AB Lighting

Paramount's Carowinds Water and Theme Park manages to pack an incredible variety of fun activities over its 105 acres that offer a little something for everyone. Their name combines "Carolina" and "winds" to perfectly describe a place that celebrates the history and culture of the Carolinas. It also offers plenty to do, as the water park features several waterslides for various age groups. In addition to the water park, there are also over 100 rides and attractions as well as a musical review in one of the park's theaters.

Heading uptown? Then your destination should be the hippest, coolest nightlife destination in that section of town. Formerly the Liquid Lounge, TILT will prove to be the place where you'll start your evening and stay until closing time. The powerful combination of the club's stylish surroundings, eye-catching patrons and excellent drink menu makes TILT wildly popular with the white-collar crowd. There's always a crowd every day of the week, and make sure you dress to impress as their dress code is strictly enforced.

Charlotte's Festival in the Park takes place every September in Freedom Park and offers locals and visitors a chance to celebrate the spirit of the city in a variety of ways. There's live music, great food, and a large selection of arts and crafts created by local artisans that truly capture the spirit of the area. There are also several displays of art from local, regional and even nationally recognized talents. Just be prepared for a long walk into the park, as parking spaces are at a premium and often the only one you'll find is relatively far away - just look at the walk as a chance to enjoy the scenery and bond with fellow festival-goers.

The McColl Center for Visual Art invites you to come in and actually interact with the artists as they create. Far from a stuffy atmosphere, the McColl Center makes an effort to be both educational and accessible. There staff and artists make it a point to always be aware of various community issues and needs, both in their individual work and the mission of the venue itself. Art lovers are invited to walk around and visit the artists-in-residence as they work on their latest creations.