Davie County: Wine, Mill Life and Nature

Davie County combines wine connected to the Yadkin Valley AVA, memories of the cotton mill era, outdoor art, and opportunities to enjoy nature. These offer different ways to spend your vacation days: you can explore local history, set aside time for nature, or discover regional wine. COGNITION also offers a distinctive way to experience the county: the makerspace’s courses and events are designed for young and adult learners.

Wine with Different Accents

Davie County is part of the Yadkin Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA). On the outskirts of Mocksville, Dove Vine Beverage makes honey-finished wines, with views of a vineyard planted with sweet Muscadine grapes. At Lazy Elm, within the Yadkin Valley AVA, you can enjoy estate-bottled wines and dessert wines. These offer wine enthusiasts different accents: honey-finished wines and views of Muscadine grapes in one place, estate-bottled wines and dessert wines in another.

Local History in Mocksville and Cooleemee

In Mocksville, a walking tour takes you past historic homes on Main Street. They were built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Murals and artworks in Downtown Mocksville add an outdoor art experience to the stroll and offer a connection to Davie County’s history. A walking tour brochure is available at the Chamber Visitor Center at 135 S. Salisbury Street and at downtown shops. Distribution information may change, so check availability in advance.

Another trace of local history leads to Joppa Cemetery, one of the earliest cemeteries in Davie County. Squire and Sarah Boone are buried together there, about half a mile west of Mocksville. Two homes in Cooleemee offer a different perspective on the mill era: the Mill House Museum is housed in a preserved mill house dating to 1905 and displays artifacts relating to the lives of mill workers. The Zachary House was once the mill manager’s home; its exhibits show Cooleemee at its peak as a cotton mill town. Together, they highlight the distinct themes of workers’ lives and the history of the mill town.

Nature and Outdoor Activities

Farmington Nature Park offers hiking and biking trails, fishing opportunities, and access to native wildlife and plants. Another sporting option is the Davie Disc Golf Course, set in wooded terrain, with holes ranging from 170 feet to more than 700 feet. This lets you include nature trails, fishing, and disc golf in your plans as different ways to spend active time outdoors.

At Farmington Nature Trails, a mountain bike pump track is open daily from sunrise to sunset. Weather- or maintenance-related closures are possible, so check availability before your visit. Davie County Community Park is also home to the 7,350-square-foot Vortex Splashpad, the largest Vortex Splashpad in North Carolina. Since operating details vary by season, it’s a good idea to check the latest information before your visit.

Hands-On Activities and Things to Explore

COGNITION’s makerspace offers courses, workshops, demonstrations, and lectures for young and adult learners. Its exhibits are based on Davie County’s economic sectors and include a farm-to-table theme. COGNITION thus combines hands-on activities with insights into the county’s economic themes. If you’re planning a trip around different interests, you can consider this offering alongside local history, art, or nature as a focus of its own.

Davie County is accessible via regional airports such as Charlotte Douglas International, Piedmont Triad International, and Raleigh-Durham International, as well as the smaller Twin Lakes Airport and Sugar Valley Airport. If you’re looking for a vacation rental, you can choose a location based on your preferred mix of culture, nature, and wine. First consider which of these themes you want to shape your vacation days, then use that to guide your choice.

Explore More Places in the County

If you’d like to narrow your search to specific places, find more information on the town pages for Advance and Mocksville.

Discover more destinations: Hertford County, Beaufort County, Rutherford County, Mcdowell, Davidson County, Stanly County.

Back to the main travel overview: North Carolina.