This famous “hornet’s nest of rebellion” during the American Revolution, Charlotte refused to accept British rule when occupied briefly by General Cornwallis. He was driven out. There are plenty of things named “Independence” and “Freedom” in this town and, if that weren’t enough, Charlotte ’s ex-NBA team was named the Hornets. (Tough crowd. These people know what they want.)

Charlotte was the location of a gold rush for the first half of the 1800s until California’s promise of riches superseded Charlotte’s. In any event, today the city is the second-largest banking center in the country.

The city is close to the Smoky Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. A few of the numerous annual events include the 600 Festival, Loch Norman Highland Games, Lowes Food Taste of Charlotte, Apple Harvest Festival, Summerfest, Pageland Watermelon Festival, Reenactment of the Battle of Huck's Defeat and Festival in the Park.