The Pink Rose Cake Boutique

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.

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.

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.