Gastonia is the largest of Gaston County’s 15 municipalities, the 13th largest city in the state and the second largest in the booming Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill Metropolitan Area. Gastonia received its name from congressman and state Supreme Court judge, William Gaston who named it after the county. Gastonia is the county seat for Gaston County. Gastonia’s natural history is housed in the welcoming walls of the Schiele Museum of Natural History, which features a number of permanent exhibits, including the Hall of North Carolina Natural History and the Henry Hall of the American Indian. The museum is also home to the James H. Lynn Planetarium, the only planetarium in the Charlotte area. Across the street from the Schiele is the main branch of the Gaston-Lincoln Regional Library System.
Gastonia has four major shopping centers for bargain hunters including the Westfield Eastridge Mall (the only indoor regional mall in the area) and Franklin Square, other one of Gastonia's premier shopping centers which is divided onto three phases. Next you can plant yourself at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, located just southeast on the banks of Lake Wylie, dappled with spectacular gardens, sparkling fountains, a conservatory dedicated to the display of tropical plants and orchids, a visitor pavilion, a garden store and nature trails. A great place to enjoy the Carolina outdoors with the whole family is Rankin Lake Park There are paddle boats to rent, canoes, row boats with motors and a nice paved walking trail around the lake. Activities on the ground include horseshoe pits and areas to play Frisbee, golf, football and cook outdoors. Another park offering a number of hiking trails, campgrounds, picnic areas, rock climbing and fishing opportunities at Crowders Mountain State. You can enjoy community theatrical productions put on by the Little Theatre of Gastonia, Belmont Community Theatre, Cherryville Little Theatre and the Belmont Abbey College Players. No matter where you go or what activities you undertake in this Carolina city, you’ll have a convenient location to rest and recharge when you stay at one of our Choice Hotels in Gastonia, NC. Book a room online now!