Escape Central in Salisbury - Solving the Agatha Room Mystery

On May 26, 2024, my crew headed to Salisbury, NC to try out the Agatha Room at Escape Central. I met Henry Alexander, the owner of Escape Central, at the Meroney Theater in Salisbury a few weeks earlier while we were awaiting the start of Clue. My family had never tried an escape room, but we enjoy challenging strategic games and decided to give it a try.

Escape Central's web site highlights four different rooms: the Jail, Agatha's Room, the Curiosity Shop, and the Casino. My youngest particularly likes dolls and reading/watching murder mysteries, so we chose the Agatha room based on the photos online. I emailed to make a reservation, received a prompt reply, and was able to set up our visit quickly and easily. The Agatha room is one of the more popular ones at this time. Discount pricing is available on Sunday afternoons when we visited.

The escape rooms are located on 118 East Council Street near Waterworks Gallery, Stitchin' Post, and the Meroney Theater. We parked on Main Street across from the Rowan Museum and walked a very short distance to the location. Parking was free.

We arrived a few minutes early and were greeted and invited to start playing early since our room was ready. We were given several helpful tips before being left alone for our adventure. Although we were "locked" in, the room had a camera and we were offered the option for hints a few times as we searched. With a time limit of one hour, we began searching right away and quickly found several written clues that were strategically placed.

Since none of us had ever attempted an escape room, we weren't sure what to expect, but each person in our group discovered different items that helped to solve the mystery. We opted to get a couple of additional hints because we wanted to complete the challenge and weren't sure we would be able to solve it in less than an hour. Some of the clues were challenging, but our group had loads of fun searching and trying to piece together the various pieces of the puzzle. Participants can choose whether or not they want extra clues to customize the experience and difficulty level.

I was graciously given the opportunity to take some photos after we finished so I could share this experience with my blog readers. If your group enjoys strategy and solving mysteries, this can be a fun option for a variety of ages. It's also nice to have indoor options when it feels like 100 degrees in the shade or for rainy or cold days in particular.

The Escape Central Facebook page is regularly updated - a photo of our crew showed up not long after we escaped! We noticed several pinball games in an area next door and decided to try a few of those before heading out for our next adventure. My crew unanimously said they would like to try another escape room at Escape Central in Salisbury in the future.

If you are looking for fun things to do in Salisbury or Rowan County in addition to the escape rooms, you might check out one of the local theaters or the NC Transportation Museum. Below are a few of my articles that might pair well with Escape Central as well:

• NC Museum of Dolls, Toys, and Miniatures in Spencer NC Boasts a Wide Variety
• Dan Nicholas Park Nature Center in Rowan County
• City Park Lake and Hurley Park Walking Trails in Salisbury - Beautiful in Any Season

Reynolda House Museum of American Art in Winston - Eclectic Mix with an Interesting History

 

Reynolda House Museum of American Art © Katrena

My crew visited the Reynolda House Museum of American Art located at 100 Reynolda Village in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on July 13, 2023. We visited the gardens many times over the years but had never ventured over to the museum, which is the estate of R.J. and Katherine Reynolds. We parked at the conservatory and walked through the gardens on the way to the museum. The gardens are always filled with beautiful flowers and plants and are free and open to the public.

Reynolda Museum in Winston-Salem © Katrena

The Reynolda museum offers quite a few opportunities for some people, such as people under age 18, college students, active or retired military personnel, etc, to visit the museum for free. We visited the Forsyth County Public Library, where they have two tickets that can be checked out in order to visit the museum for free. After the visit, we visited the library again to return the two tickets. I thought that was a great idea and hope other museums offer something similar in the future!

Guest Bedroom in Reynolda Museum © Katrena

If you plan to visit the museum, I recommend reviewing their rules carefully. They have very specific guidelines regarding how large your pocketbook can be if you wish to tour the museum, among other rules. This museum was a private home with lots of nice pieces of furniture that you will walk by in hallways and rooms, and the employees will watch you very carefully to ensure that nobody comes close to touching any item on the tour. If you have young children who like to touch items, you'd need to carefully consider this before visiting.

