Free Museums in Lake Norman

"For an in-depth look at Charlotte's history, head to the Levine Museum of the New South. The museum's permanent exhibits explore the history and culture of the South from the Civil War to today, including the award-winning "Cotton Fields to Skyscrapers: Reinventing Charlotte and the Carolina Piedmont in the New South." The exhibit includes more than 1,000 artifacts, images, and oral histories as well as interactive displays like a sit-in lunch counter and a one-room tenant farmer's home. During the week, the museum validates parking for two hours for visitors using the Seventh Street Station parking deck."

"While you’re in the area, if you love history, we suggest visiting the Levine Museum of the New South, which follows the history of the South after the Civil War with a focus on Charlotte and the surrounding Carolina Piedmont. If you prefer art, check out the Mint Museum, Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, Sozo Gallery or Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts and Culture."

"With an 8,000-square-foot exhibit, "Cotton Fields to Skyscrapers: Charlotte and the Carolina Piedmont in the New South," as a jumping-off…"

"Another museum that should be on your radar is the iconic Bechtler, which houses art from some of the world’s most renowned artists including Picasso, Warhol, and Giacometti. You might be lucky enough to find your new favorite painting hanging here, especially as many of the works have been held in private collections for generations, and are often viewed here by the public for the first time. Like the Mint, the building itself has architectural significance, and was designed by the great Swiss architect Mario Botta."

"The best art museums are those that were artistically designed themselves, and the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art was designed by the eminent architect Mario Botta to be both impressive and intimate. Hear expertly played jazz by Ziad Jazz Quartet and guest performers, learn about the devoted collection the Bechtler family maintained, or see a range of historical and intellectual art pieces. Featured artists include legends like Miró, Giacometti, Calder, Warhol, and more 20th-century greats."

"The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, designed by Swiss architect Mario Botta, is a premier modern art museum with architecture to match. A unique terra-cotta structure framed by glass and concrete, the four-story building has a soaring glass atrium that extends siphons in natural light. Works by Miro, Giacometti, Calder, Warhol, Klee, and Picasso fill the museum, with media encompassing sculpture, paintings, drawings, and even tapestries."

"Formerly referred to as the Afro-American Cultural Center, the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts and Culture in Charlotte was renamed after Harvey Gantt. The center has a rich history of African and American struggle in Charlotte, North Carolina. Harvey Gantt is the city’s first African-American mayor, a well-respected community leader, businessman, and the first African-American student at Clemson University."

"The Harvey B. Gantt Center celebrates African-American culture through visual art, music, dance, theater, and film. It is located in the heart of Charlotte’s business district, alongside other institutions that form the Levine Center For The Arts. In an area that was once the hub of the black community, this stylish new building exhibits works that explore issues relevant to this particular community."

"Celebrate African and African-American culture at the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Art + Culture. In addition to a permanent collection of inspiring works by notable African-American artists, the center also offers a diverse cultural program of music, dance, and theater performances, film screenings, lecures, and workshops.More"

"Imagine giving your children the opportunity to learn all about the fascinating world of raptors. At the Carolina Raptor Center children can experience close encounters of the raptor kind as they follow the Raptor Trail to meet and greet a variety of impressive falcons, eagles, vultures and hawks. Your children will have fun observing the birds at close range and not even realize how much they are learning about raptors and the important part they play in the wilds."

"Carolina Raptor Center is a charitable non-profit organization that relies on public financial support. Next, this company has a wide park that provides bird watches and other animal enclosures. Also, this company is reputable for releasing 1,00 birds a year, conserving the state’s biodiversity and environmental attractions."

"A pleasant woodland stroll within the Latta Plantation Nature Preserve leads past aviaries holding predatory birds that have suffered injuries – you may come across volunteers taking a vulture for a walk."

"A post shared by WeLoveCLT (@weloveclt) on Apr 12, 2016 at 9:07am PDT. ImaginOn is a 102,000-square-foot facility dedicated to getting children involved in education, the arts, culture and multimedia. The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and Children’s Theatre of Charlotte came to together to create this resource for children that includes two state-of-the-art theatres, a dedicated library space for kids 11 and under, four multi-use classrooms, a teen-only library, a multimedia production studio and interactive exhibit space in order to create this cultural hub for children of all ages."

"ImaginOn (the Joe and Joan Martin Center) is located in the heart of Charlotte’s culture and art district where it offers a unique space for young people to learn about art and culture. The center includes an enormous children’s library, two remarkable theatres, class rooms, a production studio and an exhibition space. The Spangler Library for Children caters for your children from birth to fifth grade, with a special baby and toddler area and hands-on activities for all ages."

"Home of the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, ImaginOn also serves as a fabulous open air and fun library with attractions that all the kids can enjoy. There is so much to keep your children occupied, from board games, a puppet center, Lego playing area, magnetic poetry wall, touch screens for the little ones, and much more besides. In fact, a great place for the kids to let their imagination run free!"

"For a great day of educational family fun you can take your children to meet the residents of Discovery Place, the Charlotte Nature Museum. Here young visitors can meet and touch a variety of animals they would not normally come across at the Live Animal Encounter. Other popular attractions include Insect Alley, Our Big Backyard and Fort Wild, where children are encouraged to use their imagination."

