Free & Affordable Charlotte

• What is The Schiele Museum of Natural History?
  • The Schiele Museum of Natural History is a museum campus in Gastonia that features a variety of indoor and outdoor exhibits focused on natural history, indigenous cultures, and local ecosystems.
• When does the museum offer free admission days?
  • The museum offers free admission on the second Tuesday and fourth Friday of each month during the afternoon and early evening hours.
• What indoor exhibits can visitors explore?
  • The museum features several key exhibits, including:
  • Hall of North Carolina Natural History – Showcasing dioramas of the state’s native flora and fauna.
  • Hall of North American Habitats – Recreating the beauty of regional terrains and ecosystems.
  • Henry Hall of the American Indian – Highlighting indigenous cultures.
  • Robinson Featured Exhibit Gallery – Hosting temporary rotating exhibits.
• What outdoor exhibits and activities are available?
  • Outdoor attractions include:
  • A 0.7-mile nature trail featuring pine and mixed hardwood forests.
  • A children’s play area.
  • A Catawba Indian Village with recreated indigenous structures.
  • An 18th-century backcountry farm preserved for historical education.
  • A memorial wildlife garden showcasing native plant species.

The Schiele Museum of Natural History, 1500 E Garrison Blvd, Gastonia, NC 28054, Phone: 704-866-6908

• What is The Mint Museum?
  • The Mint Museum is one of Charlotte's premier cultural museums, offering two locations that together form the city's largest visual arts organization.
• Where is the original Mint Museum Randolph located?
  • The Mint Museum Randolph is housed in the former Charlotte Mint federal building and opened as North Carolina’s first art museum in 1936.
• What collections can visitors see at Mint Museum Randolph?
  • The permanent collections showcase fine art from:
  • Americas
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • It also includes significant pottery, costume, and photography collections.
• What is the Mint Museum of Craft + Design?
  • The Mint Museum of Craft + Design displays more than 2,500 contemporary craft works and is considered one of the finest contemporary craft museums in the world.
• What is the Mint Museum Uptown?
  • Opened to the public in 2010, the 145,000-square-foot Mint Museum Uptown showcases additional works from both original museum collections.

The Mint Museum, 2730 Randolph Rd, Charlotte, NC 28207, Phone: 704-337-2000

• What is the President James K. Polk Historic Site?
  • The President James K. Polk Historic Site preserves the childhood farm property of 11th U.S. President James K. Polk, a key figure in the nation's westward expansion during the mid-19th century.
• What is significant about the site?
  • The site is a 150-acre farm that was owned by Polk's parents, Jane and Samuel Polk, and served as the home of James K. Polk and his nine siblings throughout their childhood.
• What exhibits can visitors see?
  • The site features period-appropriate furnishings and equipment that highlight:
  • The life and career of President James K. Polk.
  • The typical lifestyle of 19th-century North Carolinians.
• Is there an admission fee?
  • Admission to the historic site is free, though donations are suggested to help offset operational costs.

President James K. Polk Historic Site, 12031 Lancaster Hwy, Pineville, NC 28134, Phone: 704-889-7145

• What is the McColl Center for Art and Innovation?
  • The McColl Center for Art and Innovation is a nationally-renowned contemporary art gallery and studio workspace located within the historic Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church facility in Charlotte's Uptown area.
• How large is the McColl Center?
  • The center offers more than 30,000 square feet of gallery and studio space, including 5,000 square feet for rotating public art exhibitions.
• What artist-in-residency programs are available?
  • The center provides nine individual art studios for regional artists working within the artist-in-residency program.
  • Additional common-use spaces are available, including a large-scale sculpture studio.
• When is the McColl Center open to the public?
  • The galleries and studio spaces are open to the public with free admission on:
  • Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays during morning and afternoon hours.
  • Daily by appointment in advance.
• Is parking available?
  • Free parking is available at the center's 10th and Church Street parking lot.
  • Additional free metered street parking is available nearby after 6:00 pm and on weekends.

McColl Center for Art and Innovation, 721 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202, Phone: 704-332-5535

• What is the Matthews Heritage Museum?
  • The Matthews Heritage Museum is a living history museum housed in the 1880 Massey-Clark House, one of the oldest extant structures in the Charlotte suburb of Matthews.
• Who originally built the Massey-Clark House?
  • The home was originally constructed for Henry V. Massey, a Civil War veteran and physician. It was designed with pine flooring and built according to the popular housing trends of the era.
• What is the history of the house’s ownership?
  • In 1925, the home was sold to Susie and C.C. Clark and remained in the Clark family until it was donated to the Town of Matthews in 1977.
• What exhibits can visitors see at the museum?
  • The museum interprets the first century of residential living in Matthews through a variety of restored artifacts and exhibits.
  • Lifestyles Gallery – Showcasing everyday life in 19th-century Matthews.
  • Community Gallery – Highlighting civic and social life in the town during the era.

Matthews Heritage Museum, 232 N Trade St, Matthews, NC 28105, Phone: 704-708-4996

• What is the Billy Graham Library?
  • The Billy Graham Library honors evangelical Christian minister Billy Graham and is open to the public Mondays through Saturdays during morning and afternoon hours.
• How large is the Billy Graham Library?
  • The library and museum complex spans 40,000 square feet, featuring multiple exhibits and attractions dedicated to Billy Graham's life and legacy.
• What can visitors explore at the library?
  • Admission is free, allowing visitors to explore several key attractions, including:
  • The main barn-shaped building, constructed to reflect Graham’s farm living childhood.
  • The Journey of Faith exhibit, which chronicles Graham’s life and career through significant artifacts, multimedia exhibits, and videos of his sermons.
  • The Graham Family Homeplace exhibit, showcasing the restored homestead where Graham grew up.
  • The Memorial Prayer Garden, which contains the burial site of Billy Graham, his wife Ruth Bell, and members of the Billy Graham Crusade Team.
• Are there any paid attractions at the library?
  • Yes, paid attractions include:
  • Ruth’s Attic Bookstore – Offering Christian books, gifts, and memorabilia.
  • Graham Brothers Dairy Bar – A restaurant serving a variety of refreshments.

The Billy Graham Library, 4330 Westmont Dr, Charlotte, NC 28217, Phone: 704-401-3200

• What are The Greenways?
  • The Greenways are a system of linear parks within Mecklenburg County, designed to connect residential and urban areas while also supporting flood management, water quality, and wildlife habitats.
• How many miles of greenway trails exist?
  • More than 49 miles of greenway trails have been developed as part of the Mecklenburg County Greenways and Trails Master Plan.
• When was the Greenways Master Plan developed?
  • The Mecklenburg County Greenways and Trails Master Plan was developed in 1996 and is one of the oldest programs of its kind in the American Southeast.
• How many greenway trails are there in Charlotte?
  • There are 17 greenway trails throughout the Charlotte area, including:
  • Briar Creek Greenway
  • Four Mile Creek Greenway
  • Little Sugar Creek Greenway
  • Irwin Creek Greenway
• What activities are permitted on the trails?
  • The trails can be used for both transportation and recreation, including:
  • Walking
  • Jogging
  • Cycling

The Greenways, 5841 Brookshire Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28216, Phone: 980-314-1000