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Charlottesville

Charlottesville, in central Virginia, is a lovely university town of about 40,000 with lots to offer. Charlottesville is a town steeped in history and culture. Charlottesville is a major cultural center for central Virginia, and features more fine dining, shopping, and entertainment than one might expect for a town of its size. Ensconced in beautiful Albemarle County, Charlottesville is also surrounded by vineyards and horse country.

Understand
Of the eight U.S. presidents who came from Virginia, two — Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe — were from Charlottesville, and two more came from neighboring counties. Central Virginia was a major battlefield during the Civil and Revolutionary Wars. Jefferson, whom locals affectionately call "Mr. Jefferson," or "TJ," continues to cast a long shadow, particularly over local architecture. Many of Charlottesville's public buildings are made of brick and built in a Jeffersonian style, and many private homes are colonial. His home at Monticello and the Jefferson-designed University of Virginia have set the tone for the communities' beautiful buildings. When visiting Charlottesville, be sure to stop by the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society to learn more about the area's rich history.

The culture of Charlottesville revolves around two points: the University of Virginia and the Historic Downtown Mall.

By train

 * Routes stopping in Charlottesville:
 * Cardinal operating three trips weekly between Chicago and New York City with stops in Dyer, Rensselaer, Lafayette, Crawfordsville, Indianapolis, Connersville, Cincinnati, Ashland, Huntington, Charleston, Hinton, White Sulphur Springs, Staunton, Charlottesville, Culpeper, Manassas, Alexandria, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Wilmington, Philadelphia, Trenton, and Newark.
 * Crescent between New Orleans and New York City via Birmingham, Atlanta, Charlotte, and Washington, D.C.
 * Northeast Regional is Amtrak's busiest regional service, connecting Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and the many towns and cities in-between. Toward the east end of the route, some trips terminate at Springfield instead of Boston. Some services also continue south into Virginia towards Newport News, Roanoke and Norfolk on three separate branch routes from Alexandria. Charlottesville is on the branch to and from Roanoke.
 * Northeast Regional is Amtrak's busiest regional service, connecting Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and the many towns and cities in-between. Toward the east end of the route, some trips terminate at Springfield instead of Boston. Some services also continue south into Virginia towards Newport News, Roanoke and Norfolk on three separate branch routes from Alexandria. Charlottesville is on the branch to and from Roanoke.

By car
The major highways leading into Charlottesville are US-29 and I-64. I-64 is a four-lane interstate leading to Charlottesville from east and west. There is rarely traffic on I-64 near Charlottesville, and the only major hill is crossing Afton Mountain, about 30 minutes west of town. US-29 is an extremely variable road. To the south, it is a four-lane road with frequent curves and at-grade crossings, but few traffic lights. To the north, the road alternates between being a four-lane commercial center with frequent traffic lights and businesses and being more similar to US-29 south of town. Traffic on US-29 north of town can be slow or dense at rush hour and around special events in Charlottesville, but speeds below 25 mph are rare.

Travel times from nearby cities are:
 * Staunton, about 45 minutes.
 * Richmond, a little over an hour.
 * Washington, D.C., between 2 and 2½ hours. The trip is approximately 110 miles.
 * Roanoke, about 2 hours.

By bus
Greyhound has a bus stop in Charlottesville. If you are traveling to or from Washington, DC, the train is generally faster, cleaner, and more comfortable than the bus. Virginia Breeze (selling tickets via Megabus) and Flixbus have routes through Charlottesville as well, and these two services have student discounts. Note that all three have bus stops in different places.

University of Virginia
Getting around the University of Virginia, often called UVA (with each letter pronounced), is easy using the free University Transit System (UTS) buses. The Central Grounds area is very walkable, but some areas of campus (called "Grounds" by students) can be over a mile away. From the University to the downtown mall is a walk of 20-30 minutes and there is a free trolley bus that runs in a loop from the University to the Downtown Mall approximately every 20 minutes. It is not easy to find parking around the University area, including the Corner and between 14th Street and Rugby Road. There is a parking garage at the University Bookstore, on Emmet Street, that only fills up during certain university events (e.g., Days on the Lawn). There are also plenty of Veo rental e-scooters around Grounds.

City of Charlottesville
The city is reasonably well connected by free city buses, the Charlottesville Area Transit (CAT). Don't use Google Maps for CAT bus routes; Google sometimes has the wrong bus data. Parking in nearly all areas of the city is free and easy to find. Parking at the Downtown Mall will often require paying a modest rate at a lot or parking garage.

One of the CAT routes is a free trolley bus that operates along East Main Street/Water Street between downtown and the University of Virginia. Stops include the Virginia Discovery Museum, the downtown mall, the Amtrak station/Greyhound stop, and the Rotunda and chapel of the University of Virginia. Like with UVA, the city has Veo rental e-scooters, but don't expect every area to have them or for every road to be scooter-friendly.

Surrounding area
Transportation outside of the city is best accomplished by car, although taxi and certain buses may be available for some locations. Main roads are well signed and in good repair, but can be hilly and curvy. If traveling to an unusual location or taking a shortcut through smaller country roads, be prepared for unpaved roads, limited signs, and frequent curves.

Taxis
With the possible exceptions of the airport and the Downtown Mall, you must call for taxi service in Charlottesville. There are several taxi companies in the city.

 * ABA Taxi: +1 434 981-6800
 * A&A Taxi: +1 434 842-4851
 * A&W Taxi: +1 434 882-1822
 * Accent Taxi: +1 434 981-1913
 * Access: +1 434 974-5522
 * Arrow Taxi, James Collier, Jr.: +1 434 760-2035
 * Doni Taxi: +1 434 227-2321
 * Herring Shuttle: +1 434 953-6025
 * Midnight Special: +1 434 760-0916
 * Monticello Cab: +1 434 760-0055
 * New York City: +1 434 825-1669
 * Peter's Shuttle: +1 434 760-5740
 * Ride Rite Airport Service: +1 434 327-3815
 * Shuttle & Safari Taxi: +1 434 227-6825
 * Skyline Cab: +1 434 981-0473
 * Tommy’s Taxi: +1 434 242-8959
 * Star Taxi: +1 434 227-2324
 * Wahoo Taxi: +1 434 981-0585
 * Yellow Cab: +1 434 295-4131

See

 * [[File:Monticello - Thomas Jefferson's Plantation - Charlottesville - Virginia - USA - 04 (47748056652).jpg|thumb|Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's Plantation]]
 * See Monticello, Ash Lawn-Highland, and Michie Tavern for $36 total with a President's Pass combination ticket.
 * See Monticello, Ash Lawn-Highland, and Michie Tavern for $36 total with a President's Pass combination ticket.
 * See Monticello, Ash Lawn-Highland, and Michie Tavern for $36 total with a President's Pass combination ticket.
 * See Monticello, Ash Lawn-Highland, and Michie Tavern for $36 total with a President's Pass combination ticket.
 * See Monticello, Ash Lawn-Highland, and Michie Tavern for $36 total with a President's Pass combination ticket.
 * See Monticello, Ash Lawn-Highland, and Michie Tavern for $36 total with a President's Pass combination ticket.
 * See Monticello, Ash Lawn-Highland, and Michie Tavern for $36 total with a President's Pass combination ticket.
 * See Monticello, Ash Lawn-Highland, and Michie Tavern for $36 total with a President's Pass combination ticket.
 * See Monticello, Ash Lawn-Highland, and Michie Tavern for $36 total with a President's Pass combination ticket.
 * See Monticello, Ash Lawn-Highland, and Michie Tavern for $36 total with a President's Pass combination ticket.