Gallery at Reynolda Museum Near Wake Forest University © Katrena

We began our tour on the first level at an orientation gallery where visitors can watch a movie. Two walls are covered with photos, items, and information about the family and their home. I found the information to be interesting and learned quite a bit about the family throughout various stages of their lives. From there, we walked back through the lobby and viewed quite a few larger and smaller rooms.

Jewelry and Accessories at Reynolda House Museum © Katrena

Some of the rooms were roped off with rooms staged like they may have been in years past. Many everyday items throughout the home were in great condition. In addition to the furniture, you'll see quite a few portraits throughout the museum with descriptions that were interesting and educational.

1918 Pipe Organ at Reynolda Museum © Katrena

Along the hall, you'll see a small room filled with 1918 pipes for an Acolian pipe organ that extend through several floors to the attic. Visitors in the afternoon can hear the pipe organ play, but we visited in the morning. I used to play the organ for a couple of churches, so I would love to go back just to hear the music on this rare instrument!

Reception Hall at Reynolda House Museum of American Art © Katrena

The largest room of the home, the reception hall, houses the organ where the family would gather. Looking at the double staircase flanking the large fireplace and chimney, I could not help but think of some scenes from Gone with the Wind. Take some time to look at the art on the walls and admire the impressive collection of furniture.

Art Museum at Reynolda © Katrena

Several rooms connect to the reception hall, and within those rooms, you may see an eclectic mix of artwork. I imagine that the Reynolds family enjoyed collecting art of famous artists of the time. My daughter studied art in her ninth grade visual arts class and she recognized several artist names and styles that were featured. I was surprised to see how much information was included with many of the art pieces. Their web site's K-12 page also offers a nice variety of art project ideas along with directions and supply lists, a scavenger hunt, and more.

Fine Attention to Detail at Reynolda Museum © Katrena

The second floor features a balcony around the edge of the reception hall with several bedrooms along the sides. The attention to detail particularly caught my eye as I looked at the wrought iron in the balcony. Throughout the rooms, several details were included in the descriptions, such as why a scale was in the bathroom and why Katherine Reynolds ensured a Bible was placed in the guest bedroom.

The Black Experience at Reynolda Museum © Katrena

When we visited, one exhibition featured in the house was Still I Rise: The Black Experience at Reynolda. This area offered a video, photos, and numerous quotes from people of color who worked at Reynolda. Several of the displays offered interesting details from the perspective of dedicated people who served the family, some for multiple generations. You can also find quotes and photos about those who served in various areas in the house, such as where meals were prepared.

Vintage Toys at Reynolda Museum © Katrena

The third level, or attic, featured a nice display of toys, dolls, and miniatures. My youngest daughter volunteers at the NC Museum of Dolls, Toys, and Miniatures, so this was by far her favorite area. We all thought it was pretty impressive that these vintage items were in such nice shape. The children playing with them must have been extra careful with the toys and dolls.

Fashion Displays at Reynolda Museum © Katrena

The attic also features impressive clothing and accessories, primarily women's fashions. We thought they ought to continue making nice tuxedos like the one in the photo above! These are displayed on manikins with staging that almost looked like I would imagine a storefront window in New York might look. You can also see the top of the organ pipes on this level.

Reynolda Museum Basement © Katrena

You can find steps for the basement near the library. According to their web site, they also have an elevator for people who are mobility impaired. The younger generation took the lead on designing the basement filled with opportunities for fun activities such as ping pong, bowling, billiards, a bar, squash, and an indoor pool.

Reynolda Museum Indoor Pool © Katrena

The last area we visited on the tour featured an indoor swimming pool with two large cages for birds. The roof opens at the apex. Beyond the pool is a small hallway with a few informative signs before going into an area where it looks like they have art classes.

Reynolda Museum Library © Katrena

You can easily make Reynolda an activity for several hours by touring the gardens, museum, walking the trails, and visiting the shops in Reynolda Village. Touring the museum was a great indoor activity in the heat of July, and my daughters enjoyed looking at the nice variety of items throughout the home.

Reynolda Art Museum in NC © Katrena

For more information about the museum, gardens, or village, visit the official Reynolda web site.

