Bunker Hill Covered Bridge
off US Hwy 70, 14 miles east of town, Claremont, NC 28610 · 828-465-0383
Crossing Lyles Creek as part of a road that originally followed a Native American trail, this covered bridge is one of only two left in the state. It's also the sole example of an improved lattice truss design, as patented by Herman Haupt. Built in 1894 by Andy Ramseur, the bridge was restored in 1994 and is now open to foot traffic only. Early on, the bridge was open to the elements; a few years after its construction, however, it got a wooden shake roof and then a tin roof. The bridge is 85 feet long.

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Hickory Crawdads Baseball
2500 Clement Blvd NW, LP Frans Stadium, Hickory, NC 28601 · 828-322-3000
A Class A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Crawdads are a real hometown favorite. When the weather warms and the days lengthen, folks know that the local team is set to bring America's favorite pastime to Frans Stadium. Playing in the South Atlantic League, the Crawdads give fans the chance to see great ball and to catch a glimpse of players before they head off to the major leagues. The stadium offers food and drink, along with fun for kids and adults alike. Keep an eye out for Conrad, the big, red Crawdad mascot!

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Hickory Motor Speedway
3130 US Hwy 70 SE, Newton, NC 28658 · 828-464-3655
Since 1951, this oval track has been thrilling local spectators with its automotive competitions. The smell of exhaust and rubber add an immediacy to the experience, and fans come regularly to catch their favorite drivers negotiate the .363-mile, asphalt course. Known as the "oldest continually operated motor speedway in the country," Hickory's track also gave a start to such prominent figures as Ned and Dale Jarrett, Dale Earnhardt, Harry Gant, and Junior Johnson. Food, drink, and play areas for kids are available.

Maple Grove
542 2nd St NE, Hickory, NC 28601 · 828-322-4731
Resting amid a mature stand of trees, this stately house is one of Hickory's oldest surviving residences. Built in the late 19th-century, the two-story, Italianate structure was constructed for A.L. Shuford, a prominent, civic-minded figure in the community. On the property, Shuford established a dairy using Jersey cattle, a breed new to the county. The home's most striking feature is its porches, which stretch the length of the first and second stories. The interior boasts Victorian furnishings and original woodwork.

Murray’s Mill Historic Site
1489 Murrays Mill Rd, I-40, exit 138, Catawba, NC 28609 · 828-241-4299
Set on Balls Creek, this historic mill was run by the Murray family for many generations. Powered by a waterwheel, the grist mill once ground corn into meal and feed for folks from all over the region. Today, the complex has been restored, and visitors can not only tour the mill itself but explore the granary, residence, and a general store that sells everything from ice cream to pottery. The 28-foot waterwheel is a particular favorite of kids! A great glimpse of the area's agricultural past.

Old St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
St. Paul's Church Rd, Newton, NC 28658 · 828-464-9786
Founded in 1757 and built in 1818, this church is one of the area's oldest. The simple, two-story structure was partially built using timbers from a previous church. It also features a slave balcony (later co-opted by men and boys) and a carved sounding board (also called a tester), which hangs over the pulpit to direct sound outward. The church was begun by German immigrants, and the cemetery that surrounds Old St. Paul's boasts many headstones dating as far back as the 18th century.

Propst House
332 6th St NW, Shuford Memorial Gardens, Hickory, NC 28601 · 828-322-4731
This charming home, built in 1883, was constructed in the fashionable Second Empire style. Its square, central tower and mansard roof makes it easily identifiable, along with a distinctive color scheme. Moved from its original site and restored, the delightful home features a wealth of elaborate carving inside, courtesy of homeowner J. Summie Propst, a local woodworker. Among the home's unique characteristics are features created to accommodate Propst's wife, a woman of diminutive stature.