Absolutely gorgeous mine! You're free to explore on your own or get some tours set up and you're…read moreable to go and pan for some goal. Once done with the mine there's also some nearby nature trails that I suggest you check out!

I had researched places to see that are fairly close to Charlotte and this was one of the places I…read morefound. I figured my grandpa would appreciate it. He is a treasure hunter and prospector with an appreciation for mining shared by me. But I was hesitant to bring he and my grandma here due to the amount of walking and the stairs in the mine. We came anyhow and had a really good visit. We started in the museum. Just a gentle stroll learing about the history of the mine and gold mining in the region in general. Towards the end of the museum you learn about the modern uses of gold (i.e. space applications). There is also a 9 minute video which goes more into depth on the history of the mine as told by the reenactment. I didn't initially plan on sitting through that but it really was informative. After the video we made our way outside and down to the mine. I kept checking with my grandparents to see if they were ok to keep going. They insisted they were. So we entered the mine and into the cold damp darkness. It was AWESOME. As you trek deeper in, you find off shoots from the main tunnel. Each with its own stuff to see. There is one with a vertical shaft going all the way up to the surface. That is a cool perspective. Finally you reach the end and the those darned stairs. There are many of them and they are not all level. Do your best to hold on and climb your way out. Then you'll find yourself outside about half way up the hill. But wait. There's more. After you exit the mine you can still climb higher up the side of the hill. Up to the top of the shaft you saw from below and beyond. At the very top there is a big smoke stack. A chimney left over from the steam engine used during mining operations. It was an impressive site to behold. Now back down the hill side and back to the visitor center. Our visit was complete but there was more to see. There are more trails to explore. The park also offers gold panning for a small fee. We came across one small lad who was so excited that he found gold. He ran up to my grandpa to show off his treasure. None of us could actually see anything but if this kid found anything, it was the thrill of a life time. This park has that magical way about it.

I want to say this has been one of the highlights of my family trip. When your 16 yo his 17 yo best…read morefriend and wife all agree on this fact it says something. As adults we have this tendency to say "if I knew then what I knew now, I'd have paid more attention in school!" Well here's your chance. This tiny aquarium will impart more knowledge in a short visit than you probably take in most months if you take advantage of it. The interns and owner (a former teacher) are committed to answering questions. The things they are studying and sharing are amazing. If you go in and you want to learn and ask questions this will be an experience you won't forget. Think of the best science teacher you ever had, having an opportunity to show the world what she loves to talk about... and that is what you have here. Do yourself a favor, go, enjoy and learn!!

We went awhile back to see Charlotte and were sorely disappointed. Hearing of her death today…read morereminded me I had forgotten to write a review. This location is privately run and not for educational purposes. More like going to a friends house to see their pets. Please consider going to an aquarium run by scientists for educational purposes.

It's ok. I'll leave it at that. It's a lot smaller than I expected and there really wasn't too much…read moreto do. I think the best age for this museum is under 3. My 4 year old got bored pretty quickly. There also just wasn't a lot to do. There is a dress up area, but it only had a few items, same with the kitchen and pirate ship. I have to agree with another reviewer that the staff wasn't friendly. They were more concerned with everything getting cleaned up. iI's a children's museum - there's supposed to be a level of mess, but when a kid puts a doll at the table and then goes to the kitchen area and you put the doll back, maybe think "was that kid getting food to play feed the doll?"and not assume they were leaving it. Also, parents - there's an overpriced gift/toy section in the front that you can't avoid. Bright side - there's some fun lunch and treat spots close by.

The museum is small but cute. Best for children 2 - 4 years old. Most of the front desk staff are…read morewelcoming. But the staff in the back must not have children. I'm not sure that they even like children. When my older children were little, I used to bring them and that staff would interact with the kids and parents. Most of this staff just sits on side, ignoring children and adults. There is one lady, Miss Wendy that all of my kids love, but she's not there very much. They had an event this weekend and I am glad that we went in the afternoon. My friend got turned away in the morning only an hour after they opened. She said that staff very rudely told her that she should have gotten there earlier. Her children were heartbroken. They did have some people, mainly teenagers with volunteer name tags who were very nice. My little adored the older gentleman who played with him. They had the upstairs set up really cute with a Winnie-the-Pooh exhibit. But unfortunately, they said that it would only be there for that day. They had friendly teens in that space playing with the kids. Admission is not worth it, but their membership is a good value because it includes other museums.

This place was amazing and our kids enjoyed every exhibit! Definitely a positive experience!!read more

An amazing fun place right at the heart of CLT. The place is quite small but has entertainment that…read morecan keep you hooked up for its repeat value. This place is essentially a play of everything that is mirrors, glasses and physics. Our toddler had so much fun running through the maze and we had a fantastic time with the building climbing trick and the vortex tunnel. Street parking on front of this is very minimal and on demand. The public garage parking on the next door is convenient but costly.

