| It may be the nation's second-largest financial | | | | or just a casual visitor, this family-friendly facility |
| center, but you don't need big bucks to | | | | offers state-of-the-art exhibits, media-rich displays |
| experience all this amazing city has to offer. From | | | | and films. It includes the Graham family home |
| affordable Charlotte hotels to budget-friendly | | | | place, as well as a bookstore. There's even a |
| attractions, all the excitement and wonder of the | | | | dairy bar where you can relax and enjoy |
| cosmopolitan "Queen City" is right at your | | | | sandwiches, salads, ice cream, cookies, |
| fingertips:o Carowinds. With an amazing 112 | | | | beverages, and other treats. Admission is free.o |
| activity-packed acres of fun, including a 20-acre | | | | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. Boasting 110 acres |
| water park, dozens of rides, shows and | | | | of formal gardens, this oasis is west of most |
| attractions, a 12-acre kids' paradise and the | | | | Charlotte hotels - just outside the town of |
| 55-acre Camp Wilderness Resort, you could spend | | | | Belmont. The world-class garden sits on nearly |
| days exploring this family-friendly amusement | | | | 400 acres along the banks of Lake Wylie. With its |
| behemoth. While the $30+ daily pass may seem | | | | 13,500-square-foot visitor pavilion topped with a |
| steep, Carowinds offers "WOW Passes" for about | | | | magnificent stained-glass dome, 10 acres of |
| the same price ($50+) that give you unlimited | | | | manicured, themed gardens, 12 tranquil fountains, |
| access to the park for the entire summer. So if | | | | the scenic Woodland trail, an orchid conservatory |
| you're in town for a week or two, you could go | | | | and more, it's no wonder it was named one of |
| back as much as you'd like at no additional cost.o | | | | the nation's 20 Great Gardens in HGTV's popular |
| Carolina Raptor Center. Spend an exciting day | | | | book, Flower Gardening. Admission is $10 for |
| with birds of prey, as you take a self-guided tour | | | | adults and $5 for kids. Children ages 4 and |
| and experience over 22 different species of | | | | younger are free.o Amber Crest Custom Winery. |
| raptors on the center's nearly one-mile-long nature | | | | Sign up for a class at this unique winery and |
| trail. It's all nestled inside of the beautiful Latta | | | | become a wine maker for a day. Not only do |
| Plantation Nature Preserve, on the banks of | | | | they make their own handcrafted wines, they can |
| Mountain Island Lake. Admission is just $8 for | | | | teach you how to make your own |
| adults and kids 5 and younger are free.o U.S. | | | | commercial-quality wine in their "Winemaker for a |
| National Whitewater Center. Just 10 minutes from | | | | Day" program, where you create, bottle, cork |
| Uptown, near several affordable Charlotte hotels | | | | and custom label your own microbatch of wine. |
| is the world's premier outdoor recreation and | | | | Just want to learn a little more about wine? They |
| environmental education center. From whitewater | | | | also offer fun, casual and informative classes |
| rafting and kayaking to mountain biking, hiking, zip | | | | starting at around $20.o The Dirt Track Racing |
| lines and more, this place boasts 300+ acres of | | | | School. Spend the day getting down and dirty at |
| woodland, perfect for thrill-seekers, athletes, or | | | | this exciting racetrack located in Gastonia, about |
| folks who just want to kick back and relax on | | | | 25 minutes from Uptown Charlotte. Here you can |
| the scenic Catawba River's edge. You can even | | | | hit the dirt for less than $200 a session. (Be sure |
| grab a bite at the River's Edge Bar & Grill. | | | | to check online for discount coupons.) No matter |
| The best bargain is the AllSports Pass, which | | | | what your level of experience, racers and racing |
| gives you an entire day of unlimited access to all | | | | fans alike get the chance to drive three different |
| of the following activities: Family Rafting, | | | | types of racecars: an open-wheel Modified, a Late |
| Adventure Rafting, Rodeo Rafting, Climbing | | | | Model or a Sprint Car. Classes do not require any |
| (Green Routes only), Climb 2 Zip, Mountain Biking, | | | | prior racing knowledge - and it's sure to be a |
| Flatwater Kayaking (Self Guided), Flatwater | | | | memorable experience. |
| Kayaking (Guided), Eco Caching, and Mega Zipline. | | | | It's easy to enjoy all that this great city has to |
| For less than $50 dollars for adults and less than | | | | offer, without breaking the bank during your visit. |
| $30 for kids, it's one of the best ways to spend | | | | If you need more ideas, be sure to visit Marriott's |
| the day in Charlotte.o Billy Graham Library. | | | | concierge desk or talk to the staff at your |
| Whether you're a spiritual seeker, a history buff | | | | Charlotte hotels. |