Cheap Vacation: Charlotte, N.C.
Charlotte was named for a German princess, but settled in 1755 by Northern Irish. To further confuse the issue, the city flag is the Saint Andrews flag of Scotland.
Today, you still find remnants of early settlers as the Great Wagon Road on the east-west trading route across North Carolina has evolved into Trade Street. Tryon Street was named for a royal governor serving prior to the Revolutionary War.
On May 20th Charlotte celebrates “MecDec” Day with musket and cannon fire by reenactors in Independence Square. In 1775 local leaders signed their own Declaration of Independence known as the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence shorted to MecDec.
Charlotte is a sports town where you can enjoy professional games year round. Home to Carolina Panthers football, Charlotte Hornets basketball, largely owned by Michael Jordan who grew up in North Carolina, Charlotte Checkers ice hockey, a Triple-A baseball team, the Knights, associated with the Chicago White Sox, three soccer leagues and Charlotte Curling Association. Curling has grown in popularity with the coverage of the sport at the Olympics. Local resident and a fan of curling for many years, Don Jernigan, recently attended curling lessons at the association facilities. Final decision, “It’s a lot harder than it looks on television”.
So many things to do around Charlotte maybe for a school break or a family vacation. Carowinds Amusement Park is located right on the border of North and South Carolina, you can see the roller coasters from Interstate 77. In addition, they have a historic, hand built carousel built in 1923 still in operation. Camp Snoopy is children rides based on the beloved cartoon character, Snoopy. If it’s warm enough Carolina Harbor water park would be fun. Tickets for the day at $39, children 3-5 are free.
Nascar Hall of Fame is located in Charlotte, a city noted for racing with several tracks, driving experiences in Nascar to Indy cars.
Billy Graham Library and Museum is near the airport.
The University of North Carolina has a free botanical garden. You can take a free self-guided walking tour of Uptown Charlotte to satisfy your interest in historical, artistic, architectural or entertainment. The Mint Museum in Uptown has an exhibit of N.C. costume designer, William Ivey Long, until June 3, 2018. On display are sketches, swatches, costumes of many of his famous designs worn by film, stage and famous musicians.
Knight Theater is located nearby with productions of ballet, symphonic concerts, dancing including “Dancing with the Stars of Charlotte”, tribute to the famous jazz pianist, “Music of Thelonious Monk”, and Charlotte Symphony Alt Sounds: “Mr. Tambourine Man: Poems of Bob Dylan”.
Located about 27 miles north east of Charlotte is the Reed Gold Mine. In 1799 a teenager found a 17-pound rock and brought it home and was used as a doorstop until it was discovered it was almost solid gold. This is the area where the United States first gold rush began. Pan for gold in some of the creeks nearby.
Where to stay: many, many budget hotels starting at $47 a night are near the Charlotte International Airport.
Where to eat: around this area are restaurants from the many ethnic groups that call Charlotte home. If you like Greek food, don’t miss The Mad Greek. The restaurant is family-owned and operated and authentic. They even have the televisions tuned to channels from Athens, Greece. You can find AYCE buffet at a Chinese restaurants, North Carolina BBQ, all the regular chain restaurants.
From Monticello, motor up to I-20, stay on I-20 to I-77 on the east side of Columbia, take I-77 North and right as you leave South Carolina, you are basically in Charlotte. FYI- South Carolina gas station prices are 20 cents less than Georgia.
Your trip should take around five hours.
Happy Traveling.
