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Fun Stuff, Cool Stuff, Great Things To Do in
Charlotte!
This area of North Carolina provides easy access for weekend excursions to
the shores of North and South Carolina beaches and day trips to mountain
retreats and resorts. Day trips, Weekend trips, 5 day trips, you name it, it is
here in the Carolinas.
Charlotte and the metro region also have great destinations for a day of
education about our history or just plain fun!
Natives and newcomers always marvel at the seasonal delights of local color
at numerous gardens and nature trails. There is nothing like a weekend in the
mountains in the middle of October. There are a variety of botanical gardens to
visit during all seasons of the year. Whether it’s football at Bank of America
Stadium, race cars at Lowe’s Motor Speedway or amusement rides at Paramount’s
Carowinds, the Charlotte Metro Region provides plenty of places to go and things
to do.
As a newcomer, you can research Charlotte’s past by visiting the Charlotte
Museum of History, Historic Rosedale and Latta Plantation. Reed Gold Mine in
Cabarrus County will take you back to the golden days of this region’s
beginning. York County preserves the Catawba Indian traditions at the Catawba
Cultural Center. And you can revisit our presidential history at James K. Polk
Memorial and the memorial to Andrew Jackson.
Charlotte-Bank of America Stadium
What a stadium! There are no bad seats and there is nothing quite like a late
October Sunday in the stands at the stadium... Particularly after their 2004
Super Bowl debut, the Carolina Panthers’ $165 million black-and-blue stadium
dominates its end of Uptown and is worth a trip even when no game’s scheduled.
Tours are conducted each Wednesday and group tours can be scheduled during the
week.
800 S. Mint St. 704-358-7000. www.cpanthers.com/stadium
Carolina Raptor Center
See bald and golden eagles, owls, hawks and other birds of prey at this
center, located at Latta Plantation Park. Fascinating for science and nature
lovers. 6000 Sample Road, Huntersville. 704-875-6521.
www.carolinaraptorcenter.org
Charlotte Museum of History/Hezekiah Alexander Homesite
Discover how earlier Charlotteans lived at this complex, which includes the
city’s oldest dwelling, dating back to 1774. 3500 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte.
704-568-1774. www.charlottemuseum.org
Charlotte Trolley and Trolley Museum
Board the trolley at the Atherton Mill complex in South End for a ride. 2104
South Blvd., Charlotte. 704-375-0850. www.charlottetrolley.org
City Tours
For a close-up look at your new city, try a tour. Companies include Around
Town, 704-332-3234, www.aroundtownclt.com; Queen City Tours, 704-566-0104,
www.queencitytours.com
Discovery Place
Designed for children, you'll love this too. Science and technology take
center stage at this hands-on museum, which includes a rain forest, collections
gallery, Life Center, Science Circus, the Kelly Space Voyager Planetarium, the
Charlotte Observer/ OMNIMAX Theatre, the Challenger Learning Center, an aquarium
and KidsPlace toddler room. 301 N. Tryon St. 704-372-6261.
www.discoveryplace.org
ImaginOn
Our nationally recognized Children's Library, opened October, 2006.
EnergyExplorium
Learn about different forms of energy with hands-on exhibits at McGuire
Nuclear Station.
13339 Hagers Ferry Road, Huntersville. 704-875-5600. www.dukepower.com
Hickory Furniture Mart
The nation’s leading home furnishings resource. A hundred factory stores,
outlets and galleries offering a thousand lines, most sold at discount. Hotel,
restaurant, shipping service. 800/462-MART, www.hickoryfurniture.com.
Historic Rosedale
This home and eight acres were once the centerpiece of a 911-acre plantation.
3427 N. Tryon St., Charlotte. 704-335-0325. http://libweb.uncc.edu/archives/crhc/rosedale.htm
Latta Place
Catch a glimpse of backcountry life at this circa-1800 home in Latta
Plantation Park.
5225 Sample Rd., Huntersville. 704-875-2312. www.lattaplantation.org
McDowell Nature Center
Delight kids with the creepy, crawly insects featured at this education
center and the surrounding 1,108-acre McDowell Park on Lake Wylie. 15222 York
Road, Charlotte. 704-588-5224.
Nature Museum
Nature Museum is the newly renovated children’s museum near Freedom Park.
1658 Sterling Road, Charlotte. 704-372-6261. www.discoveryplace.org
Paramount’s Carowinds
Visitors of all ages will enjoy this amusement park. Opens weekends in March,
then a long summer season. New rides, water park and performances each year.
14523 Carowinds Blvd., Charlotte. 704-588-2600. www.carowinds.com
James K. Polk Memorial
This rustic memorial pays tribute to the nation’s 11th president, born here
in 1795.
