Thursday, May 2, 2024

8 Of The Best Hikes In Charlotte Under 3 Miles Long

hiking trails near charlotte nc

Explore the top 15 Custer State Park hiking trails for breathtaking views & wildlife. Perfect for travelers seeking scenic, short hikes in South Dakota. Crowders Mountain is a favorite Piedmont hiking spot for good reason.

McDowell Chestnut Loop

Where to stay, what to pack, and, crucially, which airline to trust with your safety in the skies. If you're considering Silver Airways for your journey, you might be wondering just how safe it is. After all, flying can be nerve-wracking enough without worrying about the reliability of your chosen airline. When planning your next adventure or business trip, you're likely to ponder over the safety of your chosen airline. If Cape Air's on your radar, you're probably asking, "Is Cape Air safe?" It's a valid question that deserves a closer look, especially when your comfort and peace of mind are at stake. Latta Nature Preserve has a lot to offer, including this trail through the pine and hardwood forest.

South Fork Trail At Mountain Island Lake

National Forests in North Carolina - Uwharrie National Forest - USDA Forest Service

National Forests in North Carolina - Uwharrie National Forest.

Posted: Thu, 21 Dec 2023 07:01:14 GMT [source]

You need to be careful of your footing here, as it can be easy to trip and fall. For that reason, this isn't an ideal hike for young kids or those with mobility issues. As far as wildlife, some reviews mention seeking a copperhead. Tread carefully along the trail and ensure you don't step on something that doesn't want to be stepped on. Though dogs are supposed to remain leashed, some owners allow them off-leash.

High Falls

Pockets of natural spaces abound inside the city limits, providing an opportunity for outdoor adventures. And, with its location in the state's central Piedmont region, Charlotte offers easy access to some of the state's most beautiful hiking locations. The Raptor Trail is a 0.75-mile walking trail within the Carolina Raptor Center – a zoological facility that houses and displays over 30 birds of prey. The trail is open every day from 10 am to 4 pm but will require an admission fee for entry.

South Mountains State Park

You'll find up to 9 of the original trees that are currently recognized by the Mecklenburg County Treasure Trees Program. 5 of these are visible within the first mile of the trail. If you're looking for a quick workout, Academy Loop has you covered. Roots are covering the first section of the trail and you'll have to stay focused to avoid tripping over them. You may even see signs of beaver activity in the area, such as downed trees with teeth marks.

Pilot Mountain State Park

I suggest taking a different path up than you do down to take in as much of the Linville Wilderness beauty as you can. At 1.5 miles, the elevation change is the real challenge here so allow yourself plenty of time to reach the top. The views are nothing short of breathtaking and some of the furthest-stretching in the area. The unpaved service road (1264) in Pisgah National Forest is closed January through March, so plan your trip accordingly. This is about an hour from Asheville, but worth the side trip.

Easy Hikes in Charlotte (& Nearby)

hiking trails near charlotte nc

The trail is wide, well-maintained, and easy to hike in the dark with a flashlight or a head lamp. Bring a camp chair if you’d like to sit and watch the sun come up. For the best adventure, arrive at the parking lot 30 minutes before sunrise.

hiking trails near charlotte nc

25 Top hikes in the Charlotte area - Qcity metro

25 Top hikes in the Charlotte area.

Posted: Mon, 02 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Explore top Washington DC hikes from historic trails to scenic paths. Perfect for travelers seeking the best outdoor adventures in the nation's capital. Looking for a spot in Washington State that won't break the bank?

During the heat of the summer, the park provides plenty of shade. There's a lake in the middle of the loop and a few streams that meander along the main path. The Piedmont's rolling hills are the gateway to mountainous territory and more secluded open spaces. So lace up the hiking boots, grab the sunscreen and get to exploring.

The Hoosier State is packed with charming towns, bustling cities, and everything in between. Whether you're after the quiet of the countryside or the buzz of city life, Indiana's got you covered. Thinking about moving to Missouri or just curious about the best spots to call home in the Show-Me State? Missouri's got a little something for everyone, from bustling city vibes to quiet, leafy suburbs.

When you're planning your next trip and considering flying with Trans States Airlines, it's natural to wonder about their safety record. You're not alone in your curiosity, and the good news is, we've got the scoop for you. When planning your next trip, you're likely juggling a lot of decisions.

The trails here have a lot of variety, ranging from the powerful man-made river rapids to some more peaceful lakes and forests a bit farther out. On the Sherman Branch Mountain Biking Park, you will find this 8.8-mile loop trail. It is one of the best hikes near Charlotte for moderate-level hikers and features a lake.

