Experiential Tours

Transcription

Experiential Tours

ExperienceCharlotte
U.S. National
Whitewater Center
Experiential Tours: More Than Just Sightseeing
More than a travel trend these days, experiential tourism encourages visitors to engage
the senses with memorable, hands-on experiences. Whether it’s riding in a NASCAR
stock car or getting an intimate cooking demonstration in a chef’s kitchen, groups
visiting Charlotte can jump in the middle of the action, ultimately participating in
customized activities that connect them to the region’s heritage, culture and character.
Here’s just a sampling of full-immersion tour experiences in Charlotte perfect for groups.
TourCharlotte
Hidden Gems Scavenger Hunt
From Slavery to Freedom
History comes to life when groups embark on a photo scavenger hunt with Charlotte
Arrangements through the streets of Center City. Participants will receive challenging
clues from knowledgeable guides that tell a vivid story of the region’s past, present and
future while using cameras equipped in their phones to document their progress. Upon
completing the hunt, first, second and third place finishers will receive a prize.
Follow the history of African Americans from the Revolutionary War through the present
with Charlotte NC Tours on an expedition that highlights neighborhoods, landmarks and
historic sites. From Charlotte’s oldest surviving black area called Biddleville to institutions
such as Johnson C. Smith University, one of the first African-American institutions
established after the Civil War in 1867, the tour illustrates the challenges and triumphs of
African Americans in the South using powerful stories to provide historical perspective.
Length of Experience:
Min/Max Participants:
Availability:
2 - 4 hours
8 - 30
Reservation required.
Length of Experience: 3 hours
Min/Max Participants:None
Availability:
For information on booking your experience visit charlottesgotalot.com/tours
Arts+Culture
Up Close with the Collection
Writing with Light
One of the city’s crown jewels, the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art displays a stunning
collection of mid-20th century modern art with works by Picasso, Warhol, Giacometti and
more. Through a behind-the-scenes look, participants will get a curator’s sense of how
a small art museum such as the Bechtler works while learning about the specific artists
showcased in this architectural gem. In addition to viewing the collection storage, guests
will also participate in a hands-on art workshop and a gallery tour with time for sketching.
Photography directly translated means “to write with light.” That’s exactly what the group
will do when they make their own Photograms or Sunprints. To start, participants will
embark on a thought-provoking gallery tour led by teaching artists at The Light Factory
to find out what it takes to be a fine art photographer while discussing their own artistic
interpretations. Then using the sun, participants will create collages and learn about the
magic of chemical reactions and photo development.
Availability:
Availability:
2.5 hours
10 - 40
Reservation required two weeks in advance.
1.5 hours
minimum of 10
Reservation required at least one week in advance.
Behind the Curtain
Ever wonder what happens behind the curtain of your favorite stage show? Now groups
can learn about the inner workings of putting on a Broadway production at Blumenthal
Performing Arts Center. After the show, participants will receive an exclusive “Meet
& Greet” with several cast members backstage where they’ll hear firsthand accounts
and be able to ask questions. Educational workshops on topics such as the magic of
makeup, the wonders of percussion drumming and puppetry are also available.
Availability:
1 hour
20 - 75
Workshops are scheduled in conjunction with
Blumenthal Performing Arts touring Broadway productions.
Robot Rock
Using Lego NXT robots and the simple click of a mouse, robots are brought to life at
Discovery Place. Groups work in small numbers to program basic commands such as
driving, spinning and stopping, and then move on to free exploration time. After learning
the basics of robot program and movements, participants show off their skills during a
fun robotic dance challenge where the robots boogie, shimmy and hip hop their best
programmed moves.
Availability:
1.5 hours (plus time to explore the Museum)
12 - 25
Reservation required in advance.
NarroWay Spotlight Tour
Ever wanted to be a star? This is an opportunity to see what it takes by bringing
together a cast and crew of live animals for a Broadway-style stage show at NarroWay
Productions. Groups will be given scripts and costumes, learn stage techniques and
become the characters in a parable. Some special four-legged co-stars will also be a part
of the production such as Sheba the Camel, Blue the Horse and a host of sheep, goats,
donkeys and pigs. Posing for a “cast’ photo upon completion will provide a memorable
souvenir for this theatre experience.
Availability:
1 - 1.5 hours
20 - 60
Schedule by appointment on weekdays and weeknights
at least two weeks in advance.
