July 13 through 17, 2010
Charlotte National Convention Activities
We’ve planned a LARGE number of interesting, informative, and entertaining activities to add to your Corvette fun in Charlotte. Be sure to sign up for your favorite daytrips, events, and evening activities when you send in your preregistration forms to Cincinnati. We only reserve enough busses/transportation/space to accommodate the members who pre-register. Once those busses are filled - you are out of luck- sorry.
Remember - CONVENTION ID IS REQUIRED FOR ALL TOURS. You WILL NOT be allowed to enter without it!
NASCAR Hall of Fame Tour
Dates/Times: Wednesday, July 14 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
AND Thursday, July 15 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Cost: Adults:$69; Children (12 and under): $34
Tour Includes: Step-on guide service, admission to the Hall of Fame,
lunch voucher and deluxe motor coach transportation. It involves
moderate walking, so comfortable shoes are suggested.
Fasten your seatbelts and enjoy the 40,000 square feet of exhibit space
showcasing the history and heritage of NASCAR! This state-of-the-art
facility honors NASCAR icons and creates an enduring tribute to the drivers,
crew members, team owners and others that have impacted the sport
in the past, present and future! The banked Glory Road will greet you as
you enter the hall and experience the interactive displays. Stop in the High
Octane Theater to watch an informational film about the history of NASCAR,
experience a behind-the-scenes look at how a team prepares for race day, and enjoy the transporter and racing simulators!
Don’t worry as there is plenty of time for eating and buying souvenirs too!
Everything Is Blooming
Date/Time: Wednesday, July 14, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Cost: Adults:$69; Children (12 and under): $34
Tour Includes: Step-on guide service, admission to Billy Graham and the Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens, lunch and
deluxe motor coach transportation. It involves heavy walking, so comfortable shoes are suggested.
We begin our day with a visit to the Billy Graham Library. This magnificent 40,000 square-foot library contains exhibits
that chronicle the man, ministry, and message of Billy Graham. Located only a short walk from the Library, visit the
replicated Graham family home decorated with many original materials. View the grave of Ruth Bell Graham, wife and best
friend of Billy. There is also an on-site bookstore and Ruth’s Attic for browsing. We will enjoy a delicious sandwich lunch
in the Dairy Brothers Sandwich Shop! Next we head to Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens on the banks of Lake Wylie. The
450 acres of rolling meadows and woodlands are destined to become one of the premier gardens in the world. In fact,
Daniel Stowe was named one of HGTV’s 20 Great Gardens. The 13,500 square-foot Stowe Visitor Pavilion has a gift
shop and a grand special events area. Just outside the pavilion are meticulously groomed formal gardens, natural woodland,
meadow and wetland areas; greenhouses with tropical plants and myriad annual and perennial flowers, shrubs, vines
and trees.
Making A Pit Stop
Dates/Times: Wednesday, July 14 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
AND Saturday, July 17 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Cost: Adults: $69; Children (12 and under): $34
Tour Includes: Step-on guide service, admission to PIT Instruction and Curb Motorsports, lunch, windshield tour and deluxe motor coach transportation. It involves light walking, so comfortable shoes are suggested. A guide will join us for a private tour of PIT Instruction (5 Off 5 On), a pit crew training facility. There will be a detailed presentation giving an insider’s look at how a championship pit crew functions and choreographs their exciting pit stops. Live pit stop demonstrations will occur while we are there. We can handle the equipment and ask the crewmembers all those questions you want answered. You will leave with a greater appreciation of the work of the NASCAR pit crews. Next we head to Kannapolis, NC, Dale Earnhardt’s hometown. We’ll enjoy a delicious Southern lunch and then head out for a driving tour. Hear stories about Dale’s boyhood and his rise to become a racing legend. You’ll visit points of interest as we ride down the “Dale Trail,” see the park and statue dedicated to him in the downtown area. You’ll also tour Curb Motorsports Museum, with the car and trophy from Dale’s very first Winston Cup championship. You’ll enjoy this look back at how Dale’s and his family’s lives are imprinted on these streets!
Adventure, Adventure
Date/Time: Thursday, July 15 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Cost: Adults: $89; Children (12 and under): $45
Tour Includes: Admission to Carowinds and deluxe motor coach transportation. It involves heavy walking, so comfortable shoes are suggested. A guide will meet us to begin our day of thrills and adventure! Carowinds is the ultimate adventure park, with twelve action-packed roller coasters, dozens of thrill and water adventures, and the overflowing fun of Boomerang Bay water park. Gather in the Carolina boardwalk area of the park which features games, merchandise and food locations reflecting some of the best-known themes along the Carolina coast including lighthouses, boats, fishing and seafood. Be sure to ride the new roller coaster … at 232-feet tall, it will send you plummeting down a 211- foot first drop, then race through more than a mile of high speed twists and turns! The Intimidator is the tallest, fastest, longest coaster in the Southeast! Be sure to bring your swimsuit and sunscreen! It’s going to be a blast!