Wine tours
The countryside around Charlottesville is filled with dozens of wineries. All are members of the Monticello Wine Trail. There are several companies that provide guided tours. If you're driving yourself, be sure to have a designated driver, as DUI enforcement is strict. If traveling in a large group, call ahead as some wineries have limits on maximum group size.

Dance
Social, Ballroom, Swing, Salsa

Buy

 * The Downtown Mall, Main Street between McIntire Rd. and Avon St., is Charlottesville's best and most eclectic shopping district. The street is open to pedestrians only, is paved entirely with brick, and features fountains, public art, flowering trees, and many benches.  Both sides of the street are lined with local boutiques, outdoor cafes and other fine restaurants, three theaters, an ice rink, and the Virginia Discovery Museum.
 * Seminole Square Shopping Center, Over fifty shops located on Route 29 just north of Hydraulic Road in Charlottesville.
 * Pantops Shopping Center, Convenient to Eastern Albemarle and Interstate 64, Pantops Shopping Center is located just east of the Free Bridge in Charlottesville.
 * Pantops Shopping Center, Convenient to Eastern Albemarle and Interstate 64, Pantops Shopping Center is located just east of the Free Bridge in Charlottesville.

Eat
There are a ton of great restaurants in Charlottesville, offering a variety of cuisines at reasonable prices. Main hubs of restaurants include 'The Corner,' an area of student-friendly shops in a traditional student area right next to the University, and around the downtown mall. From spring through fall, the outside seating on the pedestrian-only outdoor mall is highly recommended.

The Corner

 * Bodo's Bagels, near Bank of America and Elliewood Avenue. This Charlottesville bagel bakery has fast service and yummy food; serving breakfast in the morning and afternoon. (This location closes at 3pm everyday, unlike the other two Bodo's locations.) $2-6.
 * Coupes. Small restaurant/bar with a varied menu tucked away on Elliewood Ave. Popular bar among undergrads.
 * Lemongrass. Good Vietnamese and Thai cuisine with a little twist. Offers a student discount for lunch.
 * Mellow Mushroom, +1 434-972-9366. Pizza & subs. Good pizza, dozens of beers on tap. $2 pints during their happy hour.

Shopping centers

 * Taste of China - Albemarle Square, by renowned chef Peter Chang. They serve a mix of authentic Szechuan and American Chinese food.
 * Peter Chang's China Grill - Barracks Road, a second restaurant by Peter Chang.
 * Shanghai Restaurant - Pantops, Full menu, exotic mixed drinks, eat in or carry out, cocktails, authentic Hunan & Szechuan Chinese food in Pantops Shopping Center.
 * The Shops at Stonefield , shopping center on Route 29 featuring retail stores, dining, entertainment, and more, in a beautiful outdoor mall setting.

Elsewhere

 * Bodo's Bagels, locations at 1418 N. Emmet St., 404 Preston Ave., and on The Corner. The best bagels south of New York. Really. A Charlottesville institution for nearly 20 years. Great sandwiches, salads, and soup, cheap prices, blindingly fast service, and a trendy atmosphere. For a laugh, ask a local how long it takes Bodo's owner Brian Fox to open each new restaurant. All meals are about $5.
 * The Brick Oven, 1966 Rio Hill Shopping Center, on 29 North. Gourmet pizza, sandwiches, and pasta. Dinner is $8-10.
 * Riverside Lunch, In town location: 1427 Hazel St. Riverside North location: 1770 Timberwood Blvd. A Charlottesville institution. Some consider Riverside to have the best burgers in town.
 * Guadalajara, 29 North, East Market Street (downtown), and Fontaine (near UVA). A local Mexican institution. Entrees are $6-$10. The best in Cville. Try the Pollo con Mole, or Carnitas.
 * Lime Leaf Cafe, in the Rio Hill center on US 29. This hidden gem serves the most delicious and authentic Thai food in Charlottesville.
 * Maharaja, Seminole Square, 29 North. A full variety of Indian food. Dinner $10-$15.
 * Michie Tavern, down the hill from Monticello. Michie (pronounced Mickey) Tavern is a recreation of a Colonial tavern, where tourists can eat, shop, and tour the buildings.
 * Thai 99. Inexpensive and delicious Thai food.
 * Maharaja, Seminole Square, 29 North. A full variety of Indian food. Dinner $10-$15.
 * Michie Tavern, down the hill from Monticello. Michie (pronounced Mickey) Tavern is a recreation of a Colonial tavern, where tourists can eat, shop, and tour the buildings.
 * Thai 99. Inexpensive and delicious Thai food.
 * Michie Tavern, down the hill from Monticello. Michie (pronounced Mickey) Tavern is a recreation of a Colonial tavern, where tourists can eat, shop, and tour the buildings.
 * Thai 99. Inexpensive and delicious Thai food.
 * Thai 99. Inexpensive and delicious Thai food.

Drink
Like the eating options, the main hubs are either at 'The Corner', which has a predominantly student crowd, or downtown. Many options at both.

 * For wine, both the C&O Restaurant (downtown) and Zocalo (downtown) have excellent selections. Fellini's #9 (downtown) also has many Italian wines. Mas Tapas Bar (Belmont) has a good selection of Spanish wines.
 * For beer and wine to go, visit Market Street Wine Shop  just off the Downtown Mall and they have an uptown location in Shoppers World near Whole Foods Market.
 * Nightclub: R2, a dance club located inside Rapture restaurant; Club 216, a gay and lesbian dance club (that also welcomes straight people) downtown
 * Michael Shaps Wineworks , 1650 Harris Creek Road, . 11AM-5PM. Tasting room featuring local Michael Shaps Virginia wines, as well as the Maison Shaps Burgundy wines.
 * Vitae Spirits Downtown Tasting Room , 101 East Water Street, . Offers tastings, cocktails, bottled sales, classes, and tours.
 * Potter's Craft Cider , 1350 Arrowhead Valley Road, . Tasting room featuring 10 local ciders on draft, live music and local food trucks.
 * Nightclub: R2, a dance club located inside Rapture restaurant; Club 216, a gay and lesbian dance club (that also welcomes straight people) downtown
 * Michael Shaps Wineworks , 1650 Harris Creek Road, . 11AM-5PM. Tasting room featuring local Michael Shaps Virginia wines, as well as the Maison Shaps Burgundy wines.
 * Vitae Spirits Downtown Tasting Room , 101 East Water Street, . Offers tastings, cocktails, bottled sales, classes, and tours.
 * Potter's Craft Cider , 1350 Arrowhead Valley Road, . Tasting room featuring 10 local ciders on draft, live music and local food trucks.
 * Michael Shaps Wineworks , 1650 Harris Creek Road, . 11AM-5PM. Tasting room featuring local Michael Shaps Virginia wines, as well as the Maison Shaps Burgundy wines.
 * Vitae Spirits Downtown Tasting Room , 101 East Water Street, . Offers tastings, cocktails, bottled sales, classes, and tours.
 * Potter's Craft Cider , 1350 Arrowhead Valley Road, . Tasting room featuring 10 local ciders on draft, live music and local food trucks.
 * Potter's Craft Cider , 1350 Arrowhead Valley Road, . Tasting room featuring 10 local ciders on draft, live music and local food trucks.

