| Wing Haven Gardens and Bird Sanctuary
248 Ridgewood Avenue
Charlotte, NC 28209
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
9201 University City Blvd
Charlotte, NC 28223
704-547-2555
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
13339 Hagers Ferry Rd
Huntersville, NC 28078
704-875-5600
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
14523 Carowinds Blvd
Charlotte, NC
704-588-2600
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 up 100 feet and (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. For a break from the thrill seeking, visitors might want to head to the Family Fun area that features child friendly attractions and rides, with several life-size Hanna-Barbera and Nickelodeon cartoon characters roaming the streets.
Carolina Raptor Center
6000 Sample Rd
Huntersville, NC 28078
704-875-6521
Visitors to the Carolina Raptor Center can watch these magnificent wild birds. Located within the Latta Preserve complex, the Raptor Center is an outdoor recreation spot. The center focuses on research and rehabilitation, helping injured birds heal and return safely into the wild. Indoor facilities house a visitor center and exhibits, while outdoor attractions include aviaries.
Charlotte Metro Zoo
4400 Cook Rd
Rockwell, NC 28138
704-279-6363
Large cats, primates, bears, and reptiles call this zoo home, and there is a large petting zoo. Bring a lunch and enjoy the picnic facilities.
Charlotte Museum of History
3500 Shamrock Dr
Charlotte, NC 28215
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 is the oldest original structure in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. On the homesite tour, guides in authentic colonial dress show visitors around. The museum's collection of art and objects from around the world, date from pre-colonial times to the present.
Charlotte Trolley and Museum
2104 South Blvd
Charlotte, NC 28203
704-375-0850
This museum features the last surviving trolley (since 1938) in Charlotte. The trolley ride goes 1/2 mile from Atherton Mill and back again. The conductors point out items of interest along the way, making this 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 trolley-themed gift shop.
Crowders Mountain State Park
25 miles west of Charlotte
701-853-5375
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
6500 S. New Hope Rd
Belmont, NC 28012
704-825-9286
The gardens are located on the banks of Lake Wylie and have recently expanded to 110 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 much to see and to delight the eye.
Discovery Place
301 N. Tryon St.
Charlotte, NC 28202
704-372-6261
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 more than enough to keep children and adults busy and entertained.
Historic Latta Plantation
5225 Sample Rd
Huntersville, NC 28078
704-875-2312
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
Charlotte, NC 28204
704-336-3854
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
Concord Mills Shopping Mall
704-979-3000
Anyone who's ever thought about driving a real Winston Cup racing car should visit this part of the Concord Mills Shopping Mall. Visitors strap themselves into 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 raceway are there. |
Charlotte
