Charlotte, NC

(NASCAR Hall of Fame, Adventure Course, Hotel Exploration)

The next two days in Charlotte blend together in my memory, and 10 years is too far back in time for my brain to be able to pull specific details from memory, so I’m just going to put them together!

After a lovely day visiting the Billy Graham Library and exploring uptown Charlotte the evening before, the next day in the city was a kid’s day, as my mom actually had to work (since that was kind of the whole reason we got to go on this trip in the first place). That meant it was up to us, specifically me, being the oldest, to find some way to fill the day.

It just so happened that the NASCAR Hall of Fame was only a short 7 minute walk from our hotel, which made it an obvious choice for a fun way to spend the afternoon! Now, I can’t claim to be a NASCAR fan by any means, but I’m also a big fan of museums and exhibits, and the Hall of Fame had many fun interactive components for us to try, so I was all in!

To kick things off, before we even reached the museum building, the crosswalk to get across the street was cleverly designed to reflect the checkered NASCAR finish line. As we crossed the street, we were already being immersed in the experience!

Upon entering, our time was packed with fun and hand-on experiences! We had a blast exploring the interactive exhibits–painting colorful car designs in the digital light-tables, pretending to drive real race cars, and even testing our skills on the racing simulators. We also got to sit in the stands for a virtual race, see some incredible race cars up close, and check out trophies and memorabilia from famous drivers. It was the perfect mix of history, technology, and play, and we got to leave feeling a little more like real racers!

If my sense of deduction serves me correctly, visiting the NASCAR Hall of Fame was the main activity from Day 5 with a quieter evening. That means the next big activity would take place on Day 6, but this could’ve been the evening of Day 5. I’m really not quite sure. But anyway!

Just outside of Charlotte, the U.S. National Whitewater Center gave us the chance to step right into an outdoor adventure! I found myself walking among the treetops that afternoon. The photos below show part of the rope adventure course tucked in the forest, with platforms, narrow bridges, and walkways strung between the trees. The dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy made everything feel like I was stepping into a storybook world. The course challenged me – balancing on swaying planks, gripping rope ladders, and pausing to take in the view. It wasn’t just about physical height; it was about brave steps and new perspectives!

The Whitewater Center has so much more than just ropes though! It’s a playground for every kind of outdoor thrill – from whitewater rafting and kayaking on man-made rapids to zip-lining, mountain biking, climbing walls, and even flatwater paddling on the Catawba River. You can explore miles of forest trails or stick to the adventure courses that hang above it all, and for those who prefer to cheer from the ground, there are open green spaces, festivals, and live music throughout the year.

For us, me especially, it was the ropes that stood out! That sense of being suspended in the forest, laughing nervously at first but then settling into the rhythm of each step was an experience unlike any other. It was both a challenge and a memory-maker, perfectly fitting the Whitewater Center’s mix of adrenaline and nature. If you’re ever in the Charlotte area, you definitely need to add it to your agenda!

After such an active afternoon at the Whitewater Center, we all needed a little recharge. For Tyson, that meant a full-out nap on the floor surrounded by every pillow in the room and covered in Rebekah’s care bear blanket. You just know based on the information it had to have been a great nap. Resting and relaxing back at the hotel was the perfect way to slow down and let the excitement of the day sink in. Travel days can be nonstop, and giving ourselves the space to pause made the evening feel more special.

As the sun began to set, we made our way up to the 25th floor of the hotel, where there was also a pool. The sky lit up in warm colors, and from that high up, the whole city of Charlotte stretched out below us. Watching the sunset by the water of the pool was the perfect balance to the day’s adventures – calm, peaceful, and full of gratitude for the memories we had already made and the time we had together. It was the kind of evening that doesn’t need any extra thrills, just a chance to be in each other’s company, make silly faces at one another, and soak it all in.

Our final evening in Charlotte reminded us that the simplest moments can be the most meaningful. After days filled with exploring the Billy Graham Library, wandering the streets of uptown, soaking up racing history at the NASCAR Hall of Fame, and tackling the adventures of the Whitewater Center, we slowed our pace and soaked up the beauty and simplicity of the glowing sky fading into night while the city of Charlotte sleepily spread out below us. It felt like the perfect wrap up to our time in a city full of discovery, laughter, and new experiences. Sometimes the highlight isn’t just what you do but how you take it all in together.

Although we still had plenty of adventure ready to accompany us on the trek back home, it was time to say goodnight to our time in Charlotte.