Thanks for vising my Travel NC With Kids blog! 
Search for additional articles via my site map, topics tabs, or type specific information into my search bar. Below are a few other place you may find interesting:

• Reynolda Gardens of Wake Forest University - Plants Galore!
• Old Salem Tour of 1783 Tavern - See George Washington's Letter and More
• Pilot Mountain State Park's Little Pinnacle Overlook Trail Offers Beautiful View with Little Effort

Museum of Illusions Charlotte Offers Indoor Fun with Loads of Photo Ops

Museum of Illusions Charlotte ©Katrena

My family visited the Museum of Illusions Charlotte located at 601 S. Tryon Street in Charlotte, NC on June 19, 2023. I had seen their ad on Facebook and decided this would be a great opportunity for all three of my kids to enjoy. Optical illusions have always intrigued me, so I thought this might be a fun and interesting family activity.

Art Illusions in Charlotte NC Museum of Illusions Charlotte ©Katrena

We made reservations a few days before we went to the museum. It looks like they offer reservation times approximately every 20 minutes. According to their web site, they do not accept cash but will accept walk-ins if they are not at capacity. The signage for the museum is very easy to see.

Agamograph at Museum of Illusions in Charlotte ©Katrena

The museum tour is self-guided and the web site mentions that most groups take between 45 and 90 minutes to go through it. We took about 50 minutes to tour the entire museum. We might have stayed a good bit longer, but quite a few people were going through and we did not want to hold up all the people behind us. We took all of these photos very quickly as we looked through the museum.

Moving Art That Looks Impossible at Museum of Illusions  ©Katrena

As we were approaching the museum, I remembered that the museum does not have a parking lot since it is in downtown Charlotte, so we parked on S. Tryon Street just before the building was in sight. That lot charged $17 for parking. We noticed as we walked up to the museum that it was adjacent to a parking deck. I'm not sure how the parking price for the deck compares to the lot where we parked, but I'd say it is safe to say you'll have to pay to park in a large city like Charlotte. You'll probably want to allow extra time to find a parking space.

Fun Indoor Family Activity in Charlotte ©Katrena

One of my daughters tends to carry a water bottle around with her all the time, and we were carrying umbrellas because the bottom dropped out just as we were getting into Charlotte. The people at the front desk mentioned that water bottles are not allowed, but they showed us some lockers where we could place our things, which we did. All of our items were still in the locker when we finished the tour.

Fun Family Things to do in Charlotte ©Katrena

Last year, my youngest daughter took a visual arts class that included creating artwork with optical illusions, so she had learned about several ways that art can trick the eye. This would be a great educational field trip for art classes in particular, but I think photography, math, and theater classes could also enjoy this museum. Their web site mentions a special offer for teachers.

Art That Can Trick the Eye at Museum of Illusions ©Katrena

Everyone that was coming in to the museum was routed to the left and then we circled around the back  to return up the right side of the room. A variety of black and white pictures were on the wall where we began the tour. The museum displays had descriptions and notations regarding who officially discovered that the art created an illusion or how the display could trick and eye and brain into seeing something unusual or interesting with each one. Many of the descriptions also offered tips regarding how one might best see the illusion, which was helpful. I found it interesting that I could see some of the illusions better if I took a photo of it.

Fun Photo Opportunities at Museum of Illusions Charlotte ©Katrena

As we began working our way down the hall, we saw several interactive displays designed for more than one person. I would highly recommend visiting this museum with at least one other person. One exhibit at the beginning encouraged people to stand on either side of a special wall to see what appeared to be parts of the other person's face morphing into one's own face. Another fun photo was the card game picture I took above. Specific directions for how to set up for this effect were easy to follow and worked really well.

Creative and Fun Photo Op for the Whole Family ©Katrena

One area was decorated to look like the room was turned sideways. Someone from the museum was there to take pictures so that everyone in the group could pose in that area. She gave us tips on where to stand and what to do but also said we could try other poses as well. If you have folks in your group who like to pose and be creative, this is a great spot for that.

See Mirror Effects at Charlotte Museum ©Katrena

The museum had several areas and rooms with mirrors that offered various effects. You might want to turn off your flash for photos with mirrors in them. Some art pieces featured mirrored and kaleidoscope effects. I always thought the mirrored effect where the wicked queen turned into the old hag and the dancing ghosts in the Haunted Mansion at Disney World were particularly interesting, so it was fun to see some of these displays and how the illusions worked.

