HOT CHARLOTTE STAYS COOL August 5, 2016

Charlotte is a beautiful city, a lot in part due to its distinct change of seasons. There’s no dull monotony of too-long winters or never-ending heat in Charlotte! Queen Charlotte maintains her weather schedule with strict attention to detail, allowing her people to plan activities and wardrobes accordingly! The heat of summer is upon us and because Charlotte is so wonderfully located, cooling off ,in and out of the city, is a easy as (a frozen, peach) pie!

Ocean breezes are just a few hours drive from Charlotte! People all have their favorites, from Isle of Palms and Folly in the Charleston area to the sands of Cherry Grove and Litchfield in Myrtle beach. Charlotte locals can be seen with their OBX stickers swearing allegiance to the Outer Banks, while others have the HH for Hilton Head on their bumpers. Wilmington offers a charming, breezy beach opportunity at its popular Wrightsville and Carolina beaches. Dip your toes in the water, grab a cool drink and play to your heart’s content at one of the plethora of beaches just a very short trip from Charlotte!

Who doesn’t love the amazingly beautiful Carolina Mountains?! Always about ten degrees cooler than the metropolitan areas, the mountains are just a couple hours away. Blowing Rock is a two hour drive and a favorite for families! Ride the train at Tweetsie Railroad, and visit the mysterious winds of the Blowing Rock. Just up the road, past the city of Boone, swimming holes abound for those wanting an alternative to the cement ponds. Hebron Rock Colony is a natural rock formation about 20 minutes away from Boone. Large boulders, small waterfalls and multiple swimming holes can be found there. Trash Can Falls features cascading falls and a few jumps ranging from 15 to 30 feet high. The Falls are off 321, right past the Watauga River Bridge. Snake Pit is in the same vicinity as Trash Can. Snake Pit provides visitors with a large area to swim  and multiple flat boulders make it possible to sunbathe. Sliding Rock is literally a sliding rock! Slide down the smooth rock into the crisp, mountain water! Sliding rock is located just north of Brevard. Hooker Falls is in the DuPont State forest and offers a great tubing experience while listening to the peaceful sounds of a waterfall. Lake Lure offers sandy beaches with mountain views! Near Chimney Rock, hiking in the cool of the morning and splashing in the refreshing water in the afternoon is a heavenly way to enjoy summertime!

Stay in the gorgeous green of the Queen City and have some fun to escape the high summer temps! Charlotte is always regionally prepared for her seasons and offers cool summer activities to beat the heat! Parks in Charlotte most appropriately turn on the water during the warm sunny days of summer!

Romare Bearden Park is located in the heart of the city! Open, grass fields offered a casual play area (just recently spotted casually kicking balls on the grass were international soccer players from the 2016 International Champion Cup being played at Bank of America stadium) and a fountain/waterfall area for the kids to splash and play! Quiet gardens and benches are strategically located for peaceful relaxation! Latta Splash Park in Dilworth is located just in sight of the Charlotte skyline! The splash park is directly next to the playground area and makes this park especially convenient for the young families! Green, the Splash Park is Uptown at the popular The Green area. Art, statues and restaurants are all within this metropolitan, three-tiered lawn area! Towering fish fountains supply a steady stream of cold water for a romp in the splash area. Carolina Harbor Water Park at Carowinds offers all sorts of water activities from a six story high water slide to a Myrtle Turtle pre-school beach area!

Tastebuds have their own requisites during the summer! Satisfying that summer palate most likely includes something cool, creamy, bubbly and delicious! Pike’s Old Fashioned Soda Shop in Southend offers custom made milkshakes, malts, New York Style egg creams and old fashioned ice cream sodas! Sit and share a milkshake at the very same counter as Gwyneth Paltrow and Jack Black in in the movie SHALLOW HAL! Go local and fresh at the Elizabeth Creamery. Owned and operated by the lovely Kims, this mom and pop ice cream will have you loving your brain freeze! King of Pops are popsicles for the sophisticated palate! Tracking down the location of this frozen treat is a must for sweating Charlotteans! Yummy flavors range from white chocolate peppermint to peppermint mojito.

Mojito popsicles are delicious, but if you prefer to refresh with drinks in liquid form,Charlotte is home to over two dozen breweries with many more in the planning stages!  The Brewery Crawl in South End is the ticket to sampling several breweries in one night! Twelve stops allow you to hop the breweries, including tastings from Triple C Brewery (who welcomes your four-legged friends on the back patio) to The Unknown Brewing company. Olde Mecklenburg Brewery,Charlotte’s very first brewery, opened in 2009! Enjoy the outside Biergarten or dine in at the Brauhaus. Take a tour of the operations and events are always a part of the Olde Meck scene, everything from yoga to the upcoming LOSO BLOCK PARTY  includes a frosty, tall one!  Food Truck Friday in Charlotte now has more than 14 trucks, including the Sycamore Brewing Company.Grab a bite and wash it down with a cold brew!

