I’m back with another regional guide! Today we’re visiting Kannapolis, just thirty minutes Northeast of Charlotte.
Established to serve the employees of the Cannon Mills Company (founded in the late 1800s and expanded in the early 1900s – once the largest producer of towels in the world), many of the buildings in the town we now call Kannapolis are still standing today, albeit with a new purpose. On a recent Saturday, Michael and I made the quick trek up I-85 to explore the city’s revitalized downtown.
Our visit to Kannapolis was generously hosted by Explore Cabarrus, but as always, all text, photos, and opinions are my own
Though the textile mills are long gone, rather than allow the area to turn to shambles, the City of Kannapolis purchased the downtown core and put in place a plan for redevelopment. Today, the downtown area is thriving with local businesses and residences, but it’s apparent the transition is still in progress – making a visit to today’s version of Kannapolis different from that of tomorrow (and offering travelers a unique opportunity to witness growth occurring in real-time).
When starting from (almost) scratch, the city has carefully considered how to create a welcoming environment for all. Kannapolis’ downtown area encourages visitors to explore on foot rather than prioritizing vehicular traffic. Several large, free parking lots and secure bicycle storage areas are located on the exterior of the downtown core, rendering these modes of transportation unnecessary even when visiting multiple businesses downtown. Of course, you could go fully car-free for the day by taking Amtrak. From Charlotte, the ride time is 24 minutes, but you can take the train all the way from New York if you wish.
And while other cities seem to discourage congregating by limiting outdoor seating and facilities, downtown Kannapolis is incredibly inviting thanks to public art, restrooms, ambient music, and a number of places to sit and relax or play. One other benefit of a pedestrian-focused downtown area is the ability to safely allow open containers. The West Avenue District is a newly established Social District, that permits residents and visitors to take their beverages out of local bars and restaurants and into the surrounding public areas (while adhering to local guidelines). On a beautiful vacation day, there’s something so nice about enjoying a glass of wine or beer out in the sunshine – an absolute travel treat.
All of these initiatives have resulted in a strong sense of community. Multiple times during our visit, we watched locals running into friends on the sidewalk, hugging necks, and sharing conversations. And while the festival taking place during our visit – Kantoberfest, Kannapolis’ version of Oktoberfest – could have easily turned into an adult-focused event, the streets were filled with families. The shops downtown aren’t filled with chain retail businesses; the vast majority are locally-owned, mom-and-pop shops. The community is clearly happy to support its neighbors, and these special businesses seem to be thriving.
Ready to visit and experience it all for yourself? I’ve assembled the perfect itinerary for a full day in Kannapolis, North Carolina
Fuel Up for the Day
Eat Cakes Bakery | 141 West Ave, Kannapolis, NC 28081 Local Patriot Roasting Company | 139 West Ave, Kannapolis, NC 28081
Park your car in one of Kannapolis’ free parking lots and start your engines, I mean day (more on that in a moment!), with a cup of locally-roasted coffee from Local Patriot Roasting Company and a fresh-baked pastry from Eat Cakes Bakery. These two morning heroes are right next door to one another, and there is ample public seating just outside so you can sit and enjoy your breakfast on a beautiful day.
From Local Patriot, I highly recommend skipping the fancy coffee beverages in favor of a simple drip coffee. A well-made cup of joe is one of life’s simple pleasures and an easy one to botch. Thankfully, these folks know their coffee! In addition to your own morning beverage, you can pay it forward by purchasing one for a nurse or firefighter. As a veteran-owned business, the focus here is serving those who serve others.
Since this is a “but first, coffee” situation, head out the door and make two very quick left turns; you’ll find yourself standing right in front of Eat Cakes Bakery. Once inside, let your eyes be your guide to finding the pastry that speaks to you (or your furry-friend – they bake treats for pups, too!). For Michael that was a spinach and feta croissant, and I simply couldn’t resist trying one of their TikTok cinnamon buns. Heaven. I know, you could really just end the day here and be satisfied, but there’s more to see and do!
Explore the Great Outdoors
Dale Earnhardt Tribute Plaza | 164 S Main St, Kannapolis, NC 28081 Veteran's Park | 119 N Main St, Kannapolis, NC 28081 Village Park | 700 W C St, Kannapolis, NC 28081
Kannapolis has no shortage of green space, and in fact, the city encourages residents to get outside and get moving as part of their Loop the Loop program. After your (delicious) breakfast, take advantage of North Carolina’s four distinct seasons by exploring a few of the city’s favorite parks in the fresh air.
The city’s hometown hero, Dale Earnhardt, Sr., is honored in Dale Earnhardt Tribute Plaza in the heart of downtown. A 900-pound bronze statue of the racing legend (by sculptor Clyde “Ross” Morgan) stands tall in the center of the plaza, facing his home and Idiot’s Circle – where Dale is rumored to have perfected the art of turning left. The plaza was thoughtfully constructed to honor Earnhardt, using symbols and numerology to represent his life and career. A few highlights to look out for: the walking path is in the shape of an oval, or rather, a racetrack. The clusters of benches throughout the plaza are arranged in sets of three, representing his race car number. And the pedestal at the statue’s base is divided into seven wedges, each marking a championship win in the Winston Cup Series. Learn more on the City of Kannapolis’ website.
One block away on Main Street you’ll find Veteran’s Park, built to honor those who have served in the military. This serene and shaded green space offers a chance for reflection, with a centerpiece monument topped with an eternal flame. The names of over 1,700 individuals surround the eternal flame – each an individual from Rowan and Cabarrus Counties who died in service.
If you’re visiting Kannapolis with children, you’ll certainly want to make the fifteen-minute walk over to Village Park. During warmer months, this park is home to the city’s award-winning Summer Concert & Movie Series, but there are events in other seasons, too (head here for the calendar). But even if your visit doesn’t coincide with any park events, there are other unique, interactive opportunities. The park’s stunning Italian-made, double-decker carousel features ornate Venetian murals and offers riders their choice of stallion. The Rotary Express Train is a replica-to-scale C.P. Huntington locomotive that choo-choos visitors around the park. A splash pad offers a break from hot weather, with water jets, geysers, and more. Admission for each of these attractions is just $1.50 per person (there’s very little you can get these days for just $1.50!), just bear in mind that all operate seasonally. Head here to review operating hours before your visit.
Shop Local
118 Marketplace on Main | 118 S Main St, Kannapolis, NC 28081 3 jem's boutique | 147 West Ave, Kannapolis, NC 28081 Adair | now in Concord Boujee Babies | 104 S Main St, Kannapolis, NC 28081 Cabarrus Cycling Co. | 113 West Ave, Kannapolis, NC 28081 Cannon Honey Mill | 133 West Ave Suite C, Kannapolis, NC 28081 James' Sweet Spot | 133 West Ave, Kannapolis, NC 28081 Lennon Boutique | 113A West Ave, Kannapolis, NC 28081 Nostalgia Hollow Co. | now at 1109 N Main St, Kannapolis, NC 28081
By now, many of the local shops in downtown Kannapolis should be turning over their Open signs, ready to greet you. And yes, you can find a little something for everyone on Main Street, West Avenue, and the surrounding area. Vintage lovers will adore 118 Marketplace on Main. Each booth in this expansive antique mall offers something a little different, from antique homewares to unique old tools to (my favorite) vintage clothing. Whether you have littles in your life or just like looking at miniature clothes and shoes, Boujee Babies should be on your list! This sweet shop offers pint-sized fashion and all of the necessities for each stage of youth. Grown-up fashionistas will find plenty of on-trend clothes, shoes, and accessories at Lennon Boutique, Nostalgia Hollow Co., Adair (now in Concord), 3 jem’s boutique, and more. Have a sweet tooth? Cannon Honey Mill and James’ Sweet Spot are your destinations. And the outdoors-enthusiast is sure to appreciate Cabarrus Cycling Co., which carries all your cycling needs.
Check the Calendar
Kannapolis Events Calendar
Hopefully, you haven’t shopped ’til you dropped, because there is still plenty left to do in Kannapolis! The city of Kannapolis hosts many regular and special events, so when planning your visit be sure to check the calendar beforehand. We had the good fortune to visit during Kantoberfest – the city’s family-friendly take on Oktoberfest hosted by Old Armor Brewing Co (more on them in a moment!). The perks of Kannapolis’ Social District enactment are obvious here – the ability to purchase a seasonal beer from the brewery tent and then carry it over to the food tent and then on to the Biergarten (inside the Swanee Theatre) was so refreshing. By mid-afternoon, the crowds were swarming, and by evening the pop-up taps started to run dry; if you time your visit with Kantoberfest, come early!
Say Cheers with Local Beers (and Ciders!)
