Gastonia Travel Guide

 etfromnc Says:  Redlair Farm & Forest is almost like stepping into a time-warp. This extraordinary nature preserve is home to over 70 miles of hiking trails and 4.5 miles of natural frontage along the South Fork River within its 730 acres. It is still privately owned so access is not... 

 mindyj Says:  Gastonia Lanes offers bowling, snacks, food, beer, and really good pretzels. The staff seems nice, the place looks clean, and it's a lot of fun if you like bowling. They have good prices during the daytime, and the have dollar mania specials and Extreme Bowling, which I... 

 acemj Says:  Unless you're a military buff, I'd recommend skipping this place most of the year. But if you're in Gastonia around June 14 (Flag Day), you should make it a point to come and see the WORLD'S LARGEST AMERICAN FLAG! The museum only flies the flag on Flag Day and other special... 

 acemj Says:  Gaston County Museum of Art and History (in Dallas, NC)Well, I've never actually been inside this museum, but it's housed in a great building that was once a hotel. 

 acemj Says:  Crowder's Mountain, located on the west side of Gastonia, is the highest point on Gaston County and is a great place to get away while visiting this part of North Carolina (i.e. Charlotte vicinity). There are miles of trails, soaring birds and beautiful views over the... 

 acemj Says:  This beautiful sanctuary on the banks of Lake Wylie in Belmont, NC is one of the best gardens I've seen. The architectural centerpiece is the elegant Pavilion with beautiful stained-glass windows, but of course, the highlight is the flower gardens. 

 acemj Says:  On the way to Gastonia, you'll notice the exit for Belmont where you'll see this small but beautiful campus and it's cathedral pictured here. If you have a few extra minutes, it's worth a stop. There are some nice stained glass windows in the church and the campus is worth a... 

 acemj Says:  I took a picnic lunch when I was visiting Crowder's Mountain and when I got to the peak I found a great flat piece of rock to sit down on and enjoy the view. But the whole time I was eating, there were hawks circling above me and I kept thinking that one might swoop down and... 

 acemj Says:  If you head southwest from the visitor's center at Crowder's Mountain State Park, you'll be hiking toward Pinnacle's Peak. In my opinion, this is the most difficult trail in the park and it's not as popular as the Crowder's Trail which takes you to the official Crowder's... 

 acemj Says:  Belmont Abbey College is a great little private college just off the freeway (I-85) between Gastonia and Charlotte (Belmont-Mount Holly exit). It's a pretty campus, which you can tour in a half hour or so if you just want to walk around and shoot a couple photos. This photo... 

 acemj Says:  Downtown Belmont is a quaint little town and has some really exquisite mansions just outside the main business district seen in this picture. 

 acemj Says:  Crowder's Mountain provides some great hiking trails and some good photo opportunities. Too bad I wasn't there at the height of the fall foliage. 

 acemj Says:  If I feel like going to the mountains and doing some hiking, I usually set aside a weekend and drive up to the Blue Ridge Parkway near Asheville or I'll drive to the Smoky Mountain National Park. There are occasions however, when I don't have enough time to drive 2 or 3...