Fine Wine and Fast Cars
Date/Time: Thursday, July 15 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Cost: Adults: $69; Children (12 and under): $34
Tour Includes: Step-on guide service, admission to the Richard Childress Winery and Museum, lunch and deluxe motor coach transportation. It involves moderate levels of walking, so comfortable shoes are suggested. Your guide will prepare you for a day of wine and racing! We’ll begin at Richard Childress Winery, where we will tour this 35,000 square-foot facility, inspired by the Italian Renaissance architecture of rural Tuscany. The winery’s opulent interiors and state-of-the-art wine production center is designed to be a highly interactive experience. On the tour you’ll get to see, hear, smell and experience the winemaking process. After a delicious buffet lunch, we’ll make a stop at the Richard Childress Racing & Wildlife Museum. This 47,000 square-foot facility has over 40 race vehicles and a tractor-trailer transporter. There are numerous displays, memorabilia and photographs throughout the facility, including all six NASCAR Winston Cup championship banners and all six NASCAR Winston Cup championship owner’s trophies. The center section of the facility is dedicated to Childress’ devotion to wildlife and outdoor conservation. They are all showcased along with many of the animal trophies Childress has taken over the years.
A Visit to The Queen City
Date/Time: Thursday, July 15 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Cost: Adults: $49; Children (12 and under): $24
Tour Includes: Step-on guide service, guided Uptown City Tour, and deluxe motor coach transportation. It involves moderate levels of walking, so comfortable shoes are suggested. Your guide will join you for a look at the beautiful Queen City, Charlotte. You will discover Southern heritage and how Charlotte became a leader in the “New South.” You will see the financial district on a riding tour that includes the historic Fourth Ward area and the beautiful willow oaks that line the residential area of Myers Park, the bustling Center City, and a unique look at the trolley neighborhoods and a stop at the Visitor’s Center! You will fall in love with the beauty and rich heritage of this grand city of the South! Next, we’ll head to SouthPark Mall for lunch and an afternoon of shopping! As the Carolinas’ premier shopping destination, SouthPark offers an experience like no other! It is home to one of two Nordstrom’s in the Carolinas, the first Neiman Marcus in the region and the first full-line Crate & Barrel store! Grab a quick lunch and shop or enjoy an upscale lunch at one of the many full service restaurants on property.
Over-the-Wall Tour
Date/Time: Friday, July 16 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Cost: Adults: $69; Children (12 and under): $34
Tour Includes: Step-on guide service, private tour of PIT, lunch, museum admission and deluxe motor coach transportation. It involves light amounts of walking, so comfortable shoes are suggested. A guide will join us for a private tour of PIT Instruction (5 Off 5 On), a pit crew training facility. There will be a detailed presentation giving an insider’s look at how a championship pit crew functions and choreographs their exciting pit stops. Live pit stop demonstrations will occur while you are there. You can handle the equipment and ask the crewmembers all those questions you want answered. You will leave with a greater appreciation of the work of the NASCAR pit crews. A must-see for the NASCAR fan! Lunch will be at Lancaster’s BBQ, where many of the drivers and crews eat. You will not believe the memorabilia in this restaurant! If you cherish automobiles, racing or history, the Memory Lane Museum has something for you! We’ll take a look at the largest private collection of retired NASCAR and vintage racecars on display in existence. This museum has provided cars and props for some of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters including Driving Miss Daisy, Days of Thunder, Talladega Nights, Leatherheads and many more!
Charlotte Sampler
Date/Time: Friday, July 16 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Cost: Adults: $49; Children (12 and under): $24
Tour Includes: Step-on guide service, museum and gallery admission, and deluxe motor coach transportation. It involves moderate levels of walking, so comfortable shoes are suggested. We begin our day at Backing-Up Classics Auto Museum. This museum features classics, antiques, 1950s, 1960s, muscle cars and a gift shop fully stocked with NASCAR merchandise and automotive collectibles. It also features a large section of country music memorabilia. You’ll love the history! Our next stop is the Sam Bass Gallery, the legendary artist who helps the majority of NASCAR’s race teams look their best – from car and hauler design – to what the teams wear while at the track. Discover how Sam helps sponsors with innovative logo design! You’ll love this beautiful studio! We’ll spend the afternoon at Northlake Mall, a beautiful upscale shopping mall located in the Lake Norman area. With stores like Ann Taylor, Coach, and Nine West, you are certain to find just what you are looking for. Lunch is on your own. Choose from several full service restaurants or the food court.
Racing, Racing, Racing
Date/Time: Friday, July 16 9:00 AM – 4:00 PMCost: Adults: $69; Children (12 and under): $34
Tour Includes: Step-on guide service, private tour of Doug Herbert Racing, lunch, visit to Gibbs Racing and deluxe motor coach transportation. Degree of Physical Activity: Moderate walking; comfortable shoes are suggested. If you love fast cars, you are going to love this tour! We head to Doug Herbert Racing, NHRA’s ten-time Top Fuel winner. We get a private tour by Doug himself and an up close look at the dragster. In 2010, Doug Herbert and Ray Evernham will attempt to break the land speed record in the Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah. Doug will discuss this project and share the progress. Get up close and personal with one of NHRA’s super stars! We’ll enjoy a delicious home-cooked lunch at Aunt Bessie’s Restaurant before heading to Joe Gibbs Racing. Enjoy walking along the large viewing area of the shop floor and viewing the trophies and other items from the various Gibbs teams.