Location: Albemarle
Top Things to do in Albemarle
The 10 Best Things to Do in Albemarle, United States
Albemarle (/ˈælbəˌmɑːrl/) is a small city and the county seat of Stanly County, North Carolina. The population was 15,903 in the 2010 Census. Gerald R. "Ronnie" Michael (a former police chief in the city) serves as Mayor and Albemarle has seven-member City Council elected in a combination of at-large and district seats. Albemarle has operated under the Council-Manager form of government since 1962. Michael Ferris has served as City Manager since December 2014 and previously served as Assistant City Manager for nearly two decades. The City Manager is appointed by the City Council, and is responsible for the day-to-day administration of City government. The City’s Department Heads report directly to the City Manager, who is also responsible for development and administration of the City’s annual budget.
Restaurants in Albemarle
1. Morrow Mountain State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 181 reviews
Reviewed By D2958ZXgarym - King, United States
A variety of outdoor activities make a trip to Morrow Mountain State Park, six miles east of Albemarle, a fun-filled adventure for all ages and interests. The park’s entire eastern edge is bounded by water. At the northeast corner, the convergence of the Yadkin and Uwharrie Rivers forms the Pee Dee River, and Lake Tillery borders the park’s southeast corner. It is only natural, therefore, that many of the park’s activities are water related. Fishing is a popular pastime along the riverbanks or on the lake, and game fish include perch, catfish, bluegill, and bass. Boating is another favorite activity, and rowboats and canoes are available for rent at the boathouse at the northern end of the park. For those with their own craft, a boat ramp is located in the same area. From June to Labor Day, a public swimming pool is open for a nominal fee. Young children can enjoy splashing in the adjacent kiddie pool. The stone bathhouse built during the late 30s and early 40s provides convenient changing rooms, showers, restrooms, and concessions.
The Bridle Trail is an equestrian’s delight, offering a sixteen-mile route that encircles the park under a canopy of towering oaks, pines, and poplars. A variety of hiking trails range in length from .06 mile to over four miles. The majority of trails are easy walks, some are moderate, and two are deemed strenuous. All are well marked. If you’re not interested in walking the 3-mile Morrow Mountain Trail to the summit, a quick drive will take you to the top, where overlooks provide views to the east, west, and south.
For overnight guests, 106 campsites for tents and RVs are available; each site in the family campground features a picnic table and grill. Restrooms and showers are conveniently located. The park has six vacation cabins available for rent on a weekly basis during the summer months and for two-night weekend stays in the spring and fall. Each cabin has two bedrooms, a kitchen with dining space, a living room with fireplace, and a bathroom. For more rugged individuals, the park also has a primitive campground in a secluded area about a two-mile hike from the park office. Drinking water and supplies must be carried to the site, and no fires are permitted.
Complementing the park’s natural attractions is the recreated homestead of Dr. Francis Kron. Kron was the first formally trained doctor in North Carolina’s southern Piedmont and he became a local legend as he traveled miles on horseback or by wagon to treat patients. Dr. Kron also helped in the formation of Stanly County in 1841 and, later, in the establishment of the county’s public schools. The park also includes a small nature museum.
2. Hughes Mountain
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Vanessa B - Rochester, Minnesota
This little known hiking spot was a true gem on our vacation. We love to hike as a family and this was the perfect hike for us! The area is isolated and we were the only ones there when we went. There is a small parking lot and the hiking trail starts there. It's about one mile to the top. The trail has a few spots that aren't marked well. We would think we were at the top and the view was spectacular, then we realized we could go even higher and the views got even more wonderful. It was a lot of fun! At the top, the views are nearly 360 degrees. The unusual terrain gives the hiking trail its name, "Devil's Honeycomb". I highly recommend this to anyone, especially if you are already planning on visiting Elephant Rocks. This hike was better than that!
*Also, my three-year-old son was able to do this hike on his own (holding our hand) so its fairly easy as long as you are able to do inclines.
3. Dennis Vineyards Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 63 reviews
Family owned and operated since 1997, come stop in for a tasting of our large array of hand-crafted wines and see our family's passion unfold with every sip. With offerings from the traditional Southern Muscadine all the way to French varietals and assorted fruit & berry wines, you're sure to find a wine (or two!) for every taste, every mood and every occasion! Come explore Stanly County's first winery in our own quaint little corner of North Carolina wine country.
