30+ Things to Do in Lake Norman

1. Latta Nature Preserve 

Latta Nature Preserve is located in Huntersville, offering many amenities. There are 16 miles of trails for hikers, and offers other programs, such as paddle boarding, fishing (you can borrow fishing poles), and kayaking tours available through the Nature Center. The preserve has a New Quest Center, a beautiful new facility encompassing 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 

Blythe Landing is located off Highway 73 in Huntersville. This is 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 

Ramsey Creek Park has a 46-acre waterfront beach featuring a swimming area, boat launch and docks, a playground, picnic shelters, nature trails, a fishing pier, an enclosed dog park, and a volleyball court. Shelters are available to rent and provide an instant picnic shelter along the shores of Lake Norman.

6. Jetton Park

Jetton Park is a 104-acre lakefront park near Ramsey Creek Park in Cornelius. The park includes a sunning beach (no swimming), paved 1.5-mile loop walking trails, picnic sites, lighted tennis courts, and playgrounds. Waterfront Hall is a meeting space the park has that can be reserved for special events.  Whether with friends or alone, Jetton Park is the perfect place to unwind after a long work day and watch the sunset. 

^{Frankie's Fun Park}

^{Urban Air Adventure Park}

10. Northern Regional Recreation Center

This state-of-the-art facility is the biggest 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

Lake Norman Mini Golf is a small family owned business and is the perfect outing for families, friends or group events. 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, 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.

^{Tempo Golf}

^{Ninja Nation}

14. Hello, Sailor 

Hello, Sailor is a modern take on fish camp serving fish dishes and fried favorites in Cornelius. The bright, sunny, casual waterfront restaurant and bar are open every Wednesday through Sunday. Joe and Katy Kindred own the restaurant and tapped big-name Charleston chef Craig Deihl to lead the kitchen. 

15. Port City Club

Port City Club is a uniquely designed 13,500 sq. ft. waterfront restaurant in Cornelius. Each room has a view of the Lake and was designed to be bright, cheerful, and reflect a casual yet classy atmosphere. The restaurant serves only the best fresh ingredients to make steak, seafood & cocktails. 

16. North Harbor Club

The North Harbor Club is a regatta-themed New American fine-dining destination with a waterfront patio & 9 boat slips for guests. Located in Davidson, the restaurant is open for lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch. The North Harbor Club 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 

Carolina Cruising Charters is one of the various businesses offering watersports rentals in Lake Norman. 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 any day of the week, parasailing and tube rentals are also available. You can also tour beautiful Lake Norman on a 24 ft. Bentley Pontoon with an experienced Carolina Boat Rentals driver. They also provide a two-person tube for tubing for the more adventurous. 

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!

Birkdale Village

Village Store

23. Rural Hill 

Rural Hill is 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, which runs from mid-September through early November, and the Loch Norman Highland Games in mid-April. 

24. Hugh Torance House & Store

The Hugh Torance House & Store is North Carolina's oldest surviving store and one of Mecklenburg County's few serving 18th-century structures located in Huntersville. Visit the store open every Sunday 1-4 pm selling snacks, drinks, sundries, and more. Guided tours are at 1:15 pm and 3 pm. 

^{Cain Center for the Arts}

^{Oak Street Mill Antiques}

27. Old Town Public House

The Old Town Public House is the town of Cornelius' newest bottle shop and taproom. There is always something new and exciting to experience at the Old Town Public House, from rotating craft beverages and hand-selected wines, to food trucks, gallery shows, pop-up events and the area's best nightly live entertainment!

28. Thigs Cocktail Bar

Thigs Cocktail Bar is a premier European cocktail bar located in the heart of Cornelius with an upscale ambience and an expansive cocktail menu full of unique beverage options. This social district was inspired by co-owner Kas Matos' 2016 visit to Amsterdam. Thig's is open Thursday, 5 pm to midnight; Friday and Saturday, 5 pm to 2 am; and Sunday, 2 pm to 10 pm and hosts live music on the weekends. 

29. Davidson Farmers Market 

The Davidson Farmers Market has been around for 15 years featuring over 35 vendors within a 100-mile radius of the market, serving more than 1,300 shoppers per week. It has become Lake Norman's prime farmers' market as a producer-only market to provide local farmers and purveyors a place to sell their products directly to the consumer while supplying shoppers with 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 1 through November 18. 

30. Davidson College 

Davidson College was established in 1837 as a liberal arts college that has since been shown to be 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. American professional basketball player Steph Curry recently graduated from Davidson College in 2022.