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Monday, June 19, 2023

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

Museum of Illusions Charlotte ©Katrena
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
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
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
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
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 Things to do in Charlotte ©Katrena
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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:

Thursday, June 15, 2023

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

 

City Park in Salisbury NC - blue sign that has the name of the park and rules ©Katrena
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
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.

Walking Trail Around the Lake at City Park in Salisbury NC ©Katrena
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 Near Rowan Regional Medical Center ©Katrena
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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:



Saturday, June 10, 2023

2023 World Doll Day Event at NC Museum of Dolls, Toys, and Miniatures

World Doll Day at NC Museum of Dolls, Toys, and Miniatures
World Doll Day at NC Museum of Dolls, Toys, and Miniatures

Dolls, dolls, and more dolls can be found at the 2023 World Doll Day event at the North Carolina Museum of Dolls, Toys, and Miniatures located at 108 4th Street in Spencer, NC from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is a free event open to all with early access for Museum members. Quite a few Madame Alexander dolls will be for sale throughout the event.


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Thursday, June 8, 2023

2023 Free Summer Concerts at Village Park in Kannapolis

 

2023 Free Summer Concerts at Village Park in Kannapolis
2023 Free Summer Concerts at Village Park in Kannapolis

Looking for a fun and free activity in Kannapolis, NC? Village Park is offering several free summer concerts for 2023!

Below are the remaining free summer concerts for 2023:

June 24

Chairmen of the Board

July 1

Charlotte Symphony (fireworks after the concert)

July 21

Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry

July 22

Deana Carter

August 5

Grand Funk Railroad


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Saturday, June 3, 2023

2023 $1.50 Summer Movies at Cinemark Tinseltown Theatre in Salisbury NC

 

2023 $1.50 Summer Movies at Tinseltown Cinemark Theatre in Salisbury NC

Looking for ideas for inexpensive fun indoor activities for the family? Tinseltown Cinemark Movie Theatre in Salisbury NC is offering 8 weeks of $1.50 movies, called Summer Movie Clubhouse, on Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. They also offer a $1 discount on kids snack packs and any size popcorn and drink combos during the Summer Movie Clubhouse deals.

Here's the list in case you cannot see the graphic above:

  • June 21 - Minions: The Rise of Gru
  • June 28 - Sonic: The Hedgehog
  • July 5 - Mummies
  • July 12 - The Bad Guys
  • July 19 - Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank
  • July 26 - DC League of Super-Pets
  • August 2 - Lyle, Lyle Crocodile
  • August 9 - Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

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2023 Gem Theatre $2 Summer Matinee Movies

 

2023 Summer Matinee Movies at Gem Theatre in Kannapolis NC

Looking for ideas for inexpensive fun indoor activities for the family? Gem Theatre in Kannapolis, NC is offering 8 weeks with $2 summer matinee movies. This theatre is packed with history - it offers a large balcony seating area and visits can even see part of the old wooden stage where actors would perform before movies in days gone by. Visit the web site for information on group reservations. Please note that groups of 75 or more should book a special screening.

Here's the list in case you cannot see the graphic above:

  • June 13 - DC League of Super Pets
  • June 20 - The Emoji Movie
  • June 27 - Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway
  • July 5 - Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
  • July 11 - The Angry Birds Movie
  • July 18 - Space Jam: A New Legacy
  • July 25 - Paw Patrol: The Movie
  • August 1 - Lyle, Lyle Crocodile

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2023 Free Movies at Martin Luther King Jr. Park in Statesville NC

 

2023 Free Movies at Martin Luther King Jr Park in Statesville NC

Here is the lineup of free movies at Martin Luther King Jr Park in Statesville, NC for 2023. All movies start at around 8:45 p.m. or dusk and are weather-permitting. Seating opens at 8:00 p.m. A concession stand will be available for those who wish to purchase snacks and drinks.

Below are the dates and movies in case you cannot see the graphic at the top:

  • June 30 Dr. Strange in the Universe of Madness
  • July 28 Marcel the Shell with Shoes On

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2023 Free Movies at Shallowford Square in Lewisville NC

 

2023 Free Movies in Lewisville at Shallowford Park

Here is the lineup of remaining free movies at Shallowford Square in Lewisville, NC for 2023. All movies start at dusk and are weather-permitting. A concession stand will be available for those who wish to purchase snacks and drinks.

Below are the dates and movies in case you cannot see the graphic at the top:

  • September 15 is Paddington
  • October 6 is Ghostbusters: Answer the Call

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Friday, June 2, 2023

2023 Free Movies at Village Park in Kannapolis NC

2023 Free Movies at Village Park in Kannapolis NC

Here is the lineup of free summer movies in Village Park in Kannapolis, NC for 2023. All movies start around 8:45 p.m. and are weather-permitting. Children age 18 and younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. A concession stand will be available for those who wish to purchase snacks and drinks. Feel free to bring a blanket or chairs to set up on the lawn.

Here is the lineup in case you cannot see the graphic at the top:

  • June 16 is Jungle Cruise
  • July 14 is Puss in Boots
  • July 28 is Top Gun Maverick
  • July 30 is Top Gun Maverick (En Espanol) at Atrium Health Ballpark
  • August 11 is Luca
  • August 13 is Luca (En Espanol) at Atrium Health Ballpark

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