Gastonia is recognized as one of the best places to live and work with an ideal combination of location, size and quality of life. With outdoor activities such as hiking trails, campgrounds, picnic areas, rock climbing, and fishing to shopping and the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Gastonia’s Great Places: Downtown Gastonia, Schiele Museum, Loray Mill, Rotary Pavilion, South Street Plaza, Crowder’s Mountain State Park, Lineberger Park, Martha Rivers Park, Rankin Lake Park, Optimist Club Park, Sims Legion Park and Ballfield, Avon-Catawaba Greenway, Highland Rail Trail, Center City Park, American Military Museum, Gaston College, Historic Districts, Gastonia Farmers Market and Mary Jo’s.