Are You Ready to Explore…Gastonia?
Post by Ben - 10/31/2024
Charlotte’s smaller, admittedly weirder, neighbor across the river often gets derided or, at the very least, overlooked. But Gastonia is not all I-85 traffic jams and people telling you Fred Durst once lived there. It’s also home to lots of cool people who are trying to make their way in the world, just like you. If you find yourself here climbing Crowders Mountain, on your way to Western NC, or visiting your friends who make you come to their like once a year, take some time to see what this place has to offer.
Keepsake is a newer addition to the burgeoning brewery scene in Gastonia, opening just this year. With its well situated beer garden and free goldfish and apple juice for kids, it makes an afternoon with your family even more enjoyable. A small, focused beer menu will please everyone. Pro tip: If you have little kids, bring trucks because the gravel is great for some good jobsite play time.
This Durham based taproom is the newest brewery in Gastonia. Located across from the baseball stadium, it has an open feel that will help you prepare for a fun game. Or, just hang out there eating grilled cheese and catching home runs (it’s past the fence in center field so it would have to be quite the dinger). With pinball and some other games, it would probably keep bigger kids occupied, but there is plenty of patio space to wander around with if you have a little one who needs to go go go.
The oldest brewery of Gastonia has been creating a community oriented space for years before the other newcomers. With eclectic decor, eclectic brewing styles, and a jam packed calendar of events, it’s always got something going on there. Kids will enjoy a little space to explore outside (although, watch out for that busy road), pizza and good food, and a huge shelf of table games. It makes for a great stop if you are on the road just passing through as well (right off of 321).
Cavendish’s Great Games Shelf
Yes, that is an Othello game. It is not what I thought it was at all.