Sleep
Full range of options. Hotels fill up early for UVa football and basketball games and for graduation.

 * The Farmhouse at Veritas , 72 Saddleback Farm, Afton, VA, . Bed and Breakfast in the heart of Virginia Wine Country featuring three-course breakfasts and luxurious accommodations.
 * Foxfield Inn , 2280 Garth Road, . Cozy bed and breakfast featuring a signature three-course breakfast each morning and an outdoor hot tub.
 * The Inn at Court Square , 410 E. Jefferson Street, . Boutique hotel with ten guest-rooms including complimentary on-site parking, wi-fi and HD cable TV.
 * The Farmhouse at Veritas , 72 Saddleback Farm, Afton, VA, . Bed and Breakfast in the heart of Virginia Wine Country featuring three-course breakfasts and luxurious accommodations.
 * Foxfield Inn , 2280 Garth Road, . Cozy bed and breakfast featuring a signature three-course breakfast each morning and an outdoor hot tub.
 * The Inn at Court Square , 410 E. Jefferson Street, . Boutique hotel with ten guest-rooms including complimentary on-site parking, wi-fi and HD cable TV.
 * The Farmhouse at Veritas , 72 Saddleback Farm, Afton, VA, . Bed and Breakfast in the heart of Virginia Wine Country featuring three-course breakfasts and luxurious accommodations.
 * Foxfield Inn , 2280 Garth Road, . Cozy bed and breakfast featuring a signature three-course breakfast each morning and an outdoor hot tub.
 * The Inn at Court Square , 410 E. Jefferson Street, . Boutique hotel with ten guest-rooms including complimentary on-site parking, wi-fi and HD cable TV.
 * The Inn at Court Square , 410 E. Jefferson Street, . Boutique hotel with ten guest-rooms including complimentary on-site parking, wi-fi and HD cable TV.

Go next

 * Blue Ridge Parkway and Shenandoah National Park - Beautiful drives along the Appalachians, with many hiking trails, some of which connect to the Appalachian Trail.
 * Montpelier, the home of James Madison, is half an hour north on Route 20.
 * Hike at the Ivy Creek or Ragged Mountain Natural Areas
 * Tube the James River in Scottsville
 * Golf at the many public and semi-private golf courses
 * Explore Nearby Towns and Cities Washington DC, Richmond, Lynchburg, Roanoke etc, are within 3 hours drive from Charlottesville
 * Arts and Crafts in and Around Charlottesville
 * Monticello Wine Trail , Group of 40 wineries all located within 25 miles of Charlottesville.

title: Charlottesville


text:
Charlottetown

Charlottetown is the capital city of Prince Edward Island in Atlantic Canada. Charlottetown is a great place to spend a few days. It's a quaint and pretty town, small enough to be able to walk around, and has lots of good restaurants and bars. It's also within easy reach of the Prince Edward Island National Park.

Understand
Charlottetown was named after Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, queen consort of King George III of the United Kingdom. Charlottetown was incorporated as a city in 1855.

It was the site of the famous Charlottetown Conference in 1864, the first gathering of Canadian and Maritime statesmen to discuss the proposed Maritime Union. This conference led, instead, to the union of British North American colonies in 1867, which was the beginning of the Canadian confederation. PEI, however, did not join Confederation until 1873. From this, the city adopted as its motto Cunabula Foederis, "Birthplace of Confederation". In 2016, it was home to about 36,000 people, with 77,000 in the metropolitan area.

Tourist information

 * Discover Charlottetown website

Destinations

 * Direct flights to Fredericton within Canada include from Montreal (1.5 hours) and from Toronto (2 hours).

Airlines

 * Airlines operating to Charlottetown include:

By bus

 * Operates a bus route between Charlottetown and Amherst including a stop in Borden. Travel time to Charlottetown from Borden is 55 minutes and from Amherst is 2 hours.
 * Travel to Charlottetown from the following destinations involving same day transfers is as follows:
 * From Summerside (1.25 hours) with a transfer in Borden.
 * From Moncton (3 hours) and Halifax (5 hours) with a transfer in Amherst.
 * From Bathurst (6.25 hours), Campbellton (7.5 hours), Edmundston (9.5 hours), Fredericton (5.75 hours), Miramichi (5.25 hours), and Saint John (6 hours) with transfers in Moncton and Amherst.
 * From Antigonish (5.75 hours), North Sydney (8.5 hours), Sydney (9.25 hours) with transfers in Truro and Amherst.

By car
Highway 1, a branch of the Trans-Canada Highway, connects Charlottetown with the Confederation Bridge located west or and the ferry from Caribou (Nova Scotia) located east, which are the two ways to reach Prince Edward Island. Charlottetown is 11 hours along the Trans-Canada Hwy from Montreal (Rivière-du-Loup, Edmundston, Fredericton, Moncton) or 3.5 hours from Halifax.

Get around
Taxis are cheap. $10 gets you from the airport to downtown. $6-10 will get you anywhere around town. All taxis are flat rate by zone. None has any specific licensing information in them; not to worry though, taxi drivers are typically friendly, enjoy meeting tourists, and are honest above all else. Charlottetown is a small, very accessible city: you can walk almost anywhere downtown.

Most of downtown is also easy to walk through, a bit less in winter.

By public transit

See

Do
At the harbourfront you can get on a seal-watching tour boat, while from the airport's Skyplex you can go on an air tour.

Buy
Charlottetown contains two major shopping centres: the Confederation Court Mall (downtown, across from Province House), and the Charlottetown Mall, which is outside of town in West Royalty, on University Avenue. They contain the usual anchor stores (Winners, SportsChek, etc.), and many smaller stores. West Royalty also has many stand-alone big-box stores, such as Wal-Mart, and Canadian Tire.

If you get off the beaten path, though, you'll find lots of great specialty shops just waiting for your business. Walks along Queen St. and University Ave. (among others) will yield wonderful surprises in terms of shopping selection.

