Charlotte Living | 101 Great Reasons to Buy a Home in Charlotte NC

101. Lake Wylie - recreation is an integral part of the Lake Wylie lifestyle. With 325 miles of shoreline, the lake is ideal for boating, fishing, water skiing and sailing. The mild climate, yet wonderfully distinct, seasonal changes not only enhance the area's beauty, but also afford year-round enjoyment of golf, tennis and bicycling. Rhonda: I lived on Lake Wylie for several years, beautiful (not so secret anymore) alternative to the BIGGIE Lake Norman. Lake Wylie has some fantastic new home developments but retains it's charm with events like the annual 4th of July fireworks -- you've never seen fireworks until you see them from a boat in the middle of the lake!

100. NC Transportation Museum - Explore exhibits of antique locomotives, rail cars, automobiles and more. Take a train ride around the N.C. Transportation Museum's historic 57-acre site, enjoy our many family-friendly special events, and learn about how transportation progress helped build North Carolina. That's a new one for us tell us what you find!

99. Schiele Museum of Natural History and Planetarium - The natural wonders of North America and North Carolina coupled with the rich history of our region are all reflected in The Schiele's exceptional exhibitions and diverse programming. Whether you're indoors or out, with the kids or your colleagues, by bringing you a lot closer to nature, The Schiele will bring you a little closer to yourself. That's a new one for us tell us what you find!

98. The Federal Reserve Bank of Charlotte - The main lobby of the Charlotte Office offers a money exhibit featuring a history of money in the United States from Colonial days to present and includes a display highlighting the gold mining era in the Piedmont region of North Carolina.That's a new one for us tell us what you find!

97. Ribbon Walk - is woodland oasis in the heart of the city of Charlotte. The forest includes 192-acres of woodland and wetland habitat with several miles of nature trails and a variety of native flora and fauna. An extraordinary grove of old-age beech trees designated as a "treasure tree grove" (picture here) stands out a one of the most impressive features of the forest. There are also picturesque mature pines, flowering trees and other native hardwoods. Wetland features include several ponds and meandering streams. Native wildflowers dot the forest floor. Take and walk and discover wildlife or signs of wildlife. You may see mammal tracks, hear frogs or spot one of more than 60 birds that have been seen in the forest by birdwatchers. That's a new one for us tell us what you find!

96. Duke Power Energy Explorium- located at McGuire Nuclear Station (on Lake Norman). The Energy Explorium features hands-on energy information exhibits, a Lake Norman movie, wildflower garden and one mile nature trail. That's a new one for us tell us what you find!

95. McColl Center for Visual Arts - The center supports an active artist in residence program and their works can be viewed by the public. The Center also offers lectures and artists forums.
I think we've all visited the McColl center during gallery crawls -- always an eclectic display and one of Charlotte's most intriguing architectural landmark. Originally built in 1926, McColl Center for Visual Art is located in a former Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. In 1995, Bank of America acquired the church for and deftly, beautifully transformed the burned out reamins of the church! -- you have to see it to believe it!
(photo: courtesy McColl Center: Sarah Hughes| Flower House)

94. Queens Landing - Experience a day of fun on beautiful Lake Norman, where the possibilities are endless. Conveniently located 30 minutes north of Charlotte, we have so many things to do that you'll have to keep coming back. You can reach us by car or boat. Whether you're enjoying Lake Norman in your own boat, or meeting friends for lunch at Jack's Lakeside Grill everyone loves lake Norman! Don't forget to check out The Catawba Queen our replica Mississippi River Boat. We can safely say we ALL have had wonderful times on Lake Norman -- and becauce Charlotte's weather is perfect plan on enjoying the lake from April to October! Who knows you might be so smitten you'll end up buying a home on Lake Norman --you wouldn't be the first!

93. Lowes Motor Speedway Over the Wall Tour - (photos courtesy Harold Hinson) At the center of the excitement is Lowe's Motor Speedway, one of the country's premier racing facilities which hosts three NASCAR Nextel Cup events each year as well as other motorsports races and various car shows. The Speedway's Over the Wall Tour is a fun behind-the-scenes tour which allows visitors to get a close-up look at the garage, travel down pit road, and even drive around the Speedway's infamous 1.5 mile oval with 24 degree banks. Over the Wall tours are just $5 and well worth the cost to experience driving along the Speedway. For Five Bucks, This is a special tour but then everything about NASCAR and Lowes Speedway is special, loud and fast - pass the chicken!

