Things to Do Near the 1812 Hitching Post
One of best things about 1812 Hitching Post is that your wedding isn’t the only reason guests will want to visit this part of North Carolina. There are so many things to do around Statesville.
Mooresville (Race City), Lake Norman, and Charlotte lie to the south, with many museums.
To the north is the Yadkin Valley Wine Region, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and nearby waterfalls and mountains. To the east is historic Winston-Salem and to the west, you have the North Carolina Mountains. Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and Chimney Rock/Lake Lure are all less than 2 hours from the 1812 Hitching Post.
Our historic wedding venue in Harmony, North Carolina, is surrounded by the best of the Piedmont and foothills — from historic downtowns and beautiful lakes to vineyards, hiking trails, historic sites, and scenic country roads.
If you have friends and family traveling in for your wedding, encourage them to turn their trip into a little North Carolina getaway.
Things to Do Near the 1812 Hitching Post
Explore historic Statesville
Just a short drive from the 1812 Hitching Post, Statesville offers a charming downtown, local restaurants, shops, historic sites, parks, and outdoor activities. Guests can spend a morning exploring downtown before heading back to the venue for your wedding celebration.
History lovers can also visit Fort Dobbs State Historic Site, a reconstructed 18th-century frontier fort that tells the story of North Carolina during the French and Indian War.
Spend the day on Lake Norman
For guests who want to relax outdoors, Lake Norman State Park is an easy way to enjoy one of North Carolina’s most popular lakes. Hiking, swimming, fishing, boating, and lakeside relaxation make it a great option for a day before or after the wedding.
Guests can also head toward Mooresville to explore Lake Norman by boat, kayak, paddleboard, or pontoon. Downtown Mooresville offers restaurants, shops, breweries, and plenty of places to enjoy an evening after a day on the water.
Our family rents a pontoon boat at the end of the summer each year from Crown Boat Rentals which is conveniently located right off of Interstate 77 in Davidson. We dock for refreshments at North Harbor Club. It’s a great half-day on the lake!
Discover North Carolina wine country
The 1812 Hitching Post is also conveniently located for exploring the Yadkin Valley wine region, making a vineyard visit a wonderful addition to a wedding trip.
One of the best-known destinations is Shelton Vineyards, about 40 minutes from the 1812 Hitching Post. Located in the heart of the Yadkin Valley AVA, Shelton offers wine tastings, tours, beautiful vineyard scenery, and dining at Harvest Grill.
And Shelton is just the beginning. The Yadkin Valley is home to numerous vineyards and wineries, including wineries along the Yadkin Valley Wine Trails.
A vineyard afternoon makes a particularly nice activity for out-of-town wedding guests — especially for a bridesmaids’ outing, family gathering, or relaxed day-after-wedding adventure.
Take a scenic drive toward the foothills
If your guests enjoy beautiful scenery, they don’t have to travel far to find it. The area around the Yadkin Valley transitions into the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with winding country roads, vineyards, farms, and mountain views.
Jonesville is another nearby destination worth exploring, with access to the Yadkin River, the Jonesville Greenway, local shops, and easy access to nearby wineries and outdoor attractions.
Visit the North Carolina foothills
For guests who want a little more adventure, the area around Stone Mountain and Pilot Mountain offers hiking, scenic overlooks, and some of the beautiful landscapes that make the North Carolina foothills so special.
Stone Mountain State Park is especially beautiful for hiking, waterfalls, historic sites, and scenic views.
Make a Weekend of It
Your guests can easily combine several of these experiences into a wedding-weekend itinerary.
They might spend Friday exploring Statesville, enjoy a Saturday wedding at the 1812 Hitching Post, and then spend Sunday visiting a Yadkin Valley vineyard or relaxing around Lake Norman.
And because the 1812 Hitching Post sits between several of these popular destinations, your guests don’t have to choose between a wedding and a North Carolina vacation.
They can have both.
From historic sites and vineyards to lakes, hiking trails, small-town shopping, and beautiful countryside, there is plenty to see and do within an hour or so of the 1812 Hitching Post.
So when you’re sending your wedding invitations to friends and family from out of town, tell them to bring a little extra time.
