Charlotte
Reasons to Return
2008 10Best Bet - Award Winners
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Billy Graham's ministry began humbly in the foothills of North Carolina. Over the past several decades, he's grown his work into an international effort that's reached millions of people. The library that pays tribute to him is intended to look like a barn, complete with a cross formed by the fenestration. It features literature and exhibits that focus on his life and teachings. When you go, make a stop in Ruth's Attic, the bookstore named after his late wife of 64 years.
HUNTERSVILLE. If you have an interest in our winged friends, then you don't want to miss this facility. Initially created for the care and rehabilitation of all types of raptors, the center has now evolved into a premier education and research center for birds of prey. In 2006, two bald eagles were born at the center – a first for a North Carolina institution of its kind.
HUNTERSVILLE. Ever wanted to go back to a simpler time, when jesters performed for monarchs, knights jousted for the love of fair ladies, and everybody ate with their hands? Well, that is exactly what you can do every fall at this festival. Rediscover Old World arts and crafts, gnaw on enormous fried turkey legs, and participate in games planned for patrons of all ages. Feel free to come dressed for the occasion – most everybody else does!
FOURTH WARD. Now home to some 3000 residents, Charlotte's Fourth Ward could tell plenty of great stories from its fascinating history, which reaches back to the mid-19th century. A stroll through the vibrant neighborhood on a Saturday will likely bring you to Center City Green Market, which offers fresh produce, seafood, arts and crafts, and more. The developing North Carolina Music Factory (a planned arts and entertainment district) will bring further recognition to this quaint, beautiful section of Uptown.
UPTOWN. Thanks to a fascinating, thought-provoking collaboration between organizations devoted to theater and to libraries, this facility offers a range of learning opportunities and a way for the city's young people to explore the arts. In fact, Charlotte's children find creatively-conceived teen programs, theater performances, technology classes, scavenger hunts, and more that can easily keep the attention of any youngster. Upcoming events include a stop on the statewide tour of the Bill of Rights.
UPTOWN. The New South, as a concept, encompasses the historical period following the Civil War. This museum lets visitors celebrate up-close the people, places, and ideas of the era. The city of Charlotte represents many aspects of the period, and there's no better place to discover the struggles and successes of this part of the country than here. Exhibits, which include lots of interactive components, include "Comic Stripped," an in-depth look at Southern stereotypes, and "Cotton Fields to Skyscrapers," the museum's overarching central exhibit.
UPTOWN. Most visitors to Charlotte are familiar with the Mint Museum of Art on Randolph Road. The "other Mint" is located Uptown and highlights North Carolina's rich tradition of handicraft. The museum also displays international contemporary crafts. Current architectural commissions include a glass chandelier by Seattle artist Dale Chihuly, an architectural glass wall by Massachusetts artist Tom Patti, and the last American commission for Czechoslovakian glass artists Stanislav Libenský and Jaroslava Brychtová.
NODA. Some folks may assert that Charlotte is not particularly known for its thriving art scene, but the NoDa neighborhood roundly rejects that idea and makes a strong effort toward altering both perception and reality. Home to some of the most eclectic art in town, the district features gallery crawls on the first and third Friday of every month. When you go, plan to stay a while, and be sure to check out the namesake fare at Cabo Fish Taco – it never disappoints.
CONCORD. The Queen City is the unofficial home of NASCAR, as well as the future home of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. With such credentials, what could be a better location to check out the exciting programs at this thrilling instructional offering? As the passenger in an actual stock car, you'll reach speeds in excess of 165mph, or if you're feeling truly brave, you can get behind the wheel and hit the gas yourself!
Boasting a field that included 29 of the top 30 players in the world in 2007, this PGA Tour event is one of the most coveted. The Wachovia Golf Championship always sells out, and it seems like tickets become hotter commodities each year. If you plan to attend, get there a day early to see some of the high-profile amateurs in the Pro-Am. In 2007, Michael Jordan teed it up with Tiger. Now that's a talented twosome! As your train departs the station or your plane leaves the ground, have you ever wanted just a little more time? One more day to explore further or to visit a place you didn't get wind of until the last minute? We'll let you know what's worth returning for, be it a little-known museum, a rambunctious dance club, or a peaceful garden. That way, you can avoid having to say, "Next time..."
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As your train departs the station or your plane leaves the ground, have you ever wanted just a little more time? One more day to explore further or to visit a place you didn't get wind of until the last minute? We'll let you know what's worth returning for, be it a little-known museum, a rambunctious dance club, or a peaceful garden. That way, you can avoid having to say, "Next time..."
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