By Amy L. Gouger
Things to Do in Charlotte, NC
The city of
Charlotte is one of the many gems of the south. The city sits on the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. It contains 325 Fortune 500 companies and over 300 international businesses. The city is rich in southern
United States history. Sports are essential to Charlotte's history including NBA's Bobcats and NASCAR. Southern Food is like no other in the United States. It's rich and bold, celebrating the tradition of the United States. BBQ is one of many food traditions prevalent in Charlotte. Despite the economic pull of the city, it retained much of its culture apparent in food and historic houses. That does not mean that the city hasn't changed. New businesses bring a taste of the future and cater to the young. In Charlotte, there is plenty to do including embracing theme parks, exploring historic sites, and discovering natural beauty.
Theme Parks
In 1973, Paramount's Carowinds Water and Theme Park opened. In over 35 years since, the park enjoyed numerous visitors, bringing rides like the Jet Coaster and 99 other attractions to the masses. The park often hosts concerts and special events through the year.
Paramount's Carowinds Water and Theme Park
14523 Carowinds Boulevard
Charlotte, NC 28241
(800) 888-4386 ext. 2088
www.carowinds.com/
Ray's Splash Planet is geared toward young children with brightly colored slides and other splash making features. The indoor water park contains 117,000 gallons of water nestled in 29,000 square feet of space. The park features with a fitness area over looking the water park and summer camps. The park contains three slides, water playground and a lazy river.
Ray's Splash Planet
215 N Sycamore St
Charlotte, NC 28241
(704) 336-8009
History
The Historic Rosedale Plantation holds the historic of a family or two of landholders and generations of slaves. Every year, there is a family reunion of sorts for descendants of those who resided at Rosedale. The walls harbored a doctor, slaves, blacksmith, a forward thinking woman politician and their children. The plantation dates back to 1815. It retains a North Carolina Federal Period style.
Historic Rosedale Plantation
3427 N Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC 28206
(704) 335-0325
www.historicrosedale.org/
Historic Dowd House dates back to 1879. In the early years of the house, the Confederate Captain James C. Dowd lived and gave the house its name. This house, with the help of its inhabitants, produces a newspaper owner and a businessman. In the early 21st century, it developed into the headquarters of a U.S. Army Military Base called Camp Greene. Camp Greene housed 60,000 soldiers during the First World War. A 250 acre farm once surrounded the original house. Camp Greene encompassed the surrounding 2,500 acres.
Historic Dowd House
2216 Monument Avenue
Charlotte, NC 28223
(704) 506-8036
Nature
The University of North Carolina in Charlotte cultivated a spectacular garden. Its is spilt into three sections including a green house. Bella, The Titan Arum, an usual flower that blooms maybe three times in a 40-year span in the wild, bloomed last in 2007. She expanded to 50 inches before spreading her petals and subsequently fading. She is still alive, but it's uncertain when she will bloom again. It can take three to five years. There is still plenty to see in the majestic gardens.
UNC-Charlotte Botanical Gardens
9201 University City Blvd
Charlotte, NC 28223
(704)-687-2364
gardens.uncc.edu/
The Charlotte Nature Museum is a hands-on exhibit catering to the younger generation. It contains a butterfly garden and several native animals to North Carolina. Other exhibits are geared to teach young children about the wildlife.
Charlotte Nature Museum
1658 Sterling Road
Charlotte, NC 28209
(704) 372-6261 x605
www.discoveryplace.org/
About the Author:
Amy L. Gouger holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from East Stroudsburg University. Previously a technical agent, she now serves as a ghostwriter and contributor to various online publications.
Photo Credits:
Appalachian Mountains--Image taken by Amy Gouger
