If you are a person who enjoys the outdoors, Mayhew, North Carolina, maybe the perfect spot for you. With Lake Norman to the west and plenty of wooded hiking trails to the east, Mayhew is ideal for adventurers and thrill seekers. Some portions of Lake Norman are within walking distance of Mayhew, with plenty of points for locals to fish. Those looking to spend a day on the water don't have to drive very far. The state's largest man-made lake has plenty of places to rent kayaks and canoes, countless beautiful places to take a boat, and great opportunities to swim and enjoy the sunshine. Lake Norman also hosts several theatre events and plays.

Take in the sunshine at one of the nearby parks. You'll find Stumpy Creek and Cornelius Road Park just north of Mayhew. The latter has picnic shelters and playgrounds, while the former includes a dog park and hosts sports tournaments that raise money for the community. To the east, you'll find Bellingham, Reed Creek, and Glenwood Memorial Parks. Across the lake, you can explore nearly 20 miles of multi-use trails, a mountain bike skills course, pickleball courts, paved ADA-accessible trails, and more at Mountain Creek Park.

If hiking isn't your thing, you could visit the Mooresville Dragway just a few miles outside Mayhew. Race car drivers, pit bikes, ATVs, and UTVs are allowed. The strip lets drivers and their teams camp overnight and grill if they want to and often hosts live music concerts.

You can also spend the day outside at Carrigan Farms. The Carrigan family settled in the area in the 1750s and eventually created a tobacco and cotton farm. The farm transformed through the years to focus on dairy and row crops. Today, the fifth-generation family farm offers pick-your-own outings for strawberries, apples, pumpkins, and sunflowers. In October, the family converts the farm into a 275-square-acre haunted trail, advertised as the scariest in the region.

Many local eateries capitalize on the spectacular views. The Lake Norman Tavern has plenty of choices, like steamed mussels and "key largo nachos" with sashimi tuna on top as appetizers. Try grilled salmon, seared tuna, or Mahi Mahi for your main course.

Shoals Saloon and Grill is another great choice that could please most palates. On its list of specials, you'll find discounts on food and drinks, plus listings for local bands. You can listen to live music as you explore their wide menu, featuring everything from baby back ribs to fettuccini alfredo and ahi tuna to a Reuben sandwich, low country boil, and pimento cheeseburgers.

Check out the small-batch bakery Carolina Pie Company if you've got a sweet tooth. They offer fresh-made goodies separated into the categories "Rich & Gooey," "Fresh & Fruity," and "Cool & Creamy." The shop has an incredible variety, but some are seasonal, like Apple Cranberry Crumble in the Fall and Strawberry Peach in the Spring.

North Carolina is known for its arts and culture, gorgeous state parks and expansive mountain ranges, and charming feel with booming industries. Unfortunately, it's also known for having one of the worst mosquito problems in the nation, plus its fair share of other pests like termites, bed bugs, spiders, and rodents. The experts with your local veteran-run company At Ease Pest Solutions are focused on making sure to keep North Carolina's communities as pest-free as possible. That means ensuring our clients can focus on Mayhew's beauty, not its bugs, and North Carolina's rarity, not its rodents. Contact At Ease Pest Solutions today to set up an estimate.