Looking for high-speed thrills, Southern charm, and family fun? Head to Concord, North Carolina! Just northeast of Charlotte, Concord is known for its NASCAR heritage, outlet shopping, and growing food scene. Whether you're racing down a track, shopping 'til you drop, or enjoying North Carolina’s countryside, Concord delivers excitement with a touch of hospitality.
Concord, NC Highlights:
- For Thrill Seekers: Experience Charlotte Motor Speedway – Tour the legendary track or attend high-octane NASCAR races and events.
- For Shoppers: Visit Concord Mills – One of North Carolina’s largest outlet malls with retail, dining, and entertainment.
- For Families: Explore SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord Aquarium – Walk through a 180-degree ocean tunnel and discover marine life up close.
- For History Buffs: Tour the Reed Gold Mine – Site of America’s first documented gold discovery, with underground mine tours and panning.
- For Car Lovers: Visit Hendrick Motorsports Complex – See iconic race cars, memorabilia, and state-of-the-art racing facilities.
Best Time to Visit Concord, NC
The best time to visit Concord is in the spring (March–May) and fall (September–November). Mild weather makes it perfect for race events, outdoor festivals, and sightseeing. Summer is hot but ideal for waterparks and indoor attractions, while winter is quiet and mild, with some holiday charm.
How to Get to Concord, NC
- By Car: Concord is easily accessible via I-85, about 25 minutes northeast of Charlotte.
- By Air: Concord-Padgett Regional Airport (JQF) offers limited commercial service. Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is the nearest major airport (30–35 min drive).
- By Train/Bus: Amtrak serves nearby Kannapolis and Charlotte. Local transit options connect regional hubs.
Where to Stay in Concord, NC
- Recommended for Families: Great Wolf Lodge Concord – Indoor waterpark resort with themed suites and activities for kids of all ages.
- For Race Fans: Embassy Suites by Hilton Charlotte-Concord – Across from Charlotte Motor Speedway and Concord Mills, with spacious rooms and breakfast included.
- For Budget Travelers: Comfort Suites Concord Mills – Affordable, clean, and centrally located for shopping and entertainment.
Best Things to Do in Concord, NC
1. The Concord Museum
Rating: ★★★★★
Located in Concord, North Carolina, The Concord Museum preserves social and cultural artifacts connected to the Cabarrus County region, including war-related memorabilia and a historical and genealogical research library.
The Concord Museum was originally opened in 1939 as a public museum facility and repository connected to the Concord City Aldermen and the Coltrane-Harris Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy.
65 Church St. S, Concord, NC 28025
2. The Mustang Owner's Museum
The Mustang Owner's Museum is dedicated to the Mustang car and all things related to it. The museum was established to honor the world-renowned US-made vehicle that has been in production for more than 50 years, and to preserve the heritage of the popular and much-loved car. The museum presents a variety of exhibits, including one on Mustang racing and the role the car played in the 1964 New York's World’s Fair, along with beautifully restored maintained Mustang vehicles on display in the center of the facility. The unique Mustang Library boasts a collection of book and magazines relating to Mustangs, including every Mustang magazine cover printed and a variety of videos about the people who helped make the Mustang the vehicle it is today.
4001 Dearborn Place NW ?Concord, NC 28027, Phone: 404-664-6660
3. Bost Grist Mill
Built in the early 1800s on the banks of the Rocky River, the Bost Grist Mill was once the primary source of cornmeal and flour for the residents of southern Cabarrus County. Today, the mill has been beautifully restored to its former glory to provide an insight into the history of the region and the role the mill played in the development of the community. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the mill still grinds corn into meal and grits with the same stones and techniques used during the 1800s and serves as the central marketplace for the community. Visitors can enjoy guided tours of the mill and learn more about its history and have the unique opportunity to be a part of the mill's historic past.