Holograms and 3D Art at Charlotte Museum of Illusions ©Katrena

Holograms offered an interesting look into creative 3D type art utilizing special effects. We also saw some art pieces that looked like the person was looking in different directions. Those reminded me of something similar I had seen with a sculpture of Jesus.

Head on a Platter at Charlotte's Museum of Illusions ©Katrena

One particularly nice use of mirrors was with the illusion that one's head was in a big platter. This display can be particularly fun for making silly or scared faces. That display was in the same room as another area that displayed perspective and how people's sizes can look very different whether they are standing near to or far from the camera.

Challenging Puzzles at Museum of Illusions ©Katrena

We found quite a few puzzles in the back room. These brain teasers were challenging! I think this area could easily make the biggest difference in the time spent in the museum. We looked at a few of the puzzles and tried a few different ways to solve them but moved on without actually completing them. If we had been really serious about it, my guess is that it would have taken us quite a while to figure them out. Several people who worked at the museum were walking around, so they might be able to give some hints on how to approach each puzzle if you are the type of person who really wants to complete a puzzle once you start working on it.

Reversible or Ambiguous Images and Art at Museum of Illusions Charlotte ©Katrena

A few sculptures were placed in various places in the museum with explanations about how to see the illusion. I found this one with the vase to be particularly interesting. I had seen drawings of it numerous times but had never seen a 3D version of the illusion. This display was placed at a lower level so that many kids could see it at eye level, but most children would need an explanation in order to see the faces.

Sculptures that Create Illusions ©Katrena

Several rooms had floors that were tilted, so those areas would not be accessible for someone in a wheelchair or who had balance issues, but the rooms were on the side and visitors did not have to enter the rooms.

Fun Rainy Day Ideas in Mecklenburg County NC ©Katrena

Special effects with lights were well done in the museum. My youngest particularly liked one with the primary colors that created shadows in those colors. 

Tunnel That Makes Everything Seem Tilted ©Katrena

My oldest daughter and I especially liked a tunnel that appeared to cause the bridge to tilt as you walked to the other end. It's amazing how the mind can play tricks on you with just a few special effects! People who have vertigo or easily become dizzy might want to avoid that room.

Photo Op that Looks Like Someone is Falling From a Well ©Katrena

The museum did a good job of including warnings about rooms with lights that had the potential to cause issues in people who have photosensitive conditions. 

Art that Uses Different Colors to Hide Images ©Katrena

Overall, this museum offered quite a variety of illusions with professional quality directions and signs throughout the area. This is a small museum that would typically take less than 90 minutes to see all of the exhibits. It is completely indoors, so it works particularly well on a rainy day like we had on the day we visited.

Optical Illusion Art and Graphics ©Katrena

You can find pricing and information about their exhibits and events at the Museum of Illusions Charlotte official web site.

3D Images and Optical Illusions ©Katrena

Thanks for visiting my Travel NC With Kids blog! Find more of my articles at my site map, topics tabs, or search bar. Here are a few more articles that you may find interesting, particularly if you want to find additional fun activities in or near Charlotte:

• Carolina Raptor Center - See Eagles, Owls, Hawks and More!
• Village Park in Kannapolis, NC Has Playground, Splashpad, Train and More
• Carowinds Aggressive Thrill Steel Coaster Reviews

City Park Lake & Hurley Park Walking Trails in Salisbury - Beautiful in Any Season

 

City Park in Salisbury NC ©Katrena

My family has visited City Park at 316 Lake Drive in Salisbury many times over the years and I'd have to say it's one of my top 10 favorite parks for all time. There is no entrance fee and no parking fee for this park, which makes it even more special to me. This is a great, relaxing park filled with several options for things to do.

Four Mallard Ducks at City Lake Park in Rowan County NC ©Katrena

I remember feeding the ducks as a child when they had an island with a beautiful weeping willow in the middle of the lake, so yes, I go way back on this one. The island is no longer at the park, but it is still beautiful and peaceful.

