Thrive in Every Way
Hickory, Our Hometown
Our location is one reason students thrive here.
At Lenoir‑Rhyne, the city of Hickory and the surrounding region offer more than a degree—they give you a sense of community. You’ll make lifelong friends, connect with local employers, enjoy arts and recreation and truly live well. Our hometown is an extension of campus: welcoming, engaging and full of opportunity.
Located just an hour from both Charlotte and Asheville, Hickory is perfectly positioned between the mountains and the coast.
Explore Hickory, Our Hometown
From science center adventures and outdoor scenic beauty to the arts and culinary feasts, the Hickory region truly is a place to relax, explore and experience a well-crafted life.
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Dining & Things to Do
Hickory, North Carolina is a beautiful place to live, offers the amenities of a large city while basking in small-town charm. Hickory is also close to many large cities, including Charlotte and Asheville.
Enjoy Local Dining
- The Olde Hickory Tap Room
- Olde Hickory Station
- Backstreets Bar and Grill
- Café Rule
- Hannah's BBQ and more
Discover Activities
- Attend a Hickory Crawdads minor league baseball game (Texas Rangers affiliate)
- Enjoy a boat ride on Lake Hickory
- Take a walk in Glenn Hilton Park
- Indulge at the Farmer's Market
- Explore local shops a short walk away on the city and check out events, such as The Sails Original Music Series, in downtown Hickory
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Hickory Trail - City Walk & River Walk
Hickory Trail includes more than 10 miles of pedestrian-friendly walking and biking paths. Weaving its way through Downtown Hickory, past works of art and along Lake Hickory’s tree-lined banks, the terrain of the Hickory Trail changes from railroad to sidewalk to boardwalk as it goes. A series of smaller strolls make up the complete Hickory Trail. These include the City Walk, with breathtaking views of downtown; the OLLE Art Walk, which showcases installations from talented local artists and the Historic Ridgeview Walk, immersing visitors in Hickory’s rich cultural heritage.
The walks and trail offer safety for bicyclists and pedestrians as you explore popular destinations throughout the city. Start at Lenoir Rhyne, then make your way through the park-like setting of 1st Avenue in downtown Hickory. It will eventually connect to the riverwalk portion of the route, where serene Lake Hickory along the Catawba River awaits.
City Walk and River Walk allow you to easily connect to LR, shops, services and offices and are great places for students, residents and visitors to enjoy.
View Hickory Trail Information -
50+ Parks & Outdoor Adventure
With 50+ parks and trails in Catawba County and the Hickory Metro, there are tons of outdoor adventures abounding in our area.
View Parks & Trails
Nationally Ranked & Recognized
Hickory has been nationally recognized by Travel + Leisure and U.S. News & World Report as one of the most beautiful and affordable places to live in the United States. The city consistently ranks high for value, job market strength and quality of life.
Forbes has also highlighted the region for its low business costs and strong economic environment.
Hickory’s growing economy and vibrant downtown create an ideal environment for both personal and professional growth. Whether you're pursuing an internship at a local hospital, working with a tech startup or launching a creative project, you’ll find meaningful opportunities just minutes from campus.
From affordable living and accessible entertainment to a strong sense of community, Hickory is the kind of place where you can put down roots. It's not just where you’ll go to college—it’s where you’ll build lasting connections and discover who you're becoming.
Combine College with Your Love of Outdoor Adventure
We believe that preparation and a strong foundation are key. That’s why we want students like you to take advantage of all of the resources and opportunities that will help in determining your career path.
Some 98% of Lenoir-Rhyne graduates are employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation and U.S. News & World Report lists LR as a Top 40 School for Social Mobility and Best Value in the South.
Our Hickory location combines the best of all worlds for classroom study, student research, internship opportunities and outdoor fun. We are close to lakes, rivers, mountains and outdoor activities are plenty, which makes attending college in Hickory, an easy decision.
News & Events
As Whitney Stewart ’25 begins her nursing career, she’s guided by Brenda Watson ’64 — one of LR’s first nursing graduates and her soon-to-be grandmother-in-law.
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The countdown to inauguration has begun. LR has formed a cross-campus committee to plan the celebration of President Summer McGee’s official installation this October.
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