Taste of the Mint: An Appetizing Restaurant and Museum Experience
Culinary arts blend with the Mint Museum Uptown for an appetizing cultural experience.
Explore a food tasting tour with small plate and drink pairings at two remarkable
restaurants just below the Mint. Halcyon, Flavors from the Earth and e2 Emeril’s Eatery
will each offer different food and drink experiences sure to tempt taste buds including
insider demonstrations from restaurant experts such as creating the perfect cocktail or
crafting a savory appetizer. Afterward, unwind with a one-hour exploration of the arts led
by a Mint expert who will provide insight on the American, Contemporary and Craft +
Design collections along with special limited-engagement exhibitions.
Availability:
2.5 hours
10 - 25
Available by reservation on Tue., Wed., and Thu. between 2 - 5 p.m.
Orchid Expedition
This behind-the-scenes tour at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden gives visitors a look
at one of the country’s leading botanical gardens and orchid production facilities.
Participants will see thousands of orchids and tropical plants on a private guided tour of
The Orchid Conservatory and the overflowing production houses where the spectacular
displays come to life.
Availability:
2 hours
15 - 55 (divided into groups of 20)
Reservation required at least two weeks in advance.
Food+Spirits
Feast Food Tours
Tour De Food
Whether exploring southern fare on the Soul of the South Tour or getting a personal
cooking demonstration with an executive chef on the Uptown Chic Behind-the-Scenes
Tour, Feast Food Tour participants will sample and sip their way through Charlotte and
its culinary artisans. The carefree foodie will enjoy a look at the NoDa Arts District that’s
bursting with local flavor and historical character on the Flavors of NoDa Arts District
Tour. For a more energetic, beverage-focused venture, the Charlotte Brew & Chew Tour
takes participants on an exploration of Charlotte’s local craft breweries via the Party
Pedaler, an eco-friendly party bike. Beyond tours that are a good fit for up to 14 people,
Feast specializes in culinary events and personalized tasting adventures perfect for
teambuilding or group outings of any size.
Who needs the Tour de France when you’ve got Tour De Food? From food connoisseurs
to foodie newbies, Tour De Food takes participants on a sensory journey through
Charlotte. Tour goers have the option to take an edible exploration through Center City,
the NoDa Arts District, Davidson or Midtown. From fine dining to hidden dives, each stop
offers different tastes and unique stories from local independently owned establishments.
Participants discover the origins of the dish and the food-making process while learning
the history of the area as well as the architectural influences of the buildings. Great for
groups of varying sizes, Tour De Food offers private tours, tapas crawls and teambuilding
activities tailored to each group’s needs.
Availability:
3 hours
4 - 14
Tours occur weekly. Available for private, social or corporate tours.
Availability:
3 hours
4 - 40
Tours are available every Saturday. Private tours available upon request.
Spice 101
Led by owners of Savory Spice Shop, Spice 101 is an interactive workshop and tour
that includes a general overview of spices, how to use and store them and cooking ideas
for using the spices. Participants will sample a variety of spices during the class and take
home new recipe ideas.
Availability:
45 minutes
5 - 25
Advance registration required.
Charlotte NC Tours Food Explorations
Treetop Escapades
The family-owned and operated Treehouse Vineyards in Monroe, N.C., features
viniferous and muscadine wines as well as tree houses available for overnight or daily
rentals. During the winery tour and tasting, participants will learn about the wine making
process from the vines to the bottle leaving with a memorable experience and a souvenir
glass to take home.
With deep-fried eats and down-home treats, Charlotte’s southern food scene may come
with some calories. But Charlotte NC Tours offers a chance to cycle for your supper
burning them along the way. Whether on the Taste & Glide Segway or Cycle Tour or the
Bikes & Brews Tour, participants will cruise through Center City and nine surrounding
neighborhoods making frequent stops to taste the town. While journeying through treelined streets in historic neighborhoods, riders will indulge at places like Price’s Chicken
Coop while learning about the development of Charlotte from a pre-revolutionary Native
American trading path to a culturally rich southern banking town. The food and cycle
tours allow a maximum of 12 – 14 riders, but Charlotte NC Tours provides customized
options for all sized groups.
Availability:
2 hours
2 - 14
Tours are available daily at various times.
Length of Experience: 1 - 2 hours
Min/Max Participants:None
Availability:
Winery and tasting room are open seven days a week.
