Mecklenburg district, North Carolina, United States
Places to visit near Davidson
Davidson is a town in Mecklenburg district, North Carolina, United States, home to about 12,207 people. Within 50 km by road there are 203 places to visit — 48 forts & heritage, 42 parks, 38 churches and 26 lakes, dams & reservoirs. The must-see places are Carolina Renaissance Festival (13 km), Lake Norman (19 km) and Latta Place (23 km).

Davidson at a glance
- Location
- Mecklenburg district, North Carolina, United States
- Population
- about 12,207
- Coordinates
- 35.5023° N, 80.8391° W
- Places within 50 km
- 203 (43 must-see)
- Best time to visit
- October to February for forts & heritage; August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open for lakes, dams & reservoirs; year-round for parks and churches
Top places to visit near Davidson
Ranked by how worth the drive they are from Davidson: must-see places and the closest well-loved spots first. Open a place for photos, today’s visitor status, timings and directions.
- Carolina Renaissance FestivalParks · MecklenburgMust-see
- Lake NormanLakes & Dams · CatawbaMust-see
- Davidson College ArboretumParks · MecklenburgNotable
- Philanthropic HallForts · MecklenburgNotable
- Eumenean HallForts · MecklenburgNotable
- Chairman Blake HouseForts · MecklenburgNotable
- Latta PlaceParks · MecklenburgMust-see
- Mountain Island LakeLakes & Dams · GastonMust-see
- Mountain Island Educational State ForestWildlife · GastonMust-see
- Beaver Dam Plantation HouseForts · MecklenburgNotable
- Hornets Nest ParkParks · MecklenburgMust-see
- Edwards Lake DamLakes & Dams · CabarrusNotable
More places near Davidson
- Nevin Regional Park · park · Mecklenburg · ~28 km · Must-see
- Ramsay Creek Park Beach · beach · Mecklenburg · ~9 km
- Susie Harwood Garden · sanctuary · Mecklenburg · ~30 km · Must-see
- Van Landingham Glen · sanctuary · Mecklenburg · ~30 km · Must-see
- Dale Earnhardt Inc · museum · Iredell · ~10 km
- Thyatira Presbyterian Church · church · Rowan · ~31 km · Must-see
- Earnhardt Lake Dam · lake · Cabarrus · ~11 km
- North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame · museum · Iredell · ~13 km
- Discovery Place KIDS - Huntersville · museum · Mecklenburg · ~13 km
- Balls Creek Campground · church · Catawba · ~34 km · Must-see
- Reedy Creek Park · park · York · ~34 km · Must-see
- Beatty's Ford Park · park · Lincoln · ~14 km
Things to see near Davidson, by type
Forts & heritage near Davidson
49 forts & heritage within 100 km of Davidson. The closest is Philanthropic Hall (1 km). Best time: october to february.
- Philanthropic Hall · fort · Mecklenburg · ~1 km
- Eumenean Hall · fort · Mecklenburg · ~1 km
- Chairman Blake House · fort · Mecklenburg · ~1 km
- Beaver Dam Plantation House · fort · Mecklenburg · ~4 km
- Hugh Torrance Store · fort · Mecklenburg · ~14 km
- General Davidson Memorial Historic Site · fort · Mecklenburg · ~16 km
Parks near Davidson
47 parks within 100 km of Davidson. The closest is Davidson College Arboretum (1 km); the best-known is Carolina Renaissance Festival (13 km). Best time: year-round, evenings.
- Carolina Renaissance Festival · park · Mecklenburg · ~13 km · Must-see
- Davidson College Arboretum · park · Mecklenburg · ~1 km
- Latta Place · park · Mecklenburg · ~23 km · Must-see
- Hornets Nest Park · park · Mecklenburg · ~26 km · Must-see
- Nevin Regional Park · park · Mecklenburg · ~28 km · Must-see
- Reedy Creek Park · park · York · ~34 km · Must-see
Churches near Davidson
42 churches within 100 km of Davidson. The closest is Gilead Church (14 km); the best-known is Thyatira Presbyterian Church (31 km). Best time: year-round.
