Mazen and I drove south for two days for a trip to Charlotte, NC so I could go to the Celine Dion concert with my sister! He was out of school so it made sense for us to go together so he could play with his cousins. We left Birch at home with our sitter and his father because he hates car trips. And let me tell you the five-hour trip was looooong with me driving the whole way. I was so stiff when I got out of the car I could barely walk!
We arrived on Monday evening and after a quick visit with Larbs and Matt, we went to sleep.
The Charlotte Discovery Place Museum
On Tuesday morning Emerson had preschool, so Uncle Matt dropped us off at the Discovery Place Museum where we spent a few hours exploring.
All Kinds of Science Exhibits
We loved the rainforest, the aquarium, the “bed of nails” and the IMAX! Our IMAX show was about rescue dogs, and it was so moving! We would definitely recommend the museum if you’re traveling with kids on a trip to Charlotte.
Lunch at Optimist Hall
Larbs, Matt, and Avery picked us up and we headed to Optimist Hall for lunch. It was a super cool food hall with a ton of different food options and common seating – great for a group!
I had half a pizza and a kale salad!
Play Time + Quiet Time
After lunch the cousins played for a bit until Emerson’s nap, and then we all had some quiet time. It was nice to recharge a bit before going on a walk and getting ready for the concert.
Dinner at The Crunkleton
We headed to dinner at The Crunkleton which specializes in wood-fired cooking and amazing cocktails. A lot of the Charlotte restaurants have turned over since my last trip to Charlotte (and when I lived there). This spot used to be one of my favorite salad places called Crisp!
We met a few blog friends there and had a great time chatting it up! 😉 We shared mushrooms, brussels, mussels, salad, fries, and wings. Totally delicious food!!!
Celine Dion
This concert was a long-time in the making. Really 25 years in the making from when we used to put on Celine concerts in the living room, but rewind back to this summer when Matt (my sister’s husband) asked me if I would want to be her plus one if he surprised her with tickets for her birthday. I said absolutely and we started to make plains. But plans came to a halt when he saw she already had something in the calendar for this week. He decided to give her a card with a choice: see Oprah speak the week before or move her plans to go to Celine. On her birthday, I got a text during dinner that read: “I CHOOSE CELINE!” Needless to say I was thrilled.
We had great seats that were on the side of the stage but second row. When Celine came over to our side, we were 10 feet away from her! She played all of our favorite songs. The whole arena was singing along! Celine also looks amazing! Her voice sounded like we were back in 1997 walking out of the movie Titanic. It was an amazing show!
Breakfast
We had eggs and toast and fruit for breakfast before Mazen and I hit the road.
A Visit to Davidson College
We took the western route home so we could swing by Davidson College! I gave Mazen the quick version of a tour around campus, and we walked to the Union for lunch!
The Best Quesadillas
I couldn’t find the little notepads we used to place our lunch order until I realized you now order digitally on a computer. “Remember the days when we used golf pencils to order wraps and quesadillas?!” Mazen was thrilled that I raved about the late-night quesadillas, so that’s what we got! We shared one, and I had a side of veggies. I told the woman checking us out that I was class of 2005 and came back to the union just for a quesadilla. She said that’s what everyone comes back for!! Too funny. Mazen fit right in with the college kids in his hoodie. He asked some good questions about what college is like. It’s never too early to start thinking about it! (Right now he wants to go to UVA!)
We ran into Steph Curry
We wrapped up our visit at the store where Mazen got a pullover and we bought Birch a toddler ball cap. Look who we ran into! Then we hit the road for the long trek home.
We missed our little Birchie!
Thomas sent me a pic of them playing at the park <3
And we had a cozy time catching up.
It was a quick trip to Charlotte and back, but we packed a lot in! I do not miss the traffic one bit, but it seems like it’s gotten a lot cooler since I left.
Have you been to Charlotte? What’s your favorite part?
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
What an amazing trip! Celine Dion too – I’m jealous! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Tonya says
Great concert seats! Celine’s legs are amazing!
Nikki says
Awesome recap and you packed a lot into those few days. I’ve never been to Charlotte, but just checking out Optimist Hall’s website, and some of the other neat things you’ve highlighted, it makes me want to plan a trip! What youth serum/fountain of youth has Celine got, because holey moley to still be touring and performing at such a high level is incredible! Thanks for letting us tag along and Happy Friday 🙂
Kath Younger says
It’s a great city for a fun visit!
Claire says
My family lives outside of Charlotte in the Lake Norman area. It’s so pretty!
Kath Younger says
I want to plan a family trip to Lake Norman!
Lane Alexander says
We just moved to Gastonia (30 minutes west of Charlotte) from Orlando and have loved the proximity to all of the fun things Charlotte has to offer (without the traffic). My spring and summer bucket list is to explore more in the city. We LOVE hiking Crowders Mountain and the brewery scene is this area is nuts.
If you do end up planning a trip to Lake Norman, if in the summer, check out The Quarry at Carrigan Farms – IT IS SO FUN!!!
Kath Younger says
I have been to that Quarry!! We had formals there in college. It’s so cool!
Ellen says
That looks like a fun weekend! I read your blog when you lived there, and always thought it seemed like a cool place. Emerson is a cutie … strong genes in your family!
Zima says
I lived in Charlotte for a couple of years (2013-2015) and totally miss it (albeit different from our home in LA). Mac’s Speed Shop was our once a week spot, we loved going to the National Whitewater Center on the weekend, the breweries (BirdSong, NoDa, Triple C….) We are planning a trip back out there this year 🙂
Bob says
We have a salad place called crisp down in Lynchburg 🙂
Amanda says
The first time I went to college was in Charlotte in 1996! Ha. My sister and I are going in a couple of week to see Andrea Bocelli.
Kath Younger says
ooooo I bet he does an amazing concert!!
Elizabeth says
Love hearing that you enjoyed the Celine concert – I’m planning to see her in NYC in February! Was there an opening act? The ticket shows a 7:30pm start but I’m curious if that’s actually when she comes on stage.
Kath Younger says
No opening act. We got there on time at 7:30 because the opening song was my favorite (I looked at the setlist!) but she didn’t come on stage until 8:30 so don’t rush!
Elizabeth says
Good to know – thanks so much!
Steph says
My sister and I met in Charlotte over the summer for our SIXTH New Kids on the Block concert. FABULOUS concert and we loved Charlotte. Can’t wait to go back and try more delicious restaurants!
Kath Younger says
Oh wow! I didn’t know they still toured!
Meghan says
Mazen looks so different to me! The missing teeth, the so-cool hair cut, his hair darkening a little… it’s all very cute, but he suddenly looks so much older!
So glad you had fun!
Kath Younger says
agree! He’s lost some of his little boy look. I do wish he’d let me trim his bands but what’s a mom to do!?
Jenny says
The second picture….did she do “All By Myself” in that dress? At her Boston show, she came out in that dress and performed what can only be described as an ethereal rendition that was stunning. Perfect outfit for it. I also waited about 25 years to see her– it was WELL worth the wait. I went with my best friend in December!
Kath Younger says
YES!! It was amazing.