Harrisburg

If you’re looking to live like a Cabarrus County local while on vacation, look no further than a trip to Harrisburg. This community-focused town is known for its social gatherings and celebrations throughout the year.

Harrisburg Park

At more than 33 acres, Harrisburg Park offers plenty of room to have a picnic, work up a sweat on the mountain biking and walking trails or simply enjoy the Carolina sunshine.

The ADA accessible park is open dusk to dawn and has a playground with a splash pad and slide for the kids. Game lovers will enjoy horseshoe pits and cornhole courts as well as the 9-hole disc golf course that winds around the wooded trails with discs available to rent.

Harrisburg Park is also home to a 2,200-square-foot amphitheater where the town shows free movies and hosts the annual Rockin’ the Burg Summer Concert Series on the large, inviting lawn.

The main event at the park each summer is Harrisburg’s 4th of July Celebration, which features amusement rides, food and live music along with one of the largest parades in the region. While you wait for the sun to set, take in a cotton candy-colored sky from atop the Ferris wheel. Then, watch in wonder as fireworks light up the night.

More Outdoor Fun

Stallings Road Park, Pharr Mill Park and Harris Depot Park each offer a different outdoor experience. On Mondays from May to October, you can chat with local farmers and find the freshest produce, eggs, meat and more with the Harrisburg Farmers Market at Harris Depot Park. The market also features local vendors, crafts and ready-to-eat snacks.

Food and Drink

Take a tour of Harrisburg’s burgeoning dining community. Start the morning with a cup of joe at Rocky River Coffee Co. and a flaky croissant from Sunflour Baking Company. For the thirsty among us, there’s Percent Tap House, a small-batch brewery that offers beer, wine, cider and cold brew coffee alongside the occasional food truck parked outside. Fans of BBQ will enjoy Pharr Mill Brewing & BBQ, where you’ll find craft IPAs and lagers paired with smoked brisket, pulled pork, ribs, wings and more. Casual eateries like Bubba’s Bunkhouse, Vortex Bottle Shop, La Unica Mexican Restaurant, and Hawthorne’s New York Pizza are just a few examples of celebrated spots for a meal out on the town.