Reviewed By Donna C - Monroe, North Carolina
We enjoyed our evening at the Vineyards. I absolutely love their Peach Bellini and the Magnolia wine. Everyone was friendly and the music was great for the most part. We are older so Bruno Mars and the "Wobble" music was really loud. We left a little early but stopped by Ruthie's Food Truck before leaving. We ordered the Meatloaf sandwich which tasted fine but was extremely greasy. I will probably eat before I go to the next event. Regardless I love Dennis Vineyards and came home with my 2 bottles of wine!
4. Badin Firehouse Museum
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By mabon803 - Lexington, South Carolina
Fire Museum houses in Town first propelled in 1937 by Ford American LeFrance Fire Truck and also houses exhibits of river history, dams, scouting and the town's development. It is at 60 Falls..All my information came to me from city council while I was visiting home. There is always some one to help with your tour.
5. Badin Road Drive In Theater
Overall Ratings
5 based on 27 reviews
Reviewed By cabinlover88 - Albemarle, NC
Took my husband this past weekend as he had never been to a drive-in, although he's from NJ, the "drive-in capital of the world". We had a great time - Friday & Saturday nights they have double features on both screens so you get 2 movies for the admission, which is very reasonable. You can bring in your own food/drink or purchase from the on site concession stand. They have bathrooms & a playground for the kids. The gates currently open at 6:30 & the movies begin at dark, which was around 8:30 for us. Sound for the movies comes thru your vehicle speakers via an FM station specifically for that purpose. If you plan on sitting in the back of your pickup truck to watch you may want to bring a radio. We saw a lot of families "tailgating" prior to the start of the movie - they brought coolers, burgers, chicken, etc. & were having a great time. Check out their website for updates on the movies - badinroaddrivein.com.
6. Quadruplex Museum
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By mabon803 - Lexington, South Carolina
Is part of the museum complex and is a fully restored and furnished 1913 French designed townhouse. A part of History of Badin, NC. Adrian Badin. Started building the town of Badin and had to leave and go back to France his homeland to fight in World War I.
7. Stony Mountain Vineyards
Overall Ratings
4 based on 42 reviews
Reviewed By Mikbaidak - Fayetteville, North Carolina
What a beautiful setting located on Stoney Mountain with spectacular. Views over looking the valley. The facilities are beautiful with a good variety of wine selections to offer. Friendly people that run the place and know the essence of their wines. The drive up is an event but worth it once you reach the top. Good pricing and worth a trip to this winery.
8. Uwharrie Vineyards
Overall Ratings
4 based on 27 reviews
Located just 25 minutes North-East of the Charlotte, NC Area, Uwharrie Vineyards features a beautiful 14,000 sq. ft. facility, a spacious visitor's center, a 4000 sq.ft. formal banquet hall, large tasting bar, and unique gift shop featuring so many local NC artist, all of which is surrounded by 75 acres of beautiful grape vines. Come sample some award winning wines, relax in our rocking chairs, walk the grounds, and enjoy the great Carolina afternoon. We also provide a full assortment of snacks, salsa, chips, chocolate, and food items to enjoy while relaxing under our covered patio.
Reviewed By lakeluvr - New London, North Carolina
Our Red Hat group visited 2 vineyards that Saturday, and quite frankly, no one cared for Uwharrie 's wines.
9. Eastgate Cinema
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Kristin O
We use to drive to Concord to go to the movies but after a few visits to Eastgate, we will not be going anywhere else. They staff is friendly. It’s always clean. If we go during the week it’s normally not crowded.
10. Good-O Putt-O
Overall Ratings
3 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By Talonrock - Charlotte, North Carolina
Great little putt-putt course attached to an ice cream shop (where you also pay). One large 18 hole course with bright neon color greens and fun obsticales; windmill, water hazzards, loop de loop. Price is $4 for adults. No senior discounts.
Great place to have fun for most people but not handicap friendly. Seniors or anyone with mobility issues will find it challenging and difficult to get around. Impossible for wheelchairs. While I would highly recommend this place as it's really fun and brightly colored; staff very welcoming the concrete is broken in multiple places throughout the course. My mother was using a walker and had a hard time on the sidewalks. The concrete around the course is so thin, it would not accomodate a wheelchair. There is plenty of room to fix these areas without taking away from the fun enviroment. It could prove to be a libality issue for some.
Would definately come back with another group of friends but not with seniors. We use putt-putt courses as a form of physical therapy but this one is not condusive to our needs but is a lot of fun.
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