SMK photography

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.

Are you ready for some football? Catch live sports action as the Carolina Panthers professional football team takes on the competition. The team is based in Charlotte and is currently a franchise in the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League. The Panthers play all of their home games at Bank of America Stadium, which is also the team's headquarters. The team has an overall record of 125-143 and played in Super Bowl XXXVIII.

Hit the lanes at Strike City, the best place for bowling and fun in Charlotte. Strike City is much more than just a bowling alley. There's a great restaurant with all your favorites like burgers, sandwiches and nachos, just to name a few. There's also a sports bar area with several eye-popping flat screen televisions to ensure that you won't miss a minute of the big game. And of course, the state-of-the-art bowling lanes are always in pristine condition and keep track of your score digitally. You won't strike out on a good time when you head to Strike City!

Let your love of nature take flight at the Wing Haven Foundation Gardens and Bird Sanctuary. This awe-inspiring garden was built back in the late 1920s and it continues to provide solace and comfort through its incredible variety of foliage that comprises these lush gardens. You'll also find various rare and regional bird species, so don't forget to bring your binoculars. Guided tours through this outdoor oasis are available every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings.