Area Spotlight: Cornelius

Lake Norman’s Finest

Close your eyes and think of the most idyllic little North Carolina lake town that you can. Does it have a quant Main Street? Does it have golden Summer sunlight that just drips down from the trees and onto your shoulders? Does it have family barbecues by the lakeside and cute boutiques and beautiful backyards? That’s Cornelius.

Situated along Lake Norman in the northern section of Mecklenburg County, Cornelius is simply a little slice of heaven. Established in 1905, the original town of Liverpool was a milling and farming community. The name was changed to Cornelius to honor Joseph Benjamin Cornelius, the primary investor behind the town’s main cotton mill. The mill grew, the town flourished, and today it represents both the quiet pace of a farm town and the hustle of an active lakeside Charlotte suburb. There’s something for everyone.

Life is Better on the Lake

With a shoreline of more than 50 miles, Cornelius residents love anything and everything to do with water. Paddleboarding, jetskiing, boating, swimming, or fishing: if it involves water, Cornelius has it. Enjoy favorite waterside parks like Jetton Park, Ramsey Creek Park, or Robbin’s Park. These options also offer dry land fun like tennis, disc golf, and playgrounds along with hiking, biking, and running trails.

Food with a view is another favorite in Cornelius. The town boasts several waterfront restaurants featuring world class cuisine. Try Port City Club, a high-end 4-star rated restaurant, or Hello Sailor, a cute and modern eatery with nods to Midcentury Modern decor.

Looking for Main Street? You’ll find that history meets present day. Old warehouses and historic structures are repurposed into unique brew houses and eateries like Old Town Public House or treasure filled shops like Oak Street Mill Antiques. A visit to the historic downtown is the perfect break from all that surf-and-sun.

All of this quaint perfection is located a mere 20 miles from Uptown Charlotte straight  up I-77. Keep your fast-paced job in the big city and retreat to Cornelius to unwind. There’s something deep inside your soul that stirs when you imagine what it’s like to live in Cornelius. It’s true Americana. It’s true perfection. It’s truly home.