Four Mallard Ducks at City Lake Park in Rowan County NC ©Katrena

Salisbury's City Park is located adjacent to Rowan Regional Medical Center. For years, I thought if I ever got a job at the hospital that I would definitely want to walk the trails on lunch breaks. We sometimes see employees from the medical center taking advantage of some green spaces on their breaks in this park. Free parking is available in several different locations. We usually park by the playground unless it's really hot and sunny - on those days we usually park in the shade on the side of the road at Hurley Park. 

Canada Goose at City Park Lake NearCanada Goose at City Park Lake Near Rowan Regional Medical Center Rowan Regional Medical Center ©Katrena

The ducks and geese recognize us as we pull up because we usually bring some sunflower seeds for them. Years ago, my family used to feed the waterfowl bread, but we learned that this is not good for them, so we switched to seeds, corn, peas, grapes, or melon.

View of the playground from the parking lot at Salisbury City Park ©Katrena

In addition to the mallards and Canada geese, we sometimes see one or two great blue herons. We named one of them Waldo, so as we walk around the lake, we look to see if we can find him or her. Some of the kids, pets, and even adults like to chase and scare the waterfowl. Several ducks have been injured by fishing lines, and one mallard lost a leg due to a fishing line wrapped around its leg. My family likes to respect the animals that call this beautiful park their home and we hope that others will too.

Bridge past the playground at City Park Near Spencer NC ©Katrena

One of my favorite activities is walking outside in green spaces. Outdoor activities can provide great stress relief, and walking is an exercise that has been proven to help people to be healthier in countless studies. Walking in blue spaces, or walking near water, is correlated with positive health benefits as well, so I would highly recommend these walking trails.

Paved Walking Trail Around Lake in Salisbury is Accessible ©Katrena

The paved walking trail around the lake is is 0.43 mile. It's pretty level and the sidewalk is smooth. A peer juts out near the center of the lake. The trail has been well maintained so far. Since ducks and geese live here, you will find yourself dodging some presents they leave behind as you walk, but for us, that is not a deal breaker and we really enjoy watching the lively antics as the waterfowl vie for food from each other, the fish, and perhaps a turtle or two. I've seen a few groundhogs and once my daughter and I saw an owl near the wooded part of the trail at the back.

Safety Equipment Like Life Preserver Rings at City Lake ©Katrena

Life preserver rings are located at the corners of the lake, and bags for cleaning up after dogs are also available for those who did not bring their own. I believe most wheelchairs would be able to manage this trail around the lake without issue. Several benches and seating areas are scattered around the lake and on the pier. The lake is stocked with trout, and fishing is allowed with a permit.

Playground Slides at Free Park in Salisbury NC ©Katrena

Flanking the lake on the left is a playground with swings, a small climbing wall, some slides, and a swing that sort of looks like a big tire that multiple people can enjoy at the same time. Pickleball courts are to the left of the playground area. If you enjoy playing pickleball, the people I have seen in the courts look like they enjoy it and come on a regular basis. The court gate requires an access card; instructions for obtaining a card are on the gate door.

Beautiful Flowers and Plants at Hurley Park in Salisbury NC ©Katrena

To the left of the pickleball courts is the Veterans Memorial Concourse to honor Rowan County veterans from World War I, World War II, and Vietnam. I would highly recommend this concourse where you can learn about various local veterans, branches of the military, and more. The brick sculptures are detailed and interesting, so if you have an interest in history or art, this is a great place to take a leisurely walk while admiring the nice concourse. If someone in your group has mobility issues, you might choose to park closer to the concourse. You can walk by the ball courts to get there, but you'll have to navigate a few steps or opt to go up the road for access without stairs. This walking trail is like a very small paved track that is 0.16 miles and flat. A gazebo is adjacent to the trail if anyone needs to rest or just wants to listen to or watch the birds.

Hurley Park Walking Trail in Rowan County Salisbury NC ©Katrena

If you go back to the lake, you'll notice a road that flanks the lake on the side that is opposite to the playground. You'll see the entrance for Hurley Park where Lake Drive and Annandale Drive intersect. This walking trail has natural terrain with some gravel, so it might be a bit more challenging for someone in a wheelchair or mobility issues, but it is fairly easy to navigate and also well maintained. It features a nice seating area beyond the pergola just past the sign. Most entrances to the Hurley Park trail have stairs, but the entrance to the right of the sign and one about halfway down Club Drive by the gazebo do not have any stairs. This walking trail is shaded nicely and offers benches, gazebos, and picnic tables for those who wish to rest or enjoy a snack or meal.

