If you crave full-throttle thrills, hometown pride, and hands-on adventure then Mooresville will rev your engine and warm your heart

Home to more than 750 animals representing 6 of the world's continents, The Lazy 5 Ranch is a privately owned and operated zoo with exotic animals like zebras and giraffes as well as more familiar farm animals. A 3 1/2-mile driving route runs through the park; visitors are welcome to drive their own vehicles, and for an additional fee, you can take a horse-drawn wagon ride. Many of the animals come right up to the vehicles to be fed and pet, and wagon riders are provided with half a bucket of animal feed. Extra buckets are available for purchase.

15100 Mooresville Rd, Mooresville, NC 28115, Phone: 704-663-5100

Sitting on a 105-acre property, the Penske Racing South Facility is a state-of-the-art facility that all three of the Team Penske racing teams call home. All the teams' NASCAR and IndyCar are kept here, and there's a 330-foot fan walk where visitors can watch as cars are prepared for upcoming races. Tours of the facility can be arranged on certain days, and if you want to bring home a souvenir, you can also stop by the 4,986-square-foot gift shop to pick up a piece of Penske Racing merchandise.

200 Penske Way, Mooresville, NC 28115, Phone: 704-664-2300

Recommended Activities for Families

Boasting more than 140,000 square feet of indoor entertainment, The Pit Indoor Kart Racing is an excellent place to experience the adrenaline rush of go-karting and other exciting activities. The 70,000-foot track boasts 20 challenging turns and plenty of space for passing, and the karts sit only inches off the ground and can reach speeds of up to 45 mph. A viewing area with TVs overlooks the track for people who would rather watch than ride, and other activities include a black light mini golf course, a laser tag arena, and more than 65 arcade games.

346 E Plaza Dr, Mooresville, NC 28115, Phone: 704-799-3470

Family owned and operated for five generations, Carrigan Farms grows some of the most delicious fresh produce in all of North Carolina. They typically have fruits and vegetables for sale between the middle of April and the middle of November, and there are several U-Pick options as well, including strawberries and asparagus in the spring and pumpkins and apples in the fall. The property also features a beautiful spring-fed quarry with a sandy beach volleyball court, and during the summer, visitors can attend an open swim, participate in a water aerobics class, or book the space for a private swim party.

1261 Oakridge Farm Hwy, Mooresville, NC 28115, Phone: 704-664-1450

Attractions for Couples

JR Motorsports is well known in the racing world as the management company for NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., and they operate a 66,000-square-foot race shop that's a must-visit for any racing fans in Mooresville. The gift shop has a wide range of items for sale, including apparel, autographed items, and used race car tires, and there's a small viewing area where you can see some JR Motorsports cars on display. The gift shop is open Monday through Saturday, and if you call in advance, you might be able to arrange a behind the scenes tour of the shop.

349 Cayuga Dr, Mooresville, NC 28117, Phone: 704-799-4800

Featuring an incredible collection of more than 150 unique vehicles, the Memory Lane Museum is the perfect place to learn about the history of motorsports. Many of the cars are vintage race cars and retired NASCAR cars in pristine condition, but there's also a display of wrecked race cars that shows the evolution of safety features in the sport over the years. Other items on display include antique toys, pedal cars, and a large collection of racing go-karts. The museum is open Monday through Saturday with extended hours during race weeks, and guided tours are available by appointment.

769 River Hwy, Mooresville, NC 28117, Phone: 704-662-3673

A unique combination of living museum and coffee shop, the Welcome Home Veterans Living Military Museum was created in honor of Vietnam War veteran Richard Warren, who operated a local cafe that was a gathering place for the community's veterans. The museum houses a cafe in Richard's memory, and it also has plenty of war memorabilia on display and a gift shop where you can purchase military merchandise. Breakfast, lunch, and coffee are served Monday through Saturday, and veterans receive free coffee every Thursday. A particularly good time to visit is on Saturday morning, when musicians gather to play music.

165 N Main St, Mooresville, NC 28115, Phone: 704-663-0488

Located right downtown, the Mooresville Arts Gallery is a non-profit organization that has been the heart of the city's arts community for decades. There are three gallery spaces that host rotating exhibitions of art by local, regional, and international artists, and artist receptions are held once a month, usually on a Friday evening. Admission to the galleries and the receptions is free of charge, and visitors are always encouraged to attend. If you'd rather try your hand at creating your own masterpiece, you can also attend one of the many arts and crafts workshops that are held here.

103 W Center Ave, Mooresville, NC 28115, Phone: 704-663-6661