Salisbury, NC

Salisbury serves as the primary cultural center of Rowan County offering a thriving downtown district with a classic Main Street America feel. Visitors enjoy touring historic sites, viewing unique public art, discovering one-of-a-kind gifts at local shops, and dining at original restaurants.

Downtown Salisbury:

In Salisbury you’ll see history everywhere you look. Downtown Salisbury boasts 5 Local Historic Districts, 10 National Register Historic Districts, 3 historic theaters, the spectacular Historic Salisbury Mural “Crossroads-Past Into Present,” and so much more. Beyond history you’ll find the city block-sized Bell Tower Green Park in the heart of Downtown Salisbury; nationally famous hotdogs and burgers from Hap’s Grill; the South’s favorite cherry soda Cheerwine (Salisbury’s hometown soft drink); original businesses and restaurants galore; and so much more.

Things to Do in Salisbury, NC

Less than 10 minutes outside of Downtown Salisbury, you'll find the N.C. Transportation Museum, where we hold our very popular Day Out With Thomas event in the fall and The Polar Express during the holiday season. You can also take the family out for a day at Dan Nicholas Park, a 425-acre park located just 8 miles southeast of Salisbury. Dan Nicholas Park offers so many things to do with the kids, including playgrounds, volleyball courts, miniature golf, a 10-acre lake for paddle boating and fishing, tennis courts, a freshwater aquarium picnic shelters, the Hurley Family Water Plaza, horseshoes, ball fields, animal habitats, a carousel, gem mining, a miniature train ride for children and more depending on the season.

Formerly a frontier town, Salisbury has been touched by some of the greatest names and events of American history. George Washington visited the town during his southern tour in 1791. Daniel Boone grew up exploring the country outside Salisbury before he blazed trails in the wilderness. Andrew Jackson studied law in Salisbury before being admitted to the North Carolina Bar. The city was also home to a famous Confederate prison now surrounded by a historic national cemetery. Salisbury boasts a growing arts community, four colleges and a diverse group of business professionals. 

With its convenient location, off of I-85 between Charlotte and the Greensboro and Winston-Salem areas, travel to Salisbury is a breeze. Bonus point: you can take the train. Amtrak travels to Salisbury and will drop you right in the heart of downtown with plenty of places to stay nearby. There’s an original experience waiting for you here.

Explore more of what Salisbury, NC has to offer and begin planning your next visit to Rowan County.