CET

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.

There's nothing ordinary about the Mint Museum UPTOWN. This venue is not only an artistic forum of creative expression for area artists, it also happens to be an internationally-renowned museum, recognized for its high standards in the fields of craft and design as well as its outstanding collections of American, contemporary and European art. The exhibits are stunning, and you will no doubt want to learn as much as you can about each piece. To that end, there is a cell phone audio tour of the museum that offers you incredible insight about each piece that you can take in at your own pace. The museum is located within the Levine Center for the Arts, and attractive shopping and dining destinations are in close proximity. Don't forget to check out the museum shop's awesome selection of pottery, glass, wood, and jewelry that will surely make an excellent addition to your own personal collection.

Tiger World is a conservation center where the animals come first. Every imaginable creature, from farm animals to some of the world's most exotic species can all be found here. The conservation center attraction also takes great care to recreate the natural habitats of these animals to not only help rehabilitate them but to also offer visitors a chance to get up close and interact with them in a way that is both educational and entertaining.

The ultimate adrenaline rush awaits you when you go on a skydiving adventure with Carolina Skydiving. The professional team will make sure that you go through all the required training and secure you in your suit before you even step on the plane. As much fun as you will experience on your dive, the crew makes your safety the top priority. Don't forget to make sure to order photos and a video package so you can share your extreme sports adventure with family and friends when you come back down to earth!