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If you're in or near South Salisbury, NC, you'll be delighted by the abundance of scenic sights and exciting activities, from historic sites and beautiful natural areas to fun entertainment options. Take a Ford EcoSport for a spin and visit these fantastic local attractions listed below. Make the Drive to These 4 Local Attractions Near South Salisbury, NC 1. Rowan Museum The Rowan Museum at 202 North Main Street, in the heart of downtown Salisbury, is situated in the Courthouse built in 1854, one of the best examples of pre-Civil War architecture in North Carolina. The museum tells the story of Salisbury and its people through various displays and permanent and rotating exhibits. more There's always something happening at the museum, from reenactments and History Club presentations to exciting new exhibitions. During the summer, the museum offers educational day camps covering various fascinating topics, including Colonial Life and Revolution, Wagons, Railways, and Reform, and Arts and Crafts in the 18th Century. 2. Eagle Point Nature Preserve Eagle Point Nature Preserve is tucked away in a secluded area on picturesque High Rock Lake at 665 Black Road in Salisbury. The scenic preserve offers outdoor enthusiasts 200 acres of woodlands to explore on more than three miles of multi-use trails that wind to beautiful isolated coves and various observation overlooks with spectacular views over the lake. The preserve is a natural habitat for wildlife, so keep your eyes peeled for white-tailed deer, raccoons, bald eagles, barred owls, and kingfishers along the trails. If you enjoy paddling or fishing, you'll love spending time on the lake's shore, that's also ideal for peaceful picnics surrounded by the preserve's natural beauty. 3. Millbridge Speedway If you need speed, get to Millbridge Speedway, North Carolina's premier dirt track facility, at 6670 Mooresville Road in Salisbury. The speedway provides fast-paced, fun-filled nights of action, where you can watch beginner karters, cadets, and adults battle it out in their classes. With every ticket serving as a pit pass, you'll have the unique opportunity to get close to the karts, drivers, and the track. Tasty snacks like tacos, hamburgers, hot dogs, and fries are available when you get hungry. 4. Historic Trolley Tours Go on a Historic Trolley Tour with a knowledgeable guide and explore downtown Salisbury in an F&M Bank Trolley. The one-hour tour starts at 11 a.m. at the Rowan County Visitors Center at 204 East Innes Street in Salisbury, past the original Cheerwine building, the Salisbury National Cemetery, and the state's only prison site during the Civil War. In addition to these historical landmarks, you'll visit filming locations of well-known movie and TV shows, various shopping destinations, and theaters and view public art while listening to historical titbits and spooky ghost stories along the route. Visit these great attractions to learn more about the city's captivating history and fauna and flora, while having loads of fun at the same time. Also, remember to stop at Cloninger Ford of Salisbury to check out the range of brand-new 2023 models on display.

Located in the heart of the Piedmont region and just a couple of miles south of the Salisbury downtown area, South Salisbury, NC, is a great place to stay while exploring the best museums, cultural centers, and historical landmarks that this region has to offer. Whether you are searching for local art or historical exhibits, here are three fantastic destinations you should check out while traveling around the region in your new 2023 Ford Explorer XLT. Make the Drive to These 3 Best Museums Near South Salisbury, NC 1. Rowan Museum Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970, Rowan Museum is dedicated to showcasing the history of Rowan County through a series of permanent exhibits that portray the culture and traditions of the region throughout the years. Located at 202 N Main Street in the building of Salisbury's old courthouse, this museum is open to the public Friday to Sunday between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm. more Besides the collection of artifacts and the permanent exhibits on display at the old courthouse building, Rowan Museum also manages a series of nearby historical landmarks, including the Michael Braun House, which is considered the oldest dwelling in Rowan County and one of the oldest remaining stone houses in the entire state of North Carolina. 2. North Carolina Transportation Museum Located at 1 Samuel Spencer Road in the nearby town of Spencer and a little over three miles northeast of Salisbury, the North Carolina Transportation Museum boasts a large collection of railway vehicles, aircraft, and automobiles that make it one of the most visited tourist attractions in the region. Established in the early 1980s, this place welcomes more than 80,000 visitors every year. Open to the public Tuesday through Saturday between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm, the North Carolina Transportation Museum is known not only for its permanent exhibits but also for the many events that take place in its premises. This complex also features a heritage railroad that operates excursion rides in historical wagons powered by old diesel locomotives. 3. Hall House Museum A landmark 19th-century house located at 226 S Jackson Street in the Salisbury city center, the Dr. Josephus Hall House is one of the best-preserved house museums in the Southeastern United States and a fantastic place to visit while in the region. Constructed in the 1820s, this house is listed on the National Register of Historic places and showcases a series of artifacts, including original furnishings, wallpapers, and restored artworks. If you are searching for the best car dealership in South Salisbury to buy a new vehicle and explore the most popular attractions in North Carolina and beyond, you've come to the right place. Stop by Cloninger Ford of Salisbury, take a tour around our showroom, and learn about the latest models and custom deals we have available for you.

The North Carolina Transportation Museum is a must-see attraction for all lovers of planes, trains, and automobiles. Set at the site of the historic Southern Railway's Spencer Shops, it covers more than 50 acres of exhibits and historic buildings. You should plan to spend at least a few hours, and possibly the whole day, visiting the NC Transportation Museum. more Stop in the Back Shop The back shop is most notable for its assuming size: It's three stories high and the length of more than two football fields! This behemoth of a building once housed full overhaul facilities for locomotives. It has been fully restored and is now home to truck, tractor, and aviation exhibits. It is also where you can see the Potomac Pacemaker, a Piedmont Airlines DC3 that is currently being restored in the back shop building Hop Aboard for a Leisurely Train Ride You have two admission options when visiting the museum: with and without the train ride. Go ahead and splurge on the ride if you haven't done it before. It offers an excellent overview of the entire property, and it is a great way to spend about 25 minutes resting your feet between wandering between exhibit buildings. The train is normally pulled by a diesel locomotive. However, on special occasions, the museum offers rides pulled by a steam locomotive. If you see a steam engine pulling the train, be sure to get a ticket. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you won't want to miss. Take a Spin on the Turntable Just outside the massive Bob Julian Roundhouse — the largest working roundhouse in the U.S. — is a 100-plus foot turntable. It is by far one of the most unique features of the NC Transportation Museum and well worth the dollar price tag for a ride when it's operating. Be sure to ask if turntable rides are going on the day you visit when you stop in Barber Junction to buy your admission tickets. Visit During a Special Event If your travel dates are flexible and you want to have a truly memorable experience, visit during one of the special events taking place at the museum. A Day Out With Thomas and The Polar Express are perennial family favorites. Buy your tickets well in advance, though, because they can sell out months ahead. Steam locomotive aficionados of every age will delight in seeing the massive Norfolk and Western 611 J-class steam engine. You may even get a chance to climb aboard during special train rides or up-close experiences. The museum also offers special excursions several times a year, so keep an eye out for them in the events calendar. Take Lots of Pictures There is so much to see and do at the museum that you won't be able to keep up with all of. Take lots of pictures so you don't forget all the fun. The Transportation Museum may be the crowning tourism attraction in Rowan County, but it is far from the only great place to visit nearby. Plan to spend a couple of days so you can visit nearby Salisbury for a walk around the historic downtown or contact Cloninger Ford to see our impressive selection of new and used vehicles for sale.