Reed Gold Mine is the site of the first documented gold discovery in the United States. This historical connection gives Cabarrus a distinctive character, alongside motorsports, mill heritage and outdoor trails. The attractions appeal to a range of interests: you can focus on history underground, get a behind-the-scenes look at motorsports facilities, or enjoy outdoor activities in parks and on trails.
Gold History and Motorsports
The underground mine at Reed Gold Mine can only be visited on guided tours. Gold panning is offered only Tuesday through Saturday. These conditions are current as of September 5, 2026; check them before your trip. The practical requirements differ: a guided tour is required to visit the mine, while the stated days of the week apply to gold panning. This lets you connect the historical theme with two different visitor experiences.
The Charlotte Motor Speedway tour also offers a behind-the-scenes look, taking visitors to Charlotte Motor Speedway, The Dirt Track and zMAX Dragway. Those interested in motorsports facilities will find a different focus here than at the gold mine. Another sporting attraction is Atrium Health Ballpark, home of the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers. The ballpark and the speedway tour represent different areas of sport.
Trails and Outdoor Activities
Vietnam Veterans Park has a 1.2-mile hiking trail. The park also features a nine-hole disc golf course. These offer two distinct activities: a trail with a specified length and a course with nine holes. Several sections of the Carolina Thread Trail in Cabarrus County are suitable for hiking, running and biking. If you are looking for more ways to get active beyond a park trail, you can also consider these three activities.
At Vietnam Veterans Park, the trail length and course size are specified; the Carolina Thread Trail, by contrast, is distinguished by its multiple sections and range of uses. This makes it easier to compare the available types of outings without prescribing a set itinerary.
Mill Heritage and Local History
Bost Grist Mill and Farms is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and includes original mill equipment and artifacts. Visitors can watch corn being ground into cornmeal and grits using the same stones and techniques as in the 19th century. The milling process connects this historic site with the production of specific foods. Special tours, events and experiences are also offered. Those interested in history will find a different focus here than at the gold mine: the emphasis is on traditional milling rather than a visit to an underground mine.
Concord is also home to the impressive 19th-century Cabarrus County Courthouse. Places to visit include Concord, Harrisburg, Kannapolis, Midland and Mt. Pleasant. Together, these places and themes offer different starting points for a stay: historic buildings and mill equipment, motorsports, park activities and trails. Which ones take priority depends on what you want to experience during your trip.
Getting Here and Practical Information
For geographic context, Concord is home to Concord-Padgett Regional Airport. Cabarrus County is located off Interstate 85, about 30 minutes northeast of Charlotte. The official Cabarrus County Visitor Information Center offers travel guides, maps, special coupons and free Wi-Fi; it also has local souvenirs and a free gift. This stop brings together practical information and local offerings, while Concord itself has two clearly identified points of interest: the courthouse and the regional airport.
The travel themes are easy to distinguish when choosing what to focus on: Reed Gold Mine represents gold history and guided underground tours; the speedway tour covers three named motorsports facilities; and Bost Grist Mill and Farms showcases historic milling technology and corn products. Parks and trail sections complement these cultural and sporting attractions with hiking, running, biking and disc golf. You can organize your visit to Cabarrus around the interests that matter to you.
Discover more destinations: Concord, Kannapolis, Davidson County, Haywood County, Chatham County, Alamance, Hertford County, Polk County.
For the broader travel overview: North Carolina.