92. Hart Witzen Gallery - Charlotte's Hart Witzen is a privately owned, self sustaining arts venue supported through rental of the gallery and artist studios allowing Hart Witzen to function as an alternative space not dependent on government grants nor subject to the artistic opinions of others. Some of the most original artwork in the area can be seen here. Home to Rhonda's husband Michael's 2002 art exhibit Qui. A mutual appreciation for each others' work, complimentary styles and a conversation about the color pink has led to emerging artists Dina Lowery and Michael Morgan Gibbons work simultaneously on two separate canvases switching the canvases periodically to work on each others painting. Completed paintings are unique exhibiting the style, inspiration and signatures of two artists. (here's a sample)

91. NC Racing Auto Hall of Fame located in Mooresville NC, this Racing Hall of fame annually inducts new members and is available for touring year round.
90. Dale F. Halton Theater - At Central Piedmont Community College's Dale F. Halton Theater, education meets entertainment. Catch theater, music and dance productions on a stage worthy of the world's great artists. Charlotte has had more than its share of, strong, successful and influential women. Dale Halton is one of the icons -- might call her the Queen of Pepsi here in Charlotte!

89. Latta Equestrian Center - show grounds, lighted arenas, guided trail rides, horseback riding lessons and a tack shop at Latta Plantation Nature Preserve in northwestern Mecklenburg County. With 13 miles of equestrian trails winding through the woods, this is the perfect spot for a peaceful afternoon ride.

88. Opera Carolina - one of the largest and most successful professional opera companies in the Southeast. The company's strong reputation is built on a commitment to excellence in its mainstage productions and acclaimed Education & Outreach programs.

87. City of Frescoes - Charlotte is called the City of Frescoes. Rare in the U.S., Charlotte is home to several sites painted by Ben Long, a NC native. Ben is world renowned and a beloved Charlotte icon -- see the Bank of America lobby!

86. The Comedy Zone - Live Comedy Venue that features local, national, and international talent every weekend.

85. Richard Childress Racing Museum - The excitement of NASCAR Winston Cup racing can be found at the Richard Childress Racing Museum.

84. Pit Crew U and 5 off 5 on - Drop in on the school that is training the best pit crew in NASCAR. The school offers a basic eight-week program, Pit Crew U, followed by an optional advanced-level course, called "5 Off 5 On: Race Team Performance." The term "5 off 5 on" refers to a tire-changer's duty: Five lug nuts come off, five go on.

(Charlotte things to do courtesy of NC Tourist Guide)

83. Phillips Place - Fine, upscale shopping opportunities, along with breathtaking landscaping, line the streets at Phillips Place

Once in a while we have a Charlotte attraction that is just too big & too much fun that it merits its own post! Phillips Place is one to those attractions! Phillips Place has it all ~ Rhonda and I are there on average once a week and we have plenty of great memories there! I'll share a few as we take a tour.

Catch a movie in the beautiful Phillips Place 10 movie theater (we saw the first Harry Potter (Rhonda's fave) a midnight show!)

One of Rhonda's and my favorite people Lyn Conger is part owner of Charlotte's nattiest clothing store Taylor Richards Conger and be sure to check out their new women's shop TRCW!

We LOVE the roasted Prince Edward mussels (and everything we've ever tried) at Upstream ~ we agree its one of the best seafood restaurants ever! Great unsung sushi bar too.

Then its on to the Dean & Deluca Wine Room ~ one of Charlotte's first and still best ~ sit outside and people watch, once the tress aer dressed in the twinkling white Holiday lights you might even think of Paris (OK it depends a bit on the number of glasses) and yes we have sat outside there in November! Oh and don't forget the incredible Dean & Deluca Deli across the street -- can't tell you how many quick delicious pre-movie meals we've had here and if you love red velvet cake there's is the best!

Il Posto Osteria is one of the best Italian trattorias you will find ~ high praise since I grew up in New York! I love pasta and had the beat mushroom ravioli ever at Il Posto ~ al fresco dining is a must here!
The Palm Let's just say if you are looking for a special night out or to entertain an important business client you won't go wrong. Greta steak, big lobsters and huge portions! Who know maybe you'll get your caricature on the wall!
PF Chang's We love the casual, always great Chinese cuisine. My son Ryan picked Chang's for his first dinner date...aahhhh!
Restoration Hardware Explore, especially fun at the Holidays when they bring in all kind s of cool gadgets -- fill your stocking here!
Smith & Hawken Charlotte is lucky to have this store! Rhonda says it's "therapy for your green thumb"

Hampton Inn & Suites Excellent place for intown guests (we put up our wedding party here ~ they almost did not make it to the wedding!), not your average Hampton with great views and a short walk to all of the amenities described here!
Post Park Apartments Like what you see here? Well why not live right here in Phillips Place -- some of Charlotte's most luxurious apartments Relocating? Why not stay here while you decide where to decide where to buy your Charlotte home!
(101 Charlotte things to do courtesy of NC Tourist Guide)