Pia’ffect360

The Carolina Renaissance Festival allows you to travel to a time when court jesters made everyone laugh instead of sitcoms, the crowd watched knights jousting against one another instead of football games, and it was actually acceptable to eat with your hands instead of using silverware. All of those activities are still possible, thanks to this festival that offers plenty to discover, like Old World arts and crafts, delicious turkey legs and plenty of fun and games. Also, several festival goers dress the part, so feel free to join in!

You and your loved one have seen little of each other lately, and even less of the outside world! So make a romantic date to spend some quality time together while enjoying the natural surroundings of the Wing Haven Garden and Bird Sanctuary. The gardens are lush and inviting, and walking along the trails or finding a spot on one of the benches will allow both of you to unwind as you breathe in the fresh air and take in the beauty of the scenery. Your commune with nature continues when you enter the bird sanctuary that houses several different types of fine feathered friends. Watch with your date, as the birds fly from one point to another, creating the perfect afternoon of relaxation, nature and even a dash of romance.

With the NASCAR craze in full bloom in Charlotte, car racing is hugely popular no matter what size the car may be. Nowhere is that more obvious than at The Pit Indoor Kart Racing. Get behind the wheel and get a rush of what the big cars feel like on this amazingly realistic track. The cars even resemble your favorite vehicles from NASCAR, so rev it up and go to the Pit for a roaring good time.

Numerous natural adventures await at the Charlotte Nature Museum . Instead of "don't touch," the phrase of choice at this highly popular family venue is "hands-on"! These inviting surroundings make learning about nature fun, and the museum does an excellent job with various exhibits like the Great Hall that outlines the life cycles of various species. Other popular attractions are the Creature Cavern that spotlight animals indigenous to the Carolinas; the kids will also be fascinated by Insect Alley and Butterfly Pavilion as well as the various fun that awaits outside on the Paw Paw Nature Trail.