Amazing Maize Maze
At Rural Hill Farm in Huntersville, the Amazing Maize winds through a cornfield, providing a fun and educational experience for kids and adults alike. Rural Hill Farm. 4431 Neck Road, Huntersville. 704-875-3113. www.americanmaze.com/ruralhill.htm.

Backing Up Classics
History hits the road at this car museum near Lowe’s Motor Speedway. 4545 U.S. 29, Concord. 704-788-9500. www.backingupclassics.com.

Bank of America Stadium
Particularly after their 2004 Super Bowl debut, the Carolina Panthers’ $165 million black-and-blue stadium dominates its end of Uptown and is worth a trip even when no game’s scheduled. Tours are conducted each Wednesday, and group tours can be scheduled during the week. 800 S. Mint St., Charlotte. 704-358-7000 www.cpanthers.com/stadium.

Carolina Raptor Center
See bald and golden eagles, owls, hawks and other birds of prey at this center, located at Latta Plantation Park. 6000 Sample Road, Huntersville. 704-875-6521. www.carolinaraptorcenter.org.

Carrigan Farms
This 120-acre farm offers fresh fruits and vegetables (including strawberry picking in-season), a beautiful quarry for special events, educational tours and hayrides. 1261 Oak Ridge Farm Highway, Mooresville. 704-664-1450. www.carriganfarms.com.

Charlotte Museum of History/
Hezekiah Alexander Homesite
Discover how earlier Charlotteans lived at this complex, which includes the city’s oldest dwelling, dating back to 1774. 3500 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte. 704-568-1774. www.charlottemuseum.org.

Charlotte Trolley and Trolley Museum
Board the trolley at the Atherton Mill complex in South End for a ride. 2104 South Blvd., Charlotte. 704-375-0850. www.charlottetrolley.org.

Children’s Museum of Iredell County
At Signal Hill Mall in Statesville, this museum provides hands-on arts and science activities for children. 1613 Broad St., Statesville. 704-872-7508. www.iredellmuseums.org.

Crowders Mountain State Park
Located in Gaston County, this park offers rock climbing, camping and hiking trails to the top of Crowders Mountain and Kings Pinnacle. The 150-foot cliffs provide visitors with spectacular views that stretch for more than 20 miles. 522 Park Office Lane, Kings Mountain. 704-853-5375.

Dale Earnhardt Inc.
This tribute to Dale Earnhardt and racing includes a museum, souvenir shop and viewing window and is the home site of the racing teams of Steve Park, Michael Waltrip and Dale Earnhardt Jr. 1675 Coddle Creek Highway, Mooresville. 877-334-9663. www.daleearnhardtinc.com.

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
Landscaped gardens with distinct themes include more than 158,000 square feet of planting beds. A 450-acre master plan is part of the long-term development of the gardens. 6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont. 704-825-4490. www.dsbg.org.

Discovery Place
Science and technology take center stage at this hands-on museum, which includes a, collections gallery, the Charlotte Observer/OMNIMAX Theatre, the Challenger Learning Center, an aquarium and KidsPlace toddler room. 301 N. Tryon St., Charlotte. 704-372-6261. www.discoveryplace.org.

EnergyExplorium
Learn about different forms of energy with hands-on exhibits at McGuire Nuclear Station.13339 Hagers Ferry Road, Huntersville. 704-875-5600. www.dukepower.com/EE.

Hickory Furniture Mart
The Hickory Furniture Mart is the nation’s leading home furnishings resource. A hundred factory stores, outlets and galleries offer 1,000 lines, most sold at discount. Hotel, restaurant, shipping service. 2220 U.S. 70 S.E., Hickory. 800-462-MART. www.hickoryfurniture.com.

Historic Davidson
Take a walk down Davidson’s Main Street lined with quaint shops in turn-of-the-century buildings, or stroll through the historic Davidson College campus. Main Street, Davidson.

Historic Rosedale
This home and eight acres once were the centerpiece of a 911-acre plantation. 3427 N. Tryon St., Charlotte. 704-335-0325. http://libweb.uncc.edu/archives/crhc/rosedale.htm.

Hugh Torance House and Store
Visit one of the few 18th century structures left in Mecklenburg County and the oldest standing store site in North Carolina. 8231 Gilead Road, Huntersville. 704-875-6479. http://home.earthlink.net/~hughtorance1796.

Jetton Park
On the shores of Lake Norman, 105-acre Jetton Park includes a sunning beach, picnic area, playground, tennis courts, trails, garden, bike rentals and concessions. 19000 Jetton Road, Cornelius. 704-896-9808.

