Just outside Gastonia, North Carolina, you’ll find the neighborhood of Crowders. It’s one place that makes this part of the state so special. Although it’s extremely close to Charlotte, the community makes a name for itself and has plenty to do and see without anyone having to leave the city.

Crowders is named, of course, for the Crowders Mountains within the same County. The State Park is about 8 square miles, but trails run through the mountains, lined with wildflowers and mountain laurel. Pets are welcome along park trails as well. There are also opportunities for other activities like paddle boarding, fishing, rock climbing, and bouldering. The Department of State Parks also offers orienteering courses to learn to use a compass.

Another beautiful place to visit nearby is Martha Rivers Park. It’s named after the daughter of the original landowner. The park spans 20 acres, plus another 34 acres that were initially meant as a school site but now host a youth sports complex. Most children are drawn to a playground that spans an entire acre, primarily covered by a gigantic wooden structure with a fort, race car, slides, swings, and sand pit called The Castle. Across the park, several sports fields include lights so people can still play even if the sun sets. There are also paved walking trails, picnic shelters, two horseshoe courts, and more.

Crowders is under four miles from the South Carolina state line. As soon as you cross the border, you’ll pass Vien Quant Buddhist Monastery. The 22-acre grounds are covered in gorgeous statues and Buddhist temples, which you can access through the fantastic walkways and stairways built into the forest.

Captains Cap as rated the best seafood restaurant in the area recently. The eatery has three locations across North Carolina and has been in business since 1981. The joint serves seafood prepared exactly how you want it, from fried to broiled, with hushpuppies and potatoes on the side.

Another fantastic local establishment is Bep-Pa. The name translates to Dad’s Kitchen, and it’s a kitchen that refuses to be easily defined, serving up dishes from Thailand, Vietnam, Korea, and Japan. There are familiar dishes like wonton soup, plus plenty of authentic and unique ones too. They even have authentic drinks like mogu mogu, Korean rice milk, and basil seed drink.

If you’re into Italian, try out Villa Roma, found extremely close to Crowders. On top of the classics like eggplant parmigiana and stuffed manicotti, Villa Roma offers chef specialties like chopped steak served with mushrooms and onions, veal layered with spices, prosciutto, eggplant, mozzarella, and red sauce.

Places like Crowders are what make At Ease Pest Solutions so proud to be North Carolinians. Our company is owned and operated by locals who served our country in the military and now serve the area. With so much natural beauty at our doorstep, sometimes it’s easy to overlook the pests that plague us. If you have an issue with roaches, ants, spiders, or other creepy crawlies, contact us today before an infestation can get out of hand.