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Layover Ideas

Charlotte Douglas Airport CLT

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Layover Ideas

In Charlotte you'll find the best of southern traditions and hospitality, combined with the excitement, attractions, dining and hotels of a modern, world-class city. Whether you're looking for culture, sports, sightseeing or a little of each, Charlotte presents a diverse array of choices to fill your agenda.

Not only is Charlotte full of fun things for your group to do, its central location means it's a great starting point to explore the rest of the Carolinas. Plus, it's easy to reach us. We're at the intersection of Interstates 77 and 85, connecting us to New England, Florida and the Great Lakes region. And Interstate 40, which stretches from coast to coast, is located just an hour to the north.

Top Recommended Layover Activities:

1. Charlotte Trolley Inc.
2104 South Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28203
Phone: (704) 375-1435
http://www.charlottetrolley.org
email: [email protected]
Take a relaxing guided tour of Charlotte, past and present, aboard Streetcar 85 - an electric streetcar built in the Queen City in 1927 and the last to operate when the streetcar system was retired in 1938. Hear about Charlotte's rise as an industrial and financial center and note the many historic landmrks along the route. Hop off to enjoy antique shopping and fine dining.

2. Guided Historic Walking Tours of Uptown Charlotte
720 Brockbank Road, Charlotte, NC 28209
Phone: (704) 565-6858
www.stepbacktours.com
email: [email protected]
Enjoy an entertaining walk through historic uptown Charlotte. Choose a morning tour of Charlotte's uptown or an afternoon tour of the nearby Victorian neighborhood, Fourth Ward. On either tour you will learn about the people, places and events of Charlotte's lively past. You will discover history at its most interesting, whether you are a history buff or just plain curious.

3. Carolina Raptor Center
PO Box 16443, Charlotte, NC 28297
Phone: 704-875-6521
Fax: 704-875-8814
www.carolinaraptorcenter.org

4. Schiele Museum of Natural History
1500 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia, NC 28054
Phone: 704-866-6923
Fax: 704-866-6041
Email: [email protected]

5. Carolinas Aviation Museum
Only a 5 minute taxi ride from the main terminal, the Museum has a collection of almost 50 historic aircraft, and offers a fantastic vantage point to watch airplanes. Great if you have a layover of 4 hours or more. Take a taxi from the terminal and Museum staff will be happy to arrange transportation back to the terminal for you. http://www.carolinasaviation.org

Top Weekend Getaways And Day Trip Excursions:

1. Lowe's Motor Speedway at Charlotte
5555 Concord Parkway South, Concord, NC 28027
Phone (704) 455-3200; Fax (704) 455-2168
www.lowesmotorspeedway.com
email: [email protected]
Located 12 miles northeast of Uptown Charlotte, Lowe's Motor Speedway is truly the "Mecca of Motorsports". The speedway annually hosts NASCAR NEXTEL Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck Series races; gigantic AutoFairs, a 10-week Legends Car Summer Shootout Series, stock car driving schools and a variety of annual events at The Dirt Track. Tours are available daily at the Lowe's Motor Speedway Gift Shop (704) 455-3202. For ticket information, call 1-800-455-FANS or visit www.lowesmotorspeedway.com

2. Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation
5841 Brookshire Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28216
Phone: 704-336-3854; Fax 704-336-5472
www.parkandrec.com
email: [email protected]
17,000 acres of parkland including recreation centers, public golf courses, disc golf courses, nature preserves, a variety of athletic fields and courts, a campground, boat rental harbors and miles of greenways for biking, walking, skating, or jogging. Also visit RAY'S SPLASH PLANET, one of the south's only indoor waterparks. Visit parkand rec.com to learn more. Better yet, visit a park with family & friends.

3. Schiele Museum of Natural History
1500 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia, NC 28054
Phone: 704-866-6923; Fax: 704-866-6041
Email: [email protected]

4. Paramount's Carowinds
I-77 & 14523 Carowinds Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28273
Phone: 704) 588-2600; Fax: (704) 587-9034; Tollfree: (800) 888-4386
http://www.carowinds.com
email: [email protected]
Paramount's Carowinds Theme And Water Park: I-77 (Exit 90), NC/SC border. The premier entertainment destination in the Southeast featuring more than 50 world-class rides and movie themed attractions, your favorite Nickelodeon characters and WaterWorks, an exciting 13-acre water park playground. Concerts in the Paladium Amphitheatre. Hollywood-style excitement for kids and adults of all ages. Open daily during the summer and weekends in the spring and fall. Call (704) 588-2600, (803) 548-5300