Carolina Raptor Center Huntersville Exit 23

Where birds soar. And spirits do too. Have a conversation with a magpie; go behind the scenes where our rehabilitation and education birds live, or just try to spot the 23 species of raptors living along The Raptor Trail. Open M- Sat 10am-5pm and Sun 12pm-5pm. Closed Mon and Tues Nov 1 – Mar 31. Located within Latta Plantation Nature Preserve, 6000 Sample Road, Huntersville, www.carolinaraptorcenter.org (704) 875-6521

NC Community Sailing & Rowing Huntersville Exit 25

Offers a very affordable way to enjoy sailing and rowing on beautiful Lake Norman. Over 50 sailing and rowing craft available for youth and adults of all skill levels. They supply life jackets and all necessary safety support. Youth and adult programs available with seasoned instructors. Also serving those with special needs. Located at the southern tip of the lake at Blythe Landing. (704) 947-7245 www.nccsailrow.org

CS Rentals of Lake Norman Mooresville Exit 36

Offering premium pontoon boats and personal watercraft rentals on beautiful Lake Norman for over 12 years. Whether you are local or just visiting and want to enjoy a hassle free day on a pontoon boat or a refreshing spin on a jet ski, they take the work out of boat ownership. CS Rentals is committed to offering their customers the best rental experience on Lake Norman. Located at Queens Landing, 4 miles west of I-77 at exit 36. (877) 312-7195 www.lakenormanjetskirentals.com

Discovery Place KIDS Huntersville Exit 23

Provides extraordinary and rich play experiences that value imagination, fun and learning. The Museum offers an adventure in play for children age birth through 7 and their parents or caregivers. Join us for daily puppet shows and story time. Discovery Place KIDS is located at 105 Gilead Road Huntersville, Visit www.discoveryplaceKIDS.org or call 704-372-6261

Duke Energy’s EnergyExplorium Huntersville Exit 25

The EnergyExplorium at McGuire Nuclear Station is a creative, hands-on energy education center where you can learn about electricity and nuclear energy. The EnergyExplorium has exciting interactive exhibits that are educational and fun, including a touch screen exhibit on energy efficiency. The site features a nature trail, butterfly garden and picnic shelter. The EnergyExplorium is free and open to the public year-round except on Sundays, New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. For more information call (980) 875-5600 or visit www.duke-energy.com/energyexplorium

Hendrick Motorsports Concord NC

See the cars and memorabilia of Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. These are just a few things visitors can do at the Hendrick Motorsports Museum and Team Store. The 15,000-square-foot facility pays tribute to 27 seasons of Hendrick Motorsports history and offers race fans the latest in team-related apparel and merchandise. Not only are the team shops available for self-guided tours, but fans have the chance to view live pit stops as well. Self-guided tours, pit practice and admission to the Hendrick Motorsports Museum and Team Store are free of charge. Hours: Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm. The museum and team store is open on Saturday, 10am-3pm. On the weekends, the team shops are closed. 4411 Papa Joe Hendrick Boulevard, Concord (877) 467-4890 or visit www.HendrickMotorsports.com.

JR Motorsports/Jr. Nation Store Mooresville Exit 36

JR Nation, a retail store devoted exclusively to Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his JR Motorsports brand is a must-see for any Dale Jr. fan. Located at JR Motorsports in Mooresville, N.C., the store ffers a wide variety of merchandise, including shirts, hats and collectibles that reflect Dale Jr.’s style. Attached to JR Nation is the “Dale Jr. Fan Experience” that gives fans an inside look into the life of NASCAR’s most popular driver. The fan experience houses a life-size Dale Jr. wax figure sculpted by Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum, and contains various displays that change throughout the year and a large viewing window into the race shop. 349 Cayuga Rd. Talbert Industrial Park Center www.dalejr.com 866-JRM-8883

Joe Gibbs Racing Huntersville Exit 23

One of the premier organizations in NASCAR and home to the sport’s most dynamic lineup of drivers, which include Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch and Joey Logano. Visitors have a unique opportunity to watch the team prepare for the race weekend from a large observation window that looks down on the main shop floor. Fans can shop for their favorite team apparel in the retail store. Open to fans weekdays from 8 AM to 5 PM, with special hours during race weeks. 13415 Reese Blvd. Exit 23 www.joegibbsracing.com (704) 944-5000

Lake Norman Miniature Golf Cornelius Exit 28

The Lake’s newest outdoor family fun attraction and its only premium miniature golf course. The 18-hole course is in a park-like setting with waterfalls and model train. Perfect for players of all ages and skill levels. Snack bar. Check website for seasonal hours. Turn east at exit 28 then right on Statesville Rd. 18639 Statesville Rd. www.lknminigolf.com (704) 892-9800

