Location: Monroe
Top Things to do in Monroe
The 10 Best Things to Do in Monroe, United States
Monroe is a city in and the county seat of Union County, North Carolina, United States. The population increased from 26,228 in 2000 to 32,797 in 2010. It is within the rapidly growing Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill, NC-SC Metropolitan area. Monroe has a council-manager form of government.
Restaurants in Monroe
1. Treehouse Vineyards
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 182 reviews
Reviewed By Steven C - Harrisburg, North Carolina, United States
My wife surprised me with a trip to the Treehouse Vineyards because she bought a package at Living Social. It included the winery tour, wine tasting, a bottle of wine and 2 souvenir glasses.We had never been there before but our daughter and her husband had spent the night twice in one of their 3 tree houses.
We arrived at the Treehouse Vineyards on a Friday afternoon around 4:40pm and because the tastings start on the hour, it gave up some time to walk around the property and take some pictures. When it was close to 5pm, we returned to the lobby where we were instructed to enter the adjoining room that had about 4 tables that held 8. We were encouraged to mingle with others and then have a seat for the taste testing. We met another couple who was spending the night in the same tree house that our daughter had. They said it was a gift from their children. There were also 2 very nice ladies sitting with us. When the tasting started we were introduced to 2 employees (1 being the granddaughter of the owner). In all, we were introduced to 8 different wines that had unique names and a unique story to go with each one. As a bonus when the tasting was done, we were also given a tasting of a slushy that included a sample of the wine that we each thought was our favorite.
When the tasting was done, it was time for the tour. Since it is a very small family run vineyard the tour was minimal, however the tour guide was the son of the owned and was extremely knowledgeable as well as looking to answer any question that was offered up.
When the tasting and tour was over, my wife and I received the bottle of wine that we liked the most. We then sat in rocking chairs facing the stage to drink some wine, eat some food that we had brought. That night the Treehouse Vineyard was the featuring live music of Caroline Keller Band with a $5 cover charge.
We truly enjoyed a very laid back evening and would highly recommend the Treehouse Vineyard for a little R&R from the daily grind!
2. Wise Acres Organic Strawberry Farm
Overall Ratings
5 based on 38 reviews
Wise Acres is a family owned u-pick organic strawberry and pumpkin farm in Indian Trail, NC just outside of Charlotte. We are a USDA Certified Organic farm and grow the very best berries using only natural methods to ensure the healthiest and most delicious produce for family, friends and the environment.
Reviewed By Carrie D - Waxhaw
We have been to Wise Acres a couple of times and thoroughly enjoyed each visit! Great pricing, location, activities and organic products.We are so pleased to hear you enjoyed your visits. Thanks for taking the time to tell us. We look forward to having you back on the farm.
3. Aw Shucks Farms
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31 reviews
Reviewed By andromedaeve - Charlotte, NC
Thank goodness for GPS and/or Suri, otherwise you will never find this place. Located outside of downtown Monroe, NC, this is a old timey family-run business. For a small reasonable entrance fee (they have senior rates!) you can paddleboat on the little lake, visit the petting farm, rope a sawhorse, play on the treehouse, pick a pumpkin (pay by the pound), shop in an adorable country store, and rustle through a big corn maze. A favorite of school field trips, Aw Shucks has a large outdoor picnic venue and turkeys that will gobble at you loudly and often. Better to go here on a crisp fall day when it is not too hot and not too cold. The country store has local foods including honey, grits, candles, old-fashioned candies, and a variety of unique gift items. I bought a hilarious horse craft that had "May the Horse Be With You" written on it. Good for little kids up to around 5th grade. Teenagers may be a little bored, but what else is new?
4. Sun Valley 14
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 41 reviews
Reviewed By Clare R
Living locally, I frequent this theater.
Things I love: price is very fair; discounts for students w/ ID, matinee, and Tuesdays are general discount.
Very large facility with multiple theaters. Choices of 3D, PDX +Dolby surround sound, as well as standard viewing options. The "hottest" movies playing are playing multiple times per day, and there is an excellent change if movie is sold out, you can catch it about an hour later with advanced purchase. If you've preordered tickets, or don't want to wait in line, you can use the kiosk inside. There is a ReWards card which you can earn points towards free things; I'm on my 7th free movie ticket! The interior is modern (theater is fairly new). Large selection of food choices and drinks. Cinema seating is tiered, so there is never a head in front of you! Seats are comfy, made of cushiony leather-type material. Arms lift up to snuggle with loved ones. Viewing is wheelchair accessible with seats reserved for family/friends/care givers with disabled.
This theater is located the "hot spot" of Sun Valley. Is is an excellent place to go single, dates, family, and friends for outing.