Megan is a travel blogger and writer with a background in digital marketing. Originally from Richmond, VA, she has lived all around the world (including Germany, Finland, Norway, etc) but her heart always finds its way back to Virginia. This blog is to help encourage travelers to explore the great state of VA… and its wonderful neighbors!

Be warned, there’s some elevation here, so expect more strenuous hiking than in the Charlotte area. High Shoals Falls is a particularly popular hiking destination. Easy trails that meander to waterfalls make DuPont a popular site for tourists. But it's the mountain bike trails that attract the cyclists, with routes that range from bombing up and down rock faces to chill gravel explorations deep into the forest. Those same trails are also frequented by hikers, who can go deep into DuPont’s woodlands and ascend up its rock faces. DuPont would be higher on this list if it wasn’t two-plus hours from Charlotte, but there’s a payoff in some of the most scenic trails in the Carolinas.

Let's dive into what makes an airline safe and see where Emirates lands. When planning your next trip, safety is likely at the top of your list, especially when it comes to choosing an airline. You might be wondering, "Is Japan Airlines safe?" Well, you're in the right place to find out. Japan Airlines, known for its impeccable service, also prides itself on its safety record. When you're eyeing those tempting deals from Breeze Airways for your next trip, it's only natural to wonder about their safety record. After all, who doesn't want a smooth and secure journey to their dream destination?

Wednesday, May 1, 2024

A Day at Frankie's Fun Park

frankies fun park charlotte opening

He is most excited about the potential for growth in the Charlotte area and is looking forward to having new people come in (to Frankie’s) and enjoy themselves. There's a lot of options and activities, inside and outside. Would definitely come here again, however the food could use some flavor.

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A special “Thank-you” to Jason Printzenhoff, the manager of Frankie’s Fun Park in Huntersville. Printzenhoff personally gave us a tour of the facilities and allowed our staff to enjoy a full day of fun exploring the area’s newest attraction. In his past 13 years in the industry he stated that this job was like no other. His favorite part of working at Frankie’s is that no 2 days are the same; whether it be a new ride, new people, or new experiences that keep each day interesting.

Laser Tag

Additionally, its convenient location near Huntersville provides dining, shopping, and exploration opportunities. Frankie’s Fun Park Charlotte ensures affordable options for visitors seeking a day of entertainment. Whether you’re in search of adrenaline-pumping rides or family-friendly activities, Frankie’s Fun Park Charlotte is the ideal destination for creating enduring memories. So gather your friends and family and prepare for an action-packed day at this exhilarating amusement park.

This Ghost Town In The Sky In North Carolina Is Fascinating - Only In Your State

This Ghost Town In The Sky In North Carolina Is Fascinating.

Posted: Sun, 08 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

List of Must-Try Attractions at Frankie’s Fun Park Charlotte

In Charleston, Frankie’s water park serves as an oasis for cooling off during hot days. Offering a number of water slides, a lazy river, and a kiddie pool, the water park caters to a wide range of preferences. It’s the perfect setting for a family day of enjoyment, providing respite from hot summers. You can burn through your money, but if you're having fun, it's worth it.

frankies fun park charlotte opening

In Greenville, Frankie’s ninja obstacle course invites you to put your abilities to the test and have an exciting experience. Comprising diverse obstacles that involve climbing, jumping, and swinging, the course promises both a physical workout and a good time. To provide parents with all of the information they need to help them and their kids get "out and about" to fantastic opportunities for fun, education, and cultural enrichment in our area. Frankie's newest installations are computer-generated experiences that support interaction and sensory feedback. The Hologate is a state-of-the-art virtual reality experience that pits four combatants against a common enemy to see who posts the top score. The Dark Ride is a fully immersive 7D motion ride, with four different movies available, that makes you feel like you're a part of a movie instead of just watching it.

Home to a plethora of games, ranging from timeless arcade classics to the latest video game offerings, Frankie’s Arcade is a gaming haven. With such a diverse array of games at your fingertips, you can easily find a number of entertaining games for your kids. The arcade serves as a fantastic gathering place for quality time with loved ones and friends, presenting a chance to win tickets for prizes.

ITINERARY: This Weekend Escape to Columbia Is Perfect for Families - Charlotte magazine

ITINERARY: This Weekend Escape to Columbia Is Perfect for Families.

