8111 Concord Mills Blvd., Concord
704/979-3000
www.concordmills.com

HOURS: Mon.–Sat. 10 a.m.–9:30 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.–7 p.m.

It’s not the biggest mall in North Carolina, and the retailers hawk the same brand-name goodies found at every other mall in the United States, yet Concord Mills has managed to earn the title of top tourist attraction in North Carolina. The mall draws more than 17 million visitors per year, which adds up to more traffic than any other attraction in the state.

The draw is due, at least in part, to the desire to snag a deal (most of the 200 stores in the mall are outlets) from top-name retailers like Banana Republic, Gap, Nike, Disney, Eddie Bauer, and Gymboree. One of the anchor stores is the cavernous Bass Pro Shops, where it’s possible to find camouflage pants, Adirondack chairs, powerboats, hunting rifles, and tents.

Given the size of the store, you’ll likely need to ask for directions to the indoor archery range. There is even an aquarium in the store filled with freshwater fish from the region (though it is frowned upon to try out your new fishing rod in the aquarium).

The mall is also an entertainment outlet of sorts with a 24-screen AMC theater, a host of popular video games and interactive entertainment options at Dave and Buster’s, and a mini–amusement park called NASCAR SpeedPark.