Had my daughter's birthday party here. So fun! She said it the best birthday yet! Definitely it out!read more

They just had my detailed, FACTUAL original review (and one owners unprofessional, snooty…read moreresponses) removed for being too truthful I guess. Here's a shorter version... cute photo opps, but do NOT waste your money on their birthday packages. It's average at best, contrary to one of the owners being an "event planner". Go take your pics and celebrate your event elsewhere as it is not worth the money they charge for what you get. Is that better?

This is a nice area for viewing whatever exhibit they have on display at the time. We visited…read morewhile they had art on loan being shown and it was well done. The rooms are well lit and large enough to see multiple pieces but small enough to avoid getting loud or echoing heavily. The staff was super friendly and it looks like they are frequently offering different types of exhibitions or experiences for the community to share in - for free.

From the owner: Waterworks strives to be a leader and innovator in the exhibition of art and in museum education…read more We are accredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) as a non-collecting art museum. This highly honored accreditation brings national recognition to a museum for its commitment to excellence, accountability, high professional standards, and continued institutional improvement. We are one of only 12 art museums currently accredited in North Carolina. We offer visitors a sculpture courtyard, sensory gardens, and three revolving exhibitions annually featuring some of the most creative and expressive artwork from regional and national emerging/established artists. Waterworks is handicapped accessible. We provide designated handicapped parking spaces, wide entrance doors and an elevator for access to the 2nd floor. Benches are provided throughout the galleries for those requiring the need to sit. Waterworks is a cultural asset and destination; a vibrant, collaborative space for lifelong learning, and an economic development engine for Salisbury-Rowan County. We are proud of our sixty-two year history and our ability to respond and adapt to the needs of the communities we serve. We look forward to your visit!

Very lovely historic cottage located on its original foundation in Moore County, North Carolina. I…read morealways try to take my guests here. This is as historical as it gets in the Sandhills and I enjoy it every time I see it. From their website: The Shaw House is typical of the antebellum houses which followed the cabins of the early Sandhills settlers. It is less elaborate than the seacoast plantations and has the charm and sturdy simplicity which was characteristic of the Scottish families who settled in this region. The interior is highlighted by fine detail on two hand-carved fireplace mantels of unusual beauty, and by many outstanding early examples of Moore County pottery and "plain-style" pine furniture. A wing was added to the house in the mid-1800s and a kitchen was added sometime in the 1920s. Charles C. Shaw, a first-generation Scottish settler, acquired 2,500 acres and built the house around 1820. The date of 1842 on the chimney is thought to have been the year that the front porch and the two attached "travelers' rooms" were added. One of his 12 children, Charles Washington Shaw, inherited the property and lived in the house, becoming the first mayor of Southern Pines in 1887. The house remained in the Shaw family until it was acquired in 1946 by the newly formed Moore County Historical Association in a grassroots effort to ensure its preservation.

It was like I was transported back to the 90s. The walls are literally works of art. My friends and…read moreI had a blast going through the different rooms, taking photos together and whatnot. I have a cute photo of me pretending to be sub-zero in front of the Finish Him/Mortal Kombat area. It is a quick visit. You only really need an hour in there. Also, there is parking in the front and a little lot in the back. I highly recommend stopping by.

This weekend was all that ‼ This brought back so many…read morememories and the owner Jessica captured everything from the 90's in this space for sure . We enjoyed our time here & my peeps definitely understood the assignment lol . We were in character and gear . This was so fun and very nostalgic taking me back to the 90s which to me was the best time to be alive . This was the hi light of my weekend ,take friends with you that love taking pictures & love being in the moment .

A nice garden but a little boring in the summer. There weren't very many blooms. I appreciated the…read morenatural kids area- it had books, wagons, a little bridge. Decent shade coverage. We stayed about an hour with our toddler. It's fun- but not somewhere I'd spend the $10 (for people over 10) often given the other options around.

Very relaxing atmosphere. Gorgeous and a fun little activity to do. Worth the entrance fee.read more

The Charlotte Hawkins Brown Memorial is filled with rich history of a black woman who started a…read moreschool solely for blacks in order for them to receive equal education at the Palmer Memorial Institute. Unfortunately, you can tell that many of the points of interest and homes are in need of a refresh. You can only go into the Canary Cottage if you payed for the $2 guided tour. No other NC historic sites have done something like this, and we feel that you should still be able to go into ALL of the homes and points of interest if you are giving yourself a tour, because most do not purchase a guided tour. The staff were alright. Most were nice, but did not do a good job at explaining things. They kind of left us to figure it out for ourselves. Their kindness felt fake, especially the woman who rushed us out of the Canary Cottage even though no one told us that we couldn't go in it. That is unfortunate, but there is nothing we can do about it. Enjoy your time here, but be weary of the condition of the historic site and the staff.

I came across this museum by accident. I'm glad I did. It has a fascinating history: founded by a…read moreyoung woman, herself educated, who began the Palmer Institute in the early 1900s as a school for African American children. She not only served as its president for 30 years until her death, she also believed so strongly in what the school represented, she arranged housing, a dorm, in a local house she bought. There's much more to the story of how this became an accredited preparatory school but it's an extraordinary story that's worth discovering. If you're on the back roads between durham and charlotte, or want to be, this museum should be a must visit.