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Charlotte, North Carolina, has a great
deal to offer anyone interested in getting away from it all and
finding a comfortable and interesting place to stay. Located in
beautiful countryside, Charlotte is a congenial southern town, where
hospitality is taken very seriously and guests always feel welcome.
At the same time, it is a bustling cosmopolitan city, home to the
NFL Panthers and the NBA Hornets.
Charlotte's outdoor activities include sightseeing in the beautiful
countryside as well as a number of more structured events. Charlotte
offers over 14,000 acres of parks and 17 designated recreation
centers. Charlotte Metro Zoo prides itself on letting visitors "see
the animals up close," especially its prized collection of large
primates, bears, and big cats. The Lazy 5 Ranch allows visitors to
drive through a real ranch and look at over 600 animals. Visitors
can enjoy the 3 ½ miles safari drive in their own cars or in
horse-drawn wagons. Other outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate
Balloons Over Carolina, offering one-hour balloon rides over
Charlotte and the surrounding environs 7 days a week.
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Two large lakes nearby encourage all
sorts of water sports including water skiing, boating and fishing.
The cities museums and galleries display many of the local crafts
produced by area residents. The Brem House Artisans Gallery and the
Fieldcrest Cannon Textile Museum offer visitors a look at local
handicrafts from past times and the present. The First Light
Fine-Craft Gallery and the Harris Holt Gallery also showcase local
artists and their notable talents. For more traditional art
offerings, visitors should seek out the Mint Art Museum, the first
art museum in North Carolina. Kids will love Discovery Place, rated
one of the top hands-on science museums in the country.
North Carolina has become one of the nation's premiere vacation
spots in recent years, and Charlotte is a great place to begin an
exploration of this beautiful state. Natural splendor is only a
short drive away from this city, whether one is looking for famous
beaches or the Blue Ridge Mountains. There is a lot to see and
explore in this remarkable southern city, so visitors are advised to
plan ahead. |
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Wing Haven
Gardens and Bird Sanctuary
Once a private residence, Wing Haven features four acres filled with
woods, formal gardens and walks. The gardens, designed as a bird
sanctuary, provide plenty of food and shelter for numerous species of
birds. Visitors can also tour the home and visit the garden shop.
UNC-Charlotte
Botanical Gardens
These gardens feature hundreds of varieties of flowers, from roses to
rhododendron to crepe myrtles to cymbidium orchids. The Van Landingham
Glen, one of the leading rhododendron gardens in the Southeast, and the
Susie Harwood Garden with its Oriental gazebo, winter garden, and plants
from around the world, are both open to the public daily during daylight
hours. A special highlight of the Greenhouse is a two-story simulated
rain forest. The Greenhouse also offers a number of other climate areas
which house desert plants, winter-flowering orchids, carnivorous pitcher
plants and many others.
The Energy Explorium at Lake Norman
Located at McGuire Nuclear Station, the Explorium features a a number of
hands-on exhibits and interactive games designed to introduce and
educate kids about the wonders of atomic power generation. The Explorium
also offers a mile-long nature trail, wildflower garden, and picnic
area.
Paramount's
Carowinds Water and Theme Park
Paramount's Carowinds Water and Theme Park commands over 100 acres and
includes more than 50 roller coasters and thrill rides. The WaterWorks
boasts water slides, a river ride, and a wave pool. The Drop Zone hoists
you and your loved ones up100 feet and gives you a serious scare as it
(safely) drops you. The Carolina Cyclone coaster includes four
consecutive 360-degree loops and a 450-degree uphill helix. Top Gun: The
Jet Coaster is an inverted steel coaster (the only one in the Carolinas)
with floorless cars suspended below the track; its six stomach-churning
inversions challenge even veteran riders. For a break from the thrill
seeking, visitors might want to head over to the Family Fun area that
features kid-paced attractions and rides, with several life-size Hanna-Barbera
and Nickelodeon cartoon characters roaming the streets.
