This is a small elegant museum, free to enter. It captures the history and evolution of Charlotte…read moreand North Carolina pretty well. It's a single floor, takes about 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how much time you spend on each topic. Lots of images, maps, explanation of milestone moments for the city and the state that shaped it over centuries. The two key events I remember from visit are Charlotte's role in ending segregation and the city became the a leader in banking world. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Charlotte for the first time.

Good museum to learn about charlotte's history. I wish there are more interactive activities than…read morejust post boards with information. Most of items are replicated. Information is really detailed though. I definitely learned something from this trip.

The museum is small but cute. Best for children 2 - 4 years old. Most of the front desk staff are…read morewelcoming. But the staff in the back must not have children. I'm not sure that they even like children. When my older children were little, I used to bring them and that staff would interact with the kids and parents. Most of this staff just sits on side, ignoring children and adults. There is one lady, Miss Wendy that all of my kids love, but she's not there very much. They had an event this weekend and I am glad that we went in the afternoon. My friend got turned away in the morning only an hour after they opened. She said that staff very rudely told her that she should have gotten there earlier. Her children were heartbroken. They did have some people, mainly teenagers with volunteer name tags who were very nice. My little adored the older gentleman who played with him. They had the upstairs set up really cute with a Winnie-the-Pooh exhibit. But unfortunately, they said that it would only be there for that day. They had friendly teens in that space playing with the kids. Admission is not worth it, but their membership is a good value because it includes other museums.

It's ok. I'll leave it at that. It's a lot smaller than I expected and there really wasn't too much…read moreto do. I think the best age for this museum is under 3. My 4 year old got bored pretty quickly. There also just wasn't a lot to do. There is a dress up area, but it only had a few items, same with the kitchen and pirate ship. I have to agree with another reviewer that the staff wasn't friendly. They were more concerned with everything getting cleaned up. iI's a children's museum - there's supposed to be a level of mess, but when a kid puts a doll at the table and then goes to the kitchen area and you put the doll back, maybe think "was that kid getting food to play feed the doll?"and not assume they were leaving it. Also, parents - there's an overpriced gift/toy section in the front that you can't avoid. Bright side - there's some fun lunch and treat spots close by.

As someone who almost got their degree in Linguistics, this is like an archaeological museum of the…read morewritten word and was such an incredibly pleasant surprise! Honestly, the caliber of content was fantastic and on par with the type of museum you would expect to find in a big metropolis. They do an excellent job of densely populating the small space with great displays and exhibits, each dedicated to a specific theme that is either historically/geographically based. Even though there is a lot of information to absorb, they do a wonderful job of making each section flow into one another and making sure each one is respectively distinct and specifically informational. I love the little quiz boxes they have spaced around to test your knowledge of how well you've been paying attention! There are also great pamphletsto give greater contextual information for certain displays. The 10min intro film to the Museum of the Alphabet is a must! You learn about the museum's origins and purpose and it gives you an idea of what to expect on your tour. It is a Christian-based foundation/mission, but as someone who is agnostic, I did not feel it was overtly religious at all, which I appreciated. They incorporate various relevant religions into the history and importance of certain languages, as well, and do an excellent job of perspective. I spent over an hour exploring this place and was just wowed with the massive history of the written word and the work a lot of these people do to preserve many oral-only languages of indigenous peoples who do not have a written language from becoming extinct from anthropological history! It's incredible how alphabets are still being created today. The Alphabet Tree at the entrance is so intricate and informative and traces back each language group to their origins, like ancestral genetics of languages; I was really fascinated by this one! Definitely worth checking out if you are in or near Waxhaw. It's also a great little quicktrip at 40mins or less drive from Charlotte and close enough to downtown Waxhaw to shop, eat, drink before or after. If you are a nerd (like me) and/or have an interest in linguistics, you will instantly be in heaven here. If you are just mildly curious, you will leave with a newfound and deep-seated appreciation for the written word! The staff here are great and super helpful, especially if you have any questions or need better/more in depth explanations for all or any of the exhibits. There is no admission charge, but a donation is highly encouraged with a jar by the registration logbook. Even if you donate just $5, you will easily get more than your money's worth.