- Thyatira Presbyterian Church · church · Rowan · ~31 km · Must-see
- Balls Creek Campground · church · Catawba · ~34 km · Must-see
- Gilead Church · church · Mecklenburg · ~14 km
- Ebenezer Church · church · Lincoln · ~16 km
- Prospect Presbyterian Church · church · Rowan · ~16 km
- Unity Presbyterian Church · church · Lincoln · ~17 km
Lakes, dams & reservoirs near Davidson
34 lakes, dams & reservoirs within 100 km of Davidson. The closest is Edwards Lake Dam (7 km); the best-known is Lake Norman (19 km). Best time: august to december when reservoirs are full and gates may open.
- Lake Norman · lake · Catawba · ~19 km · Must-see
- Mountain Island Lake · lake · Gaston · ~24 km · Must-see
- Edwards Lake Dam · lake · Cabarrus · ~7 km
- Earnhardt Lake Dam · lake · Cabarrus · ~11 km
- Lake Lynn Dam · lake · Cabarrus · ~38 km · Must-see
- Vance Pond Dam Number Two · lake · Mecklenburg · ~19 km
Museums near Davidson
29 museums within 100 km of Davidson. The closest is Dale Earnhardt Inc (10 km). Best time: year-round.
- Dale Earnhardt Inc · museum · Iredell · ~10 km
- North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame · museum · Iredell · ~13 km
- Discovery Place KIDS - Huntersville · museum · Mecklenburg · ~13 km
- Memory Lane Museum · museum · Iredell · ~14 km
- JR Motorsports · museum · Iredell · ~15 km
- EnergyExplorium · museum · Mecklenburg · ~15 km
Wildlife, forests & gardens near Davidson
20 wildlife, forests & gardens within 100 km of Davidson. The closest is Cowans Ford Wildlife Refuge (18 km); the best-known is Mountain Island Educational State Forest (24 km). Best time: november to march for sightings.
- Mountain Island Educational State Forest · sanctuary · Gaston · ~24 km · Must-see
- Susie Harwood Garden · sanctuary · Mecklenburg · ~30 km · Must-see
- Van Landingham Glen · sanctuary · Mecklenburg · ~30 km · Must-see
- McGill Rose Garden · sanctuary · Mecklenburg · ~38 km · Must-see
- Cowans Ford Wildlife Refuge · sanctuary · Mecklenburg · ~18 km
- Stephen's Road Nature Preserve · sanctuary · Mecklenburg · ~19 km
A one-day trip from Davidson
5 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 66 km on the road.
- Start in Davidson
- 13 km Carolina Renaissance Festival · park, Mecklenburg
- 13 km Davidson College Arboretum · park, Mecklenburg
- 1 km Philanthropic Hall · heritage site, Mecklenburg
- 1 km Eumenean Hall · heritage site, Mecklenburg
- 19 km Lake Norman · lake, Catawba
- 19 km Back to Davidson
Plan a longer trip from Davidson — the planner adds a place to stay each night and keeps the route to one loop.
From travellers near Davidson
No traveller has reported from around Davidson yet. Been to one of these places recently? Open it and post what you found — is the waterfall flowing, how crowded was the temple, is the beach safe — so the next visitor knows before they drive.
