30+ Things to Do in Lake Norman

1. Latta Nature Preserve 

Latta Nature Preserve has 16 miles of trails for hikers, and offers other activities such as paddle boarding, fishing, and seasonal kayaking tours available. Stop by the Quest Center to explore the interactive indoor exhibits and a 6,000-gallon gar aquarium. You can also visit the Carolina Raptor Center, an education and rehabilitation facility for conserving birds and prey and home to the Southeast's largest eagle aviary. 

2. Blythe Landing 

Get some fresh air at Blythe Landing. A 26-acre park featuring floating piers, six boat launch sites, and other amenities, including a playground, picnic areas, and sand volleyball courts.

5. Ramsey Creek Park 

Soak in the sun at Ramsey Creek Park's 46-acre waterfront beach. This park also has an amazing playground, picnic shelters, nature trails, fishing pier, and enclosed dog park with plenty of open space for your pup to run around in.

6. Jetton Park

Jetton Park is a 104-acre lakefront park that includes a sunning beach (no swimming), paved 1.5-mile loop walking trails, picnic sites, lighted tennis courts, and playgrounds. Whether with friends or alone, Jetton Park is the perfect place to unwind after a long work day and watch the sunset. 

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10. Northern Regional Recreation Center

This state-of-the-art facility is the biggest indoor playground in the area for all ages. Featuring an 8-lane lap pool, a family-friendly leisure pool, fitness areas, multi-purpose indoor sports court, many programs and classes, and more! Activities range from preschool to seniors, beginner to advanced skill levels, and inclusive of all abilities. The Northern Regional Rec Center is open to the public and offers memberships as well as daily options for those just visiiting.

11. Lake Norman Mini Golf

Take the family for an outing at Lake Norman Mini Golf. The 18-hole course is designed so that the first 5 and last 4 holes are linked in a way that make them wheelchair accessible. They also feature axe throwing, laser maze, Saz's snoballs, a rock climbing wall, and food and drinks. They are open seasonally from mid-February through Thanksgiving weekend so make sure to call or check their website for seasonal operating hours.

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14. Hello, Sailor 

Catch up with friends at Hello, Sailor, a bright, sunny, casual waterfront restaurant and bar owned by Joe and Katy Kindred who tapped big-name Charleston chef Craig Deihl to lead the kitchen. You can arrive by car or boat.

15. Lakehouse Wine Bar and Grill

Wine down at the Lakehouse, a beautiful waterfront restaurant perfect for a dinner night option. Enjoy everything from small bites to steak, seafood, house-made pasta, and in-house desserts with a perfect Lake Norman sunset. There's also dock access, so if you're out on the water and craving a nice meal, it's a great place to visit.

16. North Harbor Club

Enjoy date night at North Harbor Club, a regatta-themed New American fine-dining destination with a waterfront patio & 9 boat slips for guests. Located in Davidson, the restaurant offers fine cuisine using fresh ingredients serving popular meals such as Stuff Roasted Chicken Breast, Herb Crusted Tilapia, and a Light House Burger. 

17. Carolina Cruising Charters 

Reserve a watersports rental with Carolina Cruising Charters. Their fleet of boats are all captained by US Coast Guard Master Captains so that you can enjoy the boat ride. Don't forget to ask the captains for all the local sightseeing knowledge and history of the lake! Each cruise is tailored to your party, and every booking differs depending on what you want. Add-on options include paddleboard, tubing, waterskiing, and wakeboarding.

18. Carolina Boat Rentals 

Carolina Boat Rentals offers pontoons, sailboats, fishing boats, kayaks, and jet ski rentals seven days a week. Boats are available for delivery and pick up with parasailing and tube rentals also available. You can also tour Lake Norman on a 24 ft. Bentley Pontoon with an experienced Carolina Boat Rentals driver.

19. Mountain Island Lake Paddle Co.

Kayak or paddleboard through quiet coves along the shoreline of Mountain Island Lake. The least developed of the three Catawba River-fed lakes in the area is home to fewer boats and lots of wildlife. Mountain Island Lake Paddle Co. provides all the equipment dropped off right to you at Latta Nature Preserve's Gar Creek Kayak Only launch and rental includes everything you'll need for a fun and safe day on the lake!

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23. Rural Hill 

Explore Lake Norman's exciting working farm, nature preserve, event space, and cultural event site at Historic Rural Hill in Huntersville. The historic farm showcases over 250 years of local Scottish heritage. There are many exciting annual events including the Amazing Maize Maze and the Loch Norman Highland Games.

24. Hugh Torance House & Store

Visit North Carolina's oldest surviving store and one of Mecklenburg County's few serving 18th-century structures located in Huntersville. The Hugh Torance House & Store is open every Sunday selling snacks, drinks, sundries, and more. Guided tours are available at 1:15 pm and 3 pm. 

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27. Boatyard LKN

Gather with family and friends at Boatyard LKN, the community’s place to enjoy live music, local beers, wines, and spirits.

28. Old Town Public House

Stop by Old Town Public House, Cornelius' bottle shop and taproom. Enjoy rotating craft beverages and hand-selected wines, food trucks, gallery shows, pop-up events and the area's best nightly live entertainment!

29. Davidson Farmers Market 

Stroll through the Davidson Farmers Market, Lake Norman's prime farmers' market, and shop healthy, fresh, and locally grown products. The market is located on Main Street in Davidson and you can visit it every Saturday morning from 9 am-12 pm between April and November. 

30. Davidson College 

Walk through the Davidson College campus, the liberal arts college that is also the staple of the town of Davidson. There are art galleries and 20 on-campus sculptures with rotating art exhibits within the Belk Visual Arts Center. The campus is a beautiful spot to walk around, and audio tours are available on your mobile device.

31. King Canary Brewery

A craft brewery that originated in Mooresville in 2018, King Canary is a female-owned brewery kicking off their second location! Enjoy craft beer (brewed in their Mooresville brewery), craft cocktails, wine and cider. Plus, their in-house restaurant partner, Marlee Jeans Raw Bar & Kitchen, is there to serve up everything from oysters, ceviche and fish dip to flatbreads, salads and sandwiches.

32. Summit Coffee

Grab a coffee at Summit Coffee, a popular spot to grab a hot drink and listen to live music on the weekends. It is located in Downtown Davidson where you can walk around main street afterwards. If you need to do some work, Summit Coffee is the perfect study/work spot to get everything you need done.