So much of our traveling revolves around flying into hub airports and exploring the major cities they are situated in. Business travelers and nonrevs alike are familiar with layovers & short trips are familiar with such megahubs like Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Dallas-Ft. Worth, and Charlotte.
Unfortunately, sometimes we get bored of the cities we visit most often. How many times can you search for “best rooftop bars near PHX airport” before you run out of new places to explore?
In this series, we explore destinations near major airports in search of small town charm for when you just need to escape the city.
Discovering Gaston County
Gaston County lies just 15 minutes west of Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The county is home to a population of nearly 225,000 across 15 towns (along with a handful of unincorporated areas like Dellview and it’s dozen residents). You will find a wide range of things to do in this area without having to deal with big city crowds.
Why visit Gaston County
Gaston County seems to be full of hidden gems.
If you are ready to hit the trails, head to Crowders Mountain State Park in the town of King’s Mountain. In addition to hiking & camping, visitors can go paddling, fishing, and rock climbing inside the park.
For a less rugged experience, take a leisurely stroll with a picnic basket through the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in the town of Belmont.
Gastonia, the largest town in the county, is home to the award-winning Cavendish Brewing Company. This brewery took root in the heart of an old car dealership and now produces beers like their Dragonbane oatmeal stout and gold medal-winning Kesselflicker hefeweizen.
If you visit in the month of December, do yourself a favor and block off a night to explore Christmas Town USA. With a population of less than 1,000, the residents of McAdenville put on a town-wide Christmas light display that draws visitors from every corner of the state.
Where to stay in Gaston County
We recommend staying in one of two largest towns in Gaston County: Belmont or Gastonia. Both will have a range of budget hotel options that will allow you to put those hotel points that you have been collecting to good use.
For a more intimate approach, you will find a number of local inns and well-appointed lodging options through AirBnB as well (use our referral link to get up to $35 off your first stay).
Where to eat in Gaston County
If you are looking for an all-American pub-style restaurant with a variety of brunch & dinner options, look no further than Mayworth’s Public House in Cramerton.
Craving Italian? Stop by Dino’s Italian Pizzeria in Bessemer City for some authentic Italian cuisine, tasty pizza, and mouth-watering desserts.
We can’t write an article about food in Gaston County without including Nellie’s Southern Kitchen (named after the Jonas Brothers’ great-grandmother who lived in Belmont). Nick Jonas & wife Prianka Chopra hosted one of their wedding receptions here, and I can confirm that the chicken n’ dumplings at Nellie’s are phenomenal.
Discovering Cleveland County
Venturing a bit further west will land you in Cleveland County which is still less than an hour’s drive from CLT airport. Cleveland County it is close enough to explore on a day trip, but charming enough to stay for longer.
Why visit Cleveland County?
Cleveland County is centrally located between Charlotte, Greenville, and Asheville. This is a great home base if you want to take a day trip to the Blue Ridge Parkway or explore any other nearby cities.
This is especially useful for non-rev passengers who want to keep their options open. After flying into CLT and spending a night in Shelby, we were able to check flights at three different airports to give us the best chance of getting a standby seat assignment on the way home:
- CLT: Charlotte International Airport (Charlotte, NC)
- AVL: Asheville Regional Airport (Fletcher, NC)
- GSP: Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (Greer, SC)
Beyond being in a great location, Cleveland County is a destination in its own right. Uptown Shelby is a wonderfully walkable city square that is home to a number of adorable storefronts to check out.
The Broad River Greenway offers year-round outdoor activities near the town of Boiling Springs. Outdoor lovers will also find access to the previously mentioned Crowders Mountain State Park from Cleveland County as Kings Mountain, NC straddles the counties’ border. Both are great options for finding socially distanced activities in the era of COVID-19.
Where to stay in Cleveland County
We chose to stay in the town of Shelby which put us within close proximity of the charming Uptown Shelby neighborhood.
AirBnB provides a variety of options, but you can find a list of inns & bed-and-breakfasts from other towns like Casar, Boiling Springs, and Grover at Visit Cleveland County’s website.
Where to eat in Cleveland County
When in North Carolina, you get NC-style BBQ. Swing by Red Bridges Barbecue Lodge for a classic pork BBQ plate.
Start off your day with a cup of coffee from LilyBean Coffee & Creamery. I love finding coffee shops that roast their own coffee beans, and we enjoyed the espresso & drip coffee here.
Do you have a sweet tooth? Make sure to stop by Uptown Sweets & Treats to surround yourself with more delectable desserts than you will know what to do with.
Final Thoughts
Gaston County & Cleveland County are more than just pit stops on the way from Charlotte to Asheville or the Blue Ridge Parkway.
These counties are home to charming towns & communities that deserve to be explored. Next time you find yourself with time in CLT, consider renting a car and heading west to discover the small town charm just a short drive away from downtown Charlotte.
Do you know of any undiscovered gems near major international airports? Let us know in where we need to explore next!