5. NCG Cinema Monroe
Overall Ratings
4 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By Dustin C - Monroe, North Carolina
I like this place. Every theater has reclining seats. There are refillable drinks and popcorn, and the price of tickets are a little cheaper. The only thing I wish is that screens were a little bigger. But it is well worth the visit. We will return.
6. Stonebridge Golf Club
Overall Ratings
4 based on 21 reviews
Winding its way through 202 acres of gently rolling forest land, this 6,950-yard championship golf course plays to par 72 and includes greens built to USGA specifications.
Reviewed By Sharon29707 - Fort Mill, South Carolina
Stonebridge offers the service of an exclusive private golf club without the overhead and high price. What a great value! The course is beautifully maintained and the staff provides the best service in the area. We regularly go there weekdays when the players are more experienced and the pace of play is at its best. This is one of our favorite courses to play - anywhere.
7. Hilton Vineyard
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By Thomas A - Beverly Hills, California
The wines are mixed when it comes to taste, though the wines are not vintage they are suprisingly good. The ones I liked are the Merlot, followed by the Plum Pinot Noir, then tried the sweet Mango wine and then lastly you can never leave without trying either the pomegranate slushie or peach bellini slushie. The owners are really nice and you can feel that its a home grown local business. We went on a sunday where the street of Monroe are empty like a ghost town, but voila once we entered the shop, it is packed. Groupon has a deal currently going on and it was a deal best served.
Will go back and try another run of wine tasting at this local place maybe on a friday or saturday as I like meeting and watching people walk by. They also have an outdoor sitting.
8. Southern Range Brewing Co.
Overall Ratings
5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By Mark E
Met the owners at a local outdoor festival and decided to visit their brewery. Actually made it to 6 breweries in 6 days but this was the only one not in the mountains. Great beer selection- both their own others from around the area. I tried the oatmeal stout. I will go back, especially since they are local
9. Why Not An American Ark
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By wildcatsu - Charlotte, North Carolina
We bought a groupon for this place and we're excited to check it out. It's a great idea in theory... And the place has some major potential...But to be honest we were very disappointed in almost everything about it. :( To start it was confusing as to where to go/park. We arrived early not knowing what to expect and everything was locked up. The only thing that greeted us were the dogs. And there were MANY dogs roaming free so if your littles are afraid of dogs like one of my toddlers is, this place is not a good choice. (They come right up and lick faces, they bark and jump out and over fences to get to visitors (so scary when it's a large German Shepard you don't know!) and they rub up on you getting you muddy.) The "tour guides" were two unenthused teenage girls who knew very little about the animals besides their names. They spent most of their time whispering to one another and making us feel a little awkward that we were interrupting them. I asked basic questions but they couldn't answer... I'd think they'd google the animals they weren't familiar with before work?!? In terms of animals, yes they had a zebra, but it was far, far away in a field where we couldn't see it and the other exotics were caged and hiding so this was primarily a farm tour. We love farm animals and expected the "petting zoo" to be one of those you walk into where the animals come around you and you feed them... Not so. The animals were all caged or fenced and you could only feed them through the wire or throw it over them. We've been to many animal establishments and I have to say this was our least favorite... Ever. Most of the animals seemed unkempt. (matted fur, open sores on birds etc.) The whole place had a sad, dirty, run down feel. Walking was difficult for little ones because in addition to the dogs there was feces everywhere... On grass, on paths, literally everywhere. It was unavoidable. (We wish we had worn old shoes or boots... Our feet and shoes were filthy when we got to the car.) Trash cans were tipped on their side with the contents all over the picnic area, the restrooms were in need of service, the entire place smelled of poop and there was litter blowing around... Just not what you'd expect for a public venue. I don't usually leave this kind of review but we were just so bummed by this experience I felt I needed to.
Other thoughts:
Good for strollers? No... Lots of potholes and poop EVERYWHERE
Food for animals? Yes, $3 a bucket
Restrooms? Yes, though dark and dirty
PARKING? Free but I'm still not sure if we parked where we were supposed to
Food for sale for people? No, thank goodness!
10. Monroe Antique Market
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By cheryl h - Durham, North Carolina
This is a 5,000 square foot antique shop. We are more interested in small collectibles and they had some here but not that much. Their main thing was furniture (painted and natural). They also had art, lighting, tools, glassware, and different odds-and-ends. The main aisles were wide and clear and the booths were well organized.
There was one booth that was cluttered and we just walked past that one. It isn't worth tripping, knocking something over, or having to climb over, move items, or squeeze through an opening to get to something. No one was at the desk when we walked in but the person there as we left didn't acknowledge us at all.
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