Salisbury’s historic downtown is one of North Carolina’s hidden gems, with many well-preserved historic buildings showcasing a variety of architectural styles. Most buildings in the Salisbury Historic District date from post-Civil War period to the 1920s, but there are some from as early as the 1850s. Most of the historic buildings are currently in use as businesses.
Show up hungry because downtown Salisbury boasts some excellent restaurants and bakeries. There’s also plenty of art and history to explore.
At just 42 miles from Charlotte, it’s close enough to drive for an easy day trip. But if you want to relax and leave the driving to someone else, consider taking the train!
Read on to learn about taking the train to Salisbury, including everything you need to know about the train station, discounts, and more. Then keep reading for an itinerary of things to do in Salisbury when you arrive by train. Or jump right to the itinerary!
We’ve also included a Google map with everything mentioned in this article. Jump to the map.
You might also be interested in our article about taking the train from Charlotte to Raleigh!
Taking the Train from Charlotte to Salisbury
Train Routes Between Charlotte and Salisbury
NC By Train offers three train routes, through Amtrak, that include Charlotte and Salisbury:
Piedmont: The Piedmont stops in Charlotte, Kannapolis, Salisbury, High Point, Greensboro, Burlington, Durham, Cary, and Raleigh.
Carolinian: The Carolinian makes all those stops, and then continues onto Richmond, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York, with stops in Selma, Wilson and Rocky Mount before it leaves North Carolina.
Crescent: The Crescent goes from New Orleans to New York City, with North Carolina stops in Gastonia, Charlotte, Kannapolis, Salisbury, High Point and Greensboro.
Between the three routes, there are five departure times each day from Charlotte, and five return trips.
Where is the Amtrak train station in Charlotte?
The Charlotte Amtrak Station, at 1914 N Tryon Street, Charlotte, North Carolina, is open 24 hours a day. Parking is free, but ask the ticket agent for a parking pass to put on your dashboard.
The station is somewhat bare bones, with wooden pews in the waiting room, a couple of vending machines and restrooms. A new station is in the works for Charlotte. It will be in Uptown Charlotte, at Graham and Trade Streets, and will be a big upgrade from the current station, with shops, hospitality, and connectivity with other transit. But that new station is years from completion.
What’s the train ride like?
The train ride is extremely comfortable, with tons of leg room, free Wi-Fi, electrical outlets for every row, and seats that recline. You can actually recline them without annoying the person behind you, because there’s so much leg room. There is no middle seat.
On the Carolinian there’s a Café Car where you can purchase sandwiches, hot food, snacks, salads, breakfast, and beverages, including non-alcoholic drinks, wine, beer, hard seltzer, spirits and cocktails. On the Café Car, there is table seating.
On the Piedmont, there is a lounge area with vending machines.
How long is the train ride from Charlotte to Salisbury?
It takes between 45 minutes to travel by train from Charlotte to Salisbury, which is very similar to the driving time.
Where is the Amtrak train station in Salisbury?
The Salisbury Amtrak station is at 215 Depot Street, Salisbury, North Carolina, which is right in downtown. You can hop off and start exploring.
What does it cost to take the train from Charlotte to Salisbury?
A round trip ticket between Charlotte and Salisbury costs about $22. If you pay a dollar extra each way, you’ll be able to cancel or change your ticket without penalty. There are several everyday discounts, as well as occasional special offers. Keep reading to learn about discounts. Purchase train tickets.
Discounts on Train Tickets in North Carolina
Some discounts are offered every day. Find a current list of discounts on NC By Train and on Amtrak.
- Kids age 2-12 ride for 50% off. Infants under age 2 ride for free.
- Seniors 65 years of age and over get 10% off.
- Military personnel and their families save 10%.
- Military veterans save 10%.
- Students 17-24 save 15%.
- Discounts are available to passengers with disabilities and up to one traveling companion.
- National Association of Railroad Passengers members save 10%.
- Groups with 3-8 passengers can save up to 60%. More info.
- North Carolina state employees save 15% when traveling within North Carolina on the Carolinian and Piedmont. More info.
Special Events in Salisbury
You might want to plan a visit during a special event. Arriving by train has a big advantage — you don’t need to worry about parking.
Ring in Spring: March 23, 2024. Celebrate springtime with a free, professional photo with the Easter Bunny. There will also be spring crafts, hayrides, snacks and more. At Bell Tower Green. Free event.
Cheerwine Festival: May 18, 2024. This free festival celebrates Cheerwine’s 100+ years in Salisbury, and features live music, vendors, unique Cheerwine merchandise, a kids’ zone and more. Free event.
Buskers’ Bash: October 4, 2024. Musicians and other artists will perform in front of downtown businesses. Shops will stay open late. Vote on your favorites!
Bell Tower BrewFest: October 4, 2024.
Santa & The Grinch: December 7, 2024. Get a free photo with Santa and then ride antique fire trucks with the Grinch and Santa.
