Enjoy Charlotte In this Great Weather

Isn't this Weather Fantastic to Enjoy The Holidays?

While the Holiday Season is upon us and we get to spend a lovely long week end with those we care about, we should all get out and enjoy the lovely warm temperatures over the next week or so. The weather report says that we will have some rain, but thats not going to keep us indoors while we can soak up the last the warm weather. 

Here are a few things to do over the Holiday Season

US National White Water Center - Enjoy white water rafting and if thats too cold how about ziplining or even take a lovely walk, enjoy the outing and have a meal in the restaurant.

Jetton Park - Take a walk at Jetton Park. Pack a picnic lunch and stop along the way. Lets the kids enjoy the park or the beach area

Historic Latte Plantation - A little bit of history and lot of fun on this outing. Please check their holiday opening hours

Carolina Raptor Park - What a treat - See the beautiful birds and more - check opening times over the holidays

Lazy 5 Ranch - Visit this private game reserve. Go in your car or on our wagons for a real educational treat

Charlotte Motor Speedway - Festival of lights festival on at the moment. Its a wonderful evening experience and you can watch a movie too. Wrap up warm and enjoy this outing

Nascar Hall of Fame - If you are a Nascar Fan, you don't want to miss out on this attraction. Take a little extra time and ice skate under the stars in Charlotte at the Nascar Hall of Fame.

Billy Graham Library - A wonderful display of Christmas love. The library is closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day

Discovery Place - A wonderful place to visit with kids. So much to do and even the adults will enjoy the day. 

Body Works Exhibition at Discovery Place - Amazing human body exhibition on thru February.

Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens - Open through the season with wonderful Holiday light displays in the evenings from 5-9pm

Concord Mills - Enjoy a day shopping, going to the movies and having a meal and enjoy some retail therapy.

Day Trips from Charlotte

Visit the Vineyards of the Yadkin Valley - please check the individual wineries event calendars for their times over the holiday season. There are also age restrictions on some of the vineyards websites.Don't forget to have a designated driver.

Visit Grandfather Mountain - A wonderful day outing or even an overnight trip - beautiful anytime of the year. Couple this with a trip to Boone or Asheville and enjoy an overnight trip.

Crowders Kings Mountain - Hiking and Walking Trail or possibly enjoy some fishing. 

NC Zoo - Visit the NC Zoo - open all year with the exception of Christmas Day

Overnight Trips

Greenville SC - A picturesque city with a wonderful old town with several places to enjoy a meal, wonderful walking areas paths next to the river and even a suspension bridge to walk over. 

Boone NC - Wonderful time of the year to visit Boone NC. The old town is spectacular, with gorgeous shops and restaurants. 

Asheville NC - Head for the mountains and visit beautiful Asheville NC. Take in the beauty of Biltmore or even the Omni Grove Park Inn - Its such a beautiful area, you may want to stay a day or two?

Charleston SC - A wonderful place to visit. Enjoy the historic old town and the beautiful buildings, churches and markets. A must visit. Walk at Folly Beach and free your soul.

Wilmington NC - Enjoy the River front and the eclectic downtown - a lovely waterfront City.

If you have any suggestions of other great places to visit while the weather is so good, I'd love to hear from you. Please comment below.

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Day Trips From Charlotte NC

Day Trips from Charlotte NC

The Appalachians:

Charlotte NC

Nothing more breathtaking than a day to the mountains. Its a beautiful winding 2½ hour drive up into the Appalachian mountains. 

There are great hiking trails in the Appalachians and great spots to have a picnic and take in the scenery. Visit Grandfather Mountain, the Linville Caverns where you can see stalactites and stalagmites. If you enjoy bird watching or rock climbing then Chimney Rock, close to Lake Lure is definitely worth the visit.

Asheville:

No trip to the picturesque mountain town of Asheville would be complete without a visit to Biltmore Estate.  Asheville has so many things to do, has a great vibe and this arty and eclectic town has so much to offer. You may even rub shoulders with the Rich and Famous who enjoy the Arts, Bars, Pavement Cafes and Coffee Shops in this mountain town.

Yadkin Valley Wine Tours:

The Yadkin Valley is about 1½ drive into the vineyards from Charlotte NC.

There are several beautiful wineries in the Surry County area includes Shelton Vineyards, Olde Mill Vineyards. Shallowford Trail includes Misty Creek Vineyard, Westbend Vineyard and more. Along the Yadkin River Trail visit Flint Hill Vineyards and Century Kitchens, Sanders Ridge Vineyard and Winery and Cellar 4201 Vineyards. The Southern Gateway includes Childress Vineyards, http://www.juniuslindsay.com/ and Weathervane Winery and then of course Swan Creek which has Shadow Springs Vineyards, Dobbins Creek and others.

North Carolina Zoo:

The North Carolina Zoo is 1½ hours drive from Charlotte NC.

The zoo sprawls over 500 acres and the animals offer a blend of two continents. One moment you are on the plains of Africa and the next you are on the Arctic Coast enjoying the Polar Bear enclosure. If you can enjoy seeing these beautiful wild animals enclosed then you would enjoy a trip to this zoo.

Day Trips in Charlotte:

Charlotte is a wonderful city with lots of different things to do. Whether you are looking for adventure, history or the arts, then take in these lovely family outings. Charlotte Motor Speedway,  Carowinds Theme Park, Aviation Museum and the US White Water Center are fun things to do with the whole family. Discovery Place is a perfect days entertainment for the children of all ages. Even the Moms, Dads and Grans will enjoy this outing!

The Beach:

The beaches are 3 to 4 hours drive away from Charlotte.

The beach, which is more an overnight or week end trip from Charlotte is definitely worth the mention. Myrtle Beach and Charleston Beach in South Carolina are two beautiful and interesting areas. 

Charleston has cobbled streets, historic homes and stunning beaches. There are tours to the plantations, harbor tours, culinary and pub tours. You cannot miss Charleston.

Myrtle Beach is much more commercialized. It is a great place to swim in the sea, go fishing, take lovely walks along the beach. It has great golf courses, the Family Kingdom Amusement Park and Dragon's Lair Fantasy Golf with a 30 foot fire-breathing dragon.

Outerbanks NC The Outerbanks of NC are home to the Wild Mustangs who are descendants of the horses brought to America by the Spanish Explorers more than 500 years ago. They live in the wild, fend for themselves and bring an air of mystery to the area. 

Whether you want go fishing, visit the lighthouses, or go sailing - the wonderful beaches of the outer banks should be on your list of places to visit.

Wilmington and Wrightsville beaches attract North Carolinians throughout the summer months. Whether you are shopping for antiques, looking for a gift at the unusual shops or just there to enjoy watersports, sun and sea - the beaches are worth the trip.

If you fall in love with Charlotte NC - Please call me and let me help relocate you to this beautiful region!
With the moderate climate, Lifestyle of Lake Norman and the convenient situation of this great City, why would you want to live anywhere else?

www.KarenBrowderLakeNorman.com

Image credit: digidreamgrafix / 123RF Stock Photo