Best Nature and Parks (RV, National, Dog, etc) in Gastonia

"Built to honor the veterans of World War II, Freedom Park is an enormous 98-acre green space where children can enjoy running around or playing a wide variety of sports. The park boasts baseball fields and batting cages, 12 tennis courts, soccer fields, basketball and volleyball courts, all of which are heavily utilized on weekends. If you visit during the week there are fewer people and you and your children can enjoy exploring various walking trails and paths, ride bikes and have fun at the two playgrounds."

"Spanning over 98 acres, there is no shortage of things to do within Freedom Park. Probably what is most stunning is the seven-acre lake the park is centered around. Just some of what the park includes are walking trails and paths, 12 tennis courts, a full-court basketball court, a demonstration garden, and an NFL Play 60 KidZone."

"You will find this urban public park right in the heart of Uptown Charlotte, directly opposite the BB&T Ballpark. Romare Bearden Park covers 4.5 acres and offers residents and workers from the surrounding apartment and office blocks a great outdoor area where they can take a walk, have a picnic or just admire the beautiful sculptures. There is a seasonal splash pad where younger visitors can have some water fun while parents relax on a bench."

"Copperhead Island is a boater’s paradise with direct boat launching access to Lake Wylie, 4 boat ramps, fishing piers, and trails, shelters, beach volleyball, horseshoes, and camping for the land-lovers in your crew. The park’s 6 rustic camp sites give you the opportunity to be one with nature for an overnight trip too. View this post on Instagram"

"Celebrating two extraordinary gardeners from Charlotte, Wing Haven Gardens and Bird Sanctuary is one of the most peaceful outdoor areas in the region. Many years ago two women named Elizabeth turned Ridgewood Avenue in Charlotte into the southern garden oasis. Today, the property of Elizabeth and Edwin Clarkson serves as the home of Wing Haven Gardens and Bird Sanctuary, along with the nearby Elizabeth Lawrence House and Garden, to preserve and honor these two women’s legacy."

"For all nature lovers out there, this location is nothing short of a paradise with its fountains, blooming flowers, and the soothing sound of various birds. This location features 3 gardens, the oldest of which dates back to 1927. The beauty of this location will only add to your photographer’s skiller, leaving you with breathtaking images that you will never grow tired of."

"You can enjoy some of the best aspects of nature by visiting Wing Haven Gardens and Bird Sanctuary in Charlotte, North Carolina. Whether you want to see fantastic flora or feathered friends, you can have a great time at this place. It has been one of Charlotte’s biggest points of interest for nearly a century."

"Providing an inviting green space in the heart of Charlotte’s Second Ward, Marshall Park offers beautiful views of the Charlotte skyline. The park is a popular with local office workers who can enjoy a breath of fresh air in the park during their lunchtime. The park encompasses open grassy areas surrounding a pretty lake which is frequented by ducks and other water birds."

"Even though this sweet little park is right there for everyone to see it is more of a hidden gem. Not as many people go here so you will more than likely have it all to yourselves. Bonus: This park has a great skyline view."

"If you can’t decide between a natural and urban setting, combine both. At Marshall Park in Uptown’s Second Ward, a fountain, pond and trees offer a quiet, picturesque corner of the city for your wedding photography."

"Charlotte residents and visitors are fortunate to have an enormous 265-acre recreational area right on their doorsteps in the South Park area. The Colonel Francis Beatty Park is a popular weekend destination for sporty families, offering tennis and basketball courts, 5 soccer fields, horse-shoe pits and soft-ball fields. In addition, you can explore the walking trails, bring your bike to ride the mountain-bike trails or enjoy canoeing, kayaking or fishing on the lake."

"In addition to the multi-purpose (run, walk, and bike) trails, the park also features basketball and tennis courts, soccer fields, and picnic areas. Add the lake with available kayaking, fishing, and canoeing, and you have the recipe for the perfect summer day!"

"Get back to nature without leaving Charlotte at Reedy Creek Park and Nature Preserve. The park itself is 146 acres with over 10 miles of hiking trails, but it joins 727-acre Reedy Creek Nature Preserve and Reedy Creek Nature Center. Fish from the fishing pier, bring your pups to the dog park, or enjoy a wide variety of sports facilities: basketball court, two softball fields, soccer field, cricket field, four volleyball courts, an 18-hole disc golf course, and horseshoe pits."

