I would like to know Hickory, North Carolina, United States!
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by Our Founder/CEO&CTO Hiroyuki Chishiro
- He has worked as a visiting scholar at Michael Jordan's alma mater, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC), from September 2012 to August 2013, and is familiar with US college basketball (NCAA) and the NBA. He is Japanese and also familiar with Japan basketball and B.LEAGUE (Japan).
- He is presently working as CTO at Guarantee Happiness LLC in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States (the town where UNC is located) from January 2020 and as CEO and CTO of Japanese Tar Heel, Inc. in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States from June 2022. He is familiar with the latest basketball in United States.
- We have written more than 110 articles on North Carolina and UNC and more than 20 articles on basketball.
- He played basketball in junior high and high school, and was in the top 8 in Chiba Prefecture in junior high school and in the top 16 in Chiba Prefecture in high school (Japan). He has experience playing American basketball with UNC students and North Carolina locals.
Book your travel arrangements here if you would like to learn more about it!
Table of Contents
Hickory
Hickory is the birthplace of NASCAR stars.
The reason is that there is a NASCAR automobile racing track called Hickory Motor Speedway.
Hickory is located in Catawba County in western North Carolina and is known for its rich history of furniture manufacturing.
Hickory is characterized by the following.
- Furniture Industry: Hickory became famous for its furniture manufacturing industry in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Although the industry has evolved, Hickory honors its furniture-making heritage through a variety of exhibits, museums, and design centers.
- Economy: In addition to furniture, Hickory's economy is diversified, including health care, education, technology, and manufacturing. Major employers include Catawba Valley Medical Center, CommScope, and the local education system.
- Culture and Entertainment: Hickory boasts a vibrant cultural scene with theaters, art galleries, and live music venues. Hickory offers several parks, recreational areas, and hiking trails for outdoor enthusiasts.
- Education: Hickory is home to two private liberal arts colleges, Lenoir-Rhyne University and Catawba Valley Community College. These universities contribute to the educational environment and culture of Hickory.
- Events and Festivals: Hickory hosts a variety of community-wide events and festivals throughout the year, including Oktoberfest, art festivals, music events, and holiday events.
- Location: Located in the foothills of the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains, Hickory offers easy access to outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and fishing. It is also within driving distance of major cities such as Charlotte and Asheville.
- Community Spirit: Hickory maintains a strong sense of community, with residents actively participating in local events, charities, and neighborhood associations.
By embracing its past while simultaneously embracing growth and diversification, Hickory is now a city that blends history, culture, and modern amenities!
Click the following to watch videos introducing Hickory.
10 Recommended Attractions in Hickory
Here are 10 recommended attractions in Hickory.
Hickory Motor Speedway
Hickory Motor Speedway is a NASCAR automobile racing track.
NOTE: Hickory Motor Speedway is not exactly in Hickory, but in Newton.
Hickory Motor Speedway is one of the oldest stock car racing circuits and has been called "the world's most famous short track" and "the birthplace of NASCAR stars".
Hickory Motor Speedway has been renovated three times in its history.
- 1951: Opened as a 0.5-miles (0.80-km) dirt track
- 1955: 0.4miles (0.644km) dirt track
- 1967: Paved for the first time during the season
- 1970: Reduced to 0.363miles (0.584km)
The following NASCAR drivers have won at Hickory Motor Speedway.
Click the following to watch videos introducing Hickory Motor Speedway.
Valley Hills Mall
Valley Hills Mall is a shopping mall with over 70 specialty stores and food court eateries.
Valley Hills Mall offers one-stop shopping and a family-friendly environment!
Click the following to watch introductory videos of Valley Hills Mall.
Carolina Movie Theaters
Carolina Movie Theaters is a movie theater located in Hickory.
What makes Carolina Movie Theaters unique is that it is a great place for the whole family to enjoy a movie while being easy on the wallet.
Glenn C. Hilton Jr. Memorial Park
Glenn C. Hilton Jr. Memorial Park is named for Glenn C. Hilton Jr.
Glenn C. Hilton Jr. Memorial Park has the following facilities.
- 5 picnic shelters with tables and grills
- 2 playgrounds
- Restrooms
- Gazebo
- Lighted and paved walking trails
- Nature trails
- 24-hole disc golf course
- Canoe launch
- Horseshoe pits
- Memorial garden
Click the following to watch videos introducing Glenn C. Hilton Jr. Memorial Park.
Hickory Aviation Museum
Hickory Aviation Museum is an aviation museum located at Hickory Regional Airport.
Hickory Aviation Museum has artifacts, an aircraft hangar, and outdoor aircraft exhibits.
Click the following to watch videos introducing Hickory Aviation Museum.
Hickory Museum of Art
Hickory Museum of Art, founded in 1944, is the second oldest museum in North Carolina.
NOTE: The oldest museum in North Carolina is Cape Fear Museum of History and Science in Wilmington.
Hickory Museum of Art presents exhibitions, events, and educational programs centered on its permanent collection of American art from the 19th to 21st centuries.
If you would like to learn more about Wilmington, home to the Cape Fear Museum of History and Science, click the following.
Click the following for introductory videos of Hickory Museum of Art.
L. P. Frans Stadium
L. P. Frans Stadium is the home to Hickory Crawdads, a minor league baseball team in South Atlantic League with a capacity of approximately 4,000.
L. P. Frans Stadium was built in 1993 on land donated by Elmer Winkler and named for the local Pepsi-Cola bottler who partially funded the stadium's construction.
Click the following to watch videos introducing L. P. Frans Stadium.
Nocturne Adventures
Nocturne Adventures is an adventure (real escape game experience) that offers a premium escape room experience.
Nocturne Adventures features live actors, theatrical effects, elaborate sets and puzzles.
Click the following to watch an introductory video of Nocturne Adventures.
Kiwanis Park
Kiwanis Park is a park with a variety of facilities as follows.
- 2 picnic shelters with tables and grills
- Tennis courts
- Outdoor basketball court
- 4 lighted baseball fields
- 2 batting cages
- Walking trails
- Restrooms
- Concession stand
- Charles D. Dixon Memorial Splash Pad
- 2 playgrounds (Zahra Baker All Children's Playground and Treehouse)
Click the following to watch videos introducing Kiwanis Park.
Catawba Science Center
Catawba Science Center is a children's museum of science and technology offering rotating hands-on exhibits, saltwater and freshwater aquarium galleries, and a state-of-the-art digital planetarium.
The goal of Catawba Science Center is to change lives and inspire learning through science and wonder!
Click the following to watch videos introducing Catawba Science Center.
Summary
We introduced Hickory, the birthplace of NASCAR stars.
Hickory has many attractions including Hickory Motor Speedway.
Book your travel arrangements here if you would like to learn more about it!