Joe Gibbs Racing
Two Nextel Cup race teams are housed in Joe Gibbs Racing: Tony Stewart and Bobby Labonte. The facility includes a large viewing window of the shop floor and window cases of different Joe Gibbs Racing teams. 13415 Reese Blvd. West, Huntersville. 704-944-5000. www.joegibbsracing.com.

Kings Mountain National Military Park
Covering nearly 4,000 acres, this park commemorates a significant Revolutionary War battle that halted British advancement into North Carolina. A 1.5-mile trail traces the events of the battle, including the burial site of British Major Patrick Ferguson. Another 16-mile hiking trail leads to primitive and group camping sites. 2625 Park Road, Blacksburg, SC. 864-936-7921. www.nps.gov/kimo.

Kings Mountain State Park
Adjacent to Kings Mountain National Military Park, this state park covers 6,883 acres of outdoor recreation, including hiking and horse trails, boat and canoe rentals, camping, picnic sites and fishing. The park also features a Living History Farm, which preserves log cabins from the 19th century. 1277 Park Road, Blacksburg, SC. 803-222-3209.

Lake Norman State Park
With 13 miles of shoreline, Lake Norman State Park offers the only public swimming on the lake. The park also features hiking trails, picnic sites, interpretive programs, campgrounds, boating access and mountain biking trails. 159 Inland Sea Lane, Troutman. 704-528-6350. www.ils.unc.edu/parkproject/visit/lano.

Latta Plantation Park
With 1,290 acres on the shores of Mountain Island Lake, Latta Plantation Park is the largest nature preserve in Mecklenburg County. The park includes hiking and equestrian trails, picnic sites with grills and fishing. Catch a glimpse of backcountry life at Latta Place, a circa 1800, Federal-style home and living history farm. The park also houses the Carolina Raptor Center, an educational research facility that rehabilitates injured birds of prey. 5225 Sample Road, Huntersville. 704-875-2312. www.lattaplantation.org.

Lazy 5 Ranch
This drive-through park features more than 750 animals from six different continents as well as petting areas, a horse barn, playground and picnic areas. 15100 N.C. 150 East, Mooresville. 704-663-5100. www.lazyfiveranch.com.

Lowe’s Motor Speedway
Visit Charlotte’s superspeedway on a tour that includes pit road and the garage area. On days when the track isn’t in use, you can also ride around the 1.5-mile oval. 5555 Concord Parkway South, Concord. 704-455-3202. www.lowesmotorspeedway.com.

McIntyre Historic Site
The only Revolutionary War battleground that is still undisturbed in Mecklenburg County, McIntyre is the site of the Battle of the Hornets’ Nest in October 1780 as well as the site of gold mining during the 19th century. 4125 McIntyre Ave., Huntersville. 704-875-1391.

Mooresville racers’ shops
Nicknamed Race City USA, Mooresville is home to many NASCAR racing teams that welcome fans for shop tours and souvenir shopping. For locations, visit the N.C. Auto Racing Hall of Fame.

North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame
Winning Winston Cup and Indy cars park alongside dragsters in this salute to the history and heroes of auto racing. 119 Knob Hill Road, Mooresville. 704-663-5331. www.ncarhof.com.

North Carolina Zoological Park
With more than 500 acres, the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro offers exhibits of African and North American regions and has the largest walk-through natural-habitat zoo in the country. 4401 Zoo Parkway, Asheboro. 800-488-0444. www.nczoo.org.

North Mecklenburg Park
This 100-acre park includes ball fields, picnic shelters, a playground and a mountain bike trail. 16131 Old Statesville Road, Huntersville. 704-766-2220.

Paramount’s Carowinds
Visitors of all ages will enjoy this amusement park, with a water park, roller coasters and other rides. 14523 Carowinds Blvd., Charlotte. 704-588-2600. www.carowinds.com.

Queen’s Landing
Two Mississippi paddle wheeler replicas – the Catawba Queen and Catawba Belle – sit at this entertainment center equipped with bumper boats, mini golf, tennis courts, musical entertainment, a floating dock bar and two restaurants. 1459 River Highway (N.C. 150), Mooresville. 704-663-2628. www.queenslanding.com.

Ramsey Creek Park
Ramsey Creek Park includes a sunning beach, boat launch, docks, fishing pier, picnic shelters, bike and nature trails, playgrounds and opportunities to play horseshoe and volleyball within its 44 acres. 18441 Nantz Road, Cornelius. 704-896-9808.

