Day trip to Charlotte (Raleigh, Tryon: condo, neighborhoods, restaurants)

[nelly76]

I am planning to take my husband on a surprise day trip to charlotte. We will take the train from Raleigh and spend a day in Charlotte. Any suggestions on what we can do or see, w/o car close to the Amtrak train station? Please give me some ideas. We have been to NASCAR museum with kids before. We are going w/o kids this time. Thank you all in advance.

[vmaxnc]

There's nothing within walking distance of the train station worth seeing. It's ten minutes north of downtown, so maybe you should cab it downtown from there. Other than that it's 20 minutes to anything else that isn't neighborhoods, industrial areas, run down shopping, or generic everyday stuff.

What would you like to do or see?

[NCN]

I hope there is a bus to the Amtrak station. I agree that you don't want to get stuck there late at night. But I came on to mention the new Duke Energy building. It looks like something I would even want to visit. I believe there was mention of a public area in the building on the 46th floor. I am doing this from memory from what I just heard on the news, so I may have the floor wrong, but it looked fantastic and imagine that view.

I think there is at least one fresco in the First Presbyterian Church. Even if you just visit the church it would be a historical experience. I think relatives of James K. Polk attended that church and I have always wanted to visit its graveyard.
http://www.firstpres-charlotte.org/About_parable.html

Downtown Marshall Park is a good place to spend some casual time.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marshal...North_Carolina)

Then check to see if you can see the latest expensive condo's called the Vue.
http://www.vuecharlotte.com/

[SunnyKayak]

Yeah there is bus route 11 is in front of train station and around a 5 minute trip. Tell Bus driver you two want to be let off at Discovery Place then walk about a block down 7th Street and Check out Levine Museum of New South. After you two are done with that walk back up to Tryon there is several restaurants or up to Trade & Tryon to Over Street Mall there is restaurants & shops in there.

[CRock]

Hopefully you are into art because there is plenty to see and do. There are several Ben Long fresco's in CLT.

Benjamin F. Long Fresco Trail - Charlotte Frescoes

Bechtler Museum of Modern Art

The Mint Museum - Locations, Parking, and Bus Routes

Levine Museum of the New South

I can't remember the name but there is a really cool little park right on Tryon St. It has a writers/literary theme. It would be a great place for a picnic or just relaxing.

Plenty of great restaurant's downtown.

[swampfoxer]

Jump on the light rail and go have lunch at Pikes (get off at the East/West station and walk 1 block south).

[nelly76]

Thank you all for your replies.. I will look into all the links..