Gastonia is the largest city in Gaston County, North Carolina, and the satellite city of the Charlotte area. Gastonia and the surrounding areas have a number of interesting attractions. The Schiele Museum of Natural History features a number of permanent exhibits, indoor and outdoor, including the Hall of North Carolina Natural History.
The Schiele Museum of Natural History
Located in Gastonia, in the heart of Gaston County, North Carolina, The Schiele Museum of Natural History is on a mission to inspire appreciation for science and nature.
The Museum combines programs, research and exhibits and provides an exceptional educational experience. It offers both indoor and outdoor exhibits as well as a hi-definition planetarium and science theater. The museum includes a curious special exhibition on the natural occurrences of horror fiction concepts such as alien invaders and zombies, as well as an exhibition called Dino Safari, a journey into the past to discover the Age of Dinosaurs, a fun idea for a day trip.
1500 E Garrison Blvd, Gastonia, NC 28054, Phone: 704-866-6908
Rankin Lake Park
Rankin Lake is a Gastonia, North Carolina 242-acre landmark, a beautiful park created around a reservoir built to provide the City with drinking water. Rankin Lake Park is a favorite spot for the Gastonia residents for family gatherings, fishing off the bank of the reservoir, picnics and simple relaxing. The park has a clubhouse with tables and chairs, a “warming” kitchen, restrooms, one large picnic shelter, two lakeside picnic shelters; eight small shelters, an 18-hole disc golf course, an outdoor classroom, two horseshoe courts, trailhead and a link to the Highland Rail Trail, two boardwalks over Kaylor Creek, an 80-acre lake with a scenic paved trail around it, two fishing piers, wooden boardwalk on the lake spillway, one viewing pier and a boat rental office.
1750 Rankin Lake Rd, Gastonia, NC 28052, Phone: 704-866-6839
Martha Rivers Park
Martha Rivers Park is a 48-acre green area in Gastonia, North Carolina, established in 1955 by combining the original 20-acre Martha Rivers Park and the additional 34 acres purchased by the city. The park features a youth sports complex, a castle-themed playground for kids, hiking trails and picnic shelters. The playground includes a fort, a ship, a race car, swings, slides, a sand pit for digging “dinosaur” bones, places to hide, things to climb, places to explore and more. The park features four lighted soccer fields, three lighted youth baseball fields; one lighted youth softball field, two batting cages, a scorers’ tower with restrooms and a concessions stand , one small play area within the baseball complex field, a paved loop trail around the baseball fields and soccer fields. There are also two large picnic shelters, two horseshoe courts, a sand volleyball court and a restroom.
1515 Neal Hawkins Rd, Gastonia, NC 28056, Phone: 704-866-6839
Lineberger Park
Lineberger Park has been a favorite community park in Gastonia, North Carolina since the late 1920’s, offering many recreation opportunities for all ages. Lineberger Park was Gastonia’s first park and the first public recreation space in the area. Located only a few blocks from downtown Gastonia, Lineberger Park was started with the land gift from the Lineberger family, then matched by an equal property purchased by the City. Today the park covers 18.5 acres of mature trees and open grassy space. The park is naturally cut by Avon Creek. There is a trailhead for the Avon/Catawba Creek Greenway. A paved extension circles Gaston County Vietnam War Memorial midway through the park, passes by restroom building with water fountains; one large and two small shelters, a gazebo and large kids’ playground. The western side of the park is home to a miniature train ride.
632 E Garrison Blvd, Gastonia, NC 28054, Phone: 704-866-6839
African American Museum of History and Culture
The African American Museum of History and Culture was established by husband and wife team Dorothy and Bobby Guthrie and their friend James Biggers in February 2019. The museum endeavors to preserve and showcase all elements of African American history and culture so that future generations can get an insight into the part their ancestors have played in Gaston County.
The museum is full of interesting exhibits which provide an insight into the everyday lives of early African American residents in the area. The collection is a work in progress and includes many photographs and documents, artworks and everyday household objects, all of which tell the story.