Reed Gold Mine
Cabarrus County was the site of the nation’s first authenticated gold find. 9621 Reed Mine Road, Stanfield. 704-721-4653. www.itpi.dpi.state.nc.us/reed.

Schiele Museum of Natural History and Planetarium
The largest natural history museum in the area, the Schiele Museum of Natural History features rocks, minerals, plants and animals. The museum also includes a state-of-the-art planetarium, nature trail, an 18th-century farm and Native American village. 1500 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia. 704-866-6900. www.schielemuseum.org.

UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens
Take a break from city life at three green spots: the Van Landingham Glen, a rhododendron garden; the Susie Harwood Garden, with year-round displays; and the McMillan Greenhouse, which includes a rain forest and orchids. UNC Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte. 704-687-2364. http://gardens.uncc.edu.


Shopping
With everything from upscale to antique to bargain shopping, Lake Norman is continuously expanding its retail space and drawing shoppers from across the region. Whether you’re looking for a Louis Vuitton handbag, unique Victorian jewelry or just looking for a good deal, you’ll be able to find what you need in the Lake Norman region.

Northlake Mall
The opening of the first enclosed super-mall in north Mecklenburg County is one of the highlights of 2005. It is the region’s newest shopping destination, just off I-77 and Harris Boulevard. The two-level mall has 1.1 million square feet, a 14-screen AMC theater and a nine-kitchen food court, seating nearly 100 on an outdoor patio complete with booths, picnic tables and rocking chairs.

Home to approximately 150 retailers, anchor stores include Hecht’s, Belk, Dillard’s and Dick’s Sporting Goods. Here you’ll find upscale shopping previously found only at SouthPark and Carolina Place malls – stores like Abercrombie, Ann Taylor, Brooks Brothers, Eddie Bauer and Pottery Barn.

Some of Northlake’s stores and restaurants are new to the Charlotte market, including Davi Salon, offering waxing, massages and facials; Bakers, for women’s handbags and footwear; Bravo! Cucina Italiana, offering gourmet Italian food in ancient Roman taverna décor; Famous Famiglia, for New York style pizza and pasta; Sporting Eyes active life-style sunglasses; and Point A, for fine leather and luggage.

6801 Northlake Mall Drive, Charlotte. 704-921-2005. www.shopnorthlake.com.

Birkdale Village
Birkdale Village has enchanted Lake Norman and Charlotte-area residents since the moment it opened in 2002. Built around a town green in village-style, it is a complete departure from the mall experience. Birkdale is made for pedestrian pleasure, with gracious, white-trimmed architecture and wide sidewalks. People live here, too, and real estate is hot; it is everyone’s favorite upscale village shopping experience, located right off I-77. Here you’ll find Liz Claiborne, Jones of New York, The Bombay Company, Barnes & Noble, Pier 1, Victoria’s Secret, Talbots, Ann Taylor Loft, Williams-Sonoma, Cold Stone Creamery, Red Rocks Café, Total Wine, Pike’s Old Fashioned Soda Shop and more.
Birkdale Commons Parkway, Huntersville. 704-896-8814. www.birkdalevillage.net.

Concord Mills
Concord Mills is located just a few miles northeast of Charlotte off of I-85, not far from the popular Lowe’s Motor Speedway and the University City area. There are over 200 retail stores and outlets here, as well as many restaurants to choose from.

You can wander outlet stores like Polo Ralph Lauren, Liz Claiborne, Nike and Off 5th Saks 5th Avenue Outlet, along with a Books-A-Million, Sun & Ski Sports, and outsized versions of popular stores like TJ Maxx and Bed, Bath & Beyond. You’ll also find a large Outdoor World and Bass Pro Shop here, along with indoor game venues for the kids, like Jeepers! In fact, as you drive past Jeepers! on your way to park, you just might see the indoor roller coaster whiz by in the window.

8111 Concord Mills Blvd # 100, Concord. 704-549-4811. www.concordmills.com.

SouthPark
SouthPark has long been Charlotte’s premier upscale shopping destination. It boasts the second Nordstrom in the Carolinas, and will welcome Neiman Marcus in the fall of 2006. Here you’ll also find Tommy Bahama, Tumi, Apple, Tiffany, Godiva, Coach, Bob Ellis, Burberry, Cole Haan, Kenneth Cole, Lacoste and Louis Vuitton stores, among many others.