Reservation suggested for groups larger than 15, but individual
travelers can stop in for a tasting and tour with no reservation.
Treehouse rentals require a reservation and additional fees.
What’s Cooking at Harper’s?
Available at Harper’s Restaurant Group’s Mimosa Grill, Upstream, Zink. American
Kitchen or at a private venue, these demonstrative cooking classes give participants the
opportunity to observe an interactive chef’s demonstrations while tasting samples along
the way. Participants will leave with new cooking skills and new recipes to try at home.
Availability:
2 hours
Maximum of 25
History and Hops Tour
Rich in history and hops, The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery (OMB) is the oldest and
largest brewery in Charlotte. During private tours, participants can touch (and taste) the
barley malt, smell the Bavarian noble hops and learn how the classic German-style beers
are brewed, fermented and packaged using traditional methods.
Availability:
40 minutes
Maximum of 50
Open for public tours on Saturday and Sunday.
Reservation required for private tours.
Yadkin Valley Wine Country Tour
Often compared to France’s Burgundy and Italy’s Piedmont, North Carolina’s Yadkin
Valley is full of fine wines and scenic vineyards. Wine connoisseurs and novices alike will
learn the “technique” of wine tasting while visiting three to four wineries on the Yadkin
Valley Wine Tour. Tastings, tours and lunch round out this full day of fun and educational
experiences in North Carolina’s wine country.
Availability:
7 hours
Minimum of 2
Public tours are offered on Saturdays from April through November
and are subject to change. Reservation required at least two
weeks in advance.
Raffaldini Vineyards Private Label Tour (for groups)
This private behind-the-scenes tour of the winery and vineyard allows participants to
experience the creation of a bottle of Raffaldini wine from start to finish. Starting in the
winery and then moving to the vineyards, participants see where the grapes are grown
and then taste how they are blended to create the different flavors of the
award-winning wine.
Availability:
1.5 - 2.5 hours
10 - 40
Reservation required and subject to availability.
A photo ID verifying legal age of 21 is required.
Brew Hop Through NoDa
One of Charlotte’s newest homegrown microbreweries, NoDa Brewing Company is
a unique production brewery that specializes in small-batch premium beers offering
something for nearly every beer drinker. Groups are guided through the brewing process
from start to finish, stopping along the way to see, feel and smell the hops, grains and
malts that go into the beers. Pre-booked groups will be able to taste beer that is currently
in fermentation tanks and compare side-by-side against the final product to understand
the differences.
Availability:
45 minutes - 1.5 hours
15 - 99 (no minimum for leisure travelers)
Tap room open to the public 7 days a week.
Reservation required for groups larger than 15.
Racing+Adventures
Feel the Thrill Speedway Tour
Le Mans Go Kart Team Challenge and VIP Tour
This close-up look at the areas at Charlotte Motor Speedway that are off-limits on race
day gives participants special access to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Garage, the two
infield race tracks, Pit Road and Victory Lane. Tour participants will enjoy a van ride on
the track where they’ll feel the full-tilt force of the 24-degree banking before getting an
insider’s look at the zMAX Dragway and The Dirt Track.
With exclusive VIP access at Victory Lane Karting, your group will receive a tour
and a private lesson on how the go karts work and are timed. Each team drives one
kart throughout the race making pit stops to change drivers while battling to win by
completing the most laps. This experience is a true test of strategy and teamwork.
Availability:
45 minutes - 1 hour
49 people per hour
Tours operate daily. All on-track events are subject to track availability.
Availability:
2 hours
10 - 500
Reservation required at least one week in advance.
Participants must be at least 48 inches tall.
AllSport Team Edition
Behind the Scenes at Carolina Raptor Center
The U.S. National Whitewater Center (USNWC) is the world’s premier outdoor
recreation and environmental education center home to the world’s largest man made
recirculating river. Groups can enjoy all-day access to more than 20 different activities
on land and in the water including whitewater rafting on class III-IV rapids facilitated by a
teambuilding professional with the goal of promoting team development and enthusiasm
within a group.
Carolina Raptor Center boasts one of the country’s most extensive collections of birds
of prey. Visitors can go behind the scenes of the raptor hospital and education trail. At
the hospital, staff admits, treats and performs surgery and physical therapy on more than
900 birds a year. The goal is to get the majestic creatures healthy and released back into
the wild as quickly as possible.
Availability:
4 - 8 hours
15 minimum
This experience is available year-round.