How to reach Davidson
All places near Davidson by distance
Within 15 km of Davidson
- Memory Lane Museum · museum · Iredell · ~14 km
- Hugh Torrance Store · fort · Mecklenburg · ~14 km
- Gilead Church · church · Mecklenburg · ~14 km
- Cascade Baptist Church · waterfall · Iredell · ~14 km
- Governors Island · river spot · Lincoln · ~15 km
- JR Motorsports · museum · Iredell · ~15 km
- EnergyExplorium · museum · Mecklenburg · ~15 km
15–50 km — half-day trips
- Robert L. Smith Regional Park · park · Mecklenburg · ~36 km · Must-see
- Ebenezer Church · church · Lincoln · ~16 km
- Prospect Presbyterian Church · church · Rowan · ~16 km
- General Davidson Memorial Historic Site · fort · Mecklenburg · ~16 km
- Ray's Splash Planet · park · Mecklenburg · ~37 km · Must-see
- Seversville Park · park · Mecklenburg · ~37 km · Must-see
- Cordelia Park · park · York · ~37 km · Must-see
- Irwin Creek Greenway · park · York · ~37 km · Must-see
- Gold Mine Island · river spot · Iredell · ~17 km
- Unity Presbyterian Church · church · Lincoln · ~17 km
- Asbury Church · church · Mecklenburg · ~17 km
- Fourth Ward Park · park · Mecklenburg · ~38 km · Must-see
- Lake Lynn Dam · lake · Cabarrus · ~38 km · Must-see
- McGill Rose Garden · sanctuary · Mecklenburg · ~38 km · Must-see
- Discovery Place · museum · York · ~38 km · Must-see
- First Ward Park · park · Mecklenburg · ~38 km · Must-see
- Alexander Street Park · park · Mecklenburg · ~38 km · Must-see
- Romare Bearden Park · park · Mecklenburg · ~38 km · Must-see
- Bryant Park · park · York · ~38 km · Must-see
- Cowans Ford Wildlife Refuge · sanctuary · Mecklenburg · ~18 km
- Black Trailer Park · park · Lincoln · ~18 km
- Salem United Methodist Church · church · Lincoln · ~18 km
- St. Peter's Catholic Church · church · Mecklenburg · ~39 km · Must-see
- Dupont State Forest Waterfalls · waterfall · Mecklenburg · ~19 km
- Stephen's Road Nature Preserve · sanctuary · Mecklenburg · ~19 km
- Prosperity Presbyterian Church · church · Mecklenburg · ~19 km
- Veterans Memorial · fort · Catawba · ~19 km
- Vance Pond Dam Number Two · lake · Mecklenburg · ~19 km
- Rehobeth Church · church · Catawba · ~19 km
- Veterans Park · park · Mecklenburg · ~40 km · Must-see
- Kilborne Park · park · Mecklenburg · ~40 km · Must-see
- Independence Park · park · Mecklenburg · ~40 km · Must-see
- Auten Nature Preserve · sanctuary · Mecklenburg · ~20 km
- Marshall Ash Pond Dam · lake · Catawba · ~20 km
- Independence Hill Church · church · Mecklenburg · ~20 km
- Midtown Park · park · Mecklenburg · ~41 km · Must-see
- Basilica of Our Lady Help of Christians · church · Gaston · ~41 km · Must-see
- Latta Park · park · York · ~41 km · Must-see
- Clanton Park · park · Mecklenburg · ~41 km · Must-see
- Concordia Lutheran Church · church · Rowan · ~21 km
50–100 km — one-day trips
- Huntingtowne Farms Park · park · Mecklenburg · ~52 km · Must-see
- Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden · sanctuary · York · ~52 km · Must-see
- Thunder Striker · attraction · York · ~57 km · Must-see
- Carowinds · sanctuary · York · ~57 km · Must-see
- Snoopy's Racing Railway · attraction · York · ~57 km · Must-see
- Wilderness Run · attraction · York · ~57 km · Must-see
- Boone's Cave Park · cave · Davidson · ~59 km · Must-see
- McDowell Nature Preserve · park · York · ~60 km · Must-see
- Heritage USA · fort · York · ~62 km · Must-see
- High Rock Lake · lake · Davidson · ~67 km · Must-see
- Nanny Mountain · viewpoint · York · ~67 km · Must-see
- King's Pinnacle · viewpoint · York · ~68 km · Must-see
- Anne Springs Close Greenway · sanctuary · York · ~68 km · Must-see
- Crowders Mountain State Park · sanctuary · Gaston · ~68 km · Must-see
- Houck's Chapel · church · Catawba · ~69 km · Must-see
- Wylie Dam · lake · York · ~70 km · Must-see
- Henry Knob · viewpoint · York · ~71 km · Must-see
- Tuckertown Dam · lake · Stanly · ~75 km · Must-see
- Cherry Park · park · York · ~78 km · Must-see
- Kings Mountain State Park · sanctuary · York · ~79 km · Must-see
- Grace Episcopal Church · church · Davidson · ~79 km · Must-see
