Salisbury, NC: History, Dining & Outdoor Fun

Established in 1874, the Salisbury National Cemetery serves as a final resting place for numerous veterans from all wars. Buried throughout eighteen trench graves, the cemetery is also the burial site of more than eleven thousand unknown soldiers who lost their lives during the Civil War at the Salisbury Confederate Prison. One of the veterans buried at the Salisbury National Cemetery is Lorenzo Deming, a recipient of the Medal of Honor who had served on the United States Picket Boat Number 1 and had been incarcerated at twenty years of age at the Salisbury Confederate Prison.

202 Government Rd, Salisbury, NC 28144, Phone: 704-636-2661

The Rowan Museum in the historic city of Salisbury, North Carolina is housed inside of the 1854 Courthouse that managed to survive the raid by General Stoneman during the Civil War. As such, the building is considered to be one of the best examples in the state of North Carolina of pre-Civil War architecture. The museum’s collection of artifacts and other historical items are showcased throughout the building’s grand old rooms, which include the beautiful second floor public gathering space and court. Visitors can explore the history and life of Rowan County through the Rowan Museum’s many interpretive exhibits and displays.

202 N Main St, Salisbury, NC 28144, Phone: 704-633-5946

Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:

The Dr. Josephus Hall House was originally built back in the year 1820 to be used as classrooms for the town’s Salisbury Female Academy. The building was purchased in 1825 by Maxwell Chambers, a local businessman, and Rebecca Troy, his half-sister, turning it into a private residence. Dr. Josephus Hall bought the house in 1859 and from then the house began its transformation into the grand Southern residence it is today. Visitors can now tour the Dr. Josephus Hall House on certain days.

226 S Jackson St, Salisbury, NC 28144, Phone: 704-636-1502

The Piedmont Players Theatre has been an important institution in Salisbury, North Carolina for over fifty years, attracting performers, volunteers, and audiences from throughout the state to part of the city’s theater. Recognized as “The Outstanding Community Theatre in North Carolina” by the North Carolina Theatre Conference and the “Best Theater in Rowan County” by Salisbury Post’s Readers Choice Awards, the Piedmont Players Theatre operated two different theatre spaces: the Norvell Theater and the historic Meroney Theater. The theatre group has been providing Salisbury and the surrounding area with quality theatrical productions since 1961 and is still going strong.

213 S Main St, Salisbury, NC 28144, Phone: 704-633-5471

The Lee Street Theatre is the Off-Broadway theater of Salisbury, North Carolina. Consisting of a theater space, a props manufacturing room, dressing rooms, rehearsal space, a beautiful lobby area, and a bar, the theater provides an excellent venue for plays, special events, concerts, and more. The main entrance of the Lee Street Theatre faces the city’s Rail Walk and features a wonderfully inviting atmosphere. Shows and events at the theater include original plays, improvisational comedy, live music, Off-Broadway-style revues and musicals, 10-minute original play festivals, one-act play festivals, variety shows, dance performances, and reader’s theatre.

329 N Lee St, Salisbury, NC 28144, Phone: 704-310-5507

Recommended Activities for Families

The home stadium of the Catawba Indians football team since Catawba College was relocated 1925 to Salisbury, Shuford Stadium continues to provide the local community with plenty of football fun and excitement today. The football stadium has been renovated over the years, including transforming the 1970’s Hurley Press Box into a four-level facility. New concession areas and restroom facilities have been added to Shuford Stadium as well. As many as four thousand spectators can find a seat in the stadium to watch one of the Catawba Indian games, with space for an additional one thousand beyond the seating capacity.

2295 Yost St, Salisbury, NC 28144, Phone: 704-637-4474

The Keppel Auditorium is located on the grounds of the College-Community Center in Salisbury, North Carolina. Named in honor of Dr. A.R. Keppel, Catawba College’s 14th president, this 1,500-seat proscenium theatre features a balcony, mezzanine, and orchestra area. Special features of the Keppel Auditorium include removable floor traps and the removable orchestra pit. There is also a single-purchase fly system featuring thirty-one battens. Along with being used for dance concerts and mainstage productions, the auditorium is also often used by touring companies and local groups. Students from Catawba College are also often given opportunities to work with many groups.

2300 W Innes St, Salisbury, NC 28144, Phone: 704-637-4481

Where to Eat:

Go Burrito is a popular place in Salisbury among the local community, a laidback place where people can hang out with friends and delight in some refreshing drinks and delicious food. The restaurant specializes in California-style burritos and offers customers more than twenty fresh ingredients to choose from. In addition to several Signature Burritos and custom burritos, the menu at Go Burrito also includes chicken tortilla soup, tacos, salads, quesadillas, and nachos. This is all topped off with the RumBar and the complimentary salsa bar made up of at least eight award-winning salsas that are all made in-house.

115 W Fisher St, Salisbury, NC 28144, Phone: 704-754-4755

The Il Colosseo Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria is a family-owned and operated restaurant in Salisbury, North Carolina. Run by the Scotto Family, the restaurant serves authentic Italian fare that includes a great selection of Italian sauces, salads, pizzas, pastas, breads, and desserts originating from their small hometown of Monte di Procida near the outskirts of Naples in Italy. Boasting many years of experience and refined skills, the Il Colosseo Italian Restaurant is a great place to visit.

716 Jake Alexander Blvd W, Salisbury, NC 28147, Phone: 704-633-1888

The Morgan Ridge Railwalk Brewery and Eatery is a fifteen-barrel brewhouse that offers several different handcrafted beers on tap, including the brewery’s flagship and original brews and various seasonal beers. Visitors can join a tour of the brewery for a fee, which includes a souvenir glass and a pint of one of the brews. Tours are offered every Saturday at 2:00pm and again at 4:00pm, reservations required. Situated in downtown Salisbury in North Carolina, the Morgan Ridge Railwalk also includes a restaurant serving a varied menu designed to provide something for everyone and a private room for events.

421 N Lee St, Salisbury, NC 28144, Phone: 704-754-8379