Charlotte sizzles with summer cool downs just a short drive away or minutes down the road. Hop on the trolley, jump in the car or walk down the street to enjoy the advantageous centralization of a hopping city surrounded by beach and mountain escapes!

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CHARLOTTE FARMS OPEN FOR FALL FAMILY FUN October 5, 2014

 

 

Charlotte is considered a wonderfully entertaining metropolis and, yet, having fall fun in the country is often less than an hour away!

Families in the Queen City have their favorite pumpkin picking and apple picking farms and the top family choices are as consistent as Charlotte’s beautiful fall weather!

Hall Family Farm is right in Mecklenburg County, up the well-traveled Providence Road. The short drive taking you past all the lovely neighborhoods on the way is almost as enjoyable the farm itself! Families can tackle a 5-acre corn maze, pick a pumpkin, take a hayride and enjoy a bonfire. Kids can enjoy the free activities including a mini maze and race. Fall hours are September 29-November 8; Monday-Sunday 9am-6pm and Friday-Saturday 9am-6pm.

Carrigan Farms is just over 30 minutes from Charlotte, right outside Mooresville. This is a family owned farm with a genuine family atmosphere. Apples are still on the trees waiting to be picked and are available at the great rate of $6.50 per half-peck bag. Pumpkins are grown on the farm and families can pick them right off the vine! The pumpkin patch, tractor-drawn hayride takes the children and adults right to the pumpkins where $10 gives you the pumpkin of your choice!

Hodges Family Farm is not only a great time, but is also an agritourism sight hoping to educate families about farm animals and local farming. Hayrides will take you to pick out your own pumpkin, farm animals and pony rides. There is even a Hay Mountain! After Thanksgiving, Frazier Firs from the local mountain areas are available for your very own, personally chosen Christmas tree! For every real Christmas tree harvested, two-three seedlings are planted in its place. Buying a Christmas tree supports over 100,000 people employed in the industry.

The Hunter Farm provides a smaller experience, especially for those families with little ones. The farm is open to the public September 27^th through November 16^th. The ticket price includes a short hayride, choosing a small pumpkin and a visit to the petting barn. Bonfires and night rides are available with reservations. Located in Weddington, the Hall Family Farm is an easy, low-key adventure.

Wise Acres is an organic way to pick your pumpkin and have some fun! Pick your own pumpkin and enjoy the fall colors as you travel on the hay wagon through the local woods. Explore a mini sudangrass maze and play in the playground made of 100% recycled materials. Fresh air is free and fresh ingredients are for sale.

 The Regal Corn Maze in Statesville is a popular fall destination for those who like a challenge! Adventures include a corn maze, corn cannon, giant slingshot, seer head lassoing and a cow train and mini maze for the smaller set! Only about an hour from Charlotte, the Corn Maze is open every weekend in October.

The gates are flung open and inviting you to fall fun at Charlotte’s local farming communities! Fall colors, brisk air, pumpkins, hayrides, apples and mazes await!

 

 

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CHARLOTTE FALL FESTIVALS OFFER FAMILY FUN September 8, 2014

Charlotte’s beautiful fall weather is calling families outside for fall festival celebrations! Gather family and friends and enjoy the faint cool fall breeze whispering through the Carolina sunshine!

No family member is more appreciative of fantastic weather more than the family pet! WOOFSTOCK is a “far out” festival for you and Fido at Amos’ Southend on Saturday, September 13! Food trucks will be there to feed the humans while they bid on silent auction items. Great Dane Friends of Ruff Love and the Blue Ridge Boxer Rescue are hosting this groovy good time. New, furry family members will offered for adoption.

Charlotte is a fantastic city of cultural diversity! The Festival of India is a great way to learn about and celebrate Charlotte’s Indian community. Experience the richness of arts, crafts, languages and cuisines from different regions of India. A large food court will offer a wide range of Indian delicacies. Children will have their own activities to keep them engaged while mom gets a beautiful henna tattoo! Festival of India will be held at the Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center September 13-14.

Travel from India and explore the entire world at the 39^th Annual UNC International Festival at UNC Charlotte! This huge exhibition of cultures of the world is a Charlotte tradition. Learn about different lands as you meander through tents of displays and enjoy song, dance and cuisine.

 CHARLOTTE CRABS & BEER FEST is a delicious way to welcome fall on September 13! A Low Country Boil is a Carolina delicacy that is sure to please the entire family in Uptown Charlotte! Fresh Blue Crabs will be offered along with specialty beer, games, music and various vendors.

