Concord is a city located in Cabarrus County, at 35°24′16″N 80°36′2″W (35.404340, -80.600474). According to the 2010 census Concord had a population of approximately 79,066 which has grown to an estimated population in 2015 of over 85,000. It represents the largest city in Cabarrus County and also serves as the county seat In terms of population. The city of Concord is the second-largest city in the Charlotte Metropolitan Area and is the eleventh largest city in North Carolina.
Concord is the home to the top tourist destinations in North Carolina.
NASCAR’s Charlotte Motor Speedway . For more than 55 years, Charlotte Motor Speedway has set the standard for motorsports entertainment for fans of all ages. The speedway is the only race vacation destination where fans can immerse themselves in the heart of NASCAR country. Visitors can attend one-of-a-kind race spectacles such as the Coca-Cola 600, Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Race & Bank of America 500; take behind-the-scenes speedway & race shop tours; and drive an 800-horsepower stock car. Built in 1960, the famous 1.5 mile super-speedway is home to Monster Energy NASCAR Cup, XFINITY & Camping World Truck Series racing. The 85,000-seat facility also hosts numerous other events including three of the nation’s largest car shows; a 10-race series of Legends Car and Bandolero racing; and several stock car driving schools. Daily tours are available and a gift shop is loaded with souvenirs & memorabilia.
Concord-Mills shopping mall. The #1 shopping entertainment destination of the Carolinas and one of the most popular visitor attractions in North Carolina, Concord Mills features more than 200 stores including manufacturer and retail outlets, off-price retailers and unique specialty stores. A festive food court, theme restaurants, and a 24-screen AMC theatre. Plus interactive retailers are also part of the shopping adventure. 10 minutes from Charlotte. Anchor stores include: AMC 24-Screen Theatres, Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, Sea Life, Build-A-Bear, Bed Bath & Beyond, Books-A-Million, Burlington Coat Factory, Coach, Disney Outlet, Dave & Busters, Disney Store, Forever 21, Group USA, Michael Kors, T.J. Maxx, Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th Outlet, and The SpeedPark.
Some other interesting place to visit in Concord – Cabarrus County:
Reed Gold Mine The life of farmer John Reed would have been long forgotten had it not been for a chance event one Sunday in 1799. On that day, Reed’s son Conrad found a large yellow rock in Little Meadow Creek on the Reed farm in Cabarrus County. This rock reportedly weighed 17 pounds and for three years was used as a doorstop at the Reed house.
In 1802 a Fayetteville jeweler identified the gold nugget. He purchased it for the asked price of $3.50—one-tenth of one percent of its true value.
The following year John Reed began the Reed mining operation by forming a partnership with three local men. The partners supplied equipment and workers to dig for gold in the creek bed, while Reed provided the land. The returns were to be divided equally. The men mined mainly in the off-season from farming, giving first priority to raising their crops. Before the end of the first year, a slave named Peter had unearthed a 28-pound nugget. Using only pans and rockers to wash the creek gravel, the part-time miners recovered an estimated yield of one hundred thousand dollars by 1824.
Be sure to visit the mine – check the website, http://www.nchistoricsites.org/reed/main.htm, for tour information
Great Wolf Lodge Love water parks? This is the largest indoor water park in North Carolina with specialty restaurants, arcades, spas, fitness rooms, and children’s activity areas including Yoga and bowling. A fun time for all ages and all seasons. Be sure to call ahead for reservations … it’s that popular!
Along with Charlotte Motor Speedway is zMax Dragway. Built in 2008, zMAX Dragway is the world’s only four-lane, all concrete drag strip. Located on the grounds of Charlotte Motor Speedway, the Bellagio of drag strips annually hosts NHRA events including the O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Nationals and the one-of-a-kind NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, as well as street racing nights, and various other family-friendly events.