Groceries are readily available from many major supermarkets within Charlottetown. Typical closing time is 10PM. Sunday store hours are generally noon to 5PM.

Sleep
There is no reason to stay at a chain hotel or motel in Charlottetown. The city is dotted with some of the cutest, and most comfortable, inns and B&Bs you can imagine. All offer fantastic service and most have locations that allow you to walk downtown. They will often be cheaper and offer much more comfortable accommodations than a hotel. These places live and die by their reputation, so most innkeepers are incredibly helpful. In winter, many places are closing for the season.

Connect

Go next

 * Head west on Route 2 for 60 km to Summerside

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Charlottetown


text:
Charlotte with children

One of strong points of Charlotte, North Carolina, is that it has an abundance of high-quality options for families. Residents from other areas often cite family-friendliness as a primary reason for moving there, and visitors often find the city easy to enjoy with children around.

Understand
Uptown Charlotte has many child-friendly options such as Discovery Place. It is relatively easy to enjoy the center city while in the company of children. Other areas of interest may include South End, NoDa (during the day), and Ballantyne.

Prepare
Preparation is key when traveling with children. If you are staying in a hotel that serves breakfast, make sure to grab a bite to eat before leaving. By Charlotte standards, food is expensive Uptown. Also, make sure that your kids have a good pair of walking shoes. You may want to carry sunscreen and water, especially during the summer when the sunshine can be intense. And of course, it always helps to have plenty of supplies (diapers, food, etc.) handy; though there are some helpful stores Uptown, it is not guaranteed that you'll be able to find a box of handy-wipes at a moment's notice.

By car
Due to its location at the intersection of I-85 and I-77, most American visitors arrive in Charlotte via automobile. It is helpful to know how close your destination is to the "inner" and "outer" beltways (277 and 485, respectively) if you are trying to arrive as quickly as possible. If you are approaching from the east or west, N.C. highway 74 is also a good approach -- it connects directly to 277 from either direction, and catches 485 in the southeast.

Parking
If you are coming from outside the core of the city you have several options for approaching Uptown. The simplest is just to drive in and find parking in a lot or deck; this is especially helpful if you don't want to be tied to a transit schedule. If you take this route, be aware that many parking decks are "private" (use is restricted to tenants). Also, be attentive to the posted hourly/daily rates; some places gouge prices on "event" days, and some will lure you in with a low hourly rate that goes up dramatically with each passing hour. A kid-friendly way to avoid this problem is to park near the edge of Uptown and catch the Gold Rush Trolley (see below).

By plane
International visitors will most likely be arriving in the city via Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

By bus
Like other American cities, Charlotte can be reached by long-distance bus. This means of transportation could be fine if you are traveling for a relatively short time, but children may be very uncomfortable and fussy if your ride is more than a few hours long.

By train
Charlotte has an Amtrak station, but your arrival time might be very inconvenient, especially if coming from the south, and Amtrak is notorious for lateness. However, children are usually much more comfortable on trains than on other modes of transportation and there is always the possibility of walking around during the trip that you don't have on buses or planes.

By bus

 * Gold Rush Trolley - These buses converted to look like old-fashioned trolleys are a wonderful attraction for children, as it accomplishes several goals at once: it moves them around the city safely and comfortably, gives them a fun riding experience (with bells and warm colors all around), allows them to see the bustle of the city up close, establishes a sense of history for older children, and is totally free for everyone (parents included). A ride on the trolley is strongly recommended, especially if you're trying to move across Uptown without getting back in the car. Kids love pulling the stop-cord! There are two lines: the red line along Trade Street and the orange along Tryon, which is particularly useful for getting from the museums on the north side of Uptown to the south side. Be warned that the Gold Rush Trolleys do not operate on the weekends.
 * Otherwise, buses in Charlotte are clean and feel very safe. However, they can be relatively slow in traffic and occasionally have riders who cause children to feel unsafe. The upside is that the main terminal is across the street from Bobcats Arena and a short walk from several major attractions. In particular, using the bus to park-and-ride from a location in the suburbs can be a major stress-saver during festivals and holidays. Use your best judgment when considering this option. Stops are usually well-marked along roads and at major attractions.

By taxi
Taxis are not generally used by families in Charlotte, though they can be of some use in certain circumstances. There is a surcharge for having more than 2 passengers, so this option might be more expensive than necessary. While taxis are common in the central districts, they do not come by regularly in the suburbs. If your kids have never ridden in a taxi before, this might be a novelty for them; otherwise, consider other options.

By train
The LYNX light rail is one of the best options for moving in and out of the center city from the south. The line follows College St. out of Uptown, then runs along South Blvd. through South End all the way out to I-485 near the South Carolina border.

See
See the Charlotte district articles for specific details on the attractions below. The information here is an overview of kid-friendly attractions.

Southern Uptown

 * The Green - There are several good parks Uptown, but this is the most kid-friendly. Located on Tryon St. between 1st and 2nd, it's surrounded by family-oriented restaurants, and once you've gotten lunch you can explore this unique urban park. A literacy theme will interest older children, while unusual terrain and play areas will excite the little ones. During the summer, carry bathing suits and allow them to cool off in the splash-fountain. In early winter, bring your skates to the temporary ice rink. And if a morning on the move has you worn out, stop by the library branch for a moment's relaxation.
 * Shopping - If you are traveling with teenagers, consider giving them some spending cash at the Overstreet Mall. Though most of the shops are oriented toward office workers, teens will find some attractive botiques (including a small department store and several clothing stores) and plenty of familiar fast food names (including McDonald's, Burger King and Subway). The mall is enclosed and extremely safe, so it is not a bad place to let teens hang out while you take smaller children elsewhere. However, they ought to be reminded that the mall connects directly to several office towers, which are decidedly kid-unfriendly.
 * Shopping - If you are traveling with teenagers, consider giving them some spending cash at the Overstreet Mall. Though most of the shops are oriented toward office workers, teens will find some attractive botiques (including a small department store and several clothing stores) and plenty of familiar fast food names (including McDonald's, Burger King and Subway). The mall is enclosed and extremely safe, so it is not a bad place to let teens hang out while you take smaller children elsewhere. However, they ought to be reminded that the mall connects directly to several office towers, which are decidedly kid-unfriendly.
 * Shopping - If you are traveling with teenagers, consider giving them some spending cash at the Overstreet Mall. Though most of the shops are oriented toward office workers, teens will find some attractive botiques (including a small department store and several clothing stores) and plenty of familiar fast food names (including McDonald's, Burger King and Subway). The mall is enclosed and extremely safe, so it is not a bad place to let teens hang out while you take smaller children elsewhere. However, they ought to be reminded that the mall connects directly to several office towers, which are decidedly kid-unfriendly.

SouthEnd

 * Shopping - The South End is full of stores ranging from the quaint and unique, to the downright strange. Most of the district is easily walkable, with large trees providing shade during hot summer afternoons.