300 S. Polk Street, Pineville. 704-889-7145. www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/sections/hs/polk/polk.htm
UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens
Take a break from city life at three green spots: the Van Landingham Glen, a
rhododendron garden; the Susie Harwood Garden, with year-round displays; and the
McMillan Greenhouse, which includes a rain forest and orchids. UNC Charlotte,
9201 University Blvd., Charlotte.
704-687-2364. http://gardens.uncc.edu
Wing Haven
A garden and bird sanctuary in Myers Park. 248 Ridgewood Ave., Charlotte.
704-331-0664. www.winghavengardens.com
Cabarrus County
Backing Up Classics
History hits the road at this car museum near Lowe’s Motor Speedway.
NASCAR Hall of Fame is Coming to Charlotte!
4545 U.S. 29, Concord.
704-788-9500. www.backingupclassics.com
Lowe’s Motor Speedway
The Home of Nascar... Visit Charlotte’s superspeedway on a tour that includes
pit road and the garage area. On days when the track isn’t in use, you can also
ride around the 1.5-mile oval.
5555 Concord Pwky. South, Concord. 704-455-3202. www.lowesmotorspeedway.com
Reed Gold Mine
Cabarrus County was the site of the nation’s first authenticated gold find. A
great day trip. 9621 Reed Mine Rd., Stanfield. 704-721-4653.
www.itpi.dpi.state.nc.us/reed
Iredell County
N.C. Auto Racing Hall of Fame
Winning Winston Cup and Indy cars park alongside dragsters in this salute to
the history and heroes of auto racing. 119 Knob Hill Rd., Mooresville.
704-663-5331. www.ncarhof.com
Racers’ shops Mooresville
Nicknamed Race City USA, Mooresville is home to many NASCAR racing teams that
welcome fans for shop tours and souvenir shopping. For locations visit the N.C.
Auto Racing Hall of Fame.
Union County
Museum of the Alphabet
Learn how man’s alphabets and languages developed and how Wycliffe Bible
Translators develop written representations of spoken languages. 6409 Davis
Road, Waxhaw. 704-843-6000. www.jaars.org/museum/alphabet/index.htm
Museum of the Waxhaws/Andrew Jackson Memorial
President Andrew Jackson, “Old Hickory,” grew up nearby. 8215 Waxhaw Highway
(75 East) 704-843-1832. www.perigee.net/~mwaxhaw
Gaston County
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
Spread out over 110 acres, these gardens feature colorful flowers,
distinctive plants, fountains and trails. 6500 South New Hope Road, Belmont.
704-825-4490. ww.dsbg.org
York County, S.C.
Anne Springs Close Greenway
This protected natural area of more than 2,000 acres includes 14 miles of
trails, a nature center and a 35-acre reservoir for fishing. 1600 U.S. 21
Bypass, Fort Mill. 803-547-1003. www.leroysprings.com/greenway.html
Catawba Cultural Center
This center on the Catawba Indian Reservation preserves the culture of the
Catawba Nation with an emphasis on literature and crafts. 1536 Tom Steven Road,
Rock Hill. 803-328-2427.
www.ccppcrafts.com
Museum of York County
Films, planetarium, art galleries, nature trail land exhibits including more
than 200 mounted African animals. 4621 Mount Gallant Rd., Rock Hill, S.C.
803-329-2121. www.yorkcounty.org
Festivals and Special Events
The Charlotte region hops with great events, festivals, sports events and
activities of all kinds to suit any interest. Here’s a brief look at some
perennial favorites; keep an eye on local newspapers, radio and TV for others.
Street festivals are among Charlotte’s most popular events. CityFest Live! (www.centercityfest.com)
in May brings folks Uptown for a weekend of big-name musical entertainment, arts
and crafts displays and food. Festival in the Park (www.festivalinthepark.org),
an arts and crafts festival around Freedom Park’s lake, appears every September.
Several festivals celebrate Charlotte’s international and ethnic ties,
including the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Irish Festival (www.charlottestpatsday.com)
in March, the Loch Norman Highland Games (www.ruralfarm.org) near Davidson in
April, the Yiasou Greek Festival (www.greekorthodoxclt.org) in September and UNC
Charlotte’s International Festival (www.uncc.edu/ifest) in October. Novello (www.novellofestival.net),
a festival sponsored by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library, draws thousands in
October to hear authors such as novelist Tom Clancy and reporter Bob Woodward of
Watergate fame.
Rock Hill, S.C., invites visitors to its 11-day Come-See-Me festival in April
and to Yap Ye Iswa (www.ccppcrafts.com), or the Day of the Catawbas, which is
celebrated on the Catawba Indian reservation near Rock Hill in November.
Sports events always draw big crowds in and around Charlotte. Here are some
of the biggest: the Charlotte Observer Run for Peace Marathon (www.runforpeace.active.com),
the Queens Cup Steeplechase (www.queenscup.org) at Mineral Springs in Union
County in April, The Wachovia Championship PGA tournament (www.wachoviachampionship.com)
in May at Quail Hollow Country Club and the Charlotte Ultraswim (www.justswimmac.org/ultraswim)
in June.
NASCAR races roar twice a year at Lowe’s Motor Speedway (www.lowesmotorspeedway.com),
including race week with The Nextel and Coca-Cola 600 in May and the UAW-GM
Quality 500 in October. Racing excitement spills from the speedway into Uptown
Charlotte during Speed Week each May. You can enjoy a parade, fireworks,
entertainment, food and special events leading up to the Coca-Cola 600.
Holidays are prime times for fun. Fireworks and a concert spark the city’s
Fourth of July festivities. On Thanksgiving, the Carolinas Carousel Parade
salutes princesses chosen from area high schools and opens the Christmas season
with Santa’s arrival.
Folks who love collecting ideas for their homes will enjoy the many home
tours. The Mint Museum (www.mintmuseum.org) sponsors two of the best – the Home
and Garden Tour in April and the Antiques Show in October. The Charlotte
Symphony Guild (www.symphonyguildcharlotte.org) sponsors the ASID Designer House
each September. The Home Builders Association of Charlotte (www.hbacharlotte.com)
presents HomeArama each spring. Many neighborhood groups and private companies
also sponsor home tours throughout the year, where you can look at renovated
older homes or spectacular new ones.
Many organizations sponsor exhibits and trade shows at the Charlotte
Merchandise Mart, the Charlotte Convention Center and other sites around town.
Southern Shows Inc. (www.southernshows.com) sponsors several Charlotte
favorites, including the Southern Spring Show in February-March, the Southern
Ideal Home Show in September-October and the Southern Christmas Show in
November.
Do you need a home in a hurry?
Try this new page
to see new and resale homes you can get in to in
30-45 days. Thinking New? I can help you there too.
 At any time you may Clik
on
Lets Look at
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that will put more than 15000 homes for sale at your finger tips.. You'll be asked to register
your name and e-mail, and it only takes a minute. Though a phone number is not required it is
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calculate your mortgages and check schools there too!
Are you making a
change this year? Job, home, new family, new city? This is an
information packed website- if you need a home in a hurry, first
thing you will need is some context to the whole thing... in other words, "Where
would be a good place in the Charlotte area for me (my family) to live?"
See the Relocation page to get started answering
this big question, then you can look for homes in areas you are interested it...if
you want to search the multiple listings for homes, you'll
want to visit my user friendly search site at
Wilkinson and Associates , the most
forward thinking broker and website in the state. There you can save listings,
sign up for listing alerts and even IM me. This is a great partner site my
customers love! You can find links to Fun Things, Schools, Business Groups, Mother's groups and more at
Great
Charlotte Links.
If you move here, you will feel at home here
quickly because Charlotte is a city of what I
call "imports." I can call us that- I came here 11 years ago from NYC and
Washington DC before that. Charlotte is a large modern city in the south, but
not a Southern city. It is frequently called the capital of the New South.
We are now the second largest financial center in the United States-- a far
distance from the past.
2005, like every year, will be about choices, and Charlotte has them all! Lake
living, country club living, family friendly communities, over 55 communities,
urban living, in-town living, suburban, horse country-- you name it, Charlotte
or one of its nearby neighbors has it! New Home Communities abound. Immediately
available, Inventory Homes, often are the best value. Many of these are offering
eye-popping $10-20000 of discounts.
And I can help with the big question every
newcomer has: "Where do we want to live?"
Or, said another way, where would a family like ours most likely be happy? No,
I can't answer it for you, but I can show you some alternatives and where to
look to find the answer for you and your family.
Are you buying
a home? Charlotte has a terrific new home industry,
with new homes available in just about every community and every price point.
Well known national builders line up side by side with Charlotte's best
providing our buyers with quite a selection. New homes account for
about half of the Charlotte home sales. About half of those who buy use
agents. Find out why you you need a buyer agent at a
new home site here.
Use us or
use someone else, but every buyer needs representation!
Are you buying land? I know where
the land is, I know the builders reputation for quality and design, and when
there are deals I can find them!!
Albemarle Belmont Charlotte Cornelius Davidson Denver Gastonia Huntersville
Lake Wylie Matthews Mooresville Weddington
Wesley Chapel
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a south Charlotte Home 
Matthews Presbyterian Hospital
