City: Mooresville, NC

Category: Education

Telephone: (704) 658-1950

Address: 220 Byers Creek Rd.

Description: If you want to work behind the scenes in the stock-car racing industry, the NASCAR Technical Institute is the first technical training school to combine automotive technical training with NASCAR-specific courses. What’s more, its location just north of Charlotte is where more than three-fourths of Sprint Cup, Nationwide Series, and Camping World Truck Series series race teams are based. NTI opened its doors in May 2002 with a $12-million 146,000-square-foot facility on 19 acres. The trade school has more than 45 classrooms and several different hands-on labs. Students choose from 57-week or 69-week programs, which include hands-on experience in engine repair, fuel and ignition systems, chassis fabrication, transmissions, brakes, electronics, diagnostic equipment, and NASCAR technology.

City: Mooresville, NC

Category: Health Care

Telephone: (704) 660-4000

Address: 171 Fairview Rd.

Description: North of Charlotte in Iredell County, Lake Norman Regional Medical Center has 117 beds and a medical campus offering complete health-care services. Opened in June 1999, the $41-million hospital complex features a fully equipped emergency room, the Stork’s Landing Maternity Center with homelike suites, and the state-of-the-art Diagnostic Imaging Center with advanced radiological services. Other services include cancer care; outpatient surgery; cardiopulmonary and sleep labs; home health care; neurosurgery; orthopedic and spine services; pediatric care; a joint replacement center; gastroenterology; a rehabilitation center; and physical, occupational, and speech therapy.

City: Mooresville, NC

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (704) 663-2628

Address: 1459 River Hwy.

Description: The main attractions at this family entertainment center overlooking Lake Norman are the Catawba Queen, a replica of a Mississippi paddlewheel boat; and Lady of the Lake, a 90-foot luxury yacht. Sit back, relax, and enjoy a cruise on scenic Lake Norman. There are sightseeing cruises, lunch cruises, and dinner cruises. Queen’s Landing also features mini-golf, a deli/grill, a dueling piano bar, and Lake Norman’s only floating dock bar.Sightseeing cruises aboard the Catawba Queen leave at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. daily. The Catawba Queen dinner cruises are at 7 p.m. daily. Tickets are $12.50, $19.50 including lunch, and $46.95 including dinner. Lady of the Lake dinner cruises depart at 7:30 p.m. nightly and cost $56.95 per person. Reservations required for dinner and for groups of six or more.

City: Mooresville, NC

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (704) 663-5100

Address: 15100 Mooresville Rd.

Description: Not your typical ranch, the Lazy 5 is more like a zoo that stretches over 180 acres of rolling farmland. Visitors can take a leisurely ride along the gravel road in their own vehicles and view the animals or opt for a horse-drawn wagon ride. More than 750 species of animals, many of which come from different continents, roam freely and are not at all shy. They know the routine and will cautiously approach your vehicle—probably hoping that you stocked up on the feed available for purchase at the Welcome Center.You and your children will be amazed by the beauty of the ranch and the peaceful nature of its inhabitants. The most popular animals are the giraffes, kangaroos, zebras, and water buffaloes. Younger children love the petting area where they can get close to a variety of small and large critters, from baby goats to lambs to camels. There’s also a playground, picnic area, trading post, and snack shop. The Lazy 5 Ranch opens daily at 9 a.m., except for Sun, when it opens at 1 p.m. The ranch always closes one hour before sunset. Make sure you bring cash, because Lazy 5 Ranch does not accept debit or credit cards! Admission is $8.50 for adults and $5.50 for ages 2 through 11 and over 60. Wagon rides are an additional $5 for adults and $3 for kids and seniors. Feed is $3 a bucket.