1. The North Carolina Dance Theatre will reach new heights during the 2008 season with its performance of Romeo & Juliet (May 15 – 17) and a production of The Little Mermaid (May 17 – 18). Stay tuned for more exhilarating performances at the NC Dance Theatre. www.ncdance.org 2. Rock out with your favorite musical performers at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, Charlotte’s only multimillion dollar, open-air music venue. Verizon brings the country’s hottest stars in 2007 including Toby Keith, Brooks & Dunn, Gwen Stefani and Akon. www.livenation.com
3. Visit the Charlotte Nature Museum, an urban science center that exhibits the animals and plants of the Piedmont including an everchanging Butterfly Garden. Get up close and personal with the wildlife and walk among free-flying butterflies in Butterfly Pavilion, observe live animals in Creature Cavern, buzz by Insect Alley or just hang out in Our Big Backyard. www.discoveryplace.org
4. Find inspiration with NarroWay Productions. NarroWay offers dynamic Christian musicals and dinner theatre. Formerly an outdoor amphitheatre, NarroWay has now moved indoors into a gorgeous new theatre, able to accommodate 325 for its’ dinner shows. www.narroway.net
5. The Light Factory is a nonprofit arts center dedicated to exhibition and education programs promoting the power of photography and film. The Light Factory offers classes throughout the year in SLR and digital photography and filmmaking. www.lightfactory.org
6. Shop with class and sophistication at SouthPark Mall. Stores include Belk, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and cult favorites like Anthropologie, Burberry, Kate Spade and Louis Vuitton. www.simon.com
7. Reed Gold Mine is the site of the first documented gold find in the United States (1799). From this discovery, gold mining spread gradually to nearby counties and eventually into other southern states. During its peak years gold mining was second only to farming in the number of North Carolinians it employed. Today, it features exhibits on gold, the geology of gold, mining technology, and equipment. Portions of underground tunnels at this NC Historic site have been restored for guided tours. Come pan for gold in the same creek that led to America's first gold rush. www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us/sections/hs/reed/reed.htm
8. Relax and enjoy the serenity of Wing Haven, a unique part of Charlotte since its creation in 1927. The gardens and bird sanctuary, enclosed on all sides by brick walls, encompass three acres in the heart of a quiet residential neighborhood. www.winghavengardens.com
9. Get swept away in a southern winter wonderland. Holidays in the City is a month-long celebration of the holidays highlighting the city’s rich traditions and culture in countless events throughout Center City Charlotte. www.holidaysinthecity.org
10. Experience the Charlotte Antique & Collectibles show monthly at the Metrolina Expo Trade Center. Twice a year (April & November) the "Antiques Spectacular," acclaimed as one of the largest events of its kind, anywhere features over 2,000 dealers from all over the world, offering an array of quality antiques and collectible items. Visit April 2 – 6 for the ‘Spectacular 2008.’ www.dmgantiqueshows.com/metrolina
