301 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
(704) 372-6261, (800) 935-0553

One of the top hands-on science and technology facilities in the nation, with permanent exhibits covering such topics as the tropical rain forest and underwater/aquarium world. Highlights include a static electricity demonstration that puts one’s hair on end, while the included Charlotte Nature Museum and IMAX Dome theatre further raise the entertainment and educational level. Special subject areas include human health and development, and wilderness exploration. Discoveryplace.org

College and Trade Streets, Charlotte, NC 28202

A 267,000-square-foot entertainment center that began its phased with the debut of Whisky Run, a country rock ’n roll bar owned by NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. Located in Center City, the complex, when completed, will feature more than 50 restaurants and shops, including a dueling-piano bar; a five-screen all-digital movie theater/lounge; and an 18-lane bowling alley with martini bar. Epicentre-charlotte.com

2700 East Independence Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28205
(704) 372-3600

Located adjacent to Bojangle’s Coliseum, Ovens Auditorium opened next to the dome in 1955. Since then, renowned entertainers have graced its stage, from the Billy Graham Crusade and inspirational speakers to Bruce Springsteen, Broadway shows, and acclaimed stage, music and dance performers.  With a seating capacity of approximately 2,460, Ovens has hosted more than 7,000 events, attended by 9.4 million people, including many a local graduate. OvensAuditorium.com

707 Pavilion Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28262
(704) 549-5555

A large outdoor concert venue, the Verizon Wireless hosts major live acts from rock, alternative, pop, country, and jazz to rhythm and blues.  Special events and festivals are also offered at this popular entertainment venue. Livenation.com

5555 Concord Parkway South, Harrisburg, NC 28075
(704) 455-3200

Home to the NASCAR All-Star Challenge, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca Cola 600 and the NASCAR Banking 500 only from Bank of America, the speedway also hosts automobile racing schools, car shows, drag races, street racing, bus and truck racing, kids’ events, charity activities and fan appreciation nights. With 140,000 seats at its 1.5-mile superspeedway plus camping, entertainment and hospitality suites and condominiums, it is one of motor sports’ most revered competition facilities.

Driving Schools at Charlotte Motor Speedway include:

• Richard Petty Driving Experience (800) BE-PETTY
• Jeff Gordon Racing School (877) 4-Jeff-24
• Fast Track High Performance Driving School (704) 455-1700
• Legends Driving School (704) 455-3240
• Dale Jarrett Driving Adventure (888) 467-2231
• SpeedTech Auto Racing School (877) 807-7333
• Buck Baker Driving School (704) 366-6224

CharlotteMotorspeedway.com

800 South Mint Street, Charlotte, NC, 28202
(704) 358-7000

Home to the NFL’s Carolina Panthers, Bank of America Stadium seats nearly 75,000 spectators and is located right in Uptown. The open-air, natural grass stadium was specifically designed for football and serves as a self-contained headquarters for the Carolina Panthers. It includes training facilities, practice fields and team administrative offices, as well as dining, entertaining and broadcasting venues.
 
Carolina Panthers Home Games for 2009-2010 are scheduled for:

• September 11 (Washington Redskins)
• September 25 (Buffalo Bills)
• November 15 (Atlanta Falcons)
• December 6 (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
• December 20 (Minnesota Vikings)
• January 30, 2010 (New Orleans Saints)

Panthers.com/stadium

333 E. Trade Street Charlotte, NC 28202
(704) 522-6500

Formerly the Bobcats Arena, Time Warner Cable Arena is home to the National Basketball League's Charlotte Bobcats and the East Coast Hockey League's Charlotte Checkers. Headliner concerts, college sports competition, family entertainment, ice shows, monster jams, circuses and horse shows are all presented at the arena, which is located within walking distance of The Ritz-Carlton and on a light-rail stop as well.
TimeWarnerCableArena.com

820 Hamilton Street, Charlotte, NC 28207
(704) 987-0612

A new music and entertainment district in Uptown Village, this innovative development features an amphitheatre for live music performances, clubs, restaurants, recording facilities and other coming entertainment-focused facilities.  NC MusicFactory.com

501 South College Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
(704) 339-6000

The Charlotte Convention Center opened in 1995 as a major regional venue for conventions, trade shows, banquets and theater-style conferences. With 850,000 square-feet of features and 280,000 square-feet of exhibit space, the gracefully-designed facility attracts more than half a million visitors each year. CharlotteConventionCenter.com

Martin Luther King Boulevard and Brevard Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
(800) 231-4636

