• Charlotte
• Lake Norman
• Mooresville
• Statesville
• Elkin-Jonesville-Arlington
• Mount Airy

Charlotte

Known as the 'Queen City', Charlotte's 'downtown' is known as 'uptown'. The city's only completed beltway, I-277, loops around 'uptown' affording very easy access to this very busy - and, frequently, exciting - area. The metro area's beltway, I-485, has been in the talk stage for years. A small section is now completed from I-77 exit 2 to US-74 - a primary east-west highway tying together the many communities along the southern portion of North Carolina.

Visitors' Center - From I-77 take exit 9-B and follow I-277 to exit 1-E. After exiting, stay on the off-ramp to Tryon Street and turn left. The Convention & Visitors Bureay is at 330 South Tryon, a little over 3 blocks from Hill Street. Charlotte is a big city; parking, as in most big cities, is at a premium. There are parking garages all over the downtown area; the most convenient for the Visitors' Center is the one on West 1st Street at S. Tryon.
  For more information, phone 1-800-231-4636 (toll free) or visit their website: CharlotteCVB.

Discovery Place - They call this 'Place' a 'family of museums'. They have a constantly changing array of sophisticated exhibit - including many hands-on. They point out that over 500,000 people visit Discovery Place each year. While it wasn't crowded when we visited, there were an unusually large number of children (we suspect several were visiting groups).
  The Discovery Place Planetarium is excellent and the sound system one of the best we've experienced. The show is not only educating but exciting. The many children in attendance obviously enjoyed the show.
  For more information, phone 1-704-372-6261. Their web site is at: DiscoveryPlace.

Latta Plantation Park - One of the impoundments of the Catawba River creates Mountain Island Lake - just 6 miles north of Charlotte. Operated by Mecklenburg County, the 2,200 acre Latta Plantation Park is a kaleidoscope of attractions. Named for Latta Place, a Federal-style plantation house built around 1800 by James Latta (an affluent area merchant) the buildings are open to visitors.
  Also contained within the park is the 57 acre Carolina Raptor Center. Several species of this fascinating bird of prey can be observed in their natural habitat. There are areas for viewing the fowl in their natural habitat. This center operates one of the few clinics in the country engaged in the rehabilitation of eagles, hawks, owls and vultures.
  Then there is the 25 acre Equestrian Center which not only offers rides on the extensive network of bridle paths but also a continuous schedule of riding lessons. The center's facilities include show grounds, lighted arenas, boarding and a tack shop. Horseback riding is one of the most popular activities at Latta Plantation Park.
  Mountain Island Lake is a very narrow, ten-mile long, quiet lake ideal for paddling. Latta Plantation also has a canoe launch. If you don't have a canoe of your own you can rent one from the park for $6/hour.
  The park has some nice, but heavily used, hiking trails. The trails are well developed (e.g. bridges over each little creek and steps up and down the steeper slopes) and one of them even has markers strategically placed along the trail describing the science of forest care and identifying some of the trees. None of the trails would be considered difficult.
  Take exit 18 of I-77 and follow Vance Road west to the Mt Holly-Huntersville Road (about 1½ miles). Take a left (toward Mt Holly) and proceed about 1¼ miles to Beatties Ford Road. Turn right, proceed another1½ miles and turn left onto Sample Road. Another mile and you're at the gate. Postal address: Latta Plantation Park: 5225 Sample Road, Huntersville NC 28078. Phones: 1-704-875-1391; 1-704-875-1394.
  For more information:

• about the Equestrian Center: phone 1-704-875-0808
• about Carolina Raptor Center; phone 1-704-875-6521

» Hotels in Charlotte «

Lake Norman (the lake)

We weren't able to find any 'attractions', per se, but this is a large, very popular lake supporting about everything you might wish to do in or on fresh water. The Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau share a web site at LakeNormanCVB.

