Look closely at Charlotte and you’ll discover a lot.  With warm weather soon here to stay, it can only mean one thing…school’s out for the summer.  But who says you can’t soak up the sun and learn something while you’re at it?  This spring and summer, move to the head of the class by exploring Charlotte’s family-friendly crash courses that take a page from some of your favorite subjects. 

 

History

Don’t be deceived by the pristine skyscrapers.  Charlotte’s got a rich history with lots of stories to tell.  Pan for gold at the site of the nation’s very first gold rush at Reed Gold Mine.  Take a tour with Civil War era docents at Rosedale Plantation.  Or relive a civil rights era sit-in at a lunch counter at Levine Museum of the New South.  From Revolutionary War reenactments to the lasting legacy of icons like Billy Graham, this is history worth repeating.

 

Science

For aspiring scientists, Charlotte has lots of interactive possibilities to stimulate young minds.  Discovery Place is a magnet for some of the nation’s most popular traveling exhibits including Shipwreck!  Pirates & Treasure, which will soon showcase priceless gems unearthed on the ocean floor.  And sure to be a crowd pleaser, learn the physics behind what makes those speed-seeking stockcars tick.  Dozens of NASCAR team shops, tours, and race-themed attractions put you in the driver’s seat.    

 

Art

Take your avid “artiste” to cultural facilities that show off some celebrated works of art.  The Mint Museums, which will boast a new facility in Center City in late 2010, offer an energetic line-up of hands-on events where kids can create their own Kandinsky or even embark on masterpiece-filled scavenger hunt.  Gallery crawls in nearby neighborhoods and walking tours that show off the city’s best public art are engaging escapes too.

 

Recess

 At last, everyone’s favorite subject.  Family bonding doesn’t get much better than at the U.S. National Whitewater Center.  Take on the rapids of the world’s largest manmade whitewater river, try your hand at the latest treasure-hunting craze, geo-caching, or just munch on some fried pickles while taking in the view.  Or if heart-pounding coasters are more your speed, don’t miss the newest member of the Carowinds family, the 125-foot-tall Carolina Cobra. 

 

So from a sparkling night skyline to adrenaline-rushing adventures, when in Charlotte, families will find a lot to their liking – not to mention plenty of Southern comforts along the way.  Find a lot more at 1-800-231-4636 or charlottesgotalot.com.