Looking for the best things to do in Concord, NC? Then you’re in the right place.
Concord is a city with a large variety of activities. From seeing a race to learning about cars at a museum, there’s a lot to do if you like cars, but besides that, there’s much more. Whether you want to play games, learn about the 90s, go to an event, or have fun at a water park, the activities in the city will surprise you.
This guide consists of the most fun activities, great museums, and much more to help you out if you’re wondering what to do in Concord, NC.
Best Things To Do in Concord
See a Race at zMAX Dragway
The zMAX Dragway is a car racing track that is part of the Charlotte Motor Speedway. It is the first four-lane drag strip in the world.
You can see many drag races and car shows at the xMAX Dragway throughout the year. The drag races, which are races during which you can see cars accelerate quickly from a standing start to be the first to cross the finish line, are spectacular to see.
There are also several food vendors selling a variety of great foods at the zMAX Dragway.
Address: 6570 Bruton Smith Blvd, Concord, NC 28027
Visit the Mustang Owner’s Museum and Learn About Cars
The Mustang Owner’s Museum is one of the best museums in Concord where you can see a collection of Mustangs.
The museum’s collection includes over 25 Mustang cars, and there are many different types. For example, there are classics, rare cars, racing cars, and other types of Mustang cars.
The exhibits of the museum change throughout the year, which means that there’s often something new to see.
There are also different types of events that take place at the museum. For example, you can sometimes see a car show at the Mustang Owner’s Museum.
Address: 4001 Dearborn Pl NW, Concord, NC 28027
Shop at Concord Mills
Concord Mills is a shopping mall that is located on Concord Mills Boulevard.
This is an indoor shopping mall with a large variety of stores. There are both well-known retailers as well as independent stores. Moreover, the types of stores include apparel stores, toy stores, shoe stores, and many other types. There are stores for everyone’s liking.
Another reason why visiting this shopping mall is a very fun thing to do in Concord is that it’s also home to a great food court. This is in the middle of the mall and has a large variety of eateries.
Attend a Race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway
The Charlotte Motor Speedway is a motorsports complex that consists of various elements. There’s an oval, a 2.25-mile course, and there are other tracks.
Throughout the year, lots of races take place at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. There are two NASCAR events that take place here.
In addition to races, there are other types of car-related events, such as car shows.
You can also get great concessions when you go to a race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. For example, you can get great pizza and there are other food options.
Address: 5555 Concord Pkwy S, Concord, NC 28027
Have Fun at the Great Wolf Lodge Water Park
The water park of the Great Wolf Lodge makes for one of the most fun activities in Concord.
This is an indoor water park with many different types of water park attractions. There are many different types of waterslides, pools, and other fun attractions.
These attractions vary in thrill level.
People who stay at the Great Wolf Lodge can go to the water park, but it is also possible to visit the water park by booking a day pass. You can buy a full-day pass or you can get a half-day pass. The latter option provides access to the water park from 4 PM until close.
Address: 10175 Weddington Rd, Concord, NC 28027
Play an Escape Game at The Escape Game Concord
The Escape Game Concord is a facility where you can play several different escape rooms.
An escape room is a room in which you play an escape game. During an escape game, you have to find clues and solve all kinds of puzzles within a certain time limit, and when you solve all puzzles within this time limit, you can escape from the room and win the game.
There are escape rooms with different themes that are great for all skill levels at The Escape Game Concord.
One of the games that you can play here is “Prison Break”. This is a game that you have to compete in 60 minutes and that “takes place” in a 1950s-style prison that you have to escape from.
What’s unique about the escape rooms at The Escape Game Concord is that they have multiple rooms per game.
Learn About Marine Animals at SEA LIFE Charlotte – Concord
SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord is an aquarium where you can learn about aquatic life when you are in Concord.
At the aquarium, there are many different types of exhibits, including a “Jellies Exhibit”. At this exhibit, you can see different types of jellyfish.
The “Tropical Ocean” exhibit is another one of the exhibits that you can find at the aquarium. Tropical Ocean is an ocean tunnel that you can walk through underwater while you can see more than 800 animals, including sea turtles and sharks.
You can also do various experiences at the aquarium. For example, you can do a behind-the-scenes tour of the aquarium and learn about the processes to take care of the animals.
Go to The Basement Arcade Bar to Play Games and Have a Drink
The Basement Arcade Bar is a retro arcade that is located on Union Street in Concord’s historic downtown.
