Destination: Charlotte

Nicknamed "The Queen City," Charlotte was named after Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, wife of King George III of England. A second nickname, "The Hornets' Nest," came about during the American Revolutionary War, when British Commander General Cornwallis occupied Charlotte. Hostile residents drove him from the city, prompting him to identify Charlotte as "a hornet's nest of rebellion."

Settled by people of European descent around 1755, the city is located about half way between the Appalachian Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. When you attend InvestEd 2012 in Charlotte, plan to extend your stay before or after the conference and explore the area's natural beauty, history and heritage, arts and culture, entertainment, shopping, and food.

Travel Guides
The Official North Carolina Travel Guide includes a large variety of attractions and leisure activities. Search for options that interest you.

The Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority website, Charlotte's Got a Lot, includes a free mobile app and a short video to help you plan activities in the area.

Bring your family and enjoy some of the family fun activities the Charlotte area has to offer. When you are planning activities, check out Charlotte One Stop for ideas.

Fun Times in the Charlotte Area
Whether you like roller coaster rides or water park activities, Carowinds offers fun for the whole family.

Visit the US National Whitewater Center for both water and land activities.

Just around the corner from the InvestEd conference hotel, the Farmers Market is the place to find fresh produce, scrumptious baked goods, delectable jams and jellies, unique handmade crafts, and more. Store your food finds in the fridge in your hotel room, or microwave something for a late night snack.

Enjoy touring the Historic South End where you will see restored mill buildings and warehouses, cultural venues, spectacular arts, as well as eclectic retail shops and unique restaurants.

Take a walk through the Midwood Plaza and enjoy the gardens and historic homes.

See Charlotte riding in a horse-drawn carriage. A tour on Southern Breeze Carriages provides views of Charlotte's skyline and the Historic Fourth Ward Neighborhood.

The Charlotte Trolley Museum gives visitors an opportunity to see vintage streetcars and enjoy Car 85, Charlotte's only original electric trolley car still in operation.

Museums, Galleries, and Gardens
The Charlotte area includes a wide variety of museums, galleries, gardens, and historic sites.

Visitors to Charlotte will not want to miss the Carolinas Aviation Museum, the new home of the Miracle on the Hudson aircraft. The interactive displays entertain visitors of all ages.

The Billy Graham Library draws visitors from throughout the United States and countries abroad.

Enjoy a variety of exhibits at the Levine Museum of the New South.

The Mint Museum houses collections of American, contemporary, and European art.

View a butterfly exhibit and manicured theme gardens at the Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens.

See live birds-of-prey presentations at the Carolina Raptor Center.

The Wing Haven Gardens and Bird Sanctuary has almost three acres of lovely vistas, formal gardens, and woodland areas.

A wide variety of exhibits is at the Discovery Place.

The NASCAR Hall of Fame has more than 50 hands-on exhibits on display.

Contemporary, abstract, and realistic art are the specialty of the Renee George Gallery.

Scenic Spots Beyond the City
The Historic Latta Plantation is an old cotton plantation and living history farm located at the Latta Plantation Nature Preserve about 12 miles northwest of Charlotte.

The Reed Gold Mine, the site of the first documented gold finds in the United States, gives visitors the opportunity to pan for gold.

The North Carolina Mountains and the ocean beaches provide visitors with unparalleled scenery.

Shopping and Food
The SouthPark Mall, one of the largest malls in the area, offers a shoppers' paradise.

Shoppers will find almost everything they need at Concord Mills, the largest discount shopping mall in a 300 mile area.

At Phillips Place, you'll find outstanding restaurants, specialty retail, exciting apparel, and exquisite home furnishings set along an inviting main street.

Sample the cuisine at Mortimer's Cafe & Pub. Before your visit, go online and register for a free appetizer.

The EpiCentre is a multi-faceted hub for dining, entertainment, recreation, and nightlife. Enjoy live music and tasty beverages in a casual atmosphere at Alive After Five.

Established in 1973, The Double Door Inn oozes musical tradition. The walls are packed with 35 years of autographed photos, and it has been described as viewing a timeline for live music in "The Queen City."

Check out where the locals eat at Local Eats.

Travel to Charlotte
The Charlotte Airport welcomes visitors with southern porch rockers throughout the airport. Airlines flying into the Charlotte Douglas International Airport include Air Canada, AirTran, American, Continental, Delta, Insel, JetBlue, Lufthansa, United, US Airways, and US Airways Express.

Check AmTrak for a leisurely train trip to Charlotte.

For those who enjoy driving, look for I-77, I-85, and I-40 to take you into Charlotte.