Quest, Mark A Dpm

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!

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.

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.

The Historic Rosedale Plantation offers a peek at an era in history that was marked by several types of strife and unrest. Still, against that backdrop, there were regal structures like this Federal style home that was built in 1815 and even then, it got the attention of the town's populace. When you enter the home, perhaps the fact that it has been so well preserved is its most striking feature. The original French wallpaper that dates back to its original construction still adorns the walls. A rare but interesting look at Southern domestic life is the overall theme of taking a tour of this structure that features attractive gardens and a tranquil pond. Tours are by appointment only and you must allow a two week's notice for your tour to commence.