The Charlotte metro region is generally discussed in terms of Uptown (Charlotte-speak for “downtown”), the six Mecklenburg County municipalities surrounding Charlotte, and a multitude of towns and cities that make up the perimeter regions.
While these cities and towns are part of the Charlotte “umbrella,” each has its own unique character. Unlike in most metropolitan regions where the suburbs popped up as a result of the growth of the largest city, many of Charlotte’s “suburbs” are just as old as the Queen City. These are independent towns, many of them former mill villages, that were established not as bedroom communities for Charlotte, but as stand-alone towns and centers of commerce. It is only in the last two decades that these cities have taken on the characteristics of suburbs—often begrudgingly by some natives and long-time residents.
This chapter is divided into sections that give a general overview of each municipality.
Like any large metropolitan region, Charlotte offers its fair share of attractions. For years, folks from around the region have flocked to Paramount’s Carowinds, the 112-acre theme park that straddles the state line just south of town. Discovery Place, a hands-on science and nature museum, has been a popular draw in Uptown, and a recent renovation only added to its luster. Most school children who grew up within a 100-mile radius of the Queen City took a field trip to Discovery Place at one time or another. Nowadays, Discovery Place has been joined in the center city by the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, the new Mint Museum Uptown, Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture and the city’s 19,000-seat multi-purpose arena—Time Warner Cable Arena.
NASCAR fans have made pilgrimages to Charlotte for decades for races at Charlotte Motor Speedway and to visit race team shops in the northern suburbs. Now, the $195 million NASCAR Hall of Fame gives fans another reason to come to the Queen City, while giving Uptown a signature attraction.
History buffs like to check out such spots as the Reed Gold Mine in nearby Cabarrus County, the James K. Polk birthplace in Pineville and the Charlotte Museum of History/Hezekiah Alexander Homesite.
Three newer attractions that are unique are the Billy Graham Library, honoring the long-time evangelist; the U.S. National Whitewater Center, the largest man-made whitewater river in the world; and the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont, named one of the nation’s Top 20 gardens by HGTV.
With such a wide variety of year-round and seasonal attractions, all you have to do is decide whether you want to be a participant or a spectator. Additional suggestions on things to do and places to visit in the Metrolina area are given in our chapters on Annual Events, Kidstuff, Parks and Recreation, and Day Trips. In this chapter entries are arranged alphabetically and are located in Charlotte unless otherwise noted.
Although it’s sometimes okay to take the kids along on activities geared toward mom and dad, most of the time parents need activities and attractions that specialize in kid-friendly fun. Fortunately, Charlotte has a well-rounded offering of “kidstuff” that will keep the little ones engaged and entertained.
The possibilities seem endless—from a safari at Lazy 5 Ranch to panning for gold at Reed Gold Mine to clanging the bell on the historic Charlotte Trolley, kids will have a ball in the Queen City. There are waterparks, museums, ice-skating rinks, laser-tag arenas and more.
Here’s a smattering of what insiders in the Queen City recommend to newcomers and visitors with kids in tow. For more ideas, check out our Attractions, Day Trips, and Parks and Recreation chapters. Local newspapers and free specialty publications (see Charlotte Parent magazine) are good sources for information on upcoming family events and activities.
Entries in this chapter are arranged alphabetically under type of activity. Listings are located in Charlotte unless otherwise noted.
One of the most popular things about the Queen City is its proximity to both the mountains and the coast. If here long enough, you’re guaranteed to hear somebody say: “I love Charlotte because it is only two hours to the mountains and three hours to the beach.” While it is actually three and a half hours to the nearest beach—Myrtle Beach—just accept the fact that everybody says three hours. And the overall sentiment is correct.
In fact, no matter how deep into the mountains you travel or how far out you go along North Carolina’s eastward stretching coastline, you’re always within a half day’s drive to the whispy sand dunes of the Atlantic Ocean and the highest mountains east of the Mississippi River.
In the regions closer to home, there’s an abundance of historical sites, state parks, gardens, wineries, natural attractions, kids’ entertainment, museums and other interesting places.
North Carolina and South Carolina tourism offices and interstate Welcome Centers provide catalogs and brochures on various regions and special events. For more details, go online to www.VisitNC.com or www.DiscoverSouthCarolina.com.
Entries in this chapter are arranged geographically within each area: beaches, the Piedmont, and mountains.