Living in the Charlotte Region
Kannapolis is less than 20 minutes from Charlotte, the largest city in North Carolina and one of the fastest growing cities in the nation.
Charlotte ranks sixth nationwide among cities with the most Fortune 500 company headquarters. The region’s major employers include Carolinas Healthcare System, Bank of America, Duke Energy, Harris Teeter, US Airways, Belk, Family Dollar Stores and Lance.
Charlotte is rich in cultural amenities, offering a plethora of opportunities to enjoy the performing and visual arts. The city’s thriving performing arts community includes the Charlotte Symphony, Charlotte Philharmonic Orchestra, Charlotte Civic Orchestra, North Carolina Dance Theatre, Carolina Voices, Opera Carolina, Theatre Charlotte, Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte and the North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center’s Broadway Lights Series.
Patrons of the visual arts will enjoy The Mint Museum, the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, The Harvey B. Gantt Center, the McColl Center for Visual Art and The Light Factory Contemporary Museum of Photography and Film.
Additionally, in Cabarrus County, the Cabarrus Arts Council programs and runs the Davis Theatre which hosts spectacular Broadway revues, riveting professional theater and award-winning musicians. The Council also curates the five Arts Council Galleries in the Historic Cabarrus Courthouse which display work by regional and national artists. Art Walks, movie nights and other special events are often held in The Galleries.
Charlotte’s many museums and nature centers offer a chance for visitors of all ages to explore the region’s past and present. These include the Afro-American Cultural Center, Carolina Raptor Center, Charlotte Museum of History, Discovery Place, Latta Plantation, Historic Rosedale Plantation, Levine Museum of the New South and Wing Haven Gardens and Bird Sanctuary.
Charlotte's many museums and nature centers offer a chance for visitors of all ages to explore the region’s past and present. These include the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts & Culture, Carolina Raptor Center, Charlotte Museum of History, Discovery Place, Latta Plantation, Historic Rosedale Plantation, Levine Museum of the New South and Wing Haven Gardens and Bird Sanctuary.
The Charlotte region is also a hub for professional sports, including the Carolina Panthers (NFL), Charlotte Bobcats (NBA), Charlotte Knights (MiLB), the Kannapolis Intimidators (MiLB), Charlotte Checkers (ECHL), Charlotte Eagles (USL-2) and Lady Eagles (USL W-League), and Carolina Speed (AIFA).
In addition, the area hosts a number of major sporting events annually, including the PGA’s Quail Hollow Championship, the CIAA Tournament, and three major NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Additionally, the NASCAR Hall of Fame calls Charlotte Home.
Kannapolis also offers a wealth of activities for the outdoor enthusiast within a short drive. Closer to home, Lake Norman, the state's largest man-made lake, features 520 miles of shoreline within 20 minutes of Kannapolis perfect for sailing, wind surfing, power boating and fishing. Just 40 minutes from Kannapolis is the US National Whitewater Center, a world-class outdoor adventure center that is both a public recreation facility and a training ground for Olympic athletes.
For more information about things to do in and around Kannapolis and the Charlotte region, please visit the following: