Southern hospitality has been well preserved in Charlotte. Although those looking for an action-packed adventure vacation may have to look elsewhere - the pace here is sedate and the atmosphere relaxed - there is plenty to see and do in this town.

Museums

Charlotte is proud of its history and visitors are encouraged to share in it, with inexpensive museums and tours of historic high-points. The Uptown Museum Pass ($18 adult and $12 kids 16 and under) is a four-day pass with discounted entry to the Mint Museum, Discovery Place and  the Levine Museum of the New South. These are, respectively, as history of money (more interesting than you would think), a scientific treasure trove of curios and hands-on exhibits, and a repository of information and relics that recount the turbulent history of the Southern States.

Things to Do

The Lazy 5 Ranch is an odd mix of old-world Southern living and African Safari. A three and a half mile drive through the Lazy 5 (either in your own car or horse drawn carriage) brings visitors into contact with  rhinos, giraffes and moose. There is a petting zoo for the kids, and a taste of fin de ciecle life in the South with a functioning smithy and horse barn. Nearby the Lazy 5 is Lake Norman, an ostrich ranch that offers education on this odd bird as well as tastes of the delicacy (a combination of venison and, of course, chicken). Lake Norman also offers accommodation and can be reached by heading 8 miles north of Charlotte on the I-77

Nature

Hiking and nature trails are plentiful in the immediate surrounds of Charlotte. The Reedy Creek Nature Preserve is a good jumping-off point for hikes of all difficulty levels and the US National Whitewater Center has a full gamut of river activities (from sedate kayak paddling to full-scale whitewater rafting – not for the fainthearted) as well as rock climbing lessons and equipment hire. The Wing Haven Garden and Bird Sanctuary (248 Ridgewood Ave) is another leisurely way to wile away an afternoon and gives upclose encounters with the winged fauna of the North Carolina region.

Off the Beaten Path

To get a taste of the 'true' Charlotte, leave the beaten path and head to Pineville, a suburb in South Meckleburg County, just north of the state line. Pineville is a sleepy area, small but affluent, and the food is a combination of traditional Southern and avant garde, while the antique shops and other outlets for local arts and curios give visitors a chance to pass the time of day with owners who have not yet been inundated by tourist hordes.

After Dawn

Charlotte is big on its old-world charm, and an evening made up of a horse drawn carriage ride topped off with a candle-lit dinner and a show at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center is a story-book way to spend a night. The Blumenthal is a Charlotte icon, and as well as hosting touring Broadway shows, it is an architectural attraction in itself. Around a century old, the building has been lovingly kept over the years and is an indulgent homage to turn of the century luxury, with high ceilings and roomy seats in a gilt and maroon color scheme.

Hotels

There are a range of accommodation options in Charlotte and its surrounds. The University area is a good combination of tourist safety, restaurants and bars, historic architecture and quiet nights for sleeping well. Hotels in this district are priced at around $100 per night.

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