nc
piedmont attractions Levine Museum of the New South, 200 E. Seventh St., (704) 333-1887. Interactive regional history museum features changing and traveling exhibits that offer a view of Charlotte’s past. People of all ages will find the hands-on history educational and entertaining. www.museumofthenewsouth.org
Charlotte Regional Farmers Market, 1801 Yorkmont Rd., (704) 357-1269. A stateowned, friendly market for fresh produce, fresh meat products – from pork to beef, ostrich to emu – goat milk cheese, scrumptious baked goods, delectable jams and jellies, unique handmade crafts, goat milk soap, beautiful fresh cut flowers and plants of every kind. www.ncagr.gov/ markets/facilities/markets/charlotte
McDowell Nature Center & Preserve,
15222 York Rd., (704) 583-1284. Features live native animals, an interactive exhibit hall, plus information on the 1,108-acre preserve with its wildlife, foliage and many recreational opportunities. www.parkandrec.com
Discovery Place, 301 N. Tryon St.,
(800) 935-0553, (704) 372-6261. A recent $31.6 million renovation has filled our wondrous halls with all-new interactive exhibits and activities. As one of the leading hands-on science centers in the country, we offer visitors the opportunity to gain a greater understanding of the basics of science, technology, engineering and mathematics in a fun, interactive and informal setting. www.discoveryplace.org
Mint Museum – Randolph, 2730 Randolph
Rd., (704) 337-2000. North Carolina’s first art museum and one of the leading museums of the Southeast, with holdings of art in American paintings, pre-Columbian art, regional crafts, historic costumes, African art and gold coins minted in Charlotte. www.mintmuseum.org
Harvey B. Gantt Center for AfricanAmerican Arts + Culture, 551 S. Tryon St.,
Mint Museum Uptown, 500 S. Tryon St.,
(704) 337-2000. Features house collections of American, contemporary and European art, as well as the relocated Mint Museum of Craft + Design, which features a permanent collection documenting studio craft and design from the 19th century to present day. www.mintmuseum.org
(704) 547-3700. Located in the heart of the Charlotte Cultural Campus, the Gantt Center has three gallery exhibitions featuring the Hewitt Collection of African-American Art. www.ganttcenter.org
Historic Rosedale Plantation, 3427 N.
Tryon St., (704) 335-3325. Circa 1815, this is one of the few remaining examples of 19th-century Catawba River Valley plantations. Tours include the manor house, 8 acres of grounds and extensive gardens. www.historicrosedale.org
NASCAR Hall of Fame, 400 E. Martin
Luther King Blvd., (704) 654-4400. A 150,000-square-foot, multifaceted, unique attraction honoring the history and heritage of NASCAR. The high-tech venue, designed to educate and entertain race fans and non-fans alike, includes a state-of-the-art theater, Hall of Honor, restaurant, retail outlet, broadcast studio, artifact displays and interactive exhibits. www.nascarhall.com
ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center, 300 E. Seventh St., (704) 973-2780. A
building created specifically for kids and families. Navigating the facility is intuitive, fun and an adventure at every turn. Featuring interactive games and exhibits. www.imaginon.org
Advertising Partner, p. 122
Ray’s Splash Planet, 215 N. Sycamore St.,
(704) 432-4729. A one-of-a-kind indoor water park featuring a giant slide, lazy river, vortex pool and water playground. Countless ways to get soaked and have fun in 117,000 gallons of water. www.rayssplashplanet.com
UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens, 9201 University City Blvd., (704) 687-2364. Greenhouses and two outdoor gardens provide year-round interest. Highlights include a diverse orchid collection, native carnivorous plants, huge display of rhododendrons throughout the native garden and a unique winter garden. www.gardens.uncc.edu US National Whitewater Center, I-85 S. & I-485, 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy., (704) 391-3900. Alongside mountain biking and running trails, a climbing center and challenge course, the park’s unique feature is a multiple-channel, customized whitewater river for rafting and canoe/kayak enthusiasts of all abilities. www.usnwc.org Advertising Partner, p. 122
Victory Lane Indoor Karting Center, 2330 Tipton Dr., Ste. 100, (704) 377-3278. Come experience two custom racetracks: a NASCAR-style oval and a European-style road course. Pool tables and arcade. www.victorylanekarting.com
Cherryville Local Information: Gaston County Dept. of Tourism C. Grier Beam Truck Museum, 111 N.
Mountain St., (704) 435-3072. Located in an old-style service station with 14 trucks dating back to 1927, the museum is a tribute to Carolina Freight and its founder, C. Grier Beam. www.beamtruckmuseum.com
Cherryville Historical Museum, 109 E.
Main St., (704) 435-4116. Contains exhibits that follow the history of Cherryville from the early 1800s until today, including one of the firstknown paintings of a bull for the American Tobacco Co., which promoted their Bull Durham brand of tobacco.
Claremont Local Information: Hickory Metro CVB Advertising Partner, p. 65 Bunker Hill Covered Bridge, Hwy. 70,
56660
east of Claremont, Connor Park, (828) 465-0383. One of only two remaining covered bridges in North Carolina, the historic Bunker Hill Covered Bridge spans Lyle’s Creek. Its 85-foot span was designed by well-known Civil War engineer Herman Haupt. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. www.catawbahistory.org
Clayton Local Information: Johnston County VB Advertising Partner, p. 74 Clemmons Educational State Forest,
2411 Old US 70 W., (919) 553-5651. Listen to the Talking Trees and rocks weave tales about the forest; hike the demonstration trail to see natural resource management; explore our exhibit center; picnic, camp or join in on a ranger-conducted environmental education class. www.dfr.state.nc.us
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2011 North Carolina Travel Guide