Charlotte, North Carolina is a modern city, rich in history, and with a young, hip vibe. "The Queen City" is located centrally in the heart of the South and the heart of North Carolina, with a metro population of nearly 2,700,000. Its climate is quite favorable all year round with a spate of heat in the summer and scant snow in the winter. North Carolina, and Charlotte in particular, attracts new residents from northern states, seeking escape from bitter winters, and from the deep south, seeking escape from scorching summers. If population growth is on the docket, the "jury" seems to rule that Charlotte is an ideal place to live.
The heart of the city is Uptown (non Charlotteans, think downtown). Charlotte is a financial center with a strong supporting economy and vibrant growth. Loaded with business, shops and restaurants, hotels and medical complexes, and myriad corporations, Uptown's artsy vibe can easily be overlooked by visitors whose attention is directed entirely toward Charlotte's serious side. To those folks, I would say: look up, look down, look all around. Uptown Charlotte is loaded with public art.
Certainly, the most visible, probably the most photographed, and the most intimidating of all installations would be Firebird! This gorgeous creature stands prominently at the entrance to the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, 420 South Tryon Street. This is a very good place to begin an introduction to Uptown's artsy side.
Keep in mind that the goal is to stroll. Look around. You'll be amazed at what you'll discover.