At this arcade, you can play all kinds of classic arcade games from the 80s and 90s, and you can find pinball machines at The Basement Arcade Bar too.
Some of the arcade games include Jr Pacman, Galaga, and Donkey Kong, among many other ones.
In addition to this being a great place to play games, The Basement Arcade Bar is also a great place to have a drink as it is as a bar as well. You can choose from a large selection of craft beers, including great local ones, as well as cocktails, cider, and other drinks.
Address: 14 Union St S, Concord, NC 28025
See Vintage Cars at the Morrison Motor Car Museum
The Morrison Motor Car Museum is an interesting museum that makes for one of the best things to do in Concord.
At the museum, you can find a collection of rare and unique street cars. For example, you can see Corvettes, a Delorean, and other types of cars at the Morrison Motor Car Museum.
In total, there are more than 50 vehicles on display, and some of these cars date back to the 1920s.
You can also see all kinds of memorabilia related to cars at the museum and there’s a NASCAR gift shop where you can buy shirts, hats, vintage items, and other types of products related to cars and stock car racing.
Address: 4545 Concord Pkwy S, Concord, NC 28027
Have Ice Cream at Cabarrus Creamery
Cabarrus Creamery is an ice cream store that was founded in 1923 and is situated on Union Street.
The ice cream store has an amazing atmosphere and you can get incredible flavors of ice cream at Cabarrus Creamery.
There are more than 25 flavors to choose from, and one of the most special flavors that you have to try when you go here is the “Moon Pie” flavor, which is a flavor inspired by the Southern chocolate graham cracker cookie that has a marshmallow filling.
Besides ice cream in a cup or cone, you can get other types of ice cream at this ice cream store. For example, you can get milkshakes, sundaes, banana splits, and other sweet treats here.
Address: 21 Union St S #5009, Concord, NC 28025
See a Movie at the Southeast Cinema Carolina Mall
The Southeast Cinema Carolina Mall is a movie theater where you can see all the latest movies when visiting Concord.
The movie theater has very affordable prices, and it has a great concession stand with a decent selection. The prices of the concessions are affordable as well.
Because the movie theater has many screens, lots of different movies are shown at the same time, ensuring there’s a movie for everyone’s liking at any time!
Address: 120 Country Club Dr NE, Concord, NC 28025
Go to the Tonic Rage Room
The Tonic Rage Room is a fun amusement center that makes for a very fun activity in Concord. It is situated on Kathryn Drive.
At this place, you can “let your anger go free”. You can book a session at the Tonic Rage Room and destroy items.
There are different packages that vary in the types of items that you can destroy. For example, the small package includes items such as dishes, bottles, and glassware. The large package includes items like TVs, windows, and other items.
You can also experience the activity of axe throwing at the Tonic Rage Room, which is an activity that is similar to darts but during which you throw axes at a wooden target.
Address: 844 Kathryn Dr SE #10, Concord, NC 28025
Go to a Show at the Old Courthouse Theatre
The Old Courthouse Theatre is a performing arts theater that was founded in 1976. It was originally located in the historic Cabarrus County Courthouse in Concord’s downtown.
Each season, the Old Courthouse Theatre has great shows that you can see. There are 4 plays per season, and these plays usually take place for two weekends.
The Old Courthouse Theatre is the all-volunteer community theater in the area.
You can find the theater in the historic district of Concord, and there are many restaurants and stores nearby where you can get dinner before seeing a show at the theater, or you can go there to have a drink after seeing a show at the Old Courthouse Theatre.
Address: 49 Spring St NW, Concord, NC 28025
Go to Buzzed Viking or Attend an Event at the Brewery
Buzzed Viking Concord is a veteran-owned brewing company that is located on Copperfield Boulevard Northeast. Buzzed Viking is a place that is a combination of a brewery and a meadery, and it is one of the few companies in the country in that.
At the Buzzed Viking, you can get high-quality beer and honey wine. There are many unique drinks to try when you visit the Buzzed Viking.
You can also get delicious food at the brewing company. For example, you can get great loaded nachos, pizza, and many other food items.
The desserts are great as well. For example, you can get great funnel cake fries.
Sometimes, there are also special events at the Buzzed Viking and these can be great to check out if you’re wondering what to do in Concord.
Address: 1048 Copperfield Boulevard Northeast, Concord, NC 28025
Have Fun at Dave & Buster’s Concord
One location of Dave & Buster’s is located in Concord. There are many fun things that you can do at Dave & Buster’s Concord.