NASCAR selected the Queen City of Charlotte as home for its long-anticipated Hall of Fame, and this state-of-the-art new facility now honors the world and icons of NASCAR, saluting the many colorful drivers, crew members, team owners and others who have played such a role in stock-car racing. The Hall includes exhibit space, a Great Hall, a Hall of Honor, interactive entertainment, restaurants and retail outlets and is located in the heart of uptown Charlotte, directly across the street from the Charlotte Convention Center. NascarHallOfFame.com

300 East 7th Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
(704) 973-2780

A collaborative venture of the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County and the Children's Theatre of Charlotte, ImaginOn offers library collections, children’s education programs, children’s theatre presentations and other activities to bring stories to life through extraordinary experiences that challenge, inspire and excite young minds.
ImaginOn.org

6000 Sample Road, Huntersville, NC 28078
(704) 875-6521

Carolina Raptor Center is dedicated to protecting and conserving birds of prey through research and education programs and through the care and rehabilitation of orphaned and injured raptors. A self-guided tour along the Center’s ¾-mile lakeside nature trail offers a look at 22 different species of raptors. CarolinaRaptorCenter.org

6500 South New Hope Road, Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 825-4490

Not far from Charlotte lies this stunning botanical garden, offering 110 serene yet colorful acres of sensory beauty. Native plants, flowers and trees are complemented by special themed gardens and an 8,000-square-foot conservatory displaying magnificent orchids and blooming tropical plants. Interesting programs are offered throughout the year, including even night-time and winter experiences. dsbg.org

4330 Westmont Drive, Charlotte, NC 28217
(704) 401-3200

This family-friendly facility combines
multimedia technology and Billy Graham memorabilia to provide a look into the life of beloved evangelist Billy Graham. A gift shop, café and Graham’s childhood home complete this North Carolina experience, which is free to the public.  BillyGraham.org

330 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 22801
(704) 331-2700

This walking tour provides insight into Charlotte's past , offering a glimpse of historic homes, a beautifully-revitalized Victorian neighborhood, the historic Fourth Ward District, and Charlotte's Centre City. HistoricCharlotte.org

1507 Camden Road, Charlotte, NC 28203
(704) 375-0850

Car #85, a vintage electric streetcar, leaves on the hour and the half hour and operates on the old Southern Railroad main line that connects the Convention Center with neighborhoods on the South End, Dilworth, and Wilmore areas. CharlotteTrolley.org

2100 Randolph Road, Charlotte, NC 28207
(704) 375-6145

Another colorful walking tour, this stroll covers Charlotte's current "historic renaissance," passing through neighborhoods with historic textile factories, legendary churches, and merchant shops that have been gentrified and renovated in tasteful Charlotte fashion.  HistoricCharlotte.org

248 Ridgewood Avenue, Charlotte, NC, 28209
(704) 331-0664

Created in 1927 by Elizabeth and Edwin Clarkson, this is a charming three-acre enclosed area in the heart of a Charlotte residential neighborhood. Mrs. Clarkson was known as the city's "bird lady," and 142 winged species have been sighted in the walled garden she created from a bare clay field. The sanctuary is divided into Upper, Lower, Main, Wild, Herb, and Rose gardens, which are especially full of life in the spring, when birds begin returning from their winter migration. A bulletin board advises which birds are visiting at the moment. WingHavenGardens.com

14523 Carowinds Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28273
(704) 588-2600, (800) 888-4386

A 105-acre water and theme park for the young and young-at-heart, this park features over 100 rides, shows, movie-inspired experiences, a Zoom Zone children's area and Nickelodeon WaterWorks water park. CaroWinds.com

.4 mile from the hotel
130 North Tryon Street Charlotte, NC 28202, 704-372-1000.

The Blumenthal features three distinct performance venues: the 2,100-seat Belk Theater, the 434-seat Booth Playhouse, and the 150-seat Studio Theater. Popular performance offerings include the Broadway Lights Series, featuring national touring Broadway productions, and myriad plays, concerts, dance concerts and comedy presentations. . Connected to Bank of America Corporate Center, the Blumenthal is home to the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Opera Carolina, North Carolina Dance Theatre, Carolina Voices and the Carolinas Concert Association. http://www.blumenthalcenter.org/

7.25 miles from the hotel
3500 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC 28215, 704-568-1774.

Set within the revolutionary home of Hezekiah Alexander, this is the oldest existing home in Mecklenburg County and is rich in artifacts and documents related to American and local history and period home design. http://www.charlottemuseum.org

3.7 miles from the hotel
1658 Sterling Road, Charlotte, NC 28209, 704-372-6261
http://www.discoveryplace.org

Adjacent to Freedom Park, this child-friendly nature museum features hands-on natural history exhibits and activities, as well as a live animal room, puppet theatre and scenic nature trail.

