Despite its small size, Littleton offers a lineup of delish dining, eclectic shops and live music worth a daycation drive.
Craving more than a staycay but don’t have time for a vacay? Allow us to propose the perf daycay (aka daytrip) destination. Hop in the car for a quick 1.5-hour venture to the “Gateway to Beautiful Lake Gaston,” the aptly named Littleton (read: little town—it consists of about 1 square mile). The spot is the perf pick for a quick getaway all on its own—or as a warmup before lapping up the Lake Gaston life.
As they say, good things come in small sizes—and this quaint Southern gem is no exception. We recently road-tripped to see, eat and explore Littleton. Here, our takeaways for those seeking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city in lieu of a “little” daycation escape.
LIVE TUNES
Let’s get loud! Find the newly bowed Ed Fitts Amphitheater—brought to the town by the Levitt AMP grant and Littleton locals Ed and Deb Fitts, who have worked tirelessly to revitalize the Downtown area via a ream of revitalization projects—located behind the Lakeland Cultural Arts Center and featuring a summerlong series of free concerts + food trucks on Saturday nights through the end of August. To boot, find an array of acts and shows on deck at the arts center heading into the fall. Play on…
Photo by Anthony Comella
EAT & DRINK
Hungry for local eats and drinks? Wander down the downtown strip and meander into Main Street Wines to uncork a vino for any and every occasion; sip a java and grab a gourmet treat from Daphne’s Coffee Shop; or tuck into plates on plates of fab seasonal fare from executive chef Ashleigh Fleming of Blue Jay Bistro (Pro tip: the Blue Jay cocktail is a must-order!). Did we mention the cappuccinos are ubercute?!
Blue Jay Bistro, photo by Anthony Comella
SHOP
Seeking a shopping adventure? Step into mother-and-daughter-run Frank’s Fine Arts for a mix of established and up-and-coming artist works. And if you’re feeling a hands-on experience, sign up for a class to learn how to make leather bags, phone pouches or belts with co-owner Cathy Wiggins. Keep strolling for home furnishings and gourmet goodies at The Village Market, or lock in your lake-day gear over at Lake Gaston Outfitters. Ah, for the love of retail therapy!
COMING SOON
Littleton is on the up-and-up, with more exciting concepts coming down the pipeline for the growing town. From Timber Waters Brewery (slated for a spring 2024 opening) to Main Street Mercantile (anticipated to debut this fall), Littleton only continues to amp itself up as an ideal daycay destination, giving visitors all the more to look forward to. Weekend plans, found!