Elsewhere in Charlotte

 * The Carolinas Aviation Museum is undoubtedly one of the best places to take your kids in Charlotte, with historic and restored airplanes (including Flight 1549, better known as the plane Sully Sullenberger successfully landed in the Hudson River) and air shows. It is located on the outskirts of the city near the airport, so driving is the only convenient way to get here.

Do
If you're still going after a long day, or if you got a late start, there are plenty of things to do after the sun sets. One note of caution: the bar-heavy area around College St. behind Hearst Tower in Uptown can be a little less than kid-friendly. It's safe, but you might hear some rich language and you will definitely see people in varying states of intoxication.

 * Time Warner Cable Arena - The center of attention in the entertainment district. The chances are good you will find a Hornets (basketball) or Checkers (hockey) game going on in the fall or winter, and ticket prices aren't necessarily prohibitive -- check out the cheap seats. There are ample, but expensive, dining options inside. The new Lynx light rail line has a stop just 100 feet from the door to the Arena.
 * Dining - If you are eating out late, ask at the door of Uptown restaurants if kids are permitted -- and if they are a good idea. Some places will admit them late, but they'll be exposed to a smoky, adult-friendly drinking atmosphere. Good bets include Mert's, Soho Bistro on College St.; Brixx Pizza on 6th St.; and Starbucks at the Square for lighter eating.
 * Dining - If you are eating out late, ask at the door of Uptown restaurants if kids are permitted -- and if they are a good idea. Some places will admit them late, but they'll be exposed to a smoky, adult-friendly drinking atmosphere. Good bets include Mert's, Soho Bistro on College St.; Brixx Pizza on 6th St.; and Starbucks at the Square for lighter eating.
 * Dining - If you are eating out late, ask at the door of Uptown restaurants if kids are permitted -- and if they are a good idea. Some places will admit them late, but they'll be exposed to a smoky, adult-friendly drinking atmosphere. Good bets include Mert's, Soho Bistro on College St.; Brixx Pizza on 6th St.; and Starbucks at the Square for lighter eating.

Stay safe
By and large, Charlotte is an extremely safe city in its central districts. Crimes against children or families are extremely rare; however, as in any city you never want to let your guard down too far. Keep kids in sight in crowded areas (such as the bus terminal) and don't let them wander too far. Teach them to recognize the dark blue uniforms of police, and use a central location (such as the Square) as an emergency meeting point.

The most common crime in central Charlotte seems to be auto-related theft and break-in. Parking in a deck will usually be enough to keep your car safe; if you park in a lot, be sure that it will have an attendant at all times. Parking on the street is generally safe during the day, but streetside parking in isolated areas at night is probably not wise.

As always, be aware of police presence if you should feel unsafe. Call 911 to report unsafe or threatening incidents. If your car is stolen, call 911 to place a report; if it is broken into or vandalized, call 311 (non-emergency services) to report the crime.

Stay healthy
Of course it is impossible to prepare for all situations, so it's helpful to be aware in advance of the resources available for an emergency. If you are in need of basic healthcare or hygiene items (such as bandages, diapers, or common medications), there are pharmacies located on both the northern (CVS) and southern ends of Tryon St. in the city center.

For more serious emergencies, you can go to one of the two hospitals located just outside of Uptown. Presbyterian Hospital is the most directly accessible; simply head straight down East Trade St. away from Uptown. Trade will turn into Elizabeth Ave., which dead-ends at the hospital. Also, the larger Carolinas Medical Center is only a few minutes away. From Morehead St. near the stadium, head south and bear right on Kings Dr.; Medical Center Drive is on the right. CMC includes a large children's hospital and may be better for child-specific emergencies.

Go next
Most visitors will use highways to leave Charlotte; consider staying off the interstate if you're visiting during a heavy rush period (such as a holiday or game day). In particular, festivals such as the 4th of July and Speed Street will completely jam local roads; give some thought to using a city bus to park-and-ride on those days in order to save some stress. If you need to head back to the airport, the flat $20 fee for a shuttle is worth the convenience.

title: Charlotte with children


text:
Charlton

Charlton is a small town in Central Massachusetts located outside of Worcester. Charlton is within of five major New England cities: Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Hartford and Providence. Charlton was settled by European immigrants in 1735. It was established as a district separated from Oxford on January 10, 1755, and became a town in 1775 by a law that made all districts into towns. It was named after Sir Francis Charlton. During the 1800s, farming continued to be the major occupation, but woolen mills were being built along some of the town's brooks by the turn of the twentieth century.

Charlton is surrounded by towns filled with history and things to do. One would not often choose Charlton as a place to visit but throughout the year there are great events that an out-of-towner might want to see or partake in including the Old Home Day and Memorial Day parades or Dudley's Strawberry Festival. For someone from a big city this small town of about 13,000 people (2010) is a real culture shock yet could be enlightening to the relaxed atmosphere of its residents.

By car
There is easy access to major highways such as I-90, I-84, I-290 and I-395.

By train or bus
Take MBTA to Union Station Farms on Framingham/Worcester Line. Union Station: 20 Temple Street Worcester, +1 508 792-0212 Train schedules can be found on MBTA.com.

By plane
The nearest airport is Worcester Regional Airport, located about 20 minutes away. There is not much in terms of service, but jetBlue operates twice daily to New York-JFK, and once daily to Fort Lauderdale. In addition to this, Delta runs a daily service to New York-LGA, and American has a daily flight to JFK.

You can also fly in to Logan International Airport in Boston. Logan has more airlines, and more destinations. One can either take the MBTA Framingham/Worcester line into Union Station, and then take a cab or rideshare to town, but getting a rental car is recommended. Take I-90 W to Exit 10 for MA-12 towards I-395/290 toward Auburn/Worcester. Follow MA-12 to Route 20 west, which will lead you right into Charlton.

Get around
The only way to get around Charlton is by car. Charlton however is mainly a car-driven town, but even a bike would get you to most places. Parking in Charlton is not a problem. There are several places to park your vehicle.

See

 * Grave of John "Grizzly" Adams in Bay Path Cemetery
 * No. 2 Schoolhouse
 * Charlton Woolen Mill, an historic landmark
 * No. 2 Schoolhouse
 * Charlton Woolen Mill, an historic landmark
 * No. 2 Schoolhouse
 * Charlton Woolen Mill, an historic landmark

Drink
There are not many bars in Charlton, but Worcester and other neighboring towns have several options.

Sleep
There are no hotels in Charlton, but Sturbridge and Auburn have several options.

