Top Rated Parks to Visit 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."

"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."

"Tucked away in a tiny corner of Independence Square, at the intersection of Tryon and Trade Street, the Thomas Polk Park is a serene and quiet little water park where many locals like to relax during their lunch hour. The park offers a pleasant seating area with views of the water feature and is surrounded by colorful plants and shady trees which provide cooling greenery. The park is dedicated to the memory of Thomas Polk, who was one of the city’s founding fathers, and you can spend some time reading the dedication which is etched into the marble surrounding the fountains."

"At one of the most significant places in Charlotte—literally at the center of everything here—is an urban park. At the intersection of Trade and Tryon streets, you’ll find a tribute to one of Charlotte’s founding fathers, Thomas Polk. Arrange your photo here against a 30-foot cascading waterfall fountain with dramatic lighting."

"Though small, Thomas Polk is nothing short of a beautiful sanctuary. As Charlotte area parks go, this is a gem. It features a gorgeous 30-foot cascading waterfall fountain, a raised map depicting the 1780 Battle of Charlotte, and granite pillars that stand 25 feet high."

"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."

"Well then maybe you’ve noticed the little park that runs along South Kings Drive, right across from the Farmers Market?. With beautiful pathways, bridges, and greenery, Midtown Park is a great little spot for some photos. This park gives us Central Park NYC vibes!"

"This is another amusement park that was opened in 2012 at Pearl Park Way in Charlotte. It has a total area of one acre. Its main feature is a well-maintained rectangular lawn surrounded by stonework and shade trees, generally pleasing to the eyes."

"Just off the Little Sugar Creek Greenway is a picturesque park that offers several options for photo backdrops of all styles: artwork, stonework, flowers, a trellised walkway and of course, that dramatic skyline view."

"Located at the northern end of the Irwin-Stewart Creek Greenway, Seversville Street Park is one of Charlotte’s many urban green spaces. The park is quite small, covering around 11 acres, but is popular with local residents wanting to get out into the fresh air. There is a playground for the children and a nice picnic area with tables and grills."

"Reedy Creek is maybe one of the best thought-out parks for children in all of Charlotte. With over 100 acres of play space (including multiple playgrounds) as well as a whole host of educational nature programming, this is a park both kids and adults can enjoy. Here you'll find tree houses, exhibits, walking trails, and pretty much anything else your kids would want to enjoy outdoors."

"Eastland-Wilora Lake 2900 Rocky River Road Charlotte, NC 28205. A photo posted by Ryan Russell (@ryandavidrussell) on Sep 16, 2016 at 12:13pm PDT"

"The City Kitch in Wesley Heights is home to another vegan ghost kitchen, Vegan Eats CLT. Chef Cherry offers her take on vegan soul food with a menu of loaded nachos, wings, mac and cheese, collards, and fries. It’s also frequently supplemented with specials such as Cajun fried fish and seafood boils. Give them a follow on Instagram to check out their current menu offerings."

"Vegan food truck/pop up offering items such as chik’n curry, bbq pineapple beef tips and consistently offering up taco Tuesday options at Pilot Brewing."

"Charlotte’s Levine Center for the Arts is actually comprised of four unique locations, including the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, the John S. and James L. Knight Theater and the Mint Museum Uptown. The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art boasts a collection of more than 1,400 works by 20th-century modern artists.The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture highlights the contributions of Africans and African-Americans to American culture."

"The Levine Center for the Arts isn't just one place worth hitting, it's four: the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, John S. and James L. Knight Theater, and Mint Museum Uptown. Three of the museums showcase art, history, and culture; the Knight, meanwhile, is a performance venue."

"Tucked away in the retail spaces along the Green in Uptown is a small but elegant art gallery featuring nationally known artists like Takashi Murakami, Hunt Slonem and Jeff Koons; alongside local creators Zun Lee, Stephen Wilson and Regine Bechtler. The New Gallery of Modern Art occupies a small footprint, but the contemporary art, exhibition receptions, and the warmth of owner Irina Toshkova make the New Gallery much bigger. New Gallery offers consultation for both the novice and experienced art collector, in-home consultations and even a corporate art loan program."

"Located just across Tryon Street from the Mint and the Bechtler art museums, the New Gallery feels like a natural stop on an art outing in Uptown. The one-room gallery features high walls with windows overlooking The Green and often hosts artist conversations and discussion about art in its intimate space. What you’ll find: The art here ranges dramatically in price point, but the small gallery packs a powerful punch with its walls featuring some of the world’s top contemporary artists."

"This NoDa spot is a mix between a coffee shop, bar, restaurant and art gallery with indoor/outdoor dining and a peaceful secret garden-like patio in the back."