4400 Sharon Road, Charlotte. 704-364-4411. www.southpark.com.

Carolina Place
Carolina Place is located in Pineville, just outside of Charlotte. Open since 1991, it encompasses 1.1 million square feet, with anchor stores Dillard’s, Hecht’s, Belk, JCPenney and Sears. Along with them are 140 specialty shops, including Aeropostale, American Eagle, Ann Taylor and Merle Norman.

11025 Carolina Place Parkway, Pineville. 704-543-9300. www.carolinaplace.com.

The Metrolina Expo
Metrolina Expo is billed as one of the largest antique malls in the country. Antique dealers from across the Carolinas and across the country converge on this sprawling North Charlotte location, bringing an eclectic mix of furniture, old farm implements, rare tools, glassware, crystal, china and collectibles. The center is mentioned in Fodor’s travel guide as a sight to see. Open the first weekend of the month.

7100 N. Statesville Road, Charlotte. 704-596-4650. www.metrolinaexpotradeshow.com.

Hickory Furniture Mart
Hickory Furniture Mart is one of North Carolina’s top visitor destinations, and one of the largest of its kind in the nation, attracting nearly a half-million people every year. Over 1,000 home-furnishing lines – including Broyhill, Thomasville, Lane, Henredon and La-Z-Boy – are displayed in the 1-million-square-foot complex. It includes 100 factory outlets, stores and galleries offering attractively discounted prices on bedroom, dining room, living room, office, family room and patio furniture, as well as rugs, window coverings, lighting, art, antiques and a huge selection of accessories. There’s also a shipping service, visitor center, tea room, coffee shop, museum and motel.

2220 U.S. 70 S.E., Hickory. 800-462-MART. www.hickoryfurniture.com.


Carolina Excursions
Asheville
About two hours from the Lake Norman area, Asheville is a center of vibrancy and beauty in the midst of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Its walkable downtown boasts art-deco buildings, cafés, galleries and small book shops. Asheville is also the home of writers Thomas Wolfe and O. Henry, who are buried in Riverside Cemetery.

Built in 1889, Biltmore Estate is the largest home in the country. With 250 rooms, an indoor swimming pool, bowling alley and gymnasium, Biltmore also includes lush gardens and a winery.

Asheville is surrounded by the Pisgah National Forest, which encompasses 500,000 acres in western North Carolina. The forest includes spectacular waterfalls and Sliding Rock, a naturally formed waterslide that is especially popular in the summer. Just northeast of Asheville, Mount Mitchell rises 6,684 feet, making it the highest peak east of the Rocky Mountains.

For more information, contact the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority at 888-247-9811 or go to www.exploreasheville.com.

Blue Ridge Parkway
Called “America’s Favorite Drive,” the Blue Ridge Parkway stretches for 469 miles between Shenandoah National Park in Virginia and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in western North Carolina. Four of its exits are in Asheville. More than 100 hiking and mountain biking trails are accessible along the parkway, which is most popular in the fall when the leaves change colors.
For more information, call 828-298-0398 or go to www.nps.gov/blri.

Charleston
If you’re looking to catch a glimpse of the old South, Charleston is a sure bet. Antebellum mansions line cobblestone streets near historic sites and cemeteries. Check out Fort Sumter, where the Civil War began, or take a ghost tour through some of Charleston’s haunted buildings.

At Charleston’s historic Market, you can find anything from shrimp gumbo to handmade jewelry. Folly Beach and the Isle of Palms welcome guests looking for a getaway. Other spots like Kiawah Island, Johns Island and Sullivan’s Island offer more private escapes. For more information, call the Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau at 843-724-7174 or go to www.charlestoncvb.com.

Chimney Rock/Lake Lure
Chimney Rock Park and Lake Lure lie at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Chimney Rock features a 402-foot waterfall and 3.5 miles of hiking trails that appeal to different ability levels. Named for a 315-foot monolith that overlooks Hickory Nut Gorge, Chimney Rock’s 75-foot views extend over beautiful Lake Lure.

As the filming site of “Dirty Dancing,” Lake Lure’s crystal-blue water is surrounded by scenic mountains, making it a popular vacation spot. A beach equipped with lifeguards offers concessions and picnic areas and the Lake Lure Marina offers boat tours and rentals. Cabins, bed and breakfasts, hotels and campgrounds are found within a few miles of the lake.

For more information about the Lake Lure/Chimney Rock area, contact the Hickory Nut Gorge Chamber of Commerce at 828-625-2725 or go to www.thehickorynutgorge.com.

