Gastonia, North Carolina NC Hotels/Motels/Lodging

This is the current conditions weather report for Gastonia. The report was made 38 minutes ago, at 01:54 UTC. The temperature was 34°F / 1°C, with a dew-point at 34°F / 1°C. The atmospheric pressure was 30.33 inHg / 1028 hPa. The relative humidity was 51%. The skies were clear.

Gastonia is a city in Gaston County in North Carolina, a state in the southeastern United States of America.

As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 66,277 (68,964 is the 2005 Census Bureau estimated population). It is the county seat of Gaston County. It is considered part of the Charlotte metropolitan area, aka Metrolina. After Charlotte, Gastonia is the second largest city in the metropolitan area (in population). As one of the key cities in the Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), Gastonia has experienced steady growth, with a population change during the 1990s (according the US Census Bureau) of more than +10%.

Colleges and Universities:
Although there are no colleges or universities within the city limits of Gastonia, higher education is well represented in the greater Gastonia area. Gaston County is home to Belmont Abbey College (Belmont; 4-year) and Gaston College (Dallas, Belmont; 2-year).

Attractions:
Gastonia and surrounding areas are home to several notable cultural centers.

The Schiele Museum of Natural History is located east of downtown on Garrison Boulevard. The main branch of the Gaston-Lincoln Regional Library System is right across the street from the Schiele Museum. The Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is located just southeast of the city on NC 279. The U.S. National Whitewater Center (located on the Catawba River) is east of the city in neighboring Mecklenburg County, NC.

Gastonia and Gaston County have a varied topography, with the maximum elevations of 1,690 feet (King's Pinnacle) and 1,625 (Crowder's Mountain) both located in the Crowders Mountain State Park, part of which is located within the city limits of Gastonia, several miles west of downtown. The park and the peaks within are popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts, and represent the highest elevations in the Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord Metropolitan Statistical Area. A few smaller mountains are also located at the periphery of the city.

There are three major shopping centers in Gastonia:
Westfield Eastridge is a large regional mall and is anchored by Matthews Belk, Dillard's, Sears, JC Penney and Goody's Family Clothing. The mall is also home to 100 specialty stores along with a full-service Food Court. Westfield Eastridge

The smaller Gaston Mall also features a wide variety of specialty stores such as John's Toy & Hobby Shop, Mary Jo's Cloth Store, Sew Much Fun (a Bernina retail store), Lebo's, Sisk Barber Shop, and Jackson's Cafeteria. Additionally anchoring the center is a Harris Teeter grocery store.

Along with the two malls, Franklin Square is another of Gastonia's premier shopping centers. The complex is divided into three Phases. Phase I features a Wal-Mart (one of two in the city), Best Buy, Ross Dress for Less, and Michaels. Phase II is home to Kmart, Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse, and Sam's Club. Phase III is where Kohl's, Old Navy, Books-A-Million, Sports Authority, and a 14-screen movie theater is located. The new Shops at Franklin Square is home the hhgregg and Ashley Furniture Home Store. Other stores are in the works for this newly constructed addition of Franklin Square.

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