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Charlotte, NC Offers Trails, Museums and High Quality of Life

A sample of cultural and recreational attractions and activities in Charlotte USA.

By Livability.com on April 28, 2014

Mint Museum Uptown in Charlotte, NC
Charlotte / Todd Bennett
"The Firebird" from the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art stands in the foreground of the new Mint Museum Uptown in Charlotte, NC, is set on the Wells Fargo Cultural Campus near the Bechtler Museum and the Harvey Gantt Center.

Charlotte USA offers a wealth of cultural, recreational, educational and attractions. Here are just a few fun things to do:

Carolina Thread Trail
The trail is a regional network of greenways and trails that will eventually include 15 counties and link people, places, cities, towns and attractions. The trail is designed to preserve the region’s natural areas and foster exploration of nature, culture, science and history.

Discovery Place
Located in the heart of Charlotte, this hands-on science museum draws more than 500,000 visitors each year. The facility’s ever-changing displays and exhibits focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The museum also includes an IMAX Dome Theatre. The Charlotte Nature Museum, part of Discovery Place and adjacent to Freedom Park, lets visitors walk among free-flying butterflies, observe live animals, buzz around with insects or hang out in the natural world.

Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture
The 46,500-square-foot center is located in the heart of Charlotte’s central business district in a neighborhood that was once the epicenter of the region’s black community. For 35 years, the center has served as a community staple for music, dance, theater, visual art, film, arts education programs, literature and community outreach.

North Carolina Transportation Museum
The museum is located on the site of what was once Southern Railway Co.’s largest steam locomotive repair facility. The site features an authentic train depot, antique automobiles and a 37-bay roundhouse that includes 25 locomotives, dozens of rail cars and other exhibit areas. The museum offers seasonal train rides, guided tours for scheduled groups, and special events scheduled throughout the year.

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
Located on 380 acres on the banks of Lake Wylie near Belmont, N.C., the gardens include sparkling fountains, a conservatory dedicated to the display of tropical plants and orchids, a visitor pavilion, gift shop and nature walk. HGTV named Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden as one of the nation’s “20 Great Gardens.”

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