Another way to satisfy your need for HOPPY fun is at the 2014 CHARLOTTE BEER FESTIVAL on September 20 at the BB&T Ballpark. Uptown Charlotte’s home of the Charlotte Knights will host a showcase of craft beers from local and international breweries. Music and fun will be from 5-9pm

Carolina Brewmasters, Charlotte Oktoberfest will be a September 27^th celebration this year at the NC Music Factory. This is a charity event that has been contributing to nonprofits for over 15 years and is one of the largest beer fests in the Southeast.

Great Grapes! Is a casual wine tasting with hundreds of wines to try! Held at Symphony Park at Southpark Mall, this stroll allows people to refill their tasting glass at each tent offering NC wines. Live music will be provided and patrons are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets on October 4, 11am-7pm.

A little outside of Charlotte, Shelton Vineyards will be hosting its Ninth Annual Harvest Festival October 10-12. This family friendly festival will include local craft items and produce for sale, hayrides and bluegrass bands. Enjoy the fun while sipping on your favorite Shelton Vineyard wines. Food will be available, as will regular winery tours and tastings.

The 12^th Annual Q-City Charlotte BBQ Championship and festival will be October 17-18 in Uptown Charlotte! Teams will cook and compete for the Governor’s Cup Trophy. Pork eating along with other food trucks and vendors will fill your tummy with yumminess while you listen to great music and sample some favorite beverages.

Festival in the Park is a favorite Charlotte tradition! Held at Freedom Park, the festival has been serving up food, fun, music and original art since 1964. Over 180 artists and crafts people surround Freedom Park’s Lake. The festival will be September 19-21.

Charlotte’s close neighbor, Statesville, is host to Carolina BalloonFest, the premier hot air balloon festival of the Southeast! On October 17-19 families can bring lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy the amazing sight of over 50 colorful hot air balloons. Take a balloon ride, enjoy the food and listen to the music! Benefits go to the American Cancer Society.

Cajunfest is a celebration of the Bayou in Charlotte! Held in the new, beautiful Romare Bearden Park in Uptown Charlotte, this festival will have music, Cajun food and activities for the kids. Admission is free on September 28, 11am-8pm

No festival news would be complete without including the Carolina Renaissance Festival! This medieval amusement park will entertain you with everything from jousting tournaments to turkey legs to munch on. Enjoy the fun Saturdays and Sundays, October 4-November 23.

Charlotte is the epitome of Southern perfection during the fall! Warm sunshine and cool breezes are beckoning you outdoors for fantastic fall fun frolics!

 

 

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CHARLOTTE SPLASHES INTO SUMMER July 2, 2014

Charlotte is splashing into the lazy, hazy, beautiful days of a Southern summer!

A variety of water worlds and water activities are available within the Charlotte area ready to keep the entire family cool!

The U.S. Whitewater Center is the world’s largest manmade river! Rafting for all levels and flat-water activities, like kayaking and paddle boarding in the Catawba River, are great ways to involve the entire family in water activities. The Carolina summer breezes are available for landlubbers, including canopy tours, hiking, biking and zip lining.

The Great Wolf Lodge has plenty of splash room in its 80,000ft, comfortable 84-degree indoor water park! Approximately 30 minutes from Charlotte, this kid- coveted, magical destination includes thrilling slides for the adventure seekers and a zero-depth entry for the younger children and toddlers. Magiquest for battling dragons and Scoops Kid Spa for an ice cream-themed manicure are available for the water logged.

Ray’s Splash Planet is conveniently located in Charlotte’s fun Uptown! Ray’s offers a variety of water activities including the Vortex, a quick-current pool, and a three-story water slide. A lazy river, lap lanes for swimming and water sports round off the fun.

Carowind’s is a theme park destination for all thrill seekers! After all the roller coaster turbulence, riders can seek out the refreshing Boomerang Bay! This 60,000-gallon wave pool is for all ages and includes towering water slides and a lazy river.

Lake Norman is 520 miles of lake lover’s fun! Rent a boat or Jet Ski and cruise the water! Lake access is readily available, especially convenient through Lake Norman State Park, which allows fishing and a small beach for swimmers.

Lake Wylie is a manmade lake that can boast being in North AND South Carolina! Lake Wylie has 325 miles of shoreline, offering boating, fishing and swimming. Boat rentals are available. Anchor in one of the many coves and enjoy a relaxing time with friends and family!

Nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina in the summertime! Enjoy the sunshine and beauty of a Charlotte summer by beating the heat in the many water activities available in the Queen City!

 

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