.25 mile from the hotel
200 East Seventh Street, Charlotte, NC 28202, 703-444-1887.

Focusing on the New South cultural and historic era, this is the only regional history museum to present the history and culture of the South from the immediate post-Civil War era to the present day. Hands-on history exhibits provide added dimension to this educational walk through contemporary American history. www.museumofthenewsouth.org

.25 mile from the hotel
2730 Randolph Road, Charlotte, NC 28202, 704-337-2000.

The Mint Museum of Art was the first branch of the United States Mint and is North Carolina’s first art museum. A collection of valuable American and European paintings make it one of the premier fine arts museums in the Southeast, with added highlights that include the art of Native Americans, Colonial Americans and other cultures that have helped shape today’s American art world. http://www.mintmuseum.org

.25 mile from the hotel
220 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28207, 704-337-2000.

An inside look at the world of crafts, with special insights into how the evolution of craft artifacts and other artisan pieces reflect the ages in which they were created. Ceramic, glass, fiber, metal and wood are all featured media. www.mintmuseum.org

1.5 miles from the hotel
211 East Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28215, 704-375-7800.

Designed by Charles Christian Hook and built in the early 1900s, this Colonial Revival style house features historical and architectural features unique to the era and now houses an art gallery as well.

3 miles from the hotel
2216 Monument Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28208, 704-398-2260.

Built some 150 years ago, this historic home was constructed for Confederate Captain James C. Dowd and later became the headquarters of Camp Greene, a U.S. Army Military Base, in 1917. Tours are available by reservation, with the house usually open the third Sunday of each month. www.historiccampgreene.com

3.4 miles from the hotel
3427 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28206, 704-335-0325.

Nearly 200 years old, Rosedale began as a 911-acre plantation and manor estate designed in the Federalist architectural style. Restored to its original glory and even featuring the French wallpaper that was first utilized when it was built, the house features eight acres of gardens and is a National Register Landmark. www.historicrosedale.org

7.5 miles from the hotel
4108 Airport Drive, Charlotte, NC 28208, 704-359-8442.

A trip through the world of aviation, this museum is conveniently located at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport. www.carolinasaviation.org

0.8 mile from the hotel
420 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28202, (704) 353-9200

Dedicated to the exhibition of mid-20th-century European and American modern art, this new museum reflects most of the important art movements and schools from the 20th century with a deep holding of the School of Paris after World War II. Only a handful of the artworks in the collection have been on public view in the United States. Until now, the collection was privately held by the Bechtler family of Switzerland and the U.S. and has since been committed to the city of Charlotte. Website

.8 mile from the hotel
551 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28202, 704-547-3700

The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African- American Arts + Culture (formerly the Afro- American Cultural Center) celebrates the contributions of Africans and African- Americans to American culture for 35 years and serves as a community epicenter for music, dance, theater, visual art, film, arts education programs, literature and community outreach. A renowned cultural destination, the center is dedicated to preserving the artistic heritage of African-American culture. Highlights include exhibitions, a visual arts gallery, hands-on workshops, and live performances in its own theatre and amphitheatre.

http://www.ganttcenter.org

.8 mile from the hotel
420 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28202, 704-372-1000.

Charlotte’s newest major performance venue, the Knight Theatre is part of a large cultural campus that includes the new Mint Museum, Bechtler Art Museum and Harvey B. Gantt Center. Music, plays, and a variety of other presentations highlight the many events offered at this contemporary new theatre.

http://www.blumenthalcenter.org/

800 South Mint Street, Charlotte, NC, 28202
(704) 358-7000

Home to the NFL’s Carolina Panthers, Bank of America Stadium seats nearly 75,000 spectators and is located right in Uptown. The open-air, natural grass stadium was specifically designed for football and serves as a self-contained headquarters for the Carolina Panthers. It includes training facilities, practice fields and team administrative offices, as well as dining, entertaining and broadcasting venues.

