Davidson, North Carolina

Davidson rests on the east shore of 33,000-acre Lake Norman in southwestern North Carolina and receives good reviews all around. Just 20 miles north of Charlotte, it is the home of Davidson College (1,800 students), a selective liberal arts institution, and it is dog-friendly, pedestrian-friendly and bicycle-friendly.

The charming downtown has red brick sidewalks, fun shops and inviting outdoor cafes. Locals also enjoy miles of walkways and greenways. Davidson College boasts an art gallery, a theater, an arboretum, a concert hall, a sculpture gallery, a symphony, a jazz ensemble and a chorale. All are open to the public. 

The town encourages volunteerism and is home to numerous non-profits, including the Davidson Community Players, ReadDavidson, the Davidson Land Conservancy, and the Davidson Farmers’ Market. The Gallery Crawl, Town Day, and Concerts on the Green are just a few of the many events and festivals.

Neighborhoods are leafy and well-tended with newer bungalows, arts and craft styles, Craftsmans, Georgians and Colonials. Many have a community boat dock. While homes cover most of the shoreline, Roosevelt Wilson Park has boardwalks, and Parham Park is the place to launch a canoe or kayak.