"You must have heard of the famous saying that nature is beautiful. Reedy Creek Nature Center is even more beautiful. Amongst the top things to do in Charlotte is a visit to this center."

"A life-long lover of fine art and style, Art House Charlotte owner Judith Zehmke noticed that the art and decorating market for people like her – people looking for something more original than the mass-produced artwork at (still awesome) stores like Home Goods, but not exactly attending auctions at Sotheby’s, either – was a difficult place to navigate. The concept of Art House Charlotte was born in 2009 and now showcases 25 plus emerging artists in her home gallery in SouthPark. Focused on introducing original and affordable art, Judith works with all types of art buyers from clients purchasing their first piece of artwork to seasoned collectors, interior designers and commercial developers."

"Owner Judith Weston Zehmke, who launched the concept in 2009, showcases the art by appointment at her home’s gallery in South Charlotte and at pop-up events. The idea was born because Zehmke knew people who wanted original and affordable artwork for their walls, but found traditional galleries intimidating."

"Cost of admission: Free Address: 1522 East Fourth Street Charlotte, NCThe Picture House Gallery has been an uptown staple for several decades. Picture House proudly showcases traditional paintings, glass work, ceramics and sculptures to help capture art in all its amazing forms. Picturehousegallery.com"

"This adorable mural was created for Jeni’s Ice Cream but has quickly become one of the most photographed places around Charlotte. Grab your friends, kids, or take it on by yourself. Either way, the photos are too cute to pass up."

"Nearly every dish on Alchemy’s menu is listed twice with one key difference: meat and no-meat. Unlike the many new vegan restaurants Charlotte gained this year, Alchemy offers an option for vegans and meat-lovers to dine together. Chef Ken Aponte’s inventive menu is complemented by the art gallery that surrounds the restaurant as part of C3 Lab, a creative space inside two South End warehouses."

"Alchemy C3 Lab brings art, music, and food all into one venue with their new location in South End. Walk in to an art gallery and stay for the healthy plant based food dishes that provide a unique approach to vegetarian style dishes. The art on the walls and on your plate provides for an innovative dining experience.c3-lab.com"

"With locations in Charlotte, Matthews and Huntersville, this is the place to go when you are ready to chow down. Metro Diner offers a neighborhood diner vibe with top notch service and a very long list of edible options. Plus they open at 7 a.m., so if the kids have been up and asking for breakfast since the crack of dawn, you have the perfect answer and a place to get a cup of coffee … or five."

"The Plaza Midwood late-night staple has an extensive menu that includes Southern classics like peach cobbler, pecan and apple pie and banana pudding, available until 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 4 a.m. Friday and Saturday."

"This Charlotte breakfast restaurant is steadily reported as one of the best in Charlotte. Midnight Diner showcases the esthetic of a 50’s retro diner with bar lights hanging above red pleather booths, under the black and white checkered tile. Neon lights, old rock n roll memorabilia, and a jukebox also play into the funky, retro atmosphere."

"2 wings and a belgium waffle… #midnightdiner #queencity #charlotte #midnitediner #chickenandwaffles #704 #clt #northcarolina. A photo posted by @midnightdinercharlotte on Aug 23, 2015 at 9:26pm PDT. Midnight Diner might just be the most picture-perfect retro diner in the state."

"This bright, chrome-clad diner that exudes energy is the local go-to spot for towering stacks of French toast made with challah bread, and burgers piled high with fries or hand-cut onion rings."

"Founded: 2004 131 Main brings a ‘low country Charleston feel’ to four locations in the North Carolina region. Originally from Cornelius, the upscale eatery plates Southern delicacies like shrimp and grits and cast iron cornbread."

"Whether you are an early bird or a dedicated night owl, the RedEye Diner can serve up the breakfast of your choice 24 hours a day. The diner serves up farm-fresh AA grade eggs cooked just the way you like them, accompanied by your choice of sides. There are several mouth-watering omelets to choose from, all served with grits, hash browns, toast, biscuit, or fresh fruit."

"It could not be easier for you to satisfy your sweet tooth on the way out of the EpiCentre than with a stop at RedEye Diner, which is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for pies, cakes, banana splits, milkshakes and more."