Travel & Vacation Guide, North Carolina

By Christopher DiCicco

The NASCAR Hall of Fame was designated to be built in Charlotte, North Carolina on March 6, 2006 and groundbreaking began in 2007. It is projected to be opened for visitors in 2010. The Hall of Fame will be a welcome asset for tourism in Charlotte plus create jobs for the locals. It will have an office building that will house the business operations of marketing the image and licensing. The Hall of Fame has also adopted the words “Racing was built here Racing belongs here” as its slogan.

Besides being a very modern building that captures the spirit of racing, the Hall of Fame has as its first mission to pick the first inductees. There are some unofficial Hall of Fame sites where people are taking polls and we’ll take a look at some of the popular drivers getting voted for.

Lee Petty

Lee Petty had 54 victories and is the father of Richard Petty. He raced during the 1950s an 1960s when it really began to take off. His home state is also in North Carolina. He was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, and elected to the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame.

Richard Petty

He is getting a lot of votes at unofficial Hall of Fame sites and it is to no surprise. Richard Petty has 200 wins and 7 championship titles. He and Dale Earnhardt are the only two drivers in NASCAR’s history to have 7 championship titles. Richard Petty was dubbed the title of the “King of Racing.” He is the son of Lee Petty who was also a championship driver.

Bobby Allison

Here is another well-known name is racing. He has 84 victories with 3 Daytona 500 championships.

Cale Yarborough

Cale Yarborough has 83 victories plus he’s famous as being the only driver to win 3 straight championships. He is ranked 5th in the All-time winner’s list. He has also been the winner of the Daytona 500 four times.

Bobby Isaac

Bobby Isaac had to leave a race in 1977 because of heat exhaustion. During the time they were treating him he had a heart attack and died. In his short life of 45 years, he would achieve 37 victories. He would also set 28 world land speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah (outside of the competition). He would eventually be named as one of 50 of the all-time great drivers. He is also a 1979 inductee of the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame.

There are other driver greats being considered including Buck Backer, Clay Earls, Tim Flock, and Junior Johnson.

Charlotte, North Carolina is a perfect location for the NASCAR Hall of Fame because there are over 50 teams of the Busch, Craftsman Truck, and Nextel Cup Series Championship competition all in close proximity to Charlotte. And Charlotte was the home of the first premier race in 1949. That’s why they say racing started in Charlotte and should remain in Charlotte.

Chris DiCicco is owner, senior editor and website developer for NASCARsupershop, a NASCAR Apparel and Memorabilia Store for every NASCAR Fan. We carry the internets largest selections of NASCAR products all in one place for your shopping convenience.

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By Elizabeth Kirwin

When planning a family vacation to Asheville, North Carolina, it’s a great idea to include some fun things to do with the kids. There are many activities that the younger set will love in Asheville and in and around Western North Carolina. Here are some best picks:

Visit Chimney Rock Park

Chimney Rock Park is a favorite destination for Asheville-area visitors. It features unique outcroppings of rock and is approximately a one-hour drive from Asheville. An elevator takes visitors to the top of the ‘chimney’ where there is easy access to high-elevation trails. The ‘chimney’ is a 315-foot monolith located at 2,280 feet. On a clear day, it provides 360-degree views up to 75 miles away.

Two popular hikes include: Exclamation Point at 2,480 feet; and Hickory Nut Falls trail – a 30-minute, moderate hike that ends at a waterfall.

If smaller children are present, elevation hiking may not be an option. Instead, take a short walk on the Great Woodland Adventures Trail. This trail is flat and short and includes interactive, sculpture exhibits about regional plant and wildlife.

After exploring the park, families can visit the gift shop; share a snack; or enjoy the Western North Carolina views from the observation deck.

Tour the Biltmore Estate

No family vacation to Asheville, NC would be complete without a visit to the Biltmore Estate. Activities that engage children are plentiful.

At Riverbend Farm, children can experience life on the farm as it was in the late 19th century. Actors dress in period costumes; barnyard animals are present; craft demonstrations take place; and a kitchen garden is available for viewing. A nearby creamery is a great place to take a break and enjoy an ice cream.

Depending on the season, a variety of outdoor activities are available. Carriage rides, horseback riding, river float trips, and biking are popular ways to tour the 8,000-acre estate. Families can also stroll through Biltmore Gardens, informal and formal gardens, as well as the American Rose Garden where over 250 varieties of roses thrive.

Discover the ClimbMax Climbing Center

At the ClimbMax Climbing Center in downtown Asheville, children can practice rock-climbing skills in a safe, supervised environment. The Climbing Center is set-up with indoor walls that replicate actual rock climbs. Children may participate in bouldering or unroped climbing, no higher than 12 feet. Visitors may also choose to partake in ‘Staff Belays,’ where trained and certified professionals assist with roping, knotting and harnessing participants. The ClimbMax Climbing Center is an interactive environment that children will remember long after their Asheville visit.

Picnic at Mount Mitchell

Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River, stands at 6,688 feet. Families can drive the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway to this destination, about one hour north of Asheville. Extra clothing is recommended because the temperature is likely to be 20-30 degrees cooler. The observation deck provides 360-degree views and families can take part in an interpretive program about the history of Mount Mitchell and its native wildlife, flora and fauna. A gift shop is on site and a restaurant and snack bar provide tasty offerings. Plenty of outdoor picnic areas are also available. Plan a half-day or full-day trip and enjoy the beauty of Western North Carolina.

Learn About NC Gems and Minerals at the Colburn Earth Science Museum

The Colburn Earth Science Museum in downtown Asheville has a superior collection of minerals, gems, petroglyphs, and more, from North Carolina and around the world. The collection includes 350 samples of gems, fossils and crystals from North Carolina and gives an overview of the history of mining in the state.

As a great follow-up excursion to a museum visit, the museum has a gem-location map that identifies the best gem-finding counties. It also provides a list of mineral mines where children can dig for crystals and gems that are abundant in the Western North Carolina region.

Kid-Friendly Accommodations

Staying at hotels can be expensive when planning a family vacation, especially when you factor in the cost of eating out. Renting a suite at one of the new Asheville condo hotels is a great option. Families can cook, have food delivered and enjoy family time in a spacious, Asheville hotel condo; The Residences at Biltmore is one such option.

One thing is for sure, there are lots of things in Asheville for kids to get excited about. An Asheville family vacation includes adventure, exercise, fresh air, and most importantly – fun.

Elizabeth Kirwin is a travel and leisure writer who publishes articles on the Asheville and Western North Carolina area. Her work has been published nationally and focuses on artistic, cultural, historical, and educational views of the area. Visit http://www.residencesatbiltmore.com/hospitality or email concierge@residencesatbiltmore.com for more information.