Old Armor Beer Company | 211 West Ave, Kannapolis, NC 28081 Tipsy Hare Ciderworks | 211 West Ave, Kannapolis, NC 28081
Beer or Cider? You’ll find both on West Avenue at Old Armor Beer Company and Tipsy Hare Ciderworks. These two spots are so close they share an address – and an adjoining hallway – so there’s really no need to make that choice. I’m partial to beer (in fact I’ve just finished visiting every brewery in Charlotte), but the ciders at Tipsy Hare were good enough to make me change my tune, at least temporarily. Newcomers to cider will appreciate that their pours are arranged from sweet to dry, which makes it easy to pinpoint a new potential fave. The Mule Dance Party, a ginger lime cider, was indeed reminiscent of a Moscow Mule, and goes down dangerously easy. On the other side of the wall, you’ll find Old Armor’s large taproom, with plenty of cozy seating. Be sure to order the Dustoff, a Hazy IPA that’s not too bitter. Just be careful – too many of those and you may find yourself running through the interactive fountain outside…
All Fun & Games
Kingpin Underground | 207 B West Ave, Kannapolis, NC 28081
To find Kingpin Underground, you’ll need to head beneath Tipsy Hare and Old Armor. This part-bar, part-arcade, part-bowling establishment offers a little something for everyone (but heads’ up – they go 21+ after 7 p.m.). We had never tried duckpin bowling before, so we rented one of their lanes for thirty minutes to give it a whirl. The experience is similar to traditional bowling, except the balls and pins are much smaller. I highly recommend checking if a lane is open when you visit – it’s a great opportunity to escape the sun at its brightest! They also offer a range of old-school and new-school arcade games, but you don’t need to carry a bag of coins to play. Instead, you load a selected amount of credit onto a game card and simply tap to begin a new game. So easy!
Catch a Matinee on a Historic Silver Screen
Gem Theatre | 111 W 1st St, Kannapolis, NC 28081
The Gem Theatre is a perfect example of why we should preserve history and old buildings as much as possible; it is one of the oldest operating single-screen theaters in the country and has the ability to transport visitors back in time. I was hit with a heavy dose of nostalgia for the single-screen theater of my young adulthood, which is no longer in operation. Theaters like the Gem offer bonding for a community and a safe place for youth to gather. I don’t frequently recommend movie theaters when traveling, because most of the time the experience is the same as back home. But whenever I have the opportunity to visit a unique theater and support a community staple, I’m glad to do it. And that’s a really easy thing to do at the Gem Theatre, too – matinee tickets are just $4 (a ticket price I can only remember from childhood), and popcorn hovers around $2-3. The catch with a single-screen theater is fairly obvious: there is only one film. Thankfully, the Gem screens first-run films, so chances are it’s one you haven’t seen yet. Even if it’s not a title you’re heavily invested in, the seats are comfy, the popcorn is fresh, and it offers the chance to relax a little in the middle of your busy Kannapolis day.
Savor the End of the Evening
Chophouse 101 | 101 West Ave, Kannapolis, NC 28081
A great meal is the perfect ending to a busy day of exploring downtown Kannapolis – and Chophouse 101 is the place to visit! This steakhouse has a local focus, sourcing many of its ingredients right here in our region, so you’re not only supporting a local business but local farms as well. A fair warning about dining at Chophouse 101: the portions are generous. Extremely generous. After watching a series of plates approach the tables of other diners, we switched up our ordering strategy at the last second. Splitting their famous Twisted Ribs (covered in a chipotle ranch sauce that had no business being as delicious as it was) and a Porterhouse was the way to go. And then of course there were the fluffy yeast rolls of my dreams, which served as both an appetizer and dessert, as we were far too full to order anything else (I’m starting to think the tricycle outside is intended to cart customers back to their vehicles…). Reservations are highly recommended, as this is our final stop of the evening and we want to make sure you arrive home before it gets too late!
With More Time in Kannapolis
A day is an ideal amount of time to experience most of what downtown Kannapolis has to offer, but with more time, you’ll have the chance to fully immerse yourself. The Mill Inn would make a perfect home base for the weekend, with five unique suites right downtown.
And since we’re using baseball analogies, it’s a great time to mention the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers, the local Minor League team. They play their home games at Atrium Health Ballpark, which also happens to be downtown. The season had concluded by this visit, but the ballpark generously remains open for exercise outside of games and private events and is worth a wander during your visit to Kannapolis.
Another location I had a chance to drop in on outside of their scheduled programming was the Swanee Theatre. This venue, built in the 1930s, has been lovingly restored and is just beginning to see the return of live musical acts. I’m keeping an eye on their calendar for upcoming shows (after all, it’s just thirty minutes away!).
There are a few local retail points I didn’t have the chance to explore during this very full day, but I’ve added them to my list for next time: My Sister’s Place Ice Cream & Fudge, J.King Guitar, and Editions – Coffee and Bookstore. If you make it to any of these places before I do, please leave a comment and share your thoughts! Of course, you can always head further afield in Cabarrus County (perhaps you’ve heard of the Charlotte Motor Speedway? It’s actually in Concord!) – but I encourage you to keep an eye on Kannapolis as it continues to grow and develop its modern-day image in the heart of its historic downtown.
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Thank you to Explore Cabarrus for generously hosting our day in downtown Kannapolis – and for all you do to support travelers and local businesses alike!
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This looks so fun! I love that they’re taking the time and resources to revitalize the town. If I ever get down to NC again I’ll have to try and stop by! Certainly looks like there’s enough to entertain for a day! The shops are so cute