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American
Interstate System
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| exit # | community | exit # | community | |
| 2-6A/B | Pineville | 33-42 | Mooresville | |
| 1-18 | Charlotte | 49A-54 | Statesville | |
| 23 | Huntersville | 82-83 | Jonesville | |
| 28 | Cornelius | 100-101 | Mount Airy |
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| I-77
enters North Carolina to pass through the state's largest metropolitan
area (Charlotte - the Queen City). The Interstate they skirts the east
shore of one of the state's largest and most popular recreational lakes
(Lake Norman). I-77 then interchanges with I-40 and starts a gradual,
700 foot climb along the eastern slop of the Blue Ridge Mountains into
Virginia. Southbound traffic (going down the slope) usually has an exceptional view of the North Carolina Piedmont to the east. Northbound traffic affords this view to your passengers but, after all, the driver must watch the road, right?
Known as the 'Queen City', Charlotte's 'downtown' is known as 'uptown'. The city's only completed beltway, I-277, loops around 'uptown' affording very easy access to this very busy - and, frequently, exciting - area. The metro area's beltway, I-485, has been in the talk stage for years. A small section is now completed from I-77 exit 2 to US-74 - a primary east-west highway tying together the many communities along the southern portion of North Carolina. Visitors'
Center - From I-77 take exit 9-B and follow I-277 to exit 1-E.
After exiting, stay on the off-ramp to Tryon Street and turn left. The
Convention & Visitors Bureay is at 330 South Tryon, a little over 3
blocks from Hill Street. Charlotte is a big city; parking, as in most
big cities, is at a premium. There are parking garages all over the
downtown area; the most convenient for the Visitors' Center is the one
on West 1st Street at S. Tryon. Discovery Place
- They call this 'Place' a 'family of museums'. They have a constantly
changing array of sophisticated exhibit - including many hands-on. They
point out that over 500,000 people visit Discovery Place each year.
While it wasn't crowded when we visited, there were an unusually large
number of children (we suspect several were visiting groups). Latta
Plantation Park
- One of the impoundments of the Catawba River creates Mountain Island Lake
- just 6 miles north of Charlotte. Operated by Mecklenburg County, the 2,200 acre Latta Plantation Park is a kaleidoscope of attractions. Named for Latta Place, a Federal-style plantation house built around 1800 by James
Latta (an affluent area merchant) the buildings are open to visitors.
Lake Norman (the lake) We weren't able to find any 'attractions', per se, but this is a large, very popular lake supporting about everything you might wish to do in or on fresh water. The Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau share a web site at LakeNormanCVB. |
Visitors' Center
- The Mooresville Convention & Visitors Bureau is near the center of
town at 265 N. Main Street. "Race City USA" - is how their web site greets you. And there is a good reason. Lakeside Business Park, the location for many of the more than 60 racing teams that made Mooresville their home base. Teams from ARCA, Busch Grand National, the Craftsman Truck Series and NASCAR make their homes here. A Downtown from Yesteryear - with a touch of tomorrow. The railroad track that helped put Mooresville on the map still runs through the middle of town. There is still that old-timey flavor but you don't get overwhelmed with the feeling of 'old'. And The Lake - And, of course, there is Lake Norman. Stop by the Visitors' Center and they'll tell you about the great fishing and boating. (You did bring your boat, didn't you?) Here, in the southwest corner (so to speak) of the I-40/I-77 Interchange is Statesville. Visitors' Center
- Now housed in a restored 1911 railroad depot in the middle of downtown
Statesville, take I-77 exit 49-A, turn left and follow US-70 westbound
to US-21 (Shelton Ave). Turn right and look for the railroad depot (one
long block). Baa-Moo Farms
- Kids love animals and this farm caters to the kids. Like a 'petting
zoo', they house a wide variety of 'safe' animals. Includes various
activities (e.g., gather freshly laid eggs). Also a variety of farm
equipment. You are now in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. When they constructed I-77 they tried to smooth out the ups and downs but the mountains are just ahead. Surry, Yadkin, and Wilkes Counties are in the very fertile valley of the Yadkin River. Daniel Boone discovered this place, made it his home (until that itching made him move on). Visitors' Center
- The Elkin-Jonesville Chamber of Commerce maintains a visitors' center
in downtown Elkin. From I-77 take exit 82 and go west on NC-67 to US-21.
Turn right and follow US-21, across the Yadkin River, into downtown
Elkin. At Market (this is a 'T' intersection) turn left. The visitors'
center is a little beyond the 2nd street on your left at 116 East Market
Street. Wine Country
- There are close to a dozen excellent vineyards in the tri-county area.
In fact, they have even started an annual 'Wine Festival' with lots of
eats and, of course, wine. It is supposed to occur every May (check with
visitors' center for specifics). Their second festival was in May of
2003 and it was very well attended.
"So this is what Mayberry was really like!" Welcome to Andy Griffith's home town: simple, straight forward and sincere. Visitors' Center
- Where else but on Main Street. From I-77 take exit 101 and head
eastbound on the US-74 freeway to the NC-89 exit. Exit and follow NC-89
to Main Street in the center of Mount Airy. Turn left and the visitors'
center will be on your left just beyond Moore Avenue (which will be on
your right about a block up Main). Address: 200 North Main. Andy Griffith Museum - While you're at the Visitors' Center you can walk through the Andy Griffith Museum. If you enjoyed the Andy Griffith Show, you will really appreciate the museum. If you never got to see the Andy Griffith Show the museum will probably be quite an eye-opener. |
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