Right along the eastern border of Iredell County, you'll find the community of Cool Springs. The rural area carries a family-friendly southern charm, with many residents having passed generations there. The location still takes care to honor its history, with buildings from the 19th century still standing today. Iredell County was formed in 1788 and named for one of the original Supreme Court Justices, James Iredell, despite the judge having never set foot in the county. Likewise, the township of Cool Springs bears the name despite a lack of nearby springs. Instead, it's close to the Yadkin River and several creeks that run from it.

Dog lovers are at home in Cool Springs since Airhart Farms dog breeders are right down the road. The farm breeds a variety of Goldendoodles and sits at the Henry Turner House and Caldwell-Turner Mill Site. The property was built in 1860 and is now marked as a national historic district. The dogs have a 2-year health guarantee and are dewormed, vaccinated, and microchipped.

If you're in the mood for something spooky, check out the Midway Wicked Woods, which has been operating for over 25 years. Guests take a wagon to a haunted graveyard, an unguided maze, a 3D clown room, and a spinning "Tunnel of Terror." The whole thing started as a campsite but then expanded to a hayride and trail and eventually grew into the terrifying attraction it is today.

You may want to check out Running T Farms if you're a meat lover. Their beef is pasture-raised and grass-fed, and the cows spend their lives without being exposed to growth hormones or antibiotics. You can show up at the farm to see the variety of steaks, chops, and ground options. If you can't leave there with enough food, order ahead to get the meat shipped with freezer packets.

If you're interested in Dairy, check out Dusty Road Jersey Farm. The family-owned company sells milk, as well as some of the cows. The family sends cows to competition and has worked on their genetics through years of breeding to produce the best milk possible.

If you'd rather have someone else prepare your dinner, try Keaton's Original Barbecue, a place that brands itself as a "no-frills" chicken joint. The spot's barbecue sauce recipe was solidified in 1953 and is still used today on their chicken and barbecue pork sandwiches. The meats are served with sides like hot vinegar spicy slaw, potato salad, green beans, and corn.

Koong Thai is another nearby option. Although Thai is in the name, the restaurant also serves Japanese Teppanyaki, allowing you to choose combination platters cooked hibachi style. Koong Thai has an array of traditional dishes like larb, tom yum soup, and curry.

Cool Springs is a great place to live or visit. With the beautiful state parks and wildlife refuges across North Carolina, you might think bugs would keep to those areas, but that isn't the case. If you find your home or business overrun with pests, look no further than the locally owned and operated At Ease Pest Solutions. We are the area's leading exterminators, so contact us today for an estimate for all your pest control needs.