I rarely give a five star rating, but in this case the Alphabet Museum is most likely the best of…read moreclass. It is simply amazingly detailed, and tied into the work that JAARS does, really stands out as something special. We have been here on at least three previous occasions, leaving with the feeling that is was just too much and we did not really understand what it was about. This visit we asked for a guide or guided tour so that our 11 year old granddaughter would appreciate it. This was the way to go, and we are so happy that we arranged for the guide. Arriving, early, we were met, saw a film on JAARS and were taken on a tour. For a small building they sure pack in a lot of displays, items and information. Am sorry that I do not remember our guide but she had done work in New Guinea and her two husbands, one deceased, were part of JAARS. So with our missionary, linguist-talented guide we spend at least two hours taking in the displays. Why a guide is important is that she gives meaning to what you are looking at as well as how it relates to JAARS. My wife and I were simply blown away, we know understood how it all pulled together and will be returning to further explore the displays. In essence, JAARS is an organization of pilots, linguists, cultural anthropologists and other supporting people who find and travel to isolated tribes around the world that do not have a written language. Tribes, traditionally, use oral history to record events and the tribe's story. JAARS linguists live with these peoples, listening to them talk and figuring out what words they use, along with how they are pronounced. Then they craft an alphabet for that language and create a dictionary. Ultimately, as this is a Christian-based organization, they translate the Bible into their language, teaching the people how to read their now written language while learning about the Bible. Fascinating! The displays are, in effect, history reports of various language groups and JAARS encounter with them. Artifacts, the language, photos bring their mission alive. Arrange a tour. Once you have an understanding of the displays, you will be back, better equipped to learn more. A must for children in school and for your adult friends and visitors.

What an awesome gem located just outside of Rock Hill, South Carolina. As a history freak I love…read moreto visit historical sites, museum, and cultural experiences. The Carolinas are full of history, so the choices are endless. When I found out that the Catawba Indian Reservation and Cultural Center was so close and included a museum and trails I was intrigued. We piled in the car and made the 30-minute journey from Charlotte. It was a twisty and turning drive, but we made it without any challenges. However, my phone lost signal before making it, so this is one of the few times I wish I had printed a map. It was tough getting in and even more challenging getting out. The Museum and Cultural Center are nice. They have several artifacts and reproductions on display. You get a basic understanding of the tribe just by mozying through. They don't have a brochure so you only get the basics. I wish there was someone on hand to explain more since I had lots of questions, but the only staff member was manning the gift shop. The gift shop was packed full of items from a variety of native American cultures. Lots of great items to peruse. They have books and jewelry and other items for visitors of all ages. The real treat here is the trails. They criss-cross the reservation and include informational displays, plaques telling the story of the tribe, their culture, the land, and their beliefs. It was a fun trek and there was a lot to see along the way. I also learned about the Yehasuri. They are mischievous spirits who live in the trees. They play pranks on kids and animals and kill adults with darts. You don't die immediately, but within 24-hours. I wrote this review as soon as I left just in case something happens to me. I want the Yelp world to know it was the Yehasuri who did it.

We wanted to do something really different to enjoy the perfect weather so we decided to visit the…read moreonly Native American Indian reservation and cultural center in South Carolina. They had brown signs clearly leading us along. There were definitely many turns but worth it. Enter into the visitor center and there is a museum and gift shop. Very interesting learning about the culture. We asked about their trails and were cheerfully told where to start. ...in the rear of the center. The trails are beautiful and extremely peaceful. This would be a great place to pray or even meditate. The trail takes you to the Catawba River and circles back on a gravel road. One could always doubleback on the trail but we felt adventurous. There are also signs along the way sharing about the mischief of the Yeshsuri and even a log cabin. One thing I would love to see is the employees engage with visitors about the rich history here. Don't forget to sign the guest book.

The Kings Mountain Historical Museum is located in a former post office built in 1939 and is on the…read moreNational Register of Historic Places. The museum has street parking in the front and a small lot in the back. Admission to the museum is free but they do take donations. The exhibits seem to rotate here and while I was there they had Moonshine & Motorsports. So I got to learn about NASCAR and moonshine. The museum is laid out well and the exhibits have a lot of artifacts and storyboards to tell the stories. While the rotating exhibits and building were wonderful, I wanted to learn more about Kings Mountain.

Probably the thing I like most about this place is the building itself. It is the old Kings…read moreMountain Post Office and it has been well refurbished. I want to remodel this place and live here! Huge granite steps out front, rich woodwork inside, copper light fixtures, a safe, the postmaster's office. Saw a toy and train exhibition today. A large model train set filled the main room rounding the track through a winter scene. Cases with antique toys were around the periphery. There is a gift shop with pottery, paintings, cards and other assorted gifts. Not quite sure what they display in this small museum during the year. Yes, the exhibit was small, but it was fun, free and close to home. Donations can be made if you wish. If the weather permits, check out the old cabin that they relocated to the rear of the property.

Paid a visit with my son and 2 nephews and they had a great time. So much information and so many…read moreaircraft. They had about 3 different areas to sit in the cockpits or seats and press every button they could possibly be curious about. The staff is very knowledgeable and very eager to show you around and tell you all about the aircraft. I was very appreciative of this, with all the details all around us. The lay out is great, intriguing and the lighting makes it even cooler. The Miracle on the Hudson exhibit is a must see! The plane is there to check out up close. We absolutely loved that part! A lot of military aircraft with some background on influential people that have made impacts. The location is pretty cool, right next to the CLT runways, where you see the planes landing and taking off as you enter, exit or walk around the museum grounds. This was a great visit overall, great museum!