Carolina Panthers Home Games for 2011 are scheduled for:

• September 25 (Jacksonville Jaguars)
• October 9 (New Orleans Saints)
• October 23 (Washington Redskins)
• October 30 (Minnesota Vikings)
• November 13 (Tennessee Titans)
• December 11 (Atlanta Falcons)
• December 14 (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Panthers.com

333 E. Trade Street Charlotte, NC 28202
(704) 522-6500

Formerly the Bobcats Arena, Time Warner Cable Arena is home to the National Basketball League's Charlotte Bobcats and the East Coast Hockey League's Charlotte Checkers. Headliner concerts, college sports competition, family entertainment, ice shows, monster jams, circuses and horse shows are all presented at the arena, which is located within walking distance of The Ritz-Carlton and on a light-rail stop as well.
TimeWarnerCableArena.com

820 Hawfield Road Charlotte, NC 28214
(704) 391-3900

Just 15 minutes from Charlotte’s Center City, this remarkable recreation complex is home to the world’s largest man-made river for whitewater rafting and kayaking and also hosts Olympic-level competitions that are open to the public. The center offers 12 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, one of the largest outdoor climbing facilities in the United States, teambuilding and ropes courses and access to the Catawba River.  USNWC.org

2330 Tipton Drive, Suite 100, Charlotte, NC 28206
(704) 373-9740

The city’s only indoor facility for go-cart competitions and riding, Victory Lane is a perfect fit for NASCAR country. The Center offers two indoor race tracks enabling carts to reach speeds up to 28 miles per hour.  377Fast.com

333 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
(704) 331-2700

Perfect for casual and more serious walkers, this map-guided, non-competitive year-round walk is sanctioned by the American Volkssport Association. Walkers can follow the trail through Uptown and into nearby historic neighborhoods. Maps are available at the start and finish points.

Charlotte Area Public and Private Golf Courses

Charlotte offers tremendous choice and quality for golfers, including two of Golf Digest Magazine’s
top courses, the Charlotte Country Club and Quail Hollow, home to one of the PGA Tour’s most important annual events. The greater Charlotte area features 21 Private courses, 23 Public courses and 13 semi-Private courses.

Ballantyne Country Club
17.6 miles from the hotel
11120 Ballantyne Crossing Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28277
(704) 341-3113

Private, 18-hole, 7,032 yards, Par 72. Ballantyneclub.com

Ballantyne Resort
16.9 miles from the hotel
10000 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28277
(704) 341-4653

Public, 18- hole, 6,735 yards, Par 71. TheBallantyneHotel.com

Carmel Country Club
10.2 miles from the hotel
4735 Carmel Rd, Charlotte, NC 28226
(704) 945-9630

36 holes. North Course, Private, 18-hole, 6,701 yards, Par 72. South Course, Private, 18-hole, 7,012 yards, Par 72. CarmelCountryClub.org

Carolina Golf & Country Club
4.4 miles from the hotel
2415 Old Steele Creek Rd, Charlotte, NC 28208
(704) 392-6363

Private, 18-hole, 6,201 yards, Par 70. CarolinaGolfClub.org/

Cedarwood Country Club
11.2 miles from the hotel
4100 Pineville Matthews Rd, Charlotte, NC 28226
(704) 542-0206

Private, 18- hole, 6,905 yards, Par 71. CedarWoodcc.com

Charles T. Myers Golf Course
10.2 miles from the hotel
7817 Harrisburg Rd, Charlotte, NC 28215
(704) 536-1692

Municipal, 18- hole, 6,783 yards, Par 72. CharlottePublicGolf.com

Charlotte Country Club
3.6 miles from the hotel
2465 Mecklenburg Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
(704) 333-9809

Private, 18-hole, 6,808 yards, Par 71. CharlotteCountryClub.org

Charlotte Golf Links
13.7 miles from the hotel
11500 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277
(704) 846-7990

Public, 18-hole, 6,700 yards, Par 71. CharlotteGolfLinks.com

Highland Creek Golf Club
13.7 miles from the hotel
7001 Highland Creek Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28269
(704) 875-9000

Public, 18- hole, 6,520 yards, Par 72. Irigolfgroup.com

Larkhaven Golf Club
13.7 miles from the hotel
4801 Camp Stewart Rd, Charlotte, NC 28215
(704) 545-4653

Public, 18-hole, 6,464 yards, Par 72. LarkHavenGolf.com

Myers Park Country Club
3.9 miles from the hotel
2415 Roswell Ave, Charlotte, NC 28209
(704) 376-0745

Private, 18-hole, 6,776 yards, Par 72. MyerSparkcc.com

Oak Hills Golf Course
9.4 miles from the hotel
4008 Oakdale Rd, Charlotte, NC 28216
(704) 394-2834, Public, 18-hole, 6,319 yards, Par 72.