At Dave & Buster’s, you can play all kinds of fun games, such as arcade games, racing games, air hockey, basketball games, and many other different types of games.
This is a sports bar as well which has state-of-the-art screens that allow you to see football, basketball, and hockey games in a fun way.
In addition to that, you can get incredible food at Dave & Buster’s Concord. From burgers to salads to amazing desserts, there’s much to choose from,
You can also choose from a large variety of drinks, including craft beers and unique cocktails.
Go to an Event at the Cabarrus County Public Library
The Cabarrus County Public Library is the public library of the county and Concord. Besides being a great place to borrow a book, the library is great for other reasons as well.
One of these reasons is the events that take place here and that you can attend. There are many free events for all ages and all interesting.
For example, you can often attend a storytime event at the library, sometimes there are workshops during which you can learn new creative skills, and there are many other types of events. The library also organizes events during some holidays of the year, such as during the days leading up to Christmas.
Address: 27 Union St N, Concord, NC 28025
Go-Kart at K1 Speed
K1 Speed, located at 800 Derita Road, is an indoor go-kart racing track.
At this place, you can experience indoor go-kart racing in all-electric karts. You can compete against others and have a fun time doing so.
In addition to that, when you are not racing, you can relax in the leather couches of K1 Speed and watch a race. There are also authentic racing memorabilia that are interesting to see.
You can also go to the Pit Cafe for great snacks and drinks.
Address: 800 Derita Rd #K, Concord, NC 28027
Learn About Cars at Hendrick Motorsports
Hendrick Motorsports is a professional car racing organization that competes in NASCAR races. The organization was founded in 1984 by Rick Hendrick.
The public can visit Hendrick Motorsports for free. Its campus is located about one mile from the Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord. If you love NASCAR, this is a must-see in Concord.
There’s a team store and a museum that you can go to. At the museum, you can learn about the history of the Hendrick Motorsports organization and see trophies, cars, outfits, and many other items. You can also shop for gifts at this place.
Have Italian Food for Dinner at Gianni’s Trattoria
Gianni’s Trattoria is an Italian restaurant in historic downtown Concord that dates back to the year 2008 and where you can get delicious authentic Italian food.
The restaurant was founded by proprietor Gianni and executive chef Heather Stadler.
The food that you can get at the restaurant is made with both local ingredients as well as ingredients that are imported from Italy. For example, the truffle oil that the restaurant uses is imported from Perugia.
You can enjoy food at this restaurant for lunch and for dinner.
The lunch menu includes great soups, salads, sandwiches, and a variety of pasta dishes.
The dinner menu includes a variety of great “primi” and “secondi” dishes.
On Sundays, you can also get incredible pizza at the restaurant.
Address: 16 Union St S, Concord, NC 28025
Travel Back to the 90s at Home of the 90s
Home of the 90s is a fun museum to visit that is located on Winecoff School Road. Especially if you have lived through the 90s, going to this museum is a great thing to do in Concord.
At this museum, you can see rooms with decor and items such that it looks like you have traveled back to the 90s. There are more than 40 areas of wall-to-wall 90s designs that were hand-painted by local artists.
Besides seeing the different rooms, the museum is great if you want to take photos. You can take all kinds of selfies at Home of the 90s and make them looks as if they were tasked in the 90s.
Address: 404 Winecoff School Rd, Concord, NC 28027
Bowl at Stars and Strikes Family Entertainment Center
Stars and Strikes is a family entertainment center that is located at 545 Concord Parkway North.
Stars and Strikes is home to all kinds of fun attractions. If you want to have a fun time with the whole family, this is one of the best spots in Concord for that.
For example, there are bowling lanes at Stars and Strikes where you can bowl.
At the location in Concord, there’s also a large arcade area where you can play many different types of games. From classic games to Skee-Ball, there are many unique games to play.
It is also possible to play virtual reality games at Stars and Strikes Concord.
Besides these attractions, there are other fun attractions at the location in Concord.
Address: 545 Concord Pkwy N, Concord, NC 28027
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What To Do in Concord Tips
When you want to have a great time in the city, I recommend choosing a few activities from this list and doing them in one day.
Also, many events take place in the city throughout the year and these can be great to check out if you’re looking for things to do in Concord. When visiting the city, I recommend finding out if there’s an event taking place that you would like to attend. You can also combine the activities from this article with attending an event.
Concord Things To Do Map
As you see, there are a lot of great things to do in Concord, NC. I hope this guide helped you find some fun activities.