African American Museum of History and Culture, Loray Mill, 300 S. Firestone Street, Gastonia, NC 28052, 980 888 4005
Webb Custom Kitchen
Located in downtown Gastonia, North Carolina, in a magnificent historic movie theater, Webb Custom Kitchen is the place where locals go to celebrate, impress and enjoy the opulent surroundings and spectacular food. When the 1927 historic silent movie theatre was opened in 2016, after meticulous renovation, it became an instant sensation. The entire space has been remade into a tribute to the old theatre: the kitchen is located in the place of the orchestra, in full view of the diners.; guests sitting at the gallery can watch silent movies on the large screen, or observe diners on the main floor. Enormous bar is a focal point of the place and is practically always surrounded by the fans of their great cocktails. This amazing background is matched by the first class food. There is a bit for everyone, with the menu that features American contemporary cuisine with an imaginative and original rendering. There is also a respectable wine list and sinful selection of desserts.
182 S South St, Gastonia, NC 28052, Phone: 704-864-8385
Lotus Bar & Eatery
Lotus Bar & Eatery is an upscale spot in downtown Gastonia, North Carolina that offers innovative take on regionally sourced American dishes, a sushi bar, fully stocked bar and relaxed atmosphere. Depending on your mood or the occasion, you can sit in the main dining room, at the bar with a large flat screen TV, at the sushi bar, on an upstairs balcony or in the private lounge that has its own private bar, flat screen TV and professional audio/video capabilities. The menu includes locally sourced upscale American comfort food, with fresh catch brought in daily, prime steaks, all-natural free-range chicken, house-smoked BBQ, Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes, Shrimp 'N Grits, and more. They offer more than 50 wines by the glass, 18 draft beers, more than 100 beers in bottle and superb craft cocktails.
1941 Hoffman Rd Suite #1, Gastonia, NC 28054, Phone: 704-853-1698
Reginella Italian Pizza And Ristorante
You can find the regular Italian dishes at Reginella Italian Pizza And Ristorante, but the reason to come to this homey small eatery is: their pizzas. Whatever kind of pizza you like, they have it, all baked in their large brick oven: Neapolitan traditional pizza, traditional New York style, Sicilian pizza, deep dish pizza, stuffed pizza and Stromboli. They all come in any number of stuffings, baked to perfection, oozing with delicious cheeses. You can eat it, take your pizza with you or you can order it and they will deliver.
1808 S York Rd, Gastonia, NC 28052, Phone: 704-215-6677
American Military Museum of Gastonia
Honoring the many men and women who have served in all wars fought to defend the freedom of the United States of America, the American Military Museum of Gastonia is housed in the Memorial Hall, which was built in 1930 and which served as the American Legion Post 23 during WWII. The museum is proud to exhibit displays from the Civil War, the Indian War, WWI and WWII as well as the Korea War, Vietnam War and the war in Iraq. Displays include a range of German, Japanese and Russian arms and artifacts. The museum is open by appointment only on Sunday afternoons and weekday evenings.
American Military Museum of Gastonia, 109 W. 2nd Ave, Gastonia, NC 28052, 704 866 6068
Adventure Landing Gastonia
Adventure Landing Gastonia is the perfect place to take the whole family for some wholesome outdoor fun. The adventure kicks off with no fewer than 3 themed 18-hole mini-golf courses where all ages can enjoy a challenging game in a clean, landscaped environment. After honing your mini-golf skill you can move on to the 7 batting cages to practice your baseball. Adventure Landing also boasts an arcade with 35 interactive and ticket redemption games to suit all tastes. The center is perfect for birthday parties offering special packages (including a dedicated party host) to help you host the best birthday party ever.
Adventure Landing Gastonia, 2600 E. Franklin Blvd, Gastonia, NC 28056, 704 866 4242
Xtreme Xcapes
Bringing the immersive fun of a live escape room to Gastonia, Xtreme Xcapes invites you to put together a team of friends or family and come and pit your wits against the room. Xtreme Xcapes offers a choice of 4 challenging themed rooms which are all suitable for 2 to 8 players. Each of the rooms will require your group to work as a team to unravel clues, break codes and solve puzzles in order to escape in your allotted 60 minutes. The themed rooms include the spooky crypt-themed I Dare You, the very challenging The Bunker, and the moderately challenging Are You Worthy? (great for first timers), and the prohibition-themed The Speakeasy.
Xtreme Xcapes, 246 N. New Hope Rd, Gastonia, NC 28052, 704 214 0265
