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Photo: Leo Caplanides, Public Information Officer for Mecklenburg County Government, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
It's in the Second Ward near the government center. Marshall Park is a vestige of 1960s urban renewal. Though it offers an excellent view of the skyline and is a good place to eat carry-out lunch from nearby restaurants, it lacks the vibrancy of some other city parks. Though it should not be considered dangerous, wise travelers will find a way around it at night.
Marshall Park is a 5.5-acre (2.2 ha) urban park at 800 East Third Street in the Second Ward of Charlotte, North Carolina. It features a large fountain and a lake, an amphitheater, a statue of Martin Luther King Jr., and a Holocaust memorial monument. The park contains large open grassy areas with an unobstructed view of the Charlotte skyline. The Park is named for James B. Marshall, Sr., a former Charlotte city manager. Now owned by Mecklenburg County, the park is part of 17 acres (6.9 ha) of land the county is looking to sell to a developer. Under a 2018 agreement, Marshall Park would be replaced with a smaller 1.6-acre (0.65 ha) park.
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Housed in a cylindrical building across the street from the convention center, this slick museum has many interactive exhibits on the history of NASCAR, race cars, and simulators.
This venue has become the primary destination for big-name concerts in Charlotte, especially in the colder months when an indoor venue is necessary. The location in the heart of Uptown's entertainment district makes this a great place to catch a show. Even "nosebleed" seats aren't very far from the stage.
Charlotte's NBA team plays in Spectrum Center (formerly Charlotte Bobcats Arena and Time Warner Cable Arena) in Uptown. Support for the team has been inconsistent due to an ugly divorce with the original Charlotte Hornets franchise in 2003. Ticket prices are low and it is generally not a problem to purchase a ticket on game day.
For weekend evening performances ImaginOn re-opens one hour prior to performance time. Box Office hours M-F 10AM-5PM, and one hour prior to all performances for walk-up guests (box office phones are not answered on weekends). Founded in 1948, it has been opening young minds to the wonders of live theater for over half a century. Annually, it reaches more than 320,000 young people and families from preschool to late teens, with four program areas: MainStage productions; Tarradiddle Players, the professional touring company; and Community Involvement Program.
Active children's theatre. PlayPlay! creates plays specifically for children ages birth to age 3.
This library/theater is fantastic for families. Very attractive and safe, ImaginOn appeals to both younger children and teenagers, and is a relatively quiet refuge for parents. The library features an extensive area for younger children on the ground floor, and a teens-only (no adults allowed) top floor. Also, the Children's Theatre of Charlotte maintains cutting-edge facilities including a very comfortable theater. ImaginOn is truly underrated and should not be missed by those looking for an educational experience.