Lake Norman State Park Troutman Exit 42

13 miles of the Lake Norman shoreline is within this 1,300 acre state park’s border where you can swim, camp, hike, mountain bike, or fish in the beautiful lakefront woodlands. 33 campsites can be rented on a first-come, first-served basis, each including tent pads, picnic tables, and grills. Camping for groups up to 25 people is available by reservation. Call for details. A boat launch is available free for boaters while pedal boats and canoes can be rented at the swimming area bathhouse. The lakefront swimming area is the only public swimming area on the lake and boasts a sandy beach, diving platform, and a roped off swim area . Picnic tables are scattered throughout the park with two larger picnic areas available that can be reserved. You can also enjoy a hike along nature trails that wind along the shore and through the park. To reach the park take Exit 42 west off I-77. For information call (704) 528-6350 or visit www.ncsparks.net/lano.html

Historic Latta Plantation Huntersville Exit 23

Tour the uniquely designed and fully furnished Catawba River Plantation built in 1800 for James and Jane Latta, along with the circa 1850’s smoke house and the nine other relocated or reconstructed plantation outbuildings. The site is alive throughout the year with farm crops, gardens, heritage breed livestock, costumed interpreters, and special events. Open year round Tuesday-Saturday 10-5, Sunday 1-5. 5225 Sample Rd., Huntersville, NC 28078 www.lattaplantation.org (704) 875-2312

Memory Lane Mooresville Exit 36

Memory Lane Motorsports and Historical Automotive Museum Displays a huge collection of NASCAR and vintage race cars, plus many one-of-kind famous vehicles from the past and popular movies. Several cars driven by Dale Earnhardt are on display. The museums 8000 sq. foot souvenir shop is the region’s largest racing and collectables store. You’ll find everything from books, apparel and die-cast cars to other types of rare collectables. West at Exit 36.769 River Hwy. (704) 662-3673 www.memorylaneautomuseum.com

My Aloha Paddle Sports & Fitness Lake Norman

My Aloha Paddle Sports and Fitness is the first of its kind in the Charlotte and Lake Norman Area to offer SUP (Stand Up Paddle)- Fitness Programs, as well as Stand Up Paddle Board Lessons, Rentals, and Sales. contact them at: (704) 526-8432 www.standuplkn.com

Queens Landing Mooresville Exit 36

Lake Norman’s only lakeside entertainment center. Enjoy great music at the new Melanie L. Williams Amphitheater or ride the Mississippi Riverboat replica, Catawba Queen, or cruise on the Lady of the Lake Cruise Ship. Come by boat or car. Queens Landing also features Jokers Dueling Piano Bar, Pirate Land Golf, Jack’s Lakeside Grill, and the Floating Dock Bar. Mooresville, 1459 River Hwy. 4.5 miles west of exit 36 (704) 663-2628 www.queenslanding.com

Race City Raceway Mooresville Exit 36

Slot car racing at its crazy fast best. Five huge tracks to test your nerve: The King, Hillclimb, Tri-Oval, Oval High Bank and the Drag Strip. Awesome for Birthday parties, group events or just hanging out with other race fans. Organized race events and the largest parts selection in N.C. And you may even be challenged by a real race car driver. 379 East Plaza Drive (704) 663-0603. For hours visit: www.racecityraceway.com

Race Shop Tours Mooresville Exit 36

Celebrating Serving NASCAR fans for 10 years!. We do the driving to all the top race shops in the Lake Norman region. Serious racing fans will enjoy racing history and modern racing excitement! Our South West Tour is action packed with visits to JR Motorsports, Hendrick, Roush Fenway Nationwide & Truck Shops, Red Bull, NC Racing Hall of Fame and Joe Gibbs. Our North East Tour takes you to popular remote locations like Richard Childress, Childress Vineyards, Stewart Hass Racing, and Roush Fenway Concord. www.raceshoptours.net (704) 788-8802

Roush Fenway Racing Concord NC

The museum, team shops and gift store are a must see while you’re visiting the Concord, NC area. Take a self-guided tour of the museum, and watch some of the greatest racing highlights in the theater. And don’t forget to visit, the gift store for your favorite Roush Fenway Racing driver’s merchandise and collectibles. If you hear the sounds of a race car as you leave the facility, you may get a chance to see the crews practising their pit stops adjacent to the building. Visit us at 4600 Roush Place, Concord NC 28027. (704) 720-4350 or www.roushfenway.com

The Pit Indoor Kart Racing Mooresville Exit 36

Come and immerse yourself in the exciting world of high-performance kart racing. Drive on the largest single track in the country, 70,000 square-feet of challenging corners and exhilarating straightaways! There’s also 3,500 square feet of Laser Tag, billiards, video games, air hockey and foosball to keep you entertained. Perfect for parties or corporate events. 346 East Plaza Drive Mooresville. www.meetatthepit.com (704) 799-3470