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Why Go: Trip Ideas
Charlotte, NC:
High-Rises in the Low Country
From cotton plantations to modern high-rises, Queen City is now second to New York as the largest banking center in the country. This city hosts a lively nightlife, good eats, and pro sports aplenty.
Good to know: While you'll want a car in the land of NASCAR, you can also take the free electric trolley system around Uptown (which is really downtown).
For the kids or the kid in you: Ride the Carolina Cyclone or the Tidal Wave at Paramount's Carowinds, or check out the world's largest eyeball at Discovery Place.
Local flavor: Fried chicken and hushpuppies cooked to perfection at Prices Chicken Coop are packed to go in a box for the road. Prepare for lines at this 1962 establishment.
Off-the-beaten path: Meander into lobbies of Uptown skyscrapers on the Public Art Walking Tour. Highlights include: Continuum in Transamerica Square, the Frescoes at the Bank of America Corporate Center, and Cascade at the Carillon Building.
Best excuse for packing a coat and tie: Shedding its Southern, soul food rep, Charlotte is fast becoming a foodie town. Sunday brunch--and the warm caramel scones--at Pewter Rose Bistro in the historic South End neighborhood top the list.
Did we mention it's free? Every Tuesday from 10am to 2pm, you can admire the work of world-class potters and glass artists at the Mint Museum of Craft + Design for free.
The real deal: Eric Clapton once played at the Double Door Inn, and live-music lovers have been tapping their toes to blues, alt country, and rockabilly here since 1973.
History lesson: Glimpse historic homes known as the "Grand Old Ladies" on a tour of the Fourth Ward. Or drive to the Latta Plantation and Nature Preserve for a look at an old cotton plantation.
Recommendations & Suggestions:
Anne Springs Close Greenway
Phone: 800-770-6967
The Anne Springs Close Greenway is a beautiful area consisting of 2,300 acres of oak-hickory dogwood forests, shimmering lakes and rolling pastures that provides trails for hiking, cycling and picnicking, and recreational and educational activities.
The Anne Springs Close Greenway operates a trail system that is 32 miles long. Trail maps are posted at all entrances to the Greenway. No motorized equipment of any kind is allowed on any trails. Check the trail maps for more trail rules. Also, be sure to check closing times posted at all entrances.
Highlights:
Nation Ford Road Trail
Walk the same trail used by Native Americans, traders, settlers, and Revolutionary soldiers, including England's Lord Cornwallis' troops on their march to Charlotte, NC in the fall of 1790. The trail is part of the Great Wagon Road that ran from Philadelphia to Augusta, GA. You will cross beautiful Steele Creek on a 125-foot suspension bridge and visit an authentic 1800 log cabin.
Nation Ford Road
Most of the trails between the Dairy Barn and the Nature Center run on top of or beside a national historically significant trail called the Nation Ford Road. The road was a part of the Great Philadelphia wagon road that went from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Savannah, Georgia. It was the first major road on the Eastern Seaboard of the United States of America. For hundreds of years, the path was an important conduit for trade, war, and settlement. If you look
closely, you will notice the old roadbed now grown over with trees. In some places, you can see wagon ruts - a reminder of hundreds of wagons' wheels that bumped along the road so many years ago.
Horse Trail Programs
The Anne Springs Close Greenway maintains an equestrian facility for professionally led trail rides. The trail rides meander through some of the most beautiful countryside left in this region. The trail rides are Tuesday and Friday beginning at 4:00 p.m. Periodically, overnight trail rides are offered. Pre-registration is necessary for all trails rides. Call 803-547-1095 to register for rides. Private lessons are available as well.
Auto Racing Hall of Fame
119 Knob Hill Rd Lakeside Park
The museum is dedicated to showcasing every type of racing including stock cars, Indy, IMSA GTP, drag racing and rare muscle cars of the 60's. The Goodyear mini theatre shows racing history films and uniform, helmet and photo displays. Some of the featured items include Rusty Wallace's first Winston Cup ride, a 1980 Chevrolet Impala # 16, and his last #2 Pontiac Grand Prix along with a Richard Petty Chevrolet Winston Cup car. Harry Gant's 1993 Skoal Bandit Lumina is also on display.
Bubba's Barbecue
4400 Sunset Road
Phone: 704.393.2000
It may not be in the most central of locations but it is one the most authentic barbecue joints around. Constantly buzzing with the happy eating sounds of families and business folks alike, not to mention the great country music, Bubba's serves up a mean slow-cooked pork BBQ that will make your mouth water just to smell it. The linoleum floors and wood paneled walls add to an already-classic country-style atmosphere and the hush puppies are to die for.
Charlotte Hornets
100 Paul Buch Blvd
The Hornets became an NBA team in 1988. The people of Charlotte are pretty nutty about their sports teams so call early for tickets.
Tickets are available in several different price categories. Purchases at the team's home venue, the Charlotte Coliseum, or Independence Arena box offices may be made in cash or charged using a Visa, MasterCard or Discover. Tickets may also be purchased by calling 1-800-4NBA-TIX, going to Ticketmaster.com or at any Ticketmaster Ticket Center in North or South Carolina.
Latta Plantation Park
5225 Sample Road
Phone: 704-875-1391
On 2200 acres, the Latta Plantation Park houses a multitude of venues for activities of all kinds. The park is named for Latta Place, the Federal-style home built in 1800 by James Latta, one of Charlotte's most affluent citizens. The equestrian center offers rides and lessons. The raptor center is home to several species of raptor in their natural habitat. Mountain Island Lake offers kayaking and canoeing (rentals available). The hiking trails are well groomed and have signs that discuss the wildlife in the park throughout.
Mint Museum of Art
2730 Randolph Road
Phone: 704.337.2000
Home to one of the South's finest art collections since 1936, the Mint Museum was built in 1836 as a U.S. Mint. This venue boasts an impressive selection of European and American paintings, furniture, decorative arts, Spanish colonial art and pre-Columbian works. Admission to this museum also allows you to entry to the Mint Museum of Craft + Design-- a contemporary collection of glass, fiber and wood pieces.
Pewter Rose Bistro
1820 South Boulevard
Phone: 704-332-8149
Consistently ranked amongst Charlotte's best restaurants, Pewter Rose boast eclectic but sophisticated cuisine and an airy decor supplied by the 30-foot ceilings in this former textile warehouse!!!
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