Attractions

Kannapolis, North Carolina

Kannapolis lies in the heart of the dynamic Charlotte metro region and offers a host of activities and resources for both business and leisure travelers. Downtown Kannapolis includes the historic Gem Theatre, Swanee Theatre, Village Park, Veterans Park and attractions like the NC Music Hall of Fame and the Dale Earnhardt Tribute, as well as shopping and dining opportunities.

The city has a rich history of motorsports and music.

The hometown of Dale Earnhardt, Sr., the City continues to be a destination for racing fans traveling to nearby Charlotte Motor Speedway. Guided tours take visitors back to a time when the Intimidator was growing up and driving the streets of Kannapolis. No race experience is complete without a visit to our Dale Earnhardt Plaza; a tribute to #3 that was conceived after Dale’s tragic death in 2001. In recent years, Haas Racing headquarters has located in Kannapolis and is within an hour’s drive of 90 percent of the NASCAR team headquarters located in the region. 

Kannapolis is the birthplace of George Clinton and funk! Located on Dale Earnhardt Boulevard, the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame honors legendary North Carolinian performers like George Clinton, James Taylor, Earl Scruggs, John Coltrane, Kate Smith, Donna Fargo and more. Since opening in 2009, more than 20 performers have been inducted at the museum’s annual gala event. Group tours are available and museum staff partners with local schools for arts education programs.

In downtown Kannapolis motorsports and music are intertwined at the Curb Museum for Music and Motorsports. At the museum songwriter, producer, and record company owner Mike Curb showcases his vast collection of music and racing memorabilia.

The Club at Irish Creek

Consistently named one of the Top 50 Golf Courses in North Carolina, the Club at Irish Creek was renovated by Davis Love III in 2007. The course hosts numerous tournaments and events each year including the PGA Tour Q School First Qualifying Stage and the Collegiate Championship.

The Curb Museum for Motorsports

The Curb Museum for Motorsports and Music includes the #2 car driven by Dale Earnhardt during his championship season in 1980 and the #43 car driven by Richard Petty for his 199th win.

Dale Earnhardt Tribute

The Dale Earnhardt Tribute honors the racing legend who was born and raised in Kannapolis.This tribute site is located at the corner of South Main and B streets. 

Gem Theatre

The Gem Theatre opened in December of 1936. A fire nearly destroyed it in 1942 but it was rebuilt and reopened in 1948. It is one of the oldest single screen movie theatres with balcony seating in the United States. Its historic marquee and art deco architecture made it a unique place to see a movie. The theatre has seen a variety of performances over the years including Roy Rogers, Jimmy Pickens and the Grand Ole Opry, and the Avett Brothers. Admission and concession prices are reminiscent of the past and remain affordable allowing families to enjoy first run movies annually. It was recently added to the National Register of Historic Places. Visit gem-theatre.com to learn more and buy tickets.

The Swanee Theatre 

The Swanee Theatre is a live entertainment venue in a restored historic movie theatre. Centrally located in downtown Kannapolis, the Swanee Theatre features live music concerts, comedy shows and more. Learn more and buy tickets by visiting www.swaneetheatre.com.

Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

Kannapolis Cannon Ballers, Triple A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, showcases future major league players throughout the spring, summer and early fall. The Cannon Ballers offer a great family-friendly atmosphere, wonderful foods, including healthy options, unique promotions and fireworks after select games throughout the season.

Learn more and buy tickets here.

Kannapolis Farmers Market

The Kannapolis Farmers Market is open Thursdays 4-7pm from May through September. The market is moving to a new location in 2027. The market will be located at in the South Oak Avenueparking lot (behind First Presbyterian Church.

Learn more here.

The North Carolina Music Hall of Fame

The North Carolina Music Hall of Fame celebrates the past, present and future of North Carolina’s music history. The museum pays tribute to those who have dedicated their lives to creating music for the rest of us and includes exhibits of the Charlie Daniels Band, Nina Simone, Chairman of the Board, Clyde McPhatter, Donna Fargo, Thelonius Monk, Victoria Livengood and many more.

northcarolinamusichalloffame.org

The North Carolina Research Campus

The North Carolina Research Campus is a 350-acre research center located just north of Charlotte, NC. Corporations, universities and healthcare organizations have forged a public-private partnership that is transforming science at the intersection of human health, nutrition and agriculture. Partners on the campus include: Appalachian State, David H. Murdock Research Institute, Nutrition Research Laboratory, Duke University MURDOCK Study, JC Med LLC Monsanto, NC A&T University, NC Central University, NC State University, UNC Chapel Hill, UNC Charlotte, and UNC Greensboro. 

Start your visit at the North Carolina Research Campus - Nutrition Research Institute, where the self-guided exhibit From Cotton to Chromosomes outlines the City’s transformation from mill village to internationally-recognized human health, nutrition and agriculture research center. Events like Appetite for Life and Frontiers in Science seminars and special film screenings translate groundbreaking research into knowledge for healthy living.

The Murdock Study is coordinated thru the campus. Ultimately, this study will identify linkages across major diseases and disorders in order to defeat some of today’s leading causes of illness and death. The MURDOCK Study has enlisted the participation of more than 11,500 residents in the Cabarrus County/Kannapolis region, with a final enrollment goal of 50,000 community members.

Map of the Campus

NCRC Brochure

2026 NCRC Campus Report

Haas F1 Racing

In 2014 Gene Haas, Haas F1, became the first U.S.-based Formula One team since Parnelli Jones Racing in 1974-76. Kannapolis is their home. Visit their fan store and learn more.  They also field NASCAR teams including Cole Custer.