Posted: Fri, 01 Oct 2021 07:00:00 GMT [source]

The center has a great selection of attractions including three 18-hole miniature golf courses, three go-kart tracks, rides, a Triotech motion theater, fun house, bowling alley, and arcade. The outdoor park leads you straight to Pirate Island Golf. Frankie's also offers three custom-designed go-kart tracks for those with a need for speed. Also, unique to this Frankie's is the iconic Tea Cup ride, accompanied by three other outdoor carnival rides. Frankie’s Fun Park Charlotte in vibrant Charlotte, North Carolina, offers an exciting entertainment experience for all ages. Its proximity to picturesque Lake Norman allows visitors to enjoy both park adventures and water-based activities.

Frankie’s Fun Park is Lake Norman’s newest and largest summer attraction. The massive 20 acre amusement park is packed to the rim with three go-kart tracks,18 hole miniature golf course, and four full-size outdoor rides. The 84,000 indoor fun-center features 24 bowling lanes, full service restaurant & bar, private party room, laser tag, LED bumper cars, a 30ft.

Bowling Alley + Lounge

This entertainment facility features 120 different arcade games, indoor "Drop Zone" ride, bumper cars, two-story laser tag zone, and 24 bowling lanes. The private party area is a clean, spacious, and well-lit space with ample seating for hosting your child’s special day. Frankie’s Fun Park Charlotte provides group events for parties of 10 or more, complete with fun packages and attraction prices, requiring reservations 48 hours in advance. Overall, it’s the perfect place to celebrate and create cherished memories. They also offer a choice of two attractions, and each child in the party receives a bonus play card worth $15.00, with a total of $90.00 on each play card for additional entertainment. Frankie’s Fun Park Charlotte is the ideal spot to host an unforgettable birthday party for your child, offering a variety of food packages and attractions.

These tracks vary in length, spanning from 0.6 miles to 1.2 miles, and present varying difficulty levels. Whether you’re new to go-karting or a seasoned pro, you’re guaranteed to enjoy an exhilarating time on the go-karts at Frankie’s. Check out the two dining options at Frankies are “Frankie’s Cafe”, a quick-service menu with open seating,  or “Frankie’s Chill Lounge” which boasts a full-service menu and large bar selection.

The room is conveniently located near the bowling alley and bar area in a secluded part of the indoor facility. The optimal location of the room allowed for easy access to the outdoor attractions and a great view of the tracks from inside. Another unique feature of the private meeting room is the optional dividers that can be used to separate the space into 3 individual rooms  in order to accommodate multiple parties at once. The outdoor park leads you straight to Pirate Island Golf. There are three different 18-hole miniature golf courses for you to take a swing at. Frankie's also offers three custom-designed go-kart tracks for those with a need for speed.

Also, unique to this Frankie's is the iconic Tea Cup ride, accompanied by three other outdoor roller coaster rides. This entertainment facility features 120 different arcade games, indoor "Drop Zone" ride, bumper cars, two-story laser tag zone, 24 bowling lanes, rides, 3 go-karts and so much more. Lake Norman is home to the largest Frankie's Fun Park in the Carolinas!

Frankie's installations are computer-generated experiences that support interaction and sensory feedback. The Hologate is a state-of-the-art virtual reality experience that pits four combatants against a common enemy to see who posts the top score. The Dark Ride is a fully immersive 7D motion ride, with four different movies available, that makes you feel like you're a part of a movie instead of just watching it. Frankie's is the perfect place to Meet, Eat, Drink and Play all under one roof.

With over 84,000 square feet Indoor and 20 acres Outside, Frankie’s can accommodate groups of any size in the private event areas of the Cafe, Lounge, Event Room and Indoor or Outdoor Patio. Roller coaster and theme park photos, news, reviews, videos, articles and more. To celebrate and share information on the many splendid artistic, cultural and recreational activities available to residents of cities across the US and Canada.

From 121 to 17,000-plus: Charlottes Elevation Church congregation keeps growing

elevation charlotte nc

Wanting to begin the new year with intention, the group simply circled a date (January 13, 2023) on the calendar and announced a worship night at their church. A month out, they only had a couple songs they really believed would make it and a third contender that needed major work. Unsure how many new offerings they’d be able to craft with the holidays fast approaching, they gathered with Chandler Moore, Brandon Lake, and Pat Barrett, longstanding friends of Elevation Worship to write the week of the recording. What came within days of the recording were the powerful anthems “Praise,” “Make A Way,” and “Been So Good,” which was heard by most of the team and rehearsed for the first time just hours before the night.