- Old Davidson County Courthouse · museum · Davidson · ~80 km · Must-see
- First Reformed United Church of Christ · church · Davidson · ~80 km · Must-see
- Kings Mountain National Military Park · sanctuary · York · ~80 km · Must-see
- Joes Mountain · viewpoint · York · ~81 km · Must-see
- Glencairn Garden · park · York · ~82 km · Must-see
- Browns Mountain · viewpoint · Cherokee · ~82 km · Must-see
- Pores Knob · viewpoint · Wilkes · ~84 km · Must-see
- Tanglewood Arboretum · sanctuary · Forsyth · ~85 km · Must-see
- Badin Dam · lake · Montgomery · ~85 km · Must-see
- Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail · trek · Burke · ~87 km · Must-see
- Morrow Mountain State Park · sanctuary · Stanly · ~87 km · Must-see
- Lake Tillery · lake · Stanly · ~90 km · Must-see
- Body of Christ Cathedral · church · Lancaster · ~90 km · Must-see
- Whitaker Mountain · viewpoint · Cherokee · ~91 km · Must-see
- Hibriten Mountain · viewpoint · Caldwell · ~92 km · Must-see
- Andrew Jackson State Park · park · Lancaster · ~92 km · Must-see
- WIFM-FM (Elkin) · lake · Yadkin · ~97 km · Must-see
- Lake Tillery · lake · Chesterfield · ~97 km · Must-see
- W. Kerr Scott Reservoir · lake · Wilkes · ~98 km · Must-see
Count by type (within 100 km)
| Type | Within 50 km | Within 100 km | Nearest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forts & heritage | 48 | 49 | Philanthropic Hall (1 km) |
| Parks | 42 | 47 | Davidson College Arboretum (1 km) |
| Churches | 38 | 42 | Gilead Church (14 km) |
| Lakes, dams & reservoirs | 26 | 34 | Edwards Lake Dam (7 km) |
| Museums | 28 | 29 | Dale Earnhardt Inc (10 km) |
| Wildlife, forests & gardens | 11 | 20 | Cowans Ford Wildlife Refuge (18 km) |
| Hill stations & viewpoints | 2 | 10 | Capps Hill (29 km) |
| Other attractions | 1 | 4 | METALmorphosis (50 km) |
| Rivers, islands & mangroves | 3 | 3 | Governors Island (15 km) |
| Beaches & coast | 2 | 2 | Ramsay Creek Park Beach (9 km) |
| Waterfalls | 2 | 2 | Cascade Baptist Church (14 km) |
| Caves | 0 | 1 | Boone's Cave Park (59 km) |
| Treks | 0 | 1 | Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail (87 km) |
Davidson: questions travellers ask
What are the best places to visit near Davidson?
Carolina Renaissance Festival (park, about 13 km), Lake Norman (lake, about 19 km), Davidson College Arboretum (park, about 1 km), Philanthropic Hall (heritage site, about 1 km), Eumenean Hall (heritage site, about 1 km), Chairman Blake House (heritage site, about 1 km).
How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Davidson?
203 places on Spotwander: 48 forts & heritage, 42 parks, 38 churches, 26 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 28 museums.
Which is the nearest fort to Davidson?
Philanthropic Hall, about 1 km by road; Eumenean Hall (1 km) is next.
Which is the nearest park to Davidson?
Davidson College Arboretum, about 1 km by road; Carolina Renaissance Festival (13 km) is next.
Which is the nearest church to Davidson?
Gilead Church, about 14 km by road; Ebenezer Church (16 km) is next.
What is a good one-day trip from Davidson?
Start in Davidson, visit Carolina Renaissance Festival, then Davidson College Arboretum, then Philanthropic Hall, then Eumenean Hall, then Lake Norman, and drive back — about 66 km by road in all.
What is the best time to visit places near Davidson?
October to February for forts & heritage; August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open for lakes, dams & reservoirs; year-round for parks and churches.
Towns near Davidson
- Places near Cornelius · 3 km
- Places near Mooresville · 12 km
- Places near Huntersville · 13 km
- Places near Westport · 16 km
- Places near Lake Norman of Catawba · 18 km
- Places near Enochville · 20 km
- Places near Denver · 22 km
- Places near Lowesville · 23 km
- Places near Sherrills Ford · 23 km
- Places near Kannapolis · 25 km
Sources: places from OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata and GeoNames; Davidson’s location and population from GeoNames; see also Davidson on Wikipedia. Data sources & credits.