4701 NC-200, Concord, NC 28025, Phone: 704-782-1600
Attractions for Couples
4. Cabarrus Brewing Company
The Cabarrus Brewing Company is a friendly brewhouse and taproom that produces small-batch craft beers and brews throughout the year. Boasting long communal tables where visitors can taste the brewery’s tipple, the facility has a mezzanine event space for special functions with cozy areas for mingling and excellent views of the brewhouse and taproom spaces below. The mezzanine level is fully equipped with state-of-the-art audiovisual capabilities, two large flat-screen televisions, and a surround sound system. The Cabarrus Brewing Company produces a range of craft beers, including Boll Weevil Brown, Cabarrus Cotton Blonde Ale, Mule Spinner Stout, Red Hill Amber Ale, and Reed’s Gold Ale, among others. The Cabarrus Brewing Company taproom is open for drinks and dinner every evening during the week and brunch, lunch, and dinner on the weekends.
329 McGill Ave NW, Concord, NC 28027, Phone: 704-490-4487
5. Charlotte Motor Speedway
The Charlotte Motor Speedway, formerly known as the Lowe's Motor Speedway, is a motorsports complex just 13 miles from Charlotte in North Carolina. The 2,000-acre complex hosts NASCAR racing on a 1.5-mile quad-oval track, including big races such as the NASCAR All-Star Race, the Bank of America ROVAL 400, and the prestigious Coca-Cola 600, which is held annually on Memorial Day Weekend. The speedway also boasts a state-of-the-art, quarter mile, all-concrete, four-lane drag-racing strip known as the zMAX Dragway, which hosts NHRA events. There is also a state-of-the-art, 1,300-foot, clay oval known as Dirt Track at Charlotte, which is a stadium-style facility with 14,000 seats that hosts various dirt races, including the World of Outlaws World Finals.
5555 Concord Pkwy S, Concord, NC 28027, Phone: 704-455-3205
If You Enjoy the Outdoors:
6. Frank Liske Park
The Frank Liske Park is a community park and public space that offers an array of recreational activities and pursuits to enjoy, from boating and fishing to picnicking and mini-golf. Located in the heart of Cabarrus County, this beautiful 238-acre park was once a working farm for the Stonewall Jackson Training School and still features some of the buildings, such as the dairy barn and silo, which have been renovated for the public to enjoy. The barn can be rented for special events and functions, and other amenities at the park include a 10-acre lake for paddle-boating and fishing, picnic sites with covered areas, children’s playgrounds, horseshoe pits, lighted tennis courts, and volleyball courts. Other recreational amenities include a soccer and softball complex with lighted fields, a nature trail, various walking and hiking trails, and an 18-hole mini-golf course.
4001 Stough Rd, Concord, NC 28027, Phone: 704-920-2701
Unique Activities:
7. Garage Pass Shop Tours
Experience a behind-the-scenes tour of the Charlotte Motor Speedway, the NASCAR race shops, and the race museums on a one-of-a-kind Garage Pass Shop Tours. Adrenaline-lovers and NASCAR aficionados alike will love this tour, which explores the goings-on at the races and offers a unique opportunity for visitors to see the teams behind the cars at work. Located in the heart of NASCAR country, tours are led by expert guides with career backgrounds in NASCAR racing, who will share their knowledge, expertise, and passion for the sport. Visitors will be guided through the nerve centers of the NASCAR racing world to experience this fast-paced world and receive an array of exclusive tour guest discounts at many race shop retail gift shops and museums.
15522 Sagefield Dr, Huntersville, NC 28078, Phone: 704-455-2819
8. Hendrick Motorsports Museum and Team Shop
The Hendrick Motorsports Museum and Team Shop is a museum dedicated to stock car racing and all aspects of the sport. Located at the Hendrick Motorsports Complex, which is a mile away from the Charlotte Motor Speedway, the Hendrick Motorsports Museum features displays and exhibits that highlight the history of Hendrick Motorsports, including the Chevy Lumina used in the film Days of Thunder and the Darlington car that Jimmie Johnson won Hendrick Motorsports' 200th Cup victory with. The team shop offers visitors the chance to see the Hendrick team for all four NASCAR Cup cars in action, and the museum has a store that sells Hendrick Motorsports merchandise, including racing apparel and team T-shirts.
4400 Papa Joe Hendrick Blvd, Concord, NC 28262, Phone: 704-455-3400
Plan Your Trip