Free Museums in Gastonia

"After the Civil War, Charlotte was one of the first places to embrace the New South. This museum, housed fittingly in a modern building, tells the story of the city's—and region's—history, and as you walk through the permanent exhibits, the city grows around you. Try to arrange a visit when there's a rotating exhibit on display; right now, the museum staff is very excited about the launch of "#HOMECLT: People. Places. Promises," an ambitious temporary augmented reality exhibit that delves into Charlotte's diverse neighborhoods."

"While you’re in the area, if you love history, we suggest visiting the Levine Museum of the New South, which follows the history of the South after the Civil War with a focus on Charlotte and the surrounding Carolina Piedmont. If you prefer art, check out the Mint Museum, Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, Sozo Gallery or Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts and Culture."

"The Levine Museum of the New South is a history museum located in Charlotte showcasing exhibits that focus on life in the North Carolina Piedmont after the American Civil War."

"This collection includes works by some of the most influential artists of the mid-20th century, with pieces by Miró, Giacometti, Picasso, Calder, Hepworth, Nicholson, Warhol, Tinguely, Ernst, Le Corbusier, and Chillida. The museum also hosts several music events throughout the year, including a monthly jazz night. The Bechtler Museum of Art is the second museum in the country to be designed by Swiss architect Mario Botta."

"The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art is another magnificent and amazing museum, one of the best places to visit in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Museum is a 0.838-acre space museum designed by a Swiss architect, Mario Botta, and set aside for the exhibition of 20th-century art. This is the second building designed by the Swiss architect in the entire country."

"Modern art is some of the most challenging but also some of the most striking. The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art in Charlotte is a sublime place to see amazing modern art. Here, you can see works from artists who aren’t afraid of giving the viewer a lot to ruminate over."

"The Harvey B. Gantt Center celebrates African-American culture through visual art, music, dance, theater, and film. It is located in the heart of Charlotte’s business district, alongside other institutions that form the Levine Center For The Arts. In an area that was once the hub of the black community, this stylish new building exhibits works that explore issues relevant to this particular community."

"The Afro-American Cultural Center was renamed after the first African-American mayor of Charlotte, Harvey Gantt. The museum celebrates the art, history, and culture of African-Americans and people of African descent. You can enjoy the John and Vivian Hewitt Collection of African-American Art."

"Imagine giving your children the opportunity to learn all about the fascinating world of raptors. At the Carolina Raptor Center children can experience close encounters of the raptor kind as they follow the Raptor Trail to meet and greet a variety of impressive falcons, eagles, vultures and hawks. Your children will have fun observing the birds at close range and not even realize how much they are learning about raptors and the important part they play in the wilds."

"Carolina Raptor Center is a charitable non-profit organization that relies on public financial support. Next, this company has a wide park that provides bird watches and other animal enclosures. Also, this company is reputable for releasing 1,00 birds a year, conserving the state’s biodiversity and environmental attractions."

"A pleasant woodland stroll within the Latta Plantation Nature Preserve leads past aviaries holding predatory birds that have suffered injuries – you may come across volunteers taking a vulture for a walk."

"A post shared by WeLoveCLT (@weloveclt) on Apr 12, 2016 at 9:07am PDT. ImaginOn is a 102,000-square-foot facility dedicated to getting children involved in education, the arts, culture and multimedia. The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and Children’s Theatre of Charlotte came to together to create this resource for children that includes two state-of-the-art theatres, a dedicated library space for kids 11 and under, four multi-use classrooms, a teen-only library, a multimedia production studio and interactive exhibit space in order to create this cultural hub for children of all ages."

"ImaginOn (the Joe and Joan Martin Center) is located in the heart of Charlotte’s culture and art district where it offers a unique space for young people to learn about art and culture. The center includes an enormous children’s library, two remarkable theatres, class rooms, a production studio and an exhibition space. The Spangler Library for Children caters for your children from birth to fifth grade, with a special baby and toddler area and hands-on activities for all ages."

"Just about every town has a library, but how many have one like ImaginOn?. This Charlotte, North Carolina attraction is the perfect place for an excellent learning experience. The potential for fun with your children can reach the top when you’re at ImaginOn."

"Discovery Place operates Discovery Place Nature, formerly Charlotte Nature Museum, located at 1658 Sterling Road, adjacent to Freedom Park. The Museum features interactive nature exhibits and live animal displays, including a butterfly pavilion, live species, insects and a variety of native North Carolina animals. Hands on learning includes activities like Harvesting Bees, check it out in the video below."

"Formerly the Charlotte Nature Museum, the Discovery Place Nature is a museum to explore nature including both plants and animals. Take the Paw Paw Nature Trail to learn more about all the native flora and fauna. The Creature Cavern is home to many different animals that you can see up close like opossums, turtles, snakes, and more."

"Come visit us and observe live animals in Creature Cavern, buzz by Insect Alley, hang out in our Big ..."

"This Uptown museum is another who offers free admission year round. Pop in and learn about gold mining in North Carolina Tuesday through Saturday from 9 A.M."

"Belk, Dick's Sporting Goods, Dillard's and Macy's anchor this modern, bi-level shopping complex, located north of Charlotte and just off I-77. Northlake's variety of specialty shops (from Ann Taylor Loft to Borders, the choices are legion), attractive design, and easy access make it a popular year round destination, and the developed areas surrounding the mall give shoppers further options. A 14-screen AMC theater features a variety of current releases."

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Mike Kalasnik used under CC BY-SA 2.0. One of the largest malls in the region, Northlake Mall features outlets of some of the biggest brands such as Coach, Apple, and Macy’s. Indeed, spread over two levels you will find the full range of options across fashion including clothing brands, speciality stores, salons, and jewellery shops."

"The county has expended considerable effort and funds into turning Charlotte’s parks into beautiful, green spaces that the city’s residents can be proud of, and this effort is especially obvious in McMullen and Lower McAlpine Creek Greenway. The McMullen Creek Greenway is a fantastic place to see native wildlife like owls, snakes, and woodpeckers. The park is open during daylight hours, and has biking and walking trails for family enjoyment."

"Mecklenburg County made a decision years ago to unite the city via a web of parks and green spaces. They've poured lots of money into the project, and the result is something that can be enjoyed by all. Over 30 miles of greenways have been developed, and almost 150 miles are still being planned."

"Located in Charlotte’s Fourth Ward neighborhood, Old Settlers’ Cemetery is where many of the area’s first settlers are buried. It was the first cemetery owned and operated by the City of Charlotte, and its gravestones and monuments carry dates from 1776 (the year the Declaration of Independence was signed) to 1884. It’s a great American site in Charlotte for visiting history buffs.More"