Beautiful property and enjoyed the history and gardens. Did not get to tour the house as it was…read morenear closing time.

We enjoyed the tour very well. I am sorry but I can't remember the gentleman's name. This was his…read morefirst tour and he did an amazing job, very well informed. The grounds are well kept. We enjoy plantation tours and this is one of the best!!

Cool views unless you're scared of heights. Head to the lobby for relaxing music. Hearst tower is…read morenice!!

Whenever I go Uptown, I always park in the Hearst Tower. It's in a great location, close to all the…read morevenues. The parking is very convenient and leaving is fairly easy as well. Walking inside the building, I was surprised to see so many things housed in there: Modern Salon, Showmar's, convenience store, LaVecchia's, The Original Soup Man. If you are into architecture, the Hearst Tower is great to look at. It's one of my husband's favorite buildings Uptown and it always looks great in the Queen City skyline.

The entrance fee to walk around independently is $5 but there isn't much to see except some…read morebuildings with animals that is like visiting a small farm. The buildings that are meant to appear as being refurbished appropriate to the era when the plantation was functioning are minimal, three small single room buildings. Not worth the price. I did not do the guided tour that was $9 to tour the single plantation home for 45 minutes which seemed like a really long tour for the small plantation house. Might be a good tour for school children but wasn't worthwhile for an adult. Plenty of onsite parking on a quiet weekday visit.

Took a bunch of out of towners who wanted to check out a Civil War era place to Latta Plantation…read more Located in the Latta Nature Reserve in Huntersville, the plantation consists of a visitors' center, plantation house, farm, and other assorted buildings. There are a couple of very friendly animals roaming around the farm area and the people who work there are really nice and informative. A Civil War Infantry demonstration was going on the day we went, that was neat, got to learn about how the Confederate infantry lived and operated. Great place to take the kids or people who like Civil War Era history. Admission is $6 for adults and $5 with student ID.

Totally blown away. Art With Heart was amazing. From the minute we walked in, my mouth was just…read moreopen the entire time as I walked around and saw all of the beautiful pieces of work that came from local artists. Founders Hall was filled with people supporting the cause and United Family Services. We were given ipod touches at check in to help us bid in the silent auction. I was able to bid on a piece and walked away a winner. Wahoo! The night was perfect. The food, the company, our table, the art, everything was perfect.

The Art with Heart Auction was first introduced to me by my good friend, Rachel. I noticed a…read morebeautiful piece of artwork in her home and she told me she won it in the silent auction at this wonderful event. I loved the piece and wanted to know more about the event. So after my research and attending this year's events here's what I found out: --artwork is donated by many talented artists across the Southeast and the fundraiser benefits nonprofit organizations (For 2013 it was Safe Alliance formally United Family Services) --It was hosted by Colleen Odegaard and Ramona Holloway of WCNC's Charlotte Today show --This year's fundraiser included an extra special celebration...a new Safe Alliance shelter which allows the organization to help many more people in crisis --Tickets were $100 --There were over 100 pieces in the auction (silent and live) so there was sure to be something that fits everyones' artistic style. I know there were a few favorites on my list!

The historical marker reads, "Founder of the nation's first textile factory owned and operated by…read moreblacks, 1897-1904. Mill building is 350 yds. N." It is by the side of the road with no easy parking. Of course, the more information can be found online. "The Coleman Manufacturing Company in Concord represented the first major cooperative effort by North Carolina's African American businessmen and was the first textile operation in the nation owned and operated by blacks. Considerable public attention went to the mill during its relatively short period of operation." "Equipment testing began in late 1898 and full production of cotton yarn a year later. The mill at its peak employed 300 black workers. At the 1900 Exposition Universal in Paris, France, the factory was billed as "the only Negro cotton mill in the U.S." Industry-wide economic troubles forced Coleman to resign in December 1903. Benjamin N. Duke foreclosed on the mortgage in April 1904. Later a section of the mill built by Coleman was operated as Plant No. 9 of Cannon Mills Company." [Review 13180 overall, 497 of 2020.]

This simple granite memorial pays tribute to an important heroine of the American Revolution…read more Largely forgotten, which is shameful. The former McDowell estate here on South Tryon has since been subdivided into a number of different housing developments. Their 200 year old house was since demolished as well to make way for "progress." https://theoldhouselife.com/2018/04/16/demolished-to-make-room-for-townhomes-charlotte-nc/ The stone reads, "1780. In memoriam. Jane Parks. Wife of Captain John McDowell who rode 10 perilous miles to notify American camp of British evacuation of Charlotte. Erected by Mecklenburg Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution." Online, there is more information. "In October of 1780 when a detachment of British troops, that were stationed in Charlotte, were pulling out and heading to South Carolina. At this time in the American Revolution, Savannah and Charleston had already surrendered to British control so it's anyone's guess where these forces were headed (Charlotte was always hostile to the British forces, which is why Cornwallis referred to it as a hornet's nest). As they were heading south, the ran across the McDowell plantation." "After they left, Jane Parks McDowell rode ten miles on horseback, with her baby, to alert the Continental troops that the British were evacuating Charlotte, NC. This allowed them to saddle up, head them off for an attack. Long considered the female Paul Revere. Her house stood quietly and unnoticed for over a century until BNA Homes decided townhomes needed to built on the 16 acres where the house stood." #InternationalWomensDay [Review 14764 overall, 265 of 2021, number 2815 in North Carolina.]

It's a conveniently located venue with close proximity to major highways. It's spacious inside…read more There is free parking. They have their own in-house catering. It's clean inside. Great lounge space and break out areas. Multiple restrooms. Come see for yourself.

I've attended a couple charity events here now and they have been fantastic experiences. The venue…read moreitself is a blank slate. You can turn it into a fancy high class wedding area or a low key lunch meeting space. The food is great! Service is excellent. And the theory behind the organization is compelling and heartwarming. Overall wonderful experience. Highly recommend this venue space for your next event.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg library district offers a number of very nice regional and special…read morelibrary settings: the South Park Regional, South County Regional, and the library collaboration with the Children's Theatre of Charlotte ... ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center on Seventh Street downtown to name just three. Each has specialties that make them individuals. The South County Regional had a really extensive collection of books and materials for the younger set. While we had trouble finding 2 to 4 year old age-appropriate books at other locations, South County Regional satisfied our needs. The library itself was newish, clean and easy to get to, with available free parking. Unlike some other libraries in the district, this one had more library materials but fewer things (toys and games) for kids to play with. Nice library and recommended.

Library location midway on Pineville-Matthews Road across from Calvary Church. Library has 2…read morelevels with stairs and elevators. There's computers available to use as a guest or library member. There's plenty of empty tables for reading or bringing your own laptop. Theres options for closed quiet spaces and I'm sure reservations can be made for groups. Kid zones throughout. I didn't see the whole library but it was very active and well kept as it seemed libraries were on the decline. Not at this location.