Cover Story: Studio Class of 2022, Part 1

The act’s most recent single, “Same God” — from Elevation Worship’s GRAMMY-nominated album, LION — crowned the top of the radio charts, further solidifying their longevity in the modern worship movement. Plus, like a lot of megachurches, Elevation tries to steer its regulars into small groups that meet and pray in homes. Each site has its own full-time campus pastor, its own live band, and a staff that works with children during the weekend services. And with Easter on the horizon, the evangelical megachurch led by Pastor Steven Furtick is about to open a University City campus that cost nearly $5 million to turn into worship space. It's just the latest piece of an ambitious expansion that involves spending big, building big and even carrying the Elevation franchise to another city, another state and another country. One of those songs was “Trust In God.” Written early on in the Fall of 2022, the track wasn’t feeling right as the recording approached.

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“Over the last few years, Elevation Church has carved out its own space in the Christian Music industry,” says engineer and producer Jonathan Mix, head of the team at the new studio complex in Charlotte, NC. In the 10 years since releasing its debut studio album, Elevation Worship has topped Billboard’s Christian and Gospel charts on multiple occasions and has picked up armloads of Billboard Music and GMA Dove Awards. Elevation Worship was recently nominated for its first American Music Award, in the Favorite Inspirational Artist category.

Sunday

Contemporary worship band at Elevation Church is in the running for top music awards - Charlotte Observer

Contemporary worship band at Elevation Church is in the running for top music awards.

Posted: Thu, 19 Apr 2018 07:00:00 GMT [source]

We’re doing so much in-the-box, but I wanted to be able to use the mixing console’s faders to control Pro Tools and Logic,” he says, rather than opting for a control surface alternative. Previously, the church had been renting several rooms at another facility in Charlotte but had outgrown the space. I gave them details of the studio that I’d dreamed of, told them the gear we wanted to have and the gear we already had, and they put it all on paper and made sure it sounded good. We finished the studio in mid-September, which is when we started recording, and we’ve been going hard ever since,” Mix says. Elevation has also been expanding outside the Charlotte area, including services at a school near N.C. "We'd had a good base of (Raleigh-Durham) people … who had been watching us online and coming to Charlotte," Corbett said.

Steven FurtickMinistries

Corbett said the church has already paid $3.8 million for the land – 22 acres off Lancaster Highway and U.S. 521, near the South Carolina line. The building will be equipped with the latest in digital technology, he said, and will become the church's new broadcast location. That means Furtick will usually preach from the stage there. Overall, the magazine also said, Elevation is the country's 15th largest Protestant church – and the youngest church on the "largest" list. Larry Brey, 44, who has been with Elevation since its founding, will be the campus pastor at University City. "We never dreamed of being what we've become," said Elevation Chief Financial Officer Chunks Corbett, who's been at the church since the beginning.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 308.6 square miles (799 km2), of which 306.6 square miles (794 km2) is land and 2.0 square miles (5.2 km2) is water. Charlotte is the twenty-sixth-most expansive city in the United States and lies at an elevation of 751 feet (229 m). Charlotte constitutes most of Mecklenburg County in the Carolina Piedmont. Uptown Charlotte sits atop a long rise between two creeks, Sugar Creek and Irwin Creek, and was built on the gunnies of the St. Catherine's and Rudisill gold mines. Charlotte is 25 miles (40 km) southwest of Concord, 26 miles (41 km) northeast of Rock Hill, South Carolina, 83 miles (144 km) southwest of Greensboro, 135 miles (217 km) west of Fayetteville, and 165 miles (265 km) southwest of Raleigh, the state capitol.

Mecklenburg County Sportsplex at Matthews​

See how God can use you to impact the lives of the people around you. Join us for worship and the sermon from this past weekend. Wherever Elevation ends up growing, Corbett said Charlotte will always be the church's hub. Elevation – launched by Furtick, wife Holly and seven families who left a Southern Baptist church in Shelby to start one in Charlotte – probably has another decade of steady growth, Travis said.

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Experts have said this lack of oversight by those who attend the church, and the transparency that usually comes with that, sets Elevation apart from other Southern Baptist churches and even other megachurches. But there are few signs that this has become an issue with most of those who attend Elevation. Elevation's congregation also appears to be more racially diverse than most Charlotte churches. At last count, in 2013, the self-described "Elevators" attending these services were giving the church an average of $484,000 a week.

elevation charlotte nc

"We always had a big vision to reach a lot of people for Jesus. But we didn't know what that meant." Were part of one of the fastest, most unorthodox paths to a release the collective has ever experienced. It’s a theme that permeates the entire live project starting with buoyant opening track “Jehovah,” which calls on the name of the Lord using His familiar Hebrew name. Further down the tracklisting, the moving “Make A Way,” spearheaded by Moore and Brandon Lake, ushers in an epic Red Sea moment. Elevation Church has over 20 locations across the Eastern United States and Canada.

