Joel had a business trip to Charlotte, so I went along and explored. We were staying downtown. At the hotel there wasn’t much they could tell me about what to do, so I just went. 
One of the first places I discovered was the 7th St. Public Market. Yup, very similar to what I had just visited in Anaheim, although a lot smaller.
Among all the breads they make, they do have Challah, score!
Then it was walking out and about.
Here is the Statue of Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III after whom the city is named. The county is named Mecklenburg, her region of origin in Germany.
In front of the museum of modern art, The Firebird, or ’Oiseau de Feu Sur l’Arch (literally, “Bird of Fire on an Arch”) by French-American artist Niki de Saint Phalle. I have enjoyed her more colorful mosaic pieces in San Diego and Jerusalem. No didn’t go into this museum, the Mint was enough.
The Mint museum has some wonderful crafts, this is a chair made of paper, layers of black and white that were then carved into the chair. There were wonderful crafts as well as very pretentious ones. The problems with museums is they must make a statement, not just share art or craft. Often the statement is more important than the actual work. 
The Green is an adorable park, mostly dedicated to literature. As well as this wonderful piece is a tribute to Charlottes all over the world, with the notation that this is of course the most important one.
Didn’t pay $20 to go into the Nascar Hall of Fame. A few years ago friends took us to the Charlotte Speedway and we experienced a real Nascar Race. So I didn’t feel the need to go in and see the cars sitting there without moving. Although I do understand that there is a section dedicated to moonshine – but without a tasting room – so why bother?
There isn’t much old to see in Charlotte. But there is a lot of wonderful new Architecture. I wish I had taken more pictures. The building on the left is our hotel, the Westin. The building to the right is the Duke energy center.
The Arlington, a mixed use building right outside of downtown. Yes, the glass is pink, during sunsets it is even more beautiful.
Of course I took my own advice and looked up. I don’t know what building this is but I really like the the use of glass at the skyline. I was with a friend in her car at night, and boy is the skyline impressive then! Unfortunately no pictures.
I know, I’m always looking for the historic, but I realize that many of these modern buildings are very interesting and I should pay more attention to them, lesson learned.
Leah