Carolina
Raptor Center
Visitors to the Carolina Raptor Center can watch wild birds of prey rip
up their lunch and eat it on the spot. Located within the Latta Preserve
complex, the Raptor Center is an outdoor recreation spot with an
educational bonus. The center focuses on research and rehabilitation,
helping injured birds heal and return safely back into the wild. Indoor
facilities house a visitor center and exhibits, while outdoors
attractions include plenty of aviaries where you can get up close to the
scary birds of prey.
Charlotte Metro Zoo
Large cats, primates, bears, and reptiles call this zoo home, and
there's a large petting zoo for the kids. Bring a lunch and enjoy the
picnic facilities.
Charlotte
Museum of History
Recently expanded to cover 36,000 square feet, the Charlotte Museum of
History now emphasizes three themes: freedom, the influence of our
environment, and the changing face of Charlotte. The museum is near the
Hezekiah Alexander house, home to a Carolinian who signed the
Declaration of Independence and co-framed the first North Carolina State
Constitution and Bill of Rights. Built in 1774, it's the oldest original
structure in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. On the homesite tour,
guides in authentic colonial dress will show you around. After checking
out the house, visitors can enjoy the museum's collection of art and
objects from around the world, dating from pre-colonial times to the
20th century.
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Charlotte Trolley and
Museum
This museum features the last surviving trolley (since 1938) in
Charlotte. The trolly ride will take you about 1/2 mile from Atherton
Mill and back again. The conductors gladly point out items of interest
along the way, making for a good tour of the area. The Museum contains
several trolley cars in the process of being renovated; also offered are
historical displays on the role of the streetcar in Charlotte's history,
photos of trolleys around the world, and the trolly-themed gift shop.
Crowders Mountain State Park
Crowders Mountain State Park will challenge the experienced as well as
the novice climber, and is perfect for both lead and top-rope climbing.
For the hiker, Crowders offers 12 miles of scenic, and somewhat
strenuous, hiking trails. Spacious picnic areas and a nine-acre lake
with canoe rentals are also available within the park.
Daniel Stowe
Botanical Garden
Charlotte's newest attraction is located on the banks of Lake Wylie and
has recently expanded to 110 new acres comprising four major gardens:
the Perennial garden, the Cottage garden, the Four Seasons garden and
the Canal garden. The gardens' managers have designed a Southern-style
visitors center framed by enormous white columns and topped with an
authentic stained glass roof. With many species ranging from crepe
myrtle and gromfina to roses and sweet potato plants, the Botanical
Garden offers plenty to see.
Discovery Place
This museum features some of the coolest science exhibits around,
including the "Sparks, Anyone?" electricity demonstration of an enormous
Van der Graaf generator crackling with menacing-appearing blue lightning
bolts. There's also a giant walk-through replica of a human eyeball and
an assortment of animatronic dinosaurs, complete with sound effects. A
three-story rainforest, aquarium, NASA control-room simulation, and
other hands-on areas offer plenty to keep kids and adults busy.
Historic Latta
Plantation
The house, built in the early 1800s by prosperous traveling merchant
James Latta, has been carefully restored and refurbished with antiques
approximating, as closely as possible, the Lattas' original furnishings.
Several personable and knowledgeable costumed guides lead tours
throughout the two-story, Federal-style home. Visitors should be
prepared to make a day of it -- Latta Place is just one of Latta
Plantation Park's many offerings. The Carolina Raptor Center, an
Equestrian Center, canoe rentals, and picnic areas also await guests.
Independence Park
Newly remodeled Independence Park is located in the popular Elizabeth
and Chantilly neighborhoods near the hospitals and downtown Charlotte.
The park has big playgrounds with new, lead-free equipment for the kids
including a special toddler area, as well as soccer fields, basketball
courts and nearby tennis courts.
NASCAR Silicon Motor Speedway
Anyone who's ever thought about driving a real Winston Cup racing car
should jump at the chance to visit this part of the Concord Mills
Shopping Mall. Visitors strap themselves in to one of 12 fully-equipped,
750-horsepower interactive stock cars and take it for a virtual spin.
All the motions, sights and sounds of the races are there. |