"Formerly the Charlotte Nature Museum, the Discovery Place Nature is a museum to explore nature including both plants and animals. Take the Paw Paw Nature Trail to learn more about all the native flora and fauna. The Creature Cavern is home to many different animals that you can see up close like opossums, turtles, snakes, and more."

"Come visit us and observe live animals in Creature Cavern, buzz by Insect Alley, hang out in our Big ..."

"This Uptown museum is another who offers free admission year round. Pop in and learn about gold mining in North Carolina Tuesday through Saturday from 9 A.M."

"KO Sushi, located in the heart of Uptown, offers takeout and delivery only – perfect for a lunch break or a picnic in Romare Bearden Park right down the street. From vegetarian rolls to sashimi, visitors and locals alike will have plenty of options to choose from."

"A post shared by Kabuto51Pineville (@kabuto51pineville) on Jan 8, 2020 at 9:39am PST. This modest restaurant is all about serving delectable Japanese dishes in a pleasant setting. But, to make it even greater, serving delectable dishes should also come with a theatrical performance."

"Creator: Bruce Moffett — the guy behind Good Food, Barrington’s and Stagioni — recently opened his fourth restaurant named N.C. Red in Plaza Midwood. Menu highlights:Nashville hot chicken, fresh fried fish, Point Judith calamari, lobster roll, clam chowder, poached crab salad, oysters, mussels and clams."

"Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing. What will you say to a stylish restaurant that offers a range of sushi along with seafood?. You will, of course, say yes."

"Chef and owner Michael Shortino’s ramen restaurant caused a buzz when it first opened in 2015, with a constant wait for no-reservations tables. His noodle soups are both traditional and interpreted, while dishes such as the Crispy Rice are memorable and craveable. The ramen rush hasn’t slowed down since Futo Buta’s customers slurped up their first bowls, and neither has Shortino—he recently opened Lincoln’s Haberdashery, a grab-and-go market in South End."

"Futo Buta loosely translated as “the fat pig” has grown to be one of the leading Asian cuisine eateries in North Carolina today. Since its establishment in 2015 by Chef Michael Shortino, the South-end Charlotte restaurant has made its way into locals’ hearts, with its pork tonkotsu being a favourite for many. The restaurant blends a feel-good, rock-and-roll ambience with superbly cooked Sino dishes and the outcome is simply breathtaking."

"$ | Modern, cozy space with creative ramen dishes in South End. This intimate restaurant along the Rail Trail would be easy to forget it exists if it wasn’t so darn good. Owner and chef Michael Shortino’s giant bowls of ramen ($12-$18) are among the best in Charlotte, which explains why this spot is almost always busy."

"With three locations, you don't have an excuse not to go to this place. They really pride themselves on having such a wide menu in which everyone can partake- so let's get down to business. Breakfast menu includes sandwiches like the "Greens n' Stuff" with egg, avocado, and alfalfa sprouts."

"This baby has coconut, M&Ms, nuts, etc. in it and it's SOO GOOD ❤️ Happy weekend!. – 📷 by @eatdrinkclt 📍 at @thecommonmarket #myfab5 #cookie #eatdrinkclt #clteats #cltfood #friyay. A photo posted by MyFab5 Charlotte (@bestfoodcharlotte) on Apr 22, 2016 at 1:24pm PDT"

"With a combination of all the mix-ins that make cookies great, this bar is the king of Charlotte cookies from the Common Market. Coated in M&Ms, coconut, and walnuts, the texture is unbeatable and the flavors all swirl together in each delicious bite."

"The third location of this plant-filled, ethereal coffee shop by local entrepreneurs sits at Advent Coworking in the Belmont neighborhood. While the other locations in NoDa and Asheville are more beverage-program-focused, this latest spot will roll out a full lunch menu. Expect sandwiches like the Trade and Galore (lemon pepper chicken, fresh mozzarella, bacon, avocado, and other touches on a Duke’s potato bun), salads like the Popeye Bowl (spinach, fresh mozzarella balls, bacon, sunflower seeds, red cabbage, cherry tomatoes, and more with house honey lemon zest dressing) and small plates like avocado toast."

"Nestled in the heart of the artsy NoDa neighborhood, Trade and Lore Coffee is a gorgeous specialty coffee shop serving coffee drinks, tea, beer and wine. Relax in the cozy corner lined with a cushioned bench or at any of the tables dotting the spacious interior — enjoying your caffeinated or alcoholic drink all the while. The primary roaster at Trade and Lore is Mountain Air Roasting, a roaster in Asheville, home to the other Trade and Lore location."

"Specialty coffee shop Trade & Lore is based in Asheville, North Carolina, but they have a pop-up in Salud Cerveceria’s taproom that offers quality coffee alongside some of the best beer in Charlotte. The Salud pop-up counter is simple and straightforward, but the coffee is exquisite. The Trade & Lore team curates a beautiful selection of coffee and works to foster an inclusive, community-driven environment."