» Hotels in Huntersville «

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Mooresville

Visitors' Center - The Mooresville Convention & Visitors Bureau is near the center of town at 265 N. Main Street.
  From I-77 take exit 36 and head east on NC-150 (West Plaza Drive). About 2 miles from the Interstate (about 0.6 miles after you cross US-21), NC-150 makes a left turn. You continue straight on what will now be McClellan Ave. Follow McClellan to Main Street and turn left on Main. Continue up Main 3 blocks and the Visitors' Center is in the middle of the next block at 265 N. Main Street.
  For more information, phone 1-704-799-2400 or visit their web site at MooresvilleCVB.

"Race City USA" - is how their web site greets you. And there is a good reason. Lakeside Business Park, the location for many of the more than 60 racing teams that made Mooresville their home base. Teams from ARCA, Busch Grand National, the Craftsman Truck Series and NASCAR make their homes here.

A Downtown from Yesteryear - with a touch of tomorrow. The railroad track that helped put Mooresville on the map still runs through the middle of town. There is still that old-timey flavor but you don't get overwhelmed with the feeling of 'old'.

And The Lake - And, of course, there is Lake Norman. Stop by the Visitors' Center and they'll tell you about the great fishing and boating. (You did bring your boat, didn't you?)

» Hotels in Mooresville «

Statesville

Here, in the southwest corner (so to speak) of the I-40/I-77 Interchange is Statesville.

Visitors' Center - Now housed in a restored 1911 railroad depot in the middle of downtown Statesville, take I-77 exit 49-A, turn left and follow US-70 westbound to US-21 (Shelton Ave). Turn right and look for the railroad depot (one long block).
  For more information, phone 1-877-531-1819 (toll free). Their web site is: StatesvilleCVB.

Baa-Moo Farms - Kids love animals and this farm caters to the kids. Like a 'petting zoo', they house a wide variety of 'safe' animals. Includes various activities (e.g., gather freshly laid eggs). Also a variety of farm equipment.
  For more information Phone 1-704-876-1732. Check with Baa-Moo or the Visitors' Center for directions.

» Hotels in Statesville «

Elkin-Jonesville-Arlington

You are now in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. When they constructed I-77 they tried to smooth out the ups and downs but the mountains are just ahead. Surry, Yadkin, and Wilkes Counties are in the very fertile valley of the Yadkin River. Daniel Boone discovered this place, made it his home (until that itching made him move on).

Visitors' Center - The Elkin-Jonesville Chamber of Commerce maintains a visitors' center in downtown Elkin. From I-77 take exit 82 and go west on NC-67 to US-21. Turn right and follow US-21, across the Yadkin River, into downtown Elkin. At Market (this is a 'T' intersection) turn left. The visitors' center is a little beyond the 2nd street on your left at 116 East Market Street.
  For more information, phone 1-336-526-1111.

Wine Country - There are close to a dozen excellent vineyards in the tri-county area. In fact, they have even started an annual 'Wine Festival' with lots of eats and, of course, wine. It is supposed to occur every May (check with visitors' center for specifics). Their second festival was in May of 2003 and it was very well attended.
  Some of the vineyards that have web sites are:

• Chatham Hill Winery
• Hanover Park Vineyards
• RagApple Lassie Vineyard
• RayLen Vineyards
• Shelton Vineyards
• Stony Knoll Vineyards
• Westbend Vineyards

» Hotels in Jonesville «

Mount Airy

"So this is what Mayberry was really like!" Welcome to Andy Griffith's home town: simple, straight forward and sincere.

Visitors' Center - Where else but on Main Street. From I-77 take exit 101 and head eastbound on the US-74 freeway to the NC-89 exit. Exit and follow NC-89 to Main Street in the center of Mount Airy. Turn left and the visitors' center will be on your left just beyond Moore Avenue (which will be on your right about a block up Main). Address: 200 North Main.
  The Visitors' center has prepared directions for a drive-yourself tour around Mayberry - excuse us, - Mount Airy.
  For more information, phone 1-800-948-0949 (toll free). Web site: VisitMayberry.

Andy Griffith Museum - While you're at the Visitors' Center you can walk through the Andy Griffith Museum. If you enjoyed the Andy Griffith Show, you will really appreciate the museum. If you never got to see the Andy Griffith Show the museum will probably be quite an eye-opener.

» Hotels in Mount Airy «

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