Uptown Charlotte Museum of Illusions Leaves Your Mind Wondering
Looking for something fun to do in Charlotte this summer? Well, the Museum of Illusions might be the right place for you. Recently, I took a trip to the Museum…

Looking for something fun to do in Charlotte this summer? Well, the Museum of Illusions might be the right place for you. Recently, I took a trip to the Museum of Illusions in Uptown, Charlotte, and had a BLAST! Now, your mind might feel like you're going a bit crazy, but I promise it's fun.
Tickets vary from weekday to weekends and depend on the ages of visitors. They are open Sunday - Thursday from 10 am - 9 pm and Friday and Saturday from 10 am - 10 pm. Click here for ticket prices.
A Day at the Museum of Illusions
When you first get there, you have to check in at the front desk and then begin your self-guided adventure. We started with this cool, flower-type room. It was a room of mirrors with flowers hanging from the ceiling and although the mirrors allow you to see many versions of yourself, the flowers are gorgeous! It kind of made me want that decor at my future wedding one day.
Another cool illusion was the street wall. So, it's kind of hard to explain but basically, you see the reflection of a building and are able to give the illusion that you're climbing it. Or doing something random like a handstand in front of it like I did. Now, this one can be tricky but with the help of the guides that are located throughout the museum, they direct you to the perfect photo-op spot.

Then, we noticed these blocks and platforms but weren't sure what they were. When we took a step back, we quickly saw a chair! So the illusion is that the person sitting on the platform looks like they are sitting on a large chair and the person next to them then becomes a giant. Cool, right?!

Throughout the tour, there are tons of little games and cool statues that you can interact with and get lost in the illusion. We had such a great time playing around it made us all feel like big kids!
One of our favorite parts was towards the end where you are able to place your face at the end of a tunnel and give the illusion of a kaleidoscope vision. Sort of like the view of a fly. Pro-tip, have the person at the end record a video and you just make such random movements the illusion gets even better!
7 Charlotte Restaurant Patios To Enjoy This Summer
If you're looking for Charlotte restaurant patios to enjoy this summer you may want to experience some of these.
Dozens of new and exciting restaurants are popping up in Charlotte. In fact, the online magazine Axios Charlotte reports some 126 new restaurants have opened in Charlotte in the last year. These new spots range from sexy lounges to dessert shops to cafes and nightclubs.
But, now that the warmer weather is about to arrive on a more consistent basis, foodies and fans of the outdoors can get ready to sip on a glass of vino or chow down outside. People are looking for the best Charlotte restaurant patios to enjoy a great drink and tasty meal this summer. With that in mind, there are some key elements that create the optimum patio. Ideal Home says a great patio offers a place for visitors to sit back and relax, entertain, or enjoy dining.
What Makes a Great Patio
Despite the elements that make the patio work for you, these 7 patios in Charlotte are some of my picks that are truly 'giving'. They are giving everything from sex appeal to attitude to night on the town. Check them out below for yourself.
7 Best Charlotte Restaurant Patios to Enjoy this Summer
Sixty Vines
If you're looking for a swanky spot with great scenery, great esthetics and even better food and drink than this is your spot. Located on the edge of South End, this patio includes couches and comfortable cushioned chairs, accented by natural greenery. It's a great space whether you're looking for some 'me' time or creating a vibe for friends.
Dilworth Tasting Room (DTR)
It's one of the oldest spots in town, known for it's cozy atmosphere -- full of greenery, cobblestone and bistro tables. It's the place where I had my first cucumber and mint infused martini. There are plenty of signature drinks here or if you are a little more conservative, you may want to check out one of the wines they have on hand.
RH - Rooftop
After visiting this spot, I'll have to agree with most of the influencers and bloggers. This has got to be one of the most instagrammable spots in the city. From the breath-taking views to the cozy couches and chandelier lighting, this restaurant patio is a must-see. And of course, the food and drinks match the scenery. I usually get my favorite which is the salmon, cooked medium of course. And accompanied by the truffle fries.
The service is top-tier. My server kept my wine glass full at my request. I will caution the price tag may throw some off a bit - I easily spent $100 for lunch, but it was well worth it.
Goodyear House
If a fun, friendly atmosphere that makes eating outside the perfect space. My first time here actually brought back delightful memories from my childhood when me and the family would head out to the park as a special treat to have Sunday dinner. This patio is nostalgic, and complete with real picnic tables.
The greenery and lighting makes this patio space even more warm, cozy and family-friendly. It's a great space for a family gathering, a night out with the girls or a romantic dinner with that someone special.
Hello Sailor
It doesn't get much better than this! What a picture perfect view! Nothing like having a nice meal accompanied by the moon bouncing off the waters of Lake Norman. On my visit here, I thought it was simply a slice of heaven. You won't find very many restaurant patios with this dining experience. It's about 20-3o minutes north of Charlotte and has ample parking.
And let's talk about the food. How about the blackened shrimp tacos, or the seared cauliflower steak or perhaps you're in the mood for the hushpuppies with jimmy red corn? Whatever your fancy, whether it's a great view or good food, you'll find it here.
The Novelty House
This is one of the hot spots in uptown Charlotte. Who wouldn't want a picture perfect roof top view? That's what you get and more at The Novelty House. Other than the view overlooking uptown Charlotte, you have the esthetics on the patio that makes it extra special. There are hundreds of flowers that accent the space -- one space that is even an entire wall of flowers. It makes for a great backdrop! They specialize in a number of well-crafted cocktails. Food can be catered ahead of time or if you'd rather order from the sushi restaurant one floor down, you are free to do that as well.
It makes the perfect spot to show off the city to out-of-town guests or a nice chill spot if you want something a little different.
Canopy Cocktails and Garden
This is a fairly new spot in the South End community. It has tons of character and overall a great vibe. It's the place to be for an afterwork meet up or a romantic evening. What makes this patio so special is it also serves as a garden. So, if greenery is your thing you'd find this pretty attractive.
What I like most about this patio, is the sleek patio furniture. It includes really cool contemporary furniture (reminds me of Pottery Barn). The furniture makes the whole vibe sexy. The house cocktails are edgy with names like "Beach Please", "Spice Gurl", "Wu-Tang Cran" and more. They also serve classic cocktails, wines and beer. The view and the variety make this patio one of my top picks.




