This theater, staging productions for children, is located in the uptown neighborhood. Many of the productions are by the famous Tarradiddle Players group. The establishment has won accolades and awards like the “George Parides Professional Theatre Award” and the “Sara Spencer Child Theatre Award”. The plays include classic and new works with themes ranging from magic and fantasy to current social problems like substance abuse among the youth. Several education programs are held by the theatre for participants between three to 18 years of age. Check the website or call for details on the current season, programs and further information.
The Mint Museum Uptown is located in a historic downtown building that was recently renovated to celebrate the rich legacy of Charlotte's artistic tradition. The permanent collection holds a wide range of items made from ceramic, jewelry, glass, fibers, metal, and wood. Their special glass commissions alone make it worth the visit! For those who enjoy an interactive experience, the museum offers many workshops, lectures, artist demonstrations, and travel guides to enhance the trip. Also, it is located within the heart of the business district and nearby many shopping centers and restaurants. Make sure to also take a look at the Mint Museum Randolph, full of fine and contemporary art.
The heart of this museum lies in an exploration of the people who have changed and shaped the social landscape of the South since the end of the Civil War. The exhibit addresses controversial issues like race relations and immigration, providing a forum for discussion and contemplation. The facility is newly renovated and many of the pieces contain modern multimedia displays and virtual tours that make the learning experience fun for all ages. Be sure to explore the 'Cotton Fields to Skyscrapers' exhibit, one of the permanent collections that focuses on the changing face of Charlotte and the Piedmont region of North Carolina.
This facility aims to help protect and conserve birds of prey, and is located inside the Latta Plantation Nature Preserve, a short drive from Charlotte. It seeks to educate people about raptors, erasing misconceptions that society has towards these creatures, and tends to injured, sick and orphaned birds. Due to imprinting and contact with humans, birds at the center cannot survive in the wild. They are, therefore attached to their handlers, and pose no threat to visitors. For volunteering opportunities and other information, check the website.
This 98-acre (40 hectare) public park is a slice of nature at its best, right in the middle of the city. Complete with four baseball diamonds, two batting cages, a dozen tennis courts, four soccer fields, a basketball court, a pair of volleyball courts, a pair of playgrounds, a seven-acre (two hectare) lake, an amphitheater, a number of sheltered picnic areas, and miles of trails and paths, Freedom Park has something for everyone. There's even a concession stand for joggers in need of water or sun bathers in need of ice cream. Many of the picnic shelters are reservable, as are the Freedom Park Bandshell and the Mahlon Adams Pavilion, a banquet hall that seats 70 people.
These botanical gardens are run by the University of North Carolina Charlotte campus and are comprised of three separate sites- the Van Landingham Glen, the Susie Harwood Garden, and the McMillan Greenhouse. There is a wide variety of plants among the gardens, including rhododendrons, native Carolina flora, orchids, desert succulents, and carnivorous pitcher plant hybrids. There are also many walking paths and interesting landscape architecture displays to please the eye. The park is open daily and features an ever-changing collection that varies depending on the time of year, so be sure to check the website for updates.