Travel Log: Charlotte

To the NASCAR world, there's nothing like the South. And the queen of the South just may be Charlotte. Or at least the nickname says as much.

Visitors heading to stock-car racing's capital city are at no loss of adventures this weekend. On the circuit's last trip to Carolina, there were shop tours and water works. This time, it's a celebration of the South's heritage, one of the city's most-known beverage producers, and an exotic drive-thru ... not what you think.

MAP OF CHARLOTTE, N.C.
Click here for directions and an aerial map.

DID YOU KNOW?
Charlotte is known to many as the Queen City. But as the home of more than 700 places of worship, it is also known as "The City of Churches."

WHAT THE AREA OFFERS
Levine Museum of the New South -- You have to come in to understand. That's the tag line, but in the South, it's true. Check out the museum's newest exhibit, Rhythm & Roots: Southern Music Traditions. Appalachian, Blues, Bluegrass, Cajun, Country and Gospel all got their start in this region, and this exhibit traces those roots and celebrates the heritage.
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Carolina Beer & Beverage Company -- Brewery tours take place every Saturday from noon until 2 p.m. at the Mooresville brewery, which produces eight local beers. At $5 visitors get the top-shelf tour of how beer is made and bottled, get a sample of the product and take home a glass for use or display.
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Lazy 5 Ranch -- Crack the window of your car and meet eyes with a giraffe, spot the stripes of a zebra or hear the close breathing of a buffalo. Lazy 5 Ranch is a privately owned exotic animal drive-thru park. The trail spans 3.5 miles and for less than $10 per person, visitors can make the circle in their own car or can call head for a ride on the horse-drawn wagon. Hit the ATM first -- cash-only here.
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MUST-VISIT RESTAURANT
Chicken Box Cafe -- Slapping grandmaws and fighting daddys -- that's what the reviews say word for word about this soul food stop. And apparently, it's truly a must-visit if you like Southern fried goodness: chicken, chicken livers, pork chops. Welcome to the South; here's your napkin.
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WEEKEND FORECAST
The heat cools down for a traditional fall weekend with highs in the low 70s and lows in hovering around 50. Sun should shine each day. Complete forecast

BOOK YOUR TRAVEL
Let NASCAR.COM help book your last-minute travel. Click here