Go next
A great place to go to next would be Boston. It is about 45 minutes to an hour away and is an exciting and bright city with a lot of things to do. On your way you can stop in Worcester if you have not already and then from Boston consider heading either south to the beaches of Rhode Island in South County or north to the mountains in New Hampshire.

title: Charlton


text:
Charm

Charm is a town in Holmes County, Ohio. Charm is located south of Berlin on Route 557, that exits off of Route 39 West of Berlin. Route 557 extends east to Farmerstown and ends at Ragersville (Route 93), where if you turn North you will arrive in Sugarcreek. This approximately 5-mile-long road runs through the heart of Amish Country. Comparing this area to Berlin would be like comparing Cancún to inland Mexico. A bit of an exaggeration, but accurate. This short, narrow winding road, full of Amish buggies, animals and pedestrians, is sometimes overwhelmed by "English" visitors on motorcycles in packs of ten or more, vans loaded with shopping mothers and children and car loads of sight seeing visitors. In truth, most of the Amish would just as soon you were not there, but in Berlin visiting the "English" merchants who parasitically, live off of the Amish legend. The Amish are very polite and will be very friendly, but you are cluttering their world.

Get in
SR 39 to Route 557

See

 * Beautiful farms, homes, children, people.
 * Beautiful farms, homes, children, people.

Do
Be careful when driving, the narrow roads are full of Amish buggies, horse drawn farm equipment, animals and children. They move very slowly, have patience.
 * Charm General Store, 4456 SR 557
 * Charm General Store, 4456 SR 557

Buy

 * Famerstown Furniture Ltd., 3155 SR 557. Top quality! 5,000 square foot of Holmes Counties finest crafted furniture. They will custom build and finish. They also have a large inventory of furniture-restoration hardware. Farmerstown Furniture, 3155 SR 557, Baltic (three miles SE of Charm); voice mail +1 330-897-0406; hours: M-Sa 7AM-5PM closed Sunday.
 * Ole Mill Funiture, 4422 SR 557. 7,000 sq ft of hardwood furniture.
 * Cheese
 * Vegetables
 * Hand Made Furniture
 * Bakery Items
 * Antiques
 * Antiques

Eat

 * Homestead Restaurant
 * Homestead Restaurant

Drink
No Alcohol available.

title: Charm


text:
Charters Towers

Charters Towers is a hinterland town in Central Queensland, that has a unique and colourful history, and is often referred to as the historic golden city.

Understand
Charters Towers is southwest of Townsville, near the Burdekin River. Charters Towers has a rich mining, pastoral and World War II heritage that can be enjoyed by visitors today through the unique 'Ghosts of Gold' experience. Charters Towers maintains a range of heritage listed buildings giving the town a lot of charm. You can tour the Venus Battery and explore the Towers Hill World War II bunkers to savour the history of the city that was once referred to as 'The World'!

Get in
By road, Charters Towers is a 90-minute drive from Townsville, a 5½-hour drive from Cairns and a 15-hour drive from Brisbane all via the Bruce and the Flinders Highways. There are also direct flights from Townsville to Charters Towers.

title: Charters Towers


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Chartres

Chartres is a small city in the Centre-Val de Loire region of France, approximately an hour south-west of Paris by train. Population is 39,000 (2017) although that rises to 100,000 when the surrounding towns are taken into consideration. The main attraction for most visitors to Chartres is the 12th-century cathedral, considered by many art historians to be the finest surviving example from the High Gothic period. In the last couple of years a new mayor has overseen the modernization of the centre of the town. There has provoked both positive and negative reactions from the "Chartrains", but there is no doubt that the town is undergoing a certain renewal.

By car
From central Paris, take the A10, followed by the A11 - a driving distance of 91 km (57 miles). It's also possible to take the A13 (towards Rouen) and then at the Traingle de Rocqencourt to head south on the A12 to Trappes and the RN10. The RN10 is the "old" road from Paris to Chartres (and beyond) and there is no toll. Most of it is dual carriageway, although there are a few tricky 3 lane sections. Usually doesn't take any longer than the motorway and both arrive side-by-side in Chartres.

By train
There are many daily direct trains from and to Paris Montparnasse. The journey to Chartres averages just over an hour each way and costs €24 1st class, €16 2nd class (adult fares). Prices are the same whether you buy in advance or last minute. Try to take one of the double-decked TER trains if possible, because they are more comfortable, and you have better views of the lovely countryside.

The SNCF station in Chartres has a good news kiosk, and sometimes there is a small cafe open. Bathrooms at the station are open intermittently, but you can find bathrooms in many other places around the city.

There are few "direct" trains and these are at commuter times. Therefore they are quite often "packed" and at peak-time prices. Most trains are direct from Paris to Rambouillet and then they stop at every station to Chartres. Travel time for one of those is 1 hour 15 minutes. Some trains stop only at Épernon and Maintenon (the small chateau is well worth a trip) and these manage the journey in 1 hour. All trains from Paris to Chartres (and beyond to Nogent le Rotrou and Le Mans) are TER (Train Express Régional)

More often than not, you will be taking the "Paris - Chartres - Nogent le Rotrou - Le Mans" line. The front of the train could read EITHER "Chartres", "Nogent le Rotrou", or "Le Mans," as these 3 cities always have the terminus.

If you are in France for a long period of time, it is worth it to buy an SNCF Fidelity card. For people 28 and under there is "Carte Jeune" where one can save up to 60% on ticket prices. There are also cards available for seniors and special vacation passes. These cards are only worth it when travelling extensively through France.

Get around
Free maps and information can be obtained from the great tourist information centre. They are very helpful and friendly, and the centre is on the road between the train station and cathedral. It is near the cathedral, on the north side of the gravel square in front of the cathedral.

See

 * Walk around the city - there are fine half timbered houses including possibly the best, the Maison de la Truie qui File or du Saumon (Spinning Sow House or Salmon House) named after the carvings on the wooden uprights. Also try to walk down to the river- descend down through the streets to the remains of the old gate to the city. Then walk north about 0.5 km and turn left, taking the steps up which lead to the back of the cathedral.
 * The Monument to Jean Moulin, one of the major leaders of the French Resistance during WWII. He was the regional mayor before the occupation of France.
 * Walk around the city - there are fine half timbered houses including possibly the best, the Maison de la Truie qui File or du Saumon (Spinning Sow House or Salmon House) named after the carvings on the wooden uprights. Also try to walk down to the river- descend down through the streets to the remains of the old gate to the city. Then walk north about 0.5 km and turn left, taking the steps up which lead to the back of the cathedral.
 * The Monument to Jean Moulin, one of the major leaders of the French Resistance during WWII. He was the regional mayor before the occupation of France.