Availability:
1.5 hours
Maximum of 12 (multiple tours can be accommodated at one time)
Available first and third weekends of the month
(2 p.m. on Saturday and 12:30 p.m. on Sunday) or by reservation.
Richard Petty Ride-Along Experience
Participants can experience the thrills of real-life racing by riding shotgun in a two-seat
NASCAR race car driven by a professional instructor for a three-lap qualifying run at
speeds up to 160 mph during the Richard Petty Driving Experience.
Availability:
10 minutes
1 - 500
Call for availability. No reservation required.
SNAG® Golf Experience
Rated as one of Golf Magazine’s “Top 25 Golf Schools,” Dana Rader Golf School offers
groups customizable events and refreshingly new activities for a special golf experience
in a state-of-the-art setting. SNAG® Golf, which stands for “Starting New at Golf,” is
an easy-to-learn and fun-to-play golf program that is sure to entertain while effectively
teaching the game of golf to people of all ages and ability levels.
Availability:
45 minutes - several days
3 - 75
Dana Rader Golf School operates year-round for all skill levels
ages 5 and older.
Full Throttle Tour
NASCAR crews know a thing or two about teamwork. Successful pit crews change stock
cars in a lightning fast 13 seconds. Learn what it takes to ensure victory at the track on
the NASCAR Hall of Fame Full Throttle Tour. Facilitated by the venue staff, participants
will go head-to-head on interactive exhibits like the Pit Crew Challenge and racing
simulators during team-building exercises. Afterward, an action-packed scavenger hunt
highlighting some of the facility’s most popular exhibits will keep competition action
packed between teams.
Availability:
3 hours
10 - 150
Reservation required two weeks in advance.
History+Heritage
History and Heritage of America’s Pastor
New South University
Discover pivotal moments in history with an exclusive
curator-led tour of the Billy Graham Library
chronicling more than 60 years in the life and ministry
of the man known as America’s pastor. The tour will
share personal family stories and explore Graham’s
impact over time through remarkable state-of-theart exhibits and memorabilia. Following lunch in the
Graham Brother’s Dairy Bar, groups head to the Billy
Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) headquarters
and go behind-the-scenes to the broadcasting and
video media services where more than 60 years of
historical video is archived, and then get a sneak peak
of current projects in process.
Whether an out-of-town visitor, a native or a
newcomer, all are part of the ongoing history and
reinvention of the New South. Take a crash course in
this fascinating history and earn an honorary degree in
“New Southernerness” at the Levine Museum of the
New South. Kick off your experience in a classroom
setting with a facilitated dialogue and hands-on,
object-based lesson where guests get to touch
the artifacts. From there, enter the award-winning
exhibit “Cotton Fields to Skyscrapers.” Return to the
classroom for a fun “pop quiz” where participants
share surprises and discuss key lessons learned.
Availability:
1 - 1.5 hours
1 – 30 (groups larger than
30 may be divided into
separate experiences)
Availability:
Reservation required two weeks
in advance.
3.5 hours
10 - 15
Reservation required four
weeks in advance.
Living History: The Wards of Charlotte
Many would be surprised to know that Center
City’s First Ward, Second Ward and Third Ward are
historically African-American neighborhoods. Through
song, dance and storytelling, Harvey B. Gantt Center
for African-American Arts + Culture guides take
participants on a journey back in time when these
wards were bustling African-American utopias.
The docents transform into former Second Ward
residents, Loretta and Nathaniel Grier, a humorous and
outspoken elderly couple. Participants will learn about
the history of the Wards and the lifestyle of its citizens
as well as the historical architectural design.
Availability:
1 hour
25 - 80
Reservation required two weeks in
advance or check Gantt schedule
for when activity is part of
regular programming.
Food and Farming, Past and Present
Food and farming, a constant in southern history and
culture, offers a distinct window into this past and
sheds light on the future. Enjoy a special food and
farming focused guided tour through the awardwinning exhibit “Cotton Fields to Skyscrapers” at the
Levine Museum of the New South. Then stroll next
door to the 7th Street Public Market to experience
the diverse regional food culture of the Carolinas.
From the produce stand to the “farm-to-fork” pizzeria,
guests will learn about sourcing local foods and the
purveyors leading the way.
1 hour
1 - 30
Availability:
Reservation required two weeks
in advance.
For information on booking your experience visit
charlottesgotalot.com/tours

Experiential Tours

Transcription

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