Great Photo Ops at Hurley Park on Bridge that Looks like Monet Painting ©Katrena

The Hurley Park walking trail is one of my all-time favorites. The bridges are reminiscent of Claude Monet's Bridge Over a Pond of Water Lilies painting, minus the water lilies. Over the years, I've seen quite a few photographers takings shots along this trail because the design, architecture, foliage, and vibe is excellent. I have walked this trail every month of the year, and it does not disappoint. Each season provides ample opportunities to enjoy a nice array of plants and animals as you walk. The spring daffodils are particularly eye-catching! We regularly see squirrels, cardinals, robins, brown thrashers, sparrows, bluebirds, and more as we walk along this trail.

Learn about dedications and flora and fauna at Hurley Park in Salisbury NC ©Katrena

Several small signs provide information about dedications while other signs offer interesting information about types of plants along the trail. I occasionally see ducks and turtles in the water near the entrance. A few water fountains are on the trail near the medical center, and one has a dog bowl and spigot. Although I could not find the distance for this trail on their site, I will say it is a little longer than the one at the lake, but it is a nice shaded walk. The side trail on the right at the split is fun because it offers a different variety of plants that you don't see on the main part of the trail.

Nice Greenway Walking Trail at Hurley Park in RoCo ©Katrena

If you want to extend your walk, you can cross Annandale near the center gazebo and you'll see another trail with a bridge and gazebo over there. You can find some pretty flowers in this area as well. Near the bridge at the back of that trail, you might opt to try a more moderate trail with a higher grade along a heavily wooded area. This trail is not as wide and would not be accessible to some people, but I remember running some of these more rugged trails when I was training for cross country meets.

Gazebos and Benches at Hurley Park in Rowan County NC ©Katrena

If you like the more challenging trails, you can find another one near the lake. If you walk straight past the playground away from the parking lot, you'll see that the sidewalk goes straight up the hill. The main trail is paved with a non-paved side trail on the left. My mom mentioned to me years ago that this park used to have a small train that ran in the woods on the right, but I think it was relocated to Dan Nicholas Park many years ago.

Dog Friendly Park in Salisbury NC Near Rowan Regional Medical Center ©Katrena

Many people walk their dogs at the park. The park requests that dogs be on leashes and that owners clean up after their pets. Some people come to the park regularly and meet to talk or simply enjoy the serene atmosphere of nature. This fun group of people and their fur babies was kind enough to interrupt their walk to pose for a picture as I walked in June 2023.

Playground and More Walking Trails at City Park Lake ©Katrena

At the top of the hill is a large covered picnic shelter. Lake Drive goes right by the shelter, so you would not have to navigate the hill if you had a group planning to use the shelter. An interesting peace pole featuring a variety of languages is located behind the picnic shelter. The park office is located a little ways past the shelter on Lake Drive.

Beautiful Flowers at Hurley Park in Salisbury Near Spencer ©Katrena

I took a walk halfway around the lake, through Hurley Park, including the part on the other side of Annandale, back on the other half of the lake, past the playground and pickleball courts to take a lap around the memorial concourse and then back to my car in about one hour. I could easily spend a few hours at this park. The main drawback for this park is the bathroom facilities - they are portable and leave a bit to be desired, so I would recommend using facilities before your visit or would suggest to opt to eat at a restaurant, visit a museum, or shop at a store nearby and use those facilities.

Pretty Rock Wall at Hurley Park Greenway in Salisbury ©Katrena

Visit the park's official web site to find the hours, make reservations, or find additional information.

Beautiful Mallard Duck at City Park Lake in Salisbury NC ©Katrena

Thanks for visiting my Travel NC With Kids blog. You can find more of my articles at my site map, via my topics tabs, or type specific queries into my search bar. Here are a few of my other articles that you may also find interesting:

• Patriots Flag Concourse and Memorial in Salisbury City Park NC
• Catawba College Ecological Preserve - a Treasure Awaits!
• NC Museum of Dolls, Toys, and Miniatures Boasts an Amazing Variety
• Meet the Bears at Dan Nicholas Park Near Salisbury