Do

 * Take one of Malcolm Miller's English language tours of the cathedral, especially to learn more about the amazing stained glass windows in the cathedral.
 * Find out when the choir and/or organist will be playing that day in the cathedral. The sound is ethereal in nature.
 * Climb to the top of the north tower in the cathedral to see an incredible view of the town and countryside. On a really clear day, you can see the Eiffel Tower.
 * Walk the Labyrinth on the floor of Chartres Cathedral, an 800-year-old pilgrim path. Guided Tours depart from Paris most Fridays with Michelle Campbell, MFA LabyrinthExperience@yahoo.com
 * The river Eure passes through the town and there is a hiking path that follows the banks in both directions. Both north and south, there are large parks.
 * Do go to the cathedral square at night (after 22:15) and watch coloured lights play on the front of the cathedral, creating fantastic abstract effects. The whole (free) show lasts about ten minutes, and runs in a loop, so there's no hanging around. Go up to the front of the cathedral, (the gravel square) rather than attempt to view the illuminations from afar. Quite spectacular.
 * Do go to the cathedral square at night (after 22:15) and watch coloured lights play on the front of the cathedral, creating fantastic abstract effects. The whole (free) show lasts about ten minutes, and runs in a loop, so there's no hanging around. Go up to the front of the cathedral, (the gravel square) rather than attempt to view the illuminations from afar. Quite spectacular.

Buy
Chartres has many shops selling religious items. Most are located to the north of the cathedral, or along the streets between the cathedral and the train station.

For basic needs, there is a medium-sized Monoprix store in the pedestrian area at the top of the hill. They sell groceries and other items useful for budget travellers.

There is a food market in the Place Billard every Saturday morning. Some professional traders, but plenty of local producers.

Stray away from the touristy areas for delicious meals. Next to the Hôtel de Ville de Chartres you can find some wonderful brasseries.

 * Do go to the cathedral square at night (after 22:15) and watch coloured lights play on the front of the cathedral, creating fantastic abstract effects. The whole (free) show lasts about ten minutes, and runs in a loop, so there's no hanging around. Go up to the front of the cathedral, (the gravel square) rather than attempt to view the illuminations from afar. Quite spectacular. Note that this magnificent light show is only on late at night in the more temperate months.  There are other historic buildings in the town that are also lighted.

Eat

 * Saveurs et Plaisirs, Near La Place des Épars one can find a delightful Crêperie run by young local workers. Here they serve excellently priced Crepes, paninis, sandwiches, and "Kebab" sandwiches. Service is always top notch, the place uses fresh ingredients. English is spoken (and very well). Wi-Fi is also available for free here.
 * Le Grand Monarque: Place des Epars. Often said to be the best restaurant in town.
 * L'Estocade
 * Le Café Serpente - caters to tourists and prices can be hiked up there. They do, however, offer delicious desserts and Hot Chocolates.
 * Café Bleu - Brasserie française right at the Cathédrale de Chartres. Good food, reasonable prices, very nice guys - http://www.cafebleu-chartres.com

Chartres has many small, wonderful restaurants at reasonable prices, especially compared to Paris. Of course, the establishments closest to the SNCF station are the more expensive ones.

There is an awesome macaroon store at the south end of the main town square, and the pedestrian-only streets heading to the west from the town square have many excellent patisseries and boulangeries.

 * 017, 17 avenue Jehan de Beauce (leading from railway station up into town). The previous "Escale" was taken over by a young couple and they provide good food at good prices. The transition has been dramatic ! There is a set priced menu with some dishes available "avec supplément" of 1 or €2. Decent, but not exhaustive, selection of wine. Price of a starter, main course, dessert + wine = €30
 * Brasserie Bruneau, 4 rue Maréchal Delattre de Tassigny (close to the Hotel de Ville / Town Hall). 1930s decor, with service on 2 floors and a terrace. Food is in the "brasserie" style. Service is fast, with perhaps a bit too much verve for a relaxing evening. However, the owner/waiter was born for the job (contrary to many French waiters) and he takes great care of his customers. A meal with starter, main course, dessert and wine can cost around €40, but it's worth it.
 * Brasserie Henri IV, 31 rue du Soleil d'Or. Again "brasserie" style food. Opened late 2005 and so decor is totally new. Well placed in centre of town. Prices are friendly (rumour has it that the owner runs the place for fun, not for gain!)
 * Le Sully, 20 rue du Soleil d'Or. A fish restaurant. Situated opposite the Henri IV and during the summer they share the same terrace. A "cohabitation" facilitated by the fact that they have the same owner.
 * Crep'Salads, 7 rue Serpente (close to cathedral). "Pancakes" and salads. Plenty to eat and not expensive. To be avoided on Friday or Saturday nights because service is catastrophic. Lunchtimes or Sunday is fine.
 * La Napolitaine, 27 rue de la Porte Morard (in the lower end of town, by the river Eure). As the name suggests, it's Italian, but the cuisine (pizza, pasta, escalope) may not be recognised on the other side of the Alps. However, the pizza are huge as are the salads. Contrary to many restaurants in Chartres, it stays open "late" (get in by half past ten). Moreover, it has plenty of room.
 * Bistrot de la Cathédrale, 1 cloître Notre Dame (right beside cathedral). Run by the same people who own the "Grand Monarque". Good "brasserie" type food. A meal with wine will easily pass the €30 mark.
 * Au Petit Chaudron, 11 place des Epars. On the same "place" as the Grand Monarque, but not the same budget. The cuisine is "soignée", the service without reproach and the wine is very favourably priced. However, the place has no real atmosphere. Avoid the "terrace" at all costs as you'll find yourself on the pavement on what is the busiest "place" in town.
 * Le Boeuf Couronné, 15 place du Châtelet. A hotel between the railway station and the cathedral. Always has a good "carte".
 * La Cave aux Fromages, 24 rue de la Porte Morard. In the lower end of town. More of a winter restaurant, with its fondue and raclette. Not expensive.
 * La Cave aux Fromages, 24 rue de la Porte Morard. In the lower end of town. More of a winter restaurant, with its fondue and raclette. Not expensive.

 * Le Tripot, Rue Colin d'Harleville. Spacious restaurant with "ancient" decor and good solid tables and chairs. Local cuisine. Honest prices, but not cheap. Like most restaurants in Chartres, empty during the week and full at weekends.
 * Le Tripot, Rue Colin d'Harleville. Spacious restaurant with "ancient" decor and good solid tables and chairs. Local cuisine. Honest prices, but not cheap. Like most restaurants in Chartres, empty during the week and full at weekends.

Drink
When in Chartres, you should try some of the local brew, a beer called Eurelienne. There are 4 sorts - white (blanche), blonde, red (rousse) and brown (brune). It is brewed just outside town, in Chandres, by a local farmer and the brewery can be visited during the first weekend of every month. The beer is difficult to find, although some shops do a tourist package. Strangely, enough, it can be bought in a "Gamme Vert" garden centre (behind the theatre). The Madrigal bar of the Grand Monarque hotel sells all four types.