We purchased a model airplane on 1/2 from the gift shop and returned the very next day, 1/3, with…read morethe receipt and the item in new condition. When we attempted to return it, an elderly female employee told us that model airplanes are non-returnable. This was frustrating because neither the receipt nor the museum's website states that model airplanes are excluded from returns. In fact, the receipt clearly says "Retail returns within 30 days with receipt," with the only exception being admission tickets. What made the experience worse was the employee's rude and dismissive attitude. Instead of explaining or trying to help, she was disrespectful and abrupt, which is disappointing for a museum that welcomes families and visitors. If there is a special no-return policy on model airplanes, it should be clearly posted -- on the receipt, in the store, or online -- not enforced arbitrarily at the counter. This is not a place of customer service or transparency, and it left a very sour ending to what was otherwise a nice visit.

They just had my detailed, FACTUAL original review (and one owners unprofessional, snooty…read moreresponses) removed for being too truthful I guess. Here's a shorter version... cute photo opps, but do NOT waste your money on their birthday packages. It's average at best, contrary to one of the owners being an "event planner". Go take your pics and celebrate your event elsewhere as it is not worth the money they charge for what you get. Is that better?

Yall About to Get ALL this black Girl Magic!! I love that it…read moreis a black female owned establishment that caters to any age, race or gender. *They literally had at least 25+ different stations that were great for photo Ops! *I LOVE that they offer you a selfie ring light that you can personally use (for free) and there is also one at each station (very unique) *I LOVE that one of the co-owners (Melissa) was there to greet you with a warm welcome and a smile. *I LOVE that there is ample parking and the venue is easy to get ton *I LOVE that they change the rooms according to the seasons which is very unique and creative. This was a fantastic experience that you can enjoy alone or with friends. And check them out for their Friday night turn up!!! Enjoy the photos! *all rooms not listed *

Fabulous kid friendly museum! We like visiting and checking…read moreout the new exhibits and the permanent ones are wonderful. Hot tip is to park on the roof and walk in upstairs where you can pay and get your parking validated.

To the Discovery Place Management Team,…read more I am writing to formally express our deep disappointment regarding the experience our second-grade team had during our field trip on April 28. While we chose Discovery Place for its reputation as an educational leader, the lack of professional communication and logistical support we received was unacceptable. Our primary concerns include: Total Lack of Communication: Leading up to our visit, we reached out multiple times via phone and email seeking guidance and logistics. We received no response until after our trip was already completed. For an educator planning a trip for over 80 children, this silence is incredibly stressful and unprofessional. Inadequate Logistics and Materials: For the price paid per student, we expected a baseline level of organization. We were not provided with maps, a detailed itinerary, room numbers, or specific class times. We spent a significant portion of our day navigating blindly rather than focusing on the educational exhibits. Safety and Departure Issues: Most concerning was the lack of staff assistance during our departure. Because no direction was provided regarding exits, we were forced to lead 83 second graders out onto a busy city block to walk to our waiting buses. This created an entirely avoidable safety risk that could have been mitigated had a staff member simply directed us to a proper exit or bus loading zone. As a result of this experience, we will not be recommending Discovery Place to our coworkers or other schools in our district. We expected a partnership in education, but instead, we felt ignored and unsupported. We hope you take this feedback seriously to ensure that future student groups do not face the same disorganized and potentially unsafe conditions. Sincerely, Nicole Roberts

We recently visited for the first time during the members night Candlelight tours. It's a…read moreone-weekend thing during the holidays showing what Christmas was like in York County in the late 1700s. The tour guide led us by lantern to various scenes throughout the property. The actors were great and I learned some things I didn't know. I would recommend for older kids, my four year-old was getting a little restless towards the end but she still enjoyed it. After, there were vendors, a brass band playing Christmas carols, food (free on members night), and activities like drip candles and snowflake ornaments for the kids. And of course we met Father Christmas who was really interactive with the kids. They do have a fairly large site. Bring your walking shoes because there are trails. Restrooms are in the Visitors center. During special events watch for a posted detour. We'd like to go back on a non-event day and explore. We're also York County Cultural Heritage Museum members which includes this site and has been a great value.

I love that places like this are still open. We cannot allow history to be canceled. I was only in…read moretown for a short time, my friend and I were looking for something to do. I love history I love museums, I love learning. We went on a Sunday and had to do the self-guided tour. We walked around to each of the buildings and read the description on the back of the map. We watched the video afterwards I'm glad I did it in reverse. It helps bring the whole thing together. The grounds are well-kept. I agree with another reviewer you can spend as little or as much time as you would like. The cost is minimal. The reason i'm only giving four stars is because of the short staff on Sunday no reenactments or people at each of the buildings to talk about them.