2 twentysomethings staying in Mooresville, NC!

Hi guys,

My best friend and I are driving down from NYC on July 2nd to visit my parents in Mooresville. We%26#39;re both 25.

I%26#39;ve been there a few times, and it%26#39;s nice to relax, but we%26#39;re staying almost 9 days, so we%26#39;re trying to plan some day activities and restaurants in Charlotte.

I have a black lab so I%26#39;d love to do a nice morning hike somewhere, if possible. Is Freedom Park any good for hiking, or is it more like a Central Park place?

We%26#39;re also looking to do some water activities - is there anywhere to rent a canoe/kayak on Lake Norman? Any other Lake activities or eateries we should check out? (I love the water!)

As for Charlotte - we probably want to do a dinner with my parents somewhere... nothing fancy. My mom is Irish (off the boat) and my dad%26#39;s family is from there, so I was thinking maybe RiRa%26#39;s?

Another night we%26#39;d probably wanna do more of a girls night on the town - get dressed up, go to a nice trendy place for happy hour - cocktails %26amp; apps, and then go out to a pub/casual place... no clubs or dancing, nothing overly crowded, ya know? Some place we could mingle with people if we want but also chat with eachother?

Also - if you can suggest any fun day trips? I think we%26#39;re gonna go to Raleigh for a night, my friend is thinking of relocating there.... but are there any lake tours? or wineries in the area? maybe a beer garden? or a brewery? (Can you tell we like to drink!?)

Thanks!

2 twentysomethings staying in Mooresville, NC!

I%26#39;ll talk about the hiking part - others can address the other...

Freedom Park is MUCH smaller than Central Park. It%26#39;s a nice little park centered around a lake. We have aneat festival there each fall. It%26#39;s a fine place to walk with a dog- lots of people do. Most people use Freedom Park for the athletic fields.

Here are places nearby I recommend for hiking:

1. Latta Plantation - on Mountain Island Lake. My favorite place to hike in the area. Over 20 miles of trails, well maintained and beautiful - AND free! Easy drive from Mooresville. http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/Park+and+Rec/Inside+the+Department/Divisions/Stewardship+Services/Nature+Preserves/Latta.htm

2. Hop on I-77 and go south to Fort Mill , SC and hike at Anne Springs Close Greenway - www.leroysprings.com/default.asp?lsc=218

3. U.S. National Whitewater Center in western Mecklenburg County has 11 miles of trails - these are a little rougher than the above - 5.00 parking fee, too. http://www.usnwc.org/

4. Small trails at Jetton Park in Cornelius - http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/Park+and+Rec/Parks/Parks+By+District/North+District/Jetton.htm

5. Lake Norman State Park - north on I-77 to Troutman - ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/lano/activities.php

Best wishes.

2 twentysomethings staying in Mooresville, NC!

I can%26#39;t comment on hiking, but as for wineries:

http://www.visitncwine.com/

There are many vineyards located just north of Mooresville. On the site above there is an interactive map that is very helpful and leads to the vineyard%26#39;s websites.

RiRa%26#39;s is a good Irish pub. Seems authentic to me, but curious to see what your folks think about it.

Whitewater rafting center sounds like a must for you and Raffaldini Vineyards (and others in the Yadkin Valley) is very scenic and also offers very good wine.

Birkdale Village has good shopping, bars, restaurants (between Mooresville and Charlotte) and Mickey and Mooch%26#39;s also sounds like it might be up your alley (near Birkdale).

For your girls night on the town, I would say Blue or Mez would be good for cocktails and apps. The only problem is unless you%26#39;re going on a week night, most Uptown bars/pubs will be pretty packed and not as low key as you are looking for. But Madison%26#39;s might not be too bad.