Day Life in Charlotte (Asheville, Concord: hotel, homes, neighborhood)

[hickoryfan]

I've read many posts that judge an area by the quality of its nightlife. Well, I'm not into the club scene, nor am I interested in eating after midnight.

I like to do things in the daytime. Where are some great places to go in the Charlotte area (besides Carowinds, I have a season pass) where I can have a good time? I like to explore, I like history. Preferably something outdoors. Any help would be appreciated.

[chicagocubs]

Charlotte Museum of the New South. Latta Plantation. Jetton Park or Ramsey Creek Park. Reedy Creek Nature Museum.

Any of our neighbouring communities (Concord, Statesville) to see the historical old towns and the associated things...for example, Statesville has some old log cabins and a covered bridge.

There are also many state parks, historic battle grounds and mountains nearby.

[dbull75]

Try the US Whitewater Center: U.S. National Whitewater Center :: Whitewater Rafting, Biking, Climbing, Kayaking, Ziplines, Food, and Fun. - Come Play! . It has a lot of trails and fun outdoor activities in addition to the whitewater rafting, kayaking, zip lines, etc.

[mullman]

Originally Posted by hickoryfan

I've read many posts that judge an area by the quality of its nightlife. Well, I'm not into the club scene, nor am I interested in eating after midnight.

Me either, I am married with two kids and am way beyond that!
Although I would not rule out eating after midnight in my home - I made some amazing pulled pork yesterday and enjoyed a leftover BBQ sandwich around 1am.

Originally Posted by hickoryfan

I like to do things in the daytime. Where are some great places to go in the Charlotte area (besides Carowinds, I have a season pass) where I can have a good time? I like to explore, I like history. Preferably something outdoors. Any help would be appreciated.

You mentioned Carowinds and we also always get season's passes.
Thursday we took the kids from 4-6PM. Might go later today say 5-8PM.

NC is rich in history and Charlotte is a stellar location for day trips with modest cost. We routinely day-trip the NC mountains a few times a month: Chimney Rock & Lake Lure, Mt Mitchell (highest point on the east coast), Asheville, Grandfather Mt, or just riding the Blue Ridge Parkway.

CLT museums have been mentioned and that is a great start along with the James K Polk homeplace. Unfortunately CLT has a way of not preserving her history very well. But small towns are close by that preserve old Americana such as Newton.
Old town square, a historic diner with blue plate specials, and close to one of the very few surviving covered bridges in NC.
You must visit Murray's Mill near Newton.

Mt Airy is also a great daytrip, this is Mayberry!

Gold Hill is interesting as well, part of the NC Gold boom.
Complete historic village that predates the California Gold Rush.

Lots of interesting stuff around to explore, but unfortunately little is in Charlotte proper.

[hickoryfan]

Thanks Mullman. You have pointed me in the right direction. I will do a search of some of the smaller towns in NW North Carolina and see what I an find.

[Barkingowl]

We have some interesting battlefields here too.
Cowpens National Battlefield - Areaparks.com
NC Historic Sites
Loyalist Institute: Hanging Rock Battlefield
How to Tour Revolutionary War Battlefields of South Carolina | eHow.com

[southbound_295]

Based on your other thread, I take it that you are west of Charlotte, to some degree.

There is Kings Mountain State Park About This Park - Kings Mountain State Park - South Carolina Parks & Kings Mountain National Battlefield Kings Mountain National Military Park (U.S. National Park Service) in SC. On the way down, you could make a minor detour to Inn of the Patriots. it's a bed & breakfast with a little museum. 704-937-2940 - The Presidential Culinary Museum at The Inn of the Patriots Bed & Breakfast Hotel, Grover, NC Apparently, there is something being developed there, that will straddle the state line, sort of a living history/resort type of thing, but the little museum seems to be all that's there now.

[chuckles34]

Unless I've missed it, no one has mentioned the historic district in 4th Ward where you can (easily) walk the entire neighborhood and see the gorgoeus Victorian homes that have been lovingly restored (and many of them have been moved from other locations in Charlotte). I'm always surprised by how many people do not know that this incredibly beautiful neighborhood exists. It's very shady so it's great on the hottest days, and you can always pop into Alexander Michael's for a cold drink and some great pub food afterwards. The newspaper prints from the Observer's 1950's and 60's society pages in the ladies room are awesome! Watch out for that pole!

[lovesMountains]

All good suggestions so far. I'd add Reed Gold Mine (great to tour the cool mine on a hot summer day!), the Lazy 5 Ranch up in Mooresville, and Kings Mountain National Battleground