SUMMERTIME IN CHARLOTTE

Whether this is your first summer in Charlotte or you’re a veteran of sizzling outdoor temperatures and arctic indoor spaces, the long days and lighter traffic make it a wonderful time to explore neighborhoods, check out our diverse cultural institutions and attend some of the events in the area. With your own bed as your hotel and readily available public transit, enjoy a low cost, mini-vacation while studying, interning and working.


First things first, enjoy the outdoors!

Right on our beautiful UNC Charlotte campus is the newly dedicated Ruth G. Shaw Trail on the Toby Creek Greenway, part of the Carolina Thread Trail (http://www.carolinathreadtrail.org/ ). For additional greenways, parks, recreational facilities and aquatic centers throughout Mecklenburg County, connect to the Park and Recreation Department: http://charmeck.org/mecklenburg/county/ParkandRec/Pages/default.aspx



While you’re outside, consider attending the 2011 Charlotte Shakespeare Festival. From June 2-19, the festival presents Moliere’s comic classic “Tartuffe” (in English). The place is The Green, uptown in the shadow of the magnificent Duke Energy building. Performances are FREE.

Details: http://www.collaborativeartstheatre.com/shakespeare.htm

Need more culture?

Cultural festivals abound in Spring and Fall, but there are two events that satisfy our need for a change of pace from barbecue and watermelon. On Friday, June 3, check out Azucar- A Caribbean Celebration: http://www.latinamericancoalition.org/ . By the following weekend, June 10-12, you’ll be ready for A Taste of Charlotte : http://www.charlottesgotalot.com/default.asp?charlotte=168&objId=1966 . There’s no charge to stroll past the booths on Tryon Street. You can buy special tokens to use for food purchases.

Still looking for things to do?

One gateway to events and activities in Charlotte is the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority site: http://www.charlottesgotalot.com/ . There you can find links to museums, dining, conventions, concerts and special events.

Don’t forget that http://www.ncbpac.org/  is the place to find out about events at the uptown performance venues such as Belk Theatre, Knight Theatre and Spirit Square.

For more complete listings of activities and venues throughout our area, the online calendar listings of www.charlotteobserver.com , http://charlotte.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/index  , http://www.wfae.org/  and http://www.wdav.org/  are reliable sources of information.