zahra Baker All Children's Playground, Kiwanis Park now includes a splash park! Opened July 2016, the Charles D. Dixon Memorial Splash Pad is open daily May 1 through September 30. Facilities at the park include 2 picnic shelters with tables and grills, tennis court, outdoor basketball court, 4 lighted baseball fields, 2 playgrounds, horseshoe pits, walking trail, rest rooms and 2 concession stands.
Read about Kiwanis Park from our archives
Martha's Park
200 Block Collett St., Morganton, NC 28655
1.4 acre park with fenced and gated play area, playground equipment, 3 picnic shelters, handicapped accessible restrooms and a children's water splash pad. The splash pad opens middle to late May and closes middle to late September, depending on the weather.
Read about Martha's Park from our archives
Lenoir Aquatic Center
1031 Jim Barger Court, Lenoir, NC 28645
Outdoor pool with seasonally opened slides, including a children's pool. Open Memorial Day through Labor Day, weather permitting.
Hickory Foundation YMCA
701 1St. St. NW, Hickory, NC 28601
Full-service facility includes fitness center, climbing tower, indoor and outdoor pool. Admission covers access to whole facility.
Lake James State Park
6883 NC Hwy 126, Nebo
Swimming area located in the Paddy's Creek Area of the park, open May 1 through September 30. Fee is in effect when lifeguards are on duty.
Amenities include restrooms with showers, picnic shelters, picnic tables and concession stand.
Read about Lake James State Park from our archives
McGalliard Falls Park
1400 Falls Road NW, Valdese
In addition to the natural attraction that is McGalliard Falls and the creek that creates the falls, the park consists of four lighted tennis courts, a volleyball court, a nature trail, picnic facilities and restrooms.
Read about McGalliard Falls Park from our archives
The following is just a sample of the great Parks and Playgrounds around our area--the most comprehensive list of Parks, Playgrounds and Bike Trails are on our Local Parks & Playground Guide and 16 Local Places for a Family Bike Ride Guide!
Lowes Food City Park
300-326 Main Ave NW, Hickory NC 28601
Located in the heart of Downtown Hickory, this innovative park boasts climbing challenges, a musical playground and a small splash pad.
Read about Lowes Food City Park from our archives
Catawba Meadows Park
701 Sanford Drive, Morganton, NC 28655
Catawba Meadows Park includes a unique, Adventure Playground that features ropes and swinging challenges, plus other accessible features. Plus, the park includes disk golf, sand volleyball, a greenway trail, and a Native American natural history center.
Read about Catawba Meadows Park from our archives
Tuttle Education State Forest
3420 Playmore Beach Rd, Lenoir, NC 28645
Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Tuttle boasts a wide variety of pines and hardwoods plus rolling terrain and clear streams.
Read about Tuttle Education State Forest from our archives
Marcia H. Cloninger Rail-Trail
209 W Congess Street, Lincolnton, NC, 28092
Walkers, joggers, strollers and cyclists use the Marcia Cloninger Rail-Trail to stretch their legs and enjoy the outdoors. The trail stretches 1.6 miles in length with benches lining the route.
Lake Hickory Trail System
1515 12th St Dr NW, Hickory, North Carolina 28601
A 1.8-mile beginner loop opened in the woods off the Geitner-Hickory City Park paved trail in September of 2017. Since then, the system was expanded to also include a 4-mile intermediate loop, a pump track for both advanced and beginner riders, and an advanced jump line for more skilled riders.
Read about the Lake Hickory Trail System from our archives
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