In downtown Statesville you will experience Southern history and hospitality at its finest in diverse buildings, shops, restaurants and encounters with friendly local residents. Statesville is home to two of North Carolina's most unique and exciting festivals; The CrossRoads PumpkinFest and The Carolina BalloonFest & Wine Tasting. These events feature great entertainment, food, arts and crafts, hot air balloons and flying pumpkins. Historic downtown Statesville is an attractive mix of quaint shops and lovely old homes on tree-lined streets. Nearby is Lake Norman, Fort Dobbs, golf, outlet shopping, and even gem mining. Statesville also serves as a gateway destination to the North Carolina Mountains, furniture outlets in Hickory, North Carolina and the nearby Yadkin Valley Wine Region.