Living in Salisbury
Things to do in Salisbury, NC
Salisbury has one of the best-preserved historic downtowns in North Carolina, and its main attractions sit within a few blocks of each other. It’s an easy place to spend a full day on foot, with a big county park and train service close by.
I’m Frank Coxx, a North Carolina broker with HomeSmart. Here’s what each one is, where it sits, and a tip for your first visit.
Things to do
Shops · restaurants · history
Historic Downtown Salisbury
Downtown Salisbury, centered on Main Street.
Downtown Salisbury is full of 19th- and early-20th-century buildings, now home to local shops, restaurants and galleries. The city has won North Carolina Main Street awards for its downtown work.
It’s walkable, with regular festivals and events that bring the whole county in.
Tip: Start at Bell Tower Green and walk Main Street from there.
Official site: visitrowancountync.com
Art museum
Waterworks Visual Arts Center
Downtown Salisbury, on East Liberty Street.
Waterworks began in 1959 as the Rowan Art Guild and took its name from the old city waterworks building it later moved into. Today it’s a nonprofit art museum accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.
It doesn’t keep a permanent collection. Instead it rotates exhibits by regional and national artists, so there’s something new on each visit. It also runs art classes.
Tip: Check the exhibit calendar before you go. Shows change through the year.
Official site: waterworks.org
Downtown park
Bell Tower Green
Downtown Salisbury, a full block at West Innes and South Church Streets.
Bell Tower Green is a downtown park built around a historic bell tower from the early 1890s. It fills a full city block with lawns, gardens and a performance space.
It’s open every day and hosts concerts, festivals and a farmers market, so it has become the center of downtown life.
Tip: Check the park’s events calendar for concerts on warm evenings.
Official site: belltowergreen.org
Parks & outdoors
County park · camping · family fun
Dan Nicholas Park
Rowan County, east of Salisbury on Bringle Ferry Road.
Dan Nicholas is Rowan County’s big family park. It has a lakeside campground with cabins, paddle boats, a carousel, a small train, mini golf, a splash pad, a gem mine and a nature center with animal exhibits.
It’s an easy full day out with kids, without the drive to Charlotte.
Tip: Rides like the carousel and train can close for maintenance. Check before you promise the kids.
Getting around
Commuting
I-85 access
Runs along Salisbury’s east side.
I-85 connects Salisbury south to Kannapolis, Concord and Charlotte, and north to Greensboro.
It’s the main commuting route for people who live in Salisbury and work elsewhere in the region.
Tip: Drive your commute at rush hour before you buy. I-85 toward Charlotte can back up.
Passenger rail
Salisbury Amtrak station
Downtown Salisbury, on Depot Street.
Salisbury’s restored historic depot is a stop for Amtrak’s Piedmont, Carolinian and Crescent trains. That gives you train service to Charlotte, Raleigh and beyond.
For trips to Raleigh or a Panthers game in Charlotte, the train is a real alternative to driving.
Tip: Check Amtrak or NC By Train for current schedules before you plan a trip.
Official site: ncbytrain.org