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You know those places you've always meant to visit — the ones that have been around for years but rarely make headlines? They remind us of our history — good and bad — our remarkable achievements, the glories of nature, and, sometimes, they make us look at ourselves in new and occasionally weird ways.
In this series, longtime Charlotte arts critic Lawrence Toppman visits five overlooked Mecklenburg County destinations that deserve a spot on your summer itinerary. This series was published in The Charlotte Ledger July 6-10, 2026.
Carolina Raptor Center offers a close-up look at birds of prey from around the world while showcasing the center's rehabilitation work and conservation mission.
Carolina Raptor Center’s bird trail is open every day 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Latta Plantation Park in Huntersville. (Photo courtesy of the Carolina Raptor Center)
Historic Rosedale not only preserves an elegant old house but invites visitors to explore stories that aren’t always well-known.
Historic Rosedale, a Federalist-style house built in the early 1800s, is tucked away on North Tryon Street. Tours tell the history of five generations of families that lived on the property as well as the enslaved and free African Americans who lived and worked on the land. Blacksmith demonstrations take place most Saturdays at the property. (Photos: Lawrence Toppman for The Charlotte Ledger)
While the “Miracle on the Hudson” flight is prominently featured at the Sullenberger Aviation Museum, its exhibits travel well beyond it.
“Airheads welcome”: The Sullenberger Aviation Museum, at 4108 Minuteman Way, includes replicas of famous aircraft. (Photo courtesy of the Sullenberger Aviation Museum)
The Charlotte Museum of History includes an immersive look at America's founding and a refreshingly honest portrait of those who built Charlotte.
Hezekiah Alexander’s “Rock House,” built in the late 1770s, sits on site behind the Charlotte Museum of History. (Ledger file photo)
The Museum of Illusions invites visitors to try out mind-bending exhibits that delight even when you figure out the trick.
Lawrence Toppman and his wife, Sarah, test out the Beuchet chair illusion. (Photo: Lawrence Toppman for The Charlotte Ledger)
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Lawrence Toppman covered the arts for 40 years at The Charlotte Observer before retiring in 2020. Now, he’s back in the critic’s chair for The Charlotte Ledger’s Toppman on the Arts newsletter.