Look for updates on Downtown Salisbury’s Facebook page.
What to do in Salisbury When You Arrive by Train
The focus of this article is Downtown Salisbury — places that are walkable from the train station. But if you have the time, and, especially if you’re bringing kids along, you might want to consider two extremely popular, kid-friendly attractions that are close to Salisbury.
North Carolina Transportation Museum, in Spencer, is 3.2 miles away from the Salisbury train station. Dan Nicholas Park, which boasts a miniature train ride, carousel, nature center and more (all seasonal) is 7.2 miles away. Consider Uber/Lyft if either of these attractions fit into your schedule.
Sweet Meadow Cafe
Sweet Meadow Cafe
105 E Fisher Street, Salisbury, NC
.4 miles from Amtrak station
Sweet Meadow Cafe is a farm to fork bistro that features excellent salads, sandwiches, soups, and entrées.
Jasmine’s Creole Kitchen
Jasmine’s Creole Kitchen
127 N Main Street, Salisbury, NC
.2 miles from Amtrak station
Serving up gumbo, shrimp & grits, fried catfish, blackened gator bites, to name just a few options, Jasmine’s is a popular destination for flavor-seeking diners.
Abigail’s Bakery
Abigail’s Bakery
113 N Main Street, Salisbury, NC
.3 miles from Amtrak station
Abigail’s is know for its custom cakes, but it also has plenty of cupcakes, cookies, macarons and more, to help fuel your visit to Salisbury.
Tita’s Cake House
Tita’s Cake House
115 E Innes Street, Salisbury, NC
.3 miles from Amtrak station
You’ll find more than pastries here — Tita’s also serves as a coffee shop and lunch spot.
New Sarum Brewing
New Sarum Brewing Co.
109 N Lee Street, Salisbury, NC
.1 mile from Amtrak station
New Sarum Brewing Co. has a family-friendly and dog-friendly taproom, with all of New Sarum’s year-round beers on tap, plus special small batch beers. You’re welcome to bring food in.
More food!
Some other food spots that were recommended by locals:
- Recipe Restaurant, 111 N Main Street
- Spanky’s Homemade Ice Cream, 101 E Innes Street
- Hap’s Grill, 116 1/2 N Main Street (if you see a line of people around lunchtime you’re probably at Hap’s!)
Rowan Museum
Rowan Museum
202 N Main Street, Salisbury, NC
.2 miles from Amtrak station
Free
Rowan Museum, housed in a 19-century courthouse, tells the story of Rowan County, with exhibits that focus on the county’s earliest inhabitants, all the way through today. Of course, that history includes Cheerwine, which was developed in Salisbury in 1917, and is still manufactured in the city.
South Main Book Company
South Main Book Company
110 S Main Street, Salisbury, NC
.3 miles from Amtrak station
This welcoming bookstore has a huge selection in all categories, a comfy children’s section, and even a “banned book” section, where you can read exactly why a book has been challenged.
Stitchin’ Post Gifts
Stitchin’ Post Gifts
104 S Main Street, Salisbury, NC
.3 miles from Amtrak station
Stitchin’ Post Gifts has been a downtown Salisbury institution since 1975, when it was started by a mother and daughter team. Shop for apparel and general gifts, but also for lots of local souvenirs and products. Yes, of course, there is a Cheerwine section!
Spice & Tea Exchange
Spice & Tea Exchange
115 N Main Street, Salisbury, NC
.3 miles from Amtrak station
Find the perfect tea or spice blend here. There’s also a selection of candles. In short, there’s a lot of good-smelling stuff here! Spice & Tea Exchange can also be found in Downtown Kannapolis, as well as many other locations.
Rail Walk Studios and Gallery
Rail Walk Studios and Gallery
409 N Lee Street, Salisbury, NC
.2 miles from train station
Free
Rail Walk Studios and Gallery houses artist studios and a cooperative gallery in a warehouse building from the 1800s. Make sure to check the website for current visiting hours, which are limited.
Waterworks Visual Arts Center
Waterworks Visual Arts Center
123 E Liberty Street, Salisbury, NC
482 feet from train station
Free
Explore a sculpture courtyard, sensory gardens and several exhibitions. Waterworks. a non-collecting art museum, is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.
Bell Tower Green
Bell Tower Green
120 S. Church Street, Salisbury, NC
.4 miles from Amtrak station
The newest green space in Downtown Salisbury, the 3-acre Bell Tower Green serves as a community gathering spot for concerts, festivals and holiday events. It features a stage, water wall, formal gardens, and lots of open space.
Community Theater
Salisbury has a thriving community theater scene. Piedmont Players Theatre produces 10 shows every season, which you can see at The Meroney Theater, 213 S Main Street, and The Norvell (all youth productions), 135 E Fisher Street.
In addition, Lee Street Theatre, at 329 N Lee Street, presents several shows every year.
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