 * Bahia Café, 2 place de la Porte St Michel. More of a whiskey and vodka bar although it offers several Belgian beers. It's very popular, especially with fans of rugby. The owner is very vocal, very friendly and very generous with the "nibblies" (which is always a good sign).
 * Le P'tit Bar, 18bis, boulevard Chasles. (just opposite the theatre). A wine bar that also offers beer and coffee. Open afternoons and evenings up to about 21:00. For the moment, it is shut on Sunday and Monday, but this may change. It is possible to order a small (or large) plate of cheese to accompany the wine.
 * Welcome Pub, 37 rue des Changes (centre of town, next to Place Billard market). This is supposed to be a pub, but it lacks interesting beer. Decor is OK.
 * Dicken's Blues [sic], 13 place Châtelet (next to Le Boeuf Couronné hotel and restaurant). Very similar in structure/décor to the Welcome, but has a more varied clientele. Often has a jazz concert on Sunday. Nothing special to say on the drinks front. "Standard" beer and cocktail fare.
 * Le Jungle Café, 42 rue Saint Pierre. Spacious, with a real garden out back. Busy at the weekend (when students return home) but can be quite empty during the week. More of a cocktail bar than a beer bar.

Sleep
Chartres suffers from a lack of hotels so it is definitely worth booking in advance. Below are a few hotels in the centre. There are a few on the ring road to the west and south of town. The good news is that a hotel Mercure has been built in the centre of town, about 50 metres from the Grand Monarque.
 * Jehan de Beauce, 19 avenue Jehan de Beauce. . 2 stars, about 45 m from the railway station. Prices start at around €60.
 * Hôtel Chatelet, 6 avenue Jehan de Beauce. . 3 stars, about 90 m from the railway station. Prices start at around €75.
 * Boeuf Couronné, 15 place Châtelet. . 2 stars, about 180 m from the railway station. Prices start at around €50. Has a good restaurant and it is possible to arrange a room/meal price.
 * Hôtel Ibis, place Drouaise. . About 1 km from the railway station. It is down on the banks of the Eure river so that means a walk uphill for those wanting to visit the centre of town. Part of the Ibis chain of hotels so there are no surprises. Midweek prices are €75, but it is possible to get €50 at the weekend.
 * Hôtel Mercure Chartres Cathédrale, 3 rue du General Koenig. . 3 stars, about 550 m from the railway station. Part of Accor's "Mercure" chain of hotels so there are no surprises. It offers 67 rooms. From €102.
 * Hôtel Mercure Chartres Cathédrale, 3 rue du General Koenig. . 3 stars, about 550 m from the railway station. Part of Accor's "Mercure" chain of hotels so there are no surprises. It offers 67 rooms. From €102.

Go next

 * Maintenon
 * Nogent le Rotrou
 * Paris

title: Chartres


text:
Chaska

Chaska is a growing city in Minnesota which features a vibrant business and cultural community. A suburb southwest of Minneapolis, Chaska is home to major companies such as TPI, as well as the Hazletine National Golf Club.

title: Chaska


text:
Central Okinawa

Central Okinawa (沖縄中部 Okinawa-chubu), also known as Nakagami (中頭), is the central region of Okinawa Island.

Understand
Central Okinawa is the narrowest part of the island. Much of the area, particular on the west coast near Ginowan (宜野湾), Chatan (北谷) and Kadena (嘉手納) is occupied by the large US military bases and consequently has a notable US military presence. The main stretch of Route 58 in front of Camp Foster is all too American, with three lanes flanked on both sides by strip mall shops with English signage and drive-thru fast food restaurants

The eastern coast is more residential, with the three cities of Urasoe (浦添), Uruma (うるま), and Okinawa City (沖縄市), formerly Koza (コザ). If you see highway signs for "Okinawa", they're referring to this city.

Tourist information site
Some cities have their own bilingual tourism info sites, including Chatan Tourism and KOZAWEB (Okinawa City).

Get in
Highway 58 from Naha goes up the western coast through Ginowan, Chatan, Kadena and Yomitan. Rush hour jams can be quite bad.

For the eastern cities, the highway bus goes to Motobu and Nago via Okinawa City. Local bases from Naha Bus Terminal to Koza, Via Route 329 and Route 330.

Get around
The western reaches of Urasoe can be reached by monorail from Naha. For all other transport, you're at the mercy of the local bus network or your own car.

Castles

There are three Ryukyuan castle (gusuku) sites in Central Okinawa. All are in ruins, but have been partly restored.

Do

Buy

Eat

 * For more traditional Okinawan sushi, Fenutin in the Mihama American Village is an excellent choice. Try the sea grapes there. They also play traditional Okinawan music there which is worth listening to, and CDs are available for purchase.
 * For more traditional Okinawan sushi, Fenutin in the Mihama American Village is an excellent choice. Try the sea grapes there. They also play traditional Okinawan music there which is worth listening to, and CDs are available for purchase.
 * For more traditional Okinawan sushi, Fenutin in the Mihama American Village is an excellent choice. Try the sea grapes there. They also play traditional Okinawan music there which is worth listening to, and CDs are available for purchase.
 * For more traditional Okinawan sushi, Fenutin in the Mihama American Village is an excellent choice. Try the sea grapes there. They also play traditional Okinawan music there which is worth listening to, and CDs are available for purchase.
 * For more traditional Okinawan sushi, Fenutin in the Mihama American Village is an excellent choice. Try the sea grapes there. They also play traditional Okinawan music there which is worth listening to, and CDs are available for purchase.

Drink
In Kadena (嘉手納), Gate 2 Street outside the back gate of Kadena Airbase has many bars and restaurants. Most of the Military Officers on the island tend to hang out in the bars on "the Seawall", which is located right outside Gate 1 of Kadena. One of the best known bars on the air force base is.

title: Central Okinawa


text:
Château-Richer

Château-Richer is a suburban municipality of the City of Quebec in Quebec Region.

Geography
It is in the regional county municipality (RCM) of La Côte-de-Beaupré, in the administrative region of Capitale-Nationale. The village borders the St. Lawrence River and faces Île d'Orléans.

Besides the main village of Château-Richer, the various hamlets are: Petit-Pré (near the limit of L'Ange-Gardien), Rivière-Cazeau, Lemoyne, Sault-à-la-Puce, Périgny (near Sainte- Anne-de-Beaupré), Sainte-Anne West, Saint-Achille-de-Montmorency and Saint-Ignace. The vast majority of residents live on the strip along the north shore of the St. Lawrence River, along routes 360 and 138.

The majority of the municipal territory is mountainous and forested. Château-Richer stands in an agricultural area (between the forest and Route 138) and forest which is hilly with the foothills of the Laurentians in the background. The northern part of the territory is drained by the Saint-Adolphe Nord-Est River (a tributary of the Saint-Adolphe River). The central part is drained by the Montmorency River. The tributaries of the Île d'Orléans channel are: Rivière du Petit Pré, Rivière Cazeau, Sault à la Puce River, Dogs River and the river Le Moyne; while the Rivière la Retenue is a tributary of the Ferry River.

History
From the beginning of New France, after the founding of Quebec in 1608, the Côte-de-Beaupré was colonized between the Montmorency River and Cap Tourmente. In 1626, Samuel de Champlain established the first farm in the St. Lawrence