For more information about Chimney Rock Park, call 800-277-9611 or go to www.chimneyrockpark.com.

Grandfather Mountain
Near Linville, Grandfather Mountain offers some of the best views in the state and is easily accessible with a road that goes all the way to the top. On the clearest days, views extend all the way to Charlotte, 90 miles away.

The most popular spot at Grandfather Mountain is the Mile High Swinging Bridge, a 228-foot suspension bridge that extends over an 80-foot chasm. It is more than a mile above sea level at 5,305 feet.

The Wildlife Habitat houses black bears, bear cubs, river otters, cougars, bald eagles, golden eagles and white-tailed deer in their natural habitat. The Nature Museum offers natural history exhibits that explore the geological formation of the mountain chain.

More than 13 miles of hiking trails range from easy to extremely rigorous and weave through the 3,000-acre nature preserve. Ladders and cables assist climbers along some of the steepest slopes.

For more information, call 800-468-7325 or go to www.grandfather.com.

Myrtle Beach
Also known as the “Grand Strand,” Myrtle Beach spans more than 60 miles of coastline, offering everything from relaxing on the beach to its lively nightclubs. Shops and restaurants line the streets, and the area is home to more than 100 golf courses.

To truly get away from it all, check out nearby spots like Pawley’s Island, Murrells Inlet and Litchfield.

For more information, contact the Myrtle Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-356-3016 or go to www.myrtlebeachinfo.com.

North Carolina Zoological Park
The North Carolina Zoo is located in Asheboro, about an hour and a half northeast of the Lake Norman area. The zoo covers 500 acres with the largest walk-through natural-habitat zoo in the country. Five miles of trails traverse the African and North American habitats.

For more information about the zoo, call 800-488-0444 or go to www.nczoo.com.

Old Salem
Founded by Moravians in 1766, Old Salem is a restored town with costumed interpreters that reenact the daily life of the early settlers. The bakery is a popular stop, with delicious Moravian cookies and other goodies.

Also part of Old Salem, the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts exhibits regional art of the early South. The museum includes 24 period rooms and six galleries displaying furniture, ceramics, paintings and metalware up to 1820. For more information, call 336-721-7350 or go to www.oldsalem.org.

Outer Banks
A chain of barrier islands along North Carolina’s eastern seaboard retains its natural landscape and serene atmosphere.

Some of the country’s most famous lighthouses are along the Outer Banks, including the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the tallest in the U.S. at 208 feet, and the Ocracoke Lighthouse, the oldest operating lighthouse in North Carolina.

The site of the first flight on Dec. 17, 1903, is marked by the Wright Brothers National Memorial. The museum offers a number of exhibits including a replica of the Wright brothers’ 1903 model.

Another popular museum, The Graveyard of the Atlantic, captures the maritime history of the Outer Banks, where more than 1,000 ships have wrecked.

For more information, contact the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau at 877-629-4386 or go to www.outerbanks.org.

Pinehurst
Pinehurst Resort, established in 1895, is located in the Sandhills of North Carolina. The resort offers eight golf courses designed by the finest golf course architects, including Tom Fazio, Rees Jones and Donald Ross, as well as luxury accommodations and activities. It was named a National Historic Landmark in 1996. Pinehurst is the site of more golf championships than any other course in the country. In 2005, Pinehurst hosted the U.S. Open.

For more information, call 800-ITS-GOLF or go to www.pinehurst.com.

Seagrove
Considered the Pottery Capital of the County, Seagrove has a 200-year tradition of pottery with more than 100 shops within its vicinity.

Visitors can travel from studio to studio, and can sometimes catch a glimpse of potters as they work. The North Carolina Pottery Center preserves the history and culture of pottery-making in Seagrove with educational programs and exhibits. For more information, call 336-873-7304 or go to www.seagrovepotteries.com.

Wilmington
About four hours away via U.S. 74, Wilmington is nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Cape Fear River. With cozy cafés and restaurants along cobblestone streets, Wilmington has an Old World charm. Its 230-block historic district is one of the largest in the state.

Downtown Wilmington has undergone considerable renovations in recent years, with restored 18th and 19th buildings that house shops and restaurants. One of the highlights is the Cotton Exchange, where eight historic buildings connected by brick walkways and open courtyards offer dozens of specialty shops and eateries overlooking the Cape Fear River. Capturing the cultural and geologic history of North Carolina, the Cape Fear Museum is the oldest operating historical museum in the
state.
For more information, contact the Cape Fear Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-222-4757 or go to www.cape-fear.nc.us.