Charlotte (pop. 400,000), North Carolina's largest city, lies in the south-west of the state. It is named after Charlotte of Mecklenburg, wife of King George II: hence also the name of Mecklenburg County, in which it is situated. Charlotte/Douglas Airport is one of the most important inland airports in the eastern United States. Features of interest in Charlotte are the Mint Museum of Art (European, African and American art), housed in the former Mint; the Discovery Place, a science museum with the largest planetarium in the United States; and the Charlotte Museum of History, in the Hezekiah Alexander House (1774), the oldest house in Mecklenburg County. For motor sports enthusiasts there is the Charlotte Motor Speedway, for those in quest of entertainment the Carolwinds theme park (10 mi. south on I 77), which has no fewer than five roller coasters.
The Charlotte Museum of History in the city of the same name is a great resource for locals and visitors alike. Inside you will find a plethora of information on Charlotte and the surrounding area. Costumed interpreters provide amusing and informative tours of each of the wonderfully restored buildings. The Charlotte Museum of History has five permanent exhibits and frequently hosts national and international traveling exhibits.
Address: Charlotte Museum of History, 3500 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC 28215-3214, United States
Phone: 1 (704) 568-1774, Fax: 1 (704) 566-1817
Hours:
10am-5pm; Sun:1pm-5pm; Closed: Mon
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Martin Luther King's Birthday - USA (3rd Monday, January ), Labor Day - USA (1st Monday, September), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), New Year's Eve (December 31), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24), Easter - Christian, Easter Monday - Christian
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
While visiting Charlotte, why not stop in at the Charlotte Nature Museum? Here you will find a dazzling array of interesting exhibits on the natural world. The museum has an interesting permanent collection with exhibits ranging from Einstein's Corner to the Machine Shop. The Charlotte Nature Museum is part of Discovery Place.
Hours:
9am-5pm; Sun:12pm-5pm; Sat:10am-5pm; Closed: Mon
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), American Independance Day (July 4), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24), Easter - Christian
If you are looking for a great family outing when in Charlotte, look no further than Discovery Place. This wonderful facility that contains Discovery Hall, an IMAX Theatre, the Charlotte Nature Museum, and the Discovery Place Kids for children. There is always something new and exciting happening at Discovery Place to entertain people of all ages.
Hours:
June 1 to September 3: 9am-4pm; Sun:12pm-5pm; Sat:10am-6pm
If you are a fan of racing, then the Hendrick Motorsports Museum should be on your must-see list. Conveniently located near Lowe's Racetrack in Charlotte. In the 15,000 square foot museum, visitors are treated to a history of Hendrick Motorsports. Also on display is a racecar and its various components, such as a roll cage, front and rear sections, and an oil pan.
The Levine Museum of the New South, located in Charlotte, has an excellent collection of Post-Civil war southern history. The museum has a permanent collection of items and one stands above the rest called "Cotton Fields to Skyscrapers". The Levine Museum of the New South also hosts many fine traveling exhibits from around the world in its gallery spaces. The museum is easily accessible of Interstate 77 at exit 9B.
Address: Levine Museum of the New South, 200 East Seventh Street, Charlotte, NC 28202-2114, United States
Phone: 1 (704) 333-1887, Fax: 1 (704) 333-1896
Hours:
10am-5pm; Sun:12pm-5pm
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Memorial Day - USA (last Monday, May ), American Independance Day (July 4), Labor Day - USA (1st Monday, September), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24), Easter - Christian
The Mint Museum of Art in Charlotte has been in existence since 1936 and includes everything from paintings to textiles and decorative arts, from the classics to contemporary. Some of the areas include American art, pre-Columbian art, American and European ceramics, American decorative arts, African and Asian Art, Spanish Colonial Art. Visitors will see coins, costumes, photography and more at the Mint Museum of Art.
Hours:
10am-6pm; Sun:1pm-5pm; Tue:10am-9pm; Closed: Mon
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), American Independance Day (July 4), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24), Easter - Christian
Tips: Free admission every Tuesday night from 5pm to 9pm.
The Mint Museum of Craft + Design displays the works of artists and designers and designers who specialize in a range of areas. Some of the collections include pieces of ceramics, fiber, furniture, glass, jewelry, metalwork and wood. The works can include traditional or contemporary pieces.
In addition to the Mint Museum of Craft + Design's permanent collections, the center also features temporary exhibits.
Hours:
10am-6pm; Sun:1pm-5pm; Tue:10am-9pm; Closed: Mon
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), American Independance Day (July 4), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24), Easter - Christian
Looking for some thrills and chills? Look no further than Paramount's Carowinds amusement park. Here you will find entertainment to suit all ages. Roller coasters, water rides, and fun stage shows provide hours of entertainment. Paramount's Carowinds also has a water park called Boomerang Bay with all kinds of splish splashing fun - be sure to bring your bathing suit if the weather's fine!
For an escape from the pressures of everyday living, be sure to stop in at the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden when in Belmont. Here you will find wonderful displays of flowering plants arranged in pleasant settings. The Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden opened in 1991 and has developed over the years into one of the nation's "20 Great Gardens" according to the HGTV Gardening Book.
A building at the Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens.
Address: Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 South New Hope Road, Belmont, NC 28012-8788, United States
Phone: 1 (704) 825-4490, Fax: 1 (704) 825-1240
Hours:
9am-5pm
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25)
The C. Grier Beam Truck Museum was founded by the Carolina Freight Carriers Corporation. The museum is housed in a preserved service station, the original location for Carolina Freight.
Vintage trucking memorabilia covers 7 decades with vintage trucks that date back to 1927.
Address: C. Grier Beam Truck Museum, 111 North Mountain Street, Cherryville, NC 28021, United States
Phone: 1 (704) 435-3072, Fax: 1 (704) 445-9010
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24), Christmas - Christian (December 25)
The Reed Gold Mine is famous for being the first location in the United States where gold was discovered. The gold mine closed in 1912 but in recent years portions of the mine have been restored and are now open to the public for tours.
Visitors to Reed Gold Mine can learn about the history of gold mining in North Carolina and see some of the early mining equipment.
The Schiele Museum of Natural History in Gastonia deals with the natural history of North America. On display are dioramas with stuffed animals and live specimens along with information on different time periods. The history of the people who have inhabited this area is also presented. The museum features changing exhibits so there is always something new being featured.
Address: Schiele Museum of Natural History, 1500 East Garrison Boulevard, Gastonia, NC 28054-5199, United States
Phone: 1 (704) 866-6900, Fax: 1 (704) 866-6041
Hours:
9am-5pm; Sun:1pm-5pm
Always closed on: Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26), Easter - Christian
Disability Access: Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
Shoppers take note! The Cannon Village Visitor Center is one attraction in Kannapolis you will not want to miss. This beautiful shopping district has brick sidewalks and tree lined streets. Backing on to those brick sidewalks are wonderful stores selling just about anything you could desire for your home.
The James K. Polk Memorial near Pineville is a tribute to this man, the 11th President of the United States. The memorial is located at the site where his parents Jane and Samuel Polk owned a large farm and raised their son James.
James K Polk is most remembered from some of the important issues of his day, including the Mexican-American War, the annexation of California, and the Oregon Boundary dispute.
James K Polk Birthplace in Pineville, North Carolina.
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Belmont - Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, Charlotte
Huntersville, Charlotte
Pineville - James K. Polk Memorial, Charlotte
Charlotte