Olde Sycamore Golf Plantation
21.9 miles from the hotel
7500 Olde Sycamore Dr, Charlotte, NC 28227
(704) 573-1000

Public, 18- hole, 6,965 yards, Par 72. OldEsyCamoreGolf.com

Palisades Country Club, The
20.6 miles from the hotel
13704 Grand Palisades Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28278
(704) 504-0099

Private, 18-hole, 6,797 yards, Par 72. ThePalisadescc.com

Paradise Valley Golf Center
9.2 miles from the hotel
110 Barton Creek Dr, Charlotte, NC 28262
(704) 548-1808

Public, 18-hole, 1,264 yards, Par 54. CharlottePublicGolf.com

Pawtuckett Golf Club
9.1 miles from the hotel
7492 Pawtuckett Rd, Charlotte, NC 28214
(704) 394-5909

Public, 18-hole, 6,530 yards, Par 71.
GolfHoles.com or
GolfLink.com

Pine Island Country Club
9.8 miles from the hotel
1701 Stoneyridge Dr, Charlotte, NC 28214
(704) 394-1011

Private, 18-hole, 6,476 yards, Par 71. PineIslandcc.com

Pine Lake Country Club
11.8 miles from the hotel
5504 Lebanon Rd, Charlotte, NC 28227
(704) 545-5213

Private, 18-hole, 6,643 yards, Par 72. PineLakecc.com

Providence Country Club
15.1 miles from the hotel
6001 Providence Country Club Dr, Charlotte, NC 28277
(704) 846-8475

Private, 18-hole, 7,008 yards, Par 72. Providencecc.com

Quail Hollow Club
9.3 miles from the hotel
3700 Glen Eagles Rd, Charlotte, NC 28210
(704) 552-1727

Private, 18-hole, 7,114 yards, Par 72. QuailHollowGolfClub.com

Raintree Country Club
11.4 miles from the hotel
8600 Raintree Ln, Charlotte, NC 28277
(704) 541-8880

36 holes. North Course, Private, 18-hole, 6,579 yards, Par 72. South Course, Private, 18-hole, 6,722 yards, Par 70. RainTreeCountryClub.com

Regent Park Golf Club
14.5 miles from the hotel
6000 Regent Parkway, Fort Mill, SC 29715, 803-547-1300, Public, 18-hole, 6,729 yards, Par 71. RegentParkGolfClub.com

Renaissance Park Golf Course
7.3 miles from the hotel
1525 W Tyvola Rd, Charlotte, NC 28217
(704) 357-3375

Municipal, 18- hole, 7,360 yards, Par 72.

Revolution Park Golf Course
3.3 miles from the hotel
2661 Barringer Dr, Charlotte, NC 28208
(704) 342-1946

Municipal, 9-hole, 2,976 yards, Par 36. CharlottePublicGolf.com

Skybrook Golf Club
16 miles from the hotel
14720 Northgreen Drive, Huntersville, NC 28078, (704) 875-8984, Public, 18-hole, 7,028 yards, Par 72. SkyBrookGolf.com

Sunset Hills Golf Course
8.3 miles from the hotel
800 Radio Rd, Charlotte, NC 28216
(704) 399-0980

27 holes Par 3 Course, municipal, 18-hole, 6,124 yards, Par 71. CharlottePublicGolf.com

TPC at Piper Glen
14.9 miles from the hotel
4300 Piper Glen Dr, Charlotte, NC 28277
(704) 846-1515

Private, 18-hole, 6,883 yards, Par 72. TCPPiperGlen.com

Tradition Golf Club, The
10.6 miles from the hotel
3800 Prosperity Church Rd, Charlotte, NC 28269
(704) 503-7529

Municipal, 18- hole, 6,978 yards, Par 72. TheTraditionGolfClub.com

100 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC, 28255
(704) 716-8649

Founders Hall is connected to the Bank of America Corporate Center and is the tallest building in Charlotte as well as the home to the nation's largest bank. The hall’s features, which include direct access to The Ritz-Carlton, also offer a magnificent vaulted atrium, many shops and restaurants and live entertainment. FoundersHall.com

4400 Sharon Road, Charlotte, NC 28211
(704) 354-4411

SouthPark is home to some of the most prestigious department stores and boutiques in the South and is one of the Carolinas’ premier shopping destinations. SouthPark.com

8111 Concord Mills Boulevard, Concord, NC 28027
(704) 979-5000

The #1 shopping entertainment destination of the Carolinas and North Carolina's #1 visitor attraction, Concord Mills features over 200 stores including manufacturer and retail outlets, off-price retailers, and unique specialty stores. ConcordMills.com