North Carolina is home to some of the best driving roads and roadside attractions in the country, from the Biltmore Estate in Ashville to the classic Shell Gas Station in Winston-Salem but no trip to North Carolina would be complete without a stop in Charlotte and Mooresville to see some NASCAR history. With the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Charlotte Motor Speedway, and all of the NASCAR teams within just minutes of each other, it is a great way to spend a few days.
But for this trip, we are driving the Lincoln Corsair plug-in hybrid, a handsome ride with all the luxury you could ask for on a road trip. My wife, Jennifer, is joining me on this trip, so it won't be all NASCAR this time, our itinerary includes wineries, restaurants, and historic bed & breakfasts. I hope you enjoy this guide when planning your own trip to the Charlotte area.
Things to Do:
Something that most people don't realize is that there are nearly 200 wineries across North Carolina, and the state has eight official wine trials for those who enjoy exploring the different varieties of wine. For this trip, we will be experiencing a winery that is on the Southern Gateway Wine Trail, this winery has a NASCAR connection since it is owned by race team owned Richard Childress and the vineyard is less than five miles from his Richard Childress Racing operations.
Positioned at the gateway to the Yadkin Valley American Viticultural Area, the state's first federally designated region for grape growing, the 70-acre estate is home to 15 varieties of grapes that thrive in the red clay soil and give wines from this region a distinctive palate. Jennifer ordered a flight and a charcuterie board, and I ordered a Coke, which still paired nicely with the cheese and meat selection. The property is on par with many wineries in California and New York, and the drive up from Charlotte isn't bad, but be sure to take some backroads for a more enjoyable drive.
1000 Childress Vineyards Rd.
Lexington, NC 27295
NASCAR Hall of Fame:
Located in downtown Charlotte the NASCAR Hall of Fame is an easy place to spend hours in, with general admission being $25 per person and it is a good value if you plan on making a day of it check out some of their packages the $49 package gives you admission, lunch, some goodies, and NASCAR simulator rides.
JR Motorsports Shop Tour:
Get a look behind the scenes of the three-time Xfinity Championship racing team, led by NASCAR legend Dale Eanhardt Jr., see the cars, shop, and even get a peak in Jr.'s podcast studio. The shop tour is Free of Charge, but it does require advanced booking due to the number of fans that visit the shop.
349 Cayuga Drive
Mooresville, NC 28117
Where To Stay:
Where To Eat:
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