Biltmore
Estate | Checkered
Flag | ImaginOn | Public
Library--PLCMC | Public
Library--Union County | Seagrove Pottery
Biltmore Estate Tour: Silver Lining of the Carolinas
A visit to the Biltmore Estate is a full-day adventure into the heart of
the Blue Ridge Mountains in Asheville, NC. America’s largest private residence
is one of the nation’s most visited attractions. Designed and built
by George Vanderbilt in 1895, the 255-room mansion is modeled after chateaux
in France’s Loire Valley and is filled with treasures including rare
paintings, furnishings and books. You’ll have lunch at the Stable Café,
tour the beautiful gardens, enjoy a self-paced taped tour of the magnificent
House, and have an opportunity to sample wines produced at the Winery.
Deluxe motor coach transportation, uniformed escort, entrance fees to Biltmore Estate, Winery and Gardens, lunch on the estate, wine tasting with self-guided tour of winery, headsets with taped tour inside the Biltmore House, all taxes and gratuities. Departs from and returns to the Charlotte Convention Center.
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Cost: $135 per person
Tour Minimum: 30 persons
Checkered Flag Tour
The Charlotte area is home to some NASCAR’s hottest sights and sounds.
We’ll tour the Hendrick Motor Sports Museum and Gift Shop, featuring displays
of championship trophies, action photos, famous cars, and in-shop viewing window.
Racing enthusiasts will find a wide array of NASCAR memorabilia for purchase.
At Lowe’s Motor Speedway we’ll take an exciting lap around the 1.5
mile oval track aboard the tour bus, experiencing first-hand the tilt of the
24-degree banks. Classic car aficionados will enjoy our trip to the Classic Auto
Museum featuring 50 autos from bygone eras.
Deluxe motor coach transportation, uniformed tour guide, admission fees, all taxes and gratuities. Departs from and returns to Charlotte Convention Center.
Time: 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Cost: $56 per person
Tour Minimum: 30 persons
ImaginOn – The Joe and Joan Martin Center: Preview/Walking
Tour
ImaginOn, a 106,000 sq. ft. facility scheduled for completion in 2005, is a partnership
of The Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County and Children's
Theatre of Charlotte.
Through innovative programs using the written, spoken and electronic word, ImaginOn
will be an interactive learning environment for young people and their families.
ImaginOn will include state-of-the-art performance spaces, a technology center,
classrooms, a teen center, storytime rooms, and specific library areas designed
to nurture young people at every stage of their development. PLCMC staff will
guide you on a construction tour.
Departs from and returns to Main Library, 6th & Tryon St.
Times: 9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m.
Cost: $10 per person
Tour Minimum/Maximum: 15/30
Public Library Tour – Three Branches of the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg
County (Joint Use Facilities)
Visit three new libraries designed for joint use with other County agencies.
The Sugar Creek branch is part of a facility housing the library, a district
police office, and a job center. Steele Creek branch is a freestanding 15,000
sq. ft. building located in front of a middle school. The 20,000 sq. ft. Freedom
Regional Library, attached to a new technical high school, is a joint venture
with local school system and serves as a combined public/school library. Library
staff will serve as guides.
Deluxe motor coach transportation, refreshment break, guided tours of libraries. Departs from and returns to Charlotte Convention Center.
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Cost: $20 per person
Tour Minimum: 30 persons
Public Library Tour – Three Branches of the Union County Public
Library
During the past four years the Union County Public Library has undergone a period
of extensive growth through construction, renovation and expansion projects.
We will visit the renovated and expanded Main Library in Monroe, the new 8700
sq. ft. Lois Morgan Edwards Memorial Library in Marshville, and the new 12,000
sq. ft. Union West Regional Library in Indian Trail. Library staff will serve
as guides.
Deluxe motor coach transportation, refreshment break, guided tours of libraries. Departs from and returns to Charlotte Convention Center.
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Cost: $20 per person
Tour Minimum: 30 persons
Seagrove Pottery Tour: Carolina’s Lost Art
Since the 1700s, the Seagrove area ninety miles northeast of Charlotte has been
the home of some of the world’s most talented potters. With over eighty
potteries within a twenty-five mile radius, the region is renowned for its
good clay and distinctive galleries and wares. Our tour includes stops with
shopping time at several of the area’s potters, a visit to the Pottery
Center Museum, a delicious boxed lunch, and time to explore the quaint town
of Seagrove and its potteries on your own.
Deluxe motor coach transportation, professional guide, entrance fees, boxed lunch. Departs from and returns to Charlotte Convention Center.
Time: 10 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Cost: $72 per person
Tour Minimum: 30 persons