Pastor Steven and Holly live in Charlotte, NC with their two sons, Elijah and Graham, and daughter, Abbey. At churches such as Elevation, Thumma said, the founding pastor's charisma and leadership authority are tied to his record of rapid success. "This often causes the church leadership to try to artificially manufacture the illusion of success." Scott Thumma, one of the country's leading experts on megachurches, said he and colleague Warren Bird have found in their last two national studies that "younger megas" such as Elevation "are growing faster and larger" than big churches did in previous decades. At Elevation, that means more than 75 percent of the worshippers now see Furtick's sermon on a screen, Corbett said. The 35-year-old pastor preaches most weekends from the stage of the church's Blakeney facility in south Charlotte.

What experts have seen across the country suggest that, around age 10, which Elevation will hit next year, megachurches "begin to feel a little more corporate," Travis said, with more rules, processes and internal controls. Church professionals are often brought in, and church leadership becomes "not just family and friends," said Thumma. Elevation is governed not by a board of church members, but by Furtick and a group of four out-of-town pastors who lead their own megachurches. Some of them, including Perry Noble of 15-year-old NewSpring Church in Anderson, S.C., have been among Furtick's mentors.

Elevation Church is an Evangelical non-denominational multi-site megachurch based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Elevation has 20 locations.[1] Its senior pastors are Steven Furtick and Holly Furtick. Steven Furtick is a pastor, Grammy-award winning songwriter and producer, & New York Times best-selling author. As founder and lead pastor, he has helped grow the multi-site Elevation Church into a global ministry through online streaming, television, and the music of Elevation Worship. He holds a master of divinity degree from Southern Theological Seminary and is the author of Crash the Chatterbox, Greater, Sun Stand Still, (Un)Qualified, Seven-Mile Miracle.

So Elevation decided to sign a 10-year lease on a building on IBM Boulevard and spend $4.9 million to turn the 38,000-square-foot site into Elevation worship space, complete with the church's now-ubiquitous orange inverted-V logo. For the past three and a half years, Elevation has been renting the University City YMCA for a Sunday morning service in the gym. But the church has outgrown that space, and wanted a building it could use all week. "Before multisites took hold, churches would have one master-planned campus," Travis said.

elevation charlotte nc

In Roanoke, Va., he said, a group of people watching Elevation videos grew large enough for the church to send some leaders to set up a site. "We now have a building (where) we can add multiple worship experiences," Brey said. "We can do them Saturday night, Sunday morning, Sunday night, Monday night, Tuesday night." CHARLOTTE, NC (Tim Funk/The Charlotte Observer) - In nine years, Charlotte's Elevation Church has grown from the 121 worshippers at its first service to the more than 17,000 who now show up every weekend at its 13 locations. What would happen if we began to believe that God could do the miraculous through us? These are the questions GRAMMY® Award-winning collective Elevation Worship is asking on their latest live recording.

Songs solely meant for their church, like “Graves Into Gardens,” “RATTLE! ” “The Blessing,” “Do It Again” and “O Come to the Altar” have become anthems for congregations around the world. The career-defining release of 2021’s Old Church Basement, in partnership with Maverick City Music, broke streaming records and catapulted Elevation Worship into an entirely new stratosphere. To date, the collective has earned six GMA Dove Awards, two Billboard Music Awards (Top Christian Artist and Top Christian Song), and a GRAMMY Award.

"Now it's about multiplying sites, expanding across the city and the region." Deliver hope and help meet the needs of people all around the world. But he said the church also tries to listen to God and to people excited about possibly having an Elevation site – or a permanent church building – nearby. Moving forward, Corbett said, there's not so much a master plan as a process of looking and listening. He and business leaders that are part of Elevation's expansion and finance team always want to know what properties are available. And Elevation is still focused on getting bigger and spreading the Gospel to more locales.

8 Of The Best Hikes In Charlotte Under 3 Miles Long

Table Of Content McDowell Chestnut Loop South Fork Trail At Mountain Island Lake High Falls Roller Coaster to Main Loop to Big Lake Loop Jet...