Much like SoHo, NoDa (North Davidson Street) is a bustling area in the city of Charlotte. There is lots to see and do in this famous arts district, for both visitors and locals. Restaurants, theatres, bars, shops and galleries abound here. Visit during the annual Gallery Crawl to check out the area's fascinating art scene. An amalgamation of culture and cuisine, this district is cloaked in an air of enjoyment, making it a must-visit. Check the website for what's happening at various venues in the area.
The Foundation for the Carolinas is a hub of philanthropy. This foundation brings many different people from the community together and encourages all to do good and to pay it forward. The Luski-Gorelick Center for Philanthropy is home to an art gallery on the first floor that features works from local artists. Admission to the gallery is free.
Romare Bearden Park is a community facility great for some recreation and relaxation. Named after the renowned Charlotte resident and artist, this 5.4-acre (2.19-hectare) park is located a short distance from the Mint Museum. It is replete with gardens, courtyards, children's playgrounds and picnic spots. The manicured lawns feature waterfalls and over 10,000 varieties of flora that are inspired by Bearden's work. The gazebo is used to host an array of cultural programs like workshops, exhibitions, the RomareFest, Party in the Park and Music Box Lunch Series.
Spread out over 1460 acres (590.8 hectares), the Latta Plantation Nature Preserve is nestled along the serene Mountain Island Lake. A cotton plantation in the 1800's, the Latta Plantation is a living homage to the era, complete with a working farmhouse, farm animals, a kitchen garden, beehives and a cotton field. One of Mecklenburg County's largest, the preserve is not just a natural marvel, but also forms a stirring synergy between history, heritage and biodiversity, where trails cut through rolling lawns, agile butterflies hover over gardens, and turkeys, foxes and minks amble delightfully across the lush landscape of the park. In addition, the preserve is also home to a garden pond, an open-air amphitheater and a tracery of scenic trails. Today, the preserve is used for field trips, equestrian trails, fishing, kayaking, picnics, camping and the likes.
Fishin' with Gus! is a charter rental agency located on the shore of Lake Norman. It organizes fun trips where large groups and families go out fishing under the guidance of experts. Besides renting out boats and fishing equipment, they offer lessons for all age groups, especially kids. The fishing trips range from a minimum of three to a maximum of eight hours. Fish varieties found in the lake include mountain trout, white perch, catfish and striped bass. Whether you need to learn how to reel in the fish or are already a fishing pro, their enjoyable tours will delight one and all. This company also shares recipes for cooking seafood and sells story books and coloring books for children, based on the theme of fishing.
Located uptown, this is a contemporary theater that stages a variety of plays for the audiences of the city—dramas handling social issues, hoarse comedies, and soul-stirring musicals. The 199-seat venue maintains its standards by hiring professional actors from the Actor's Equity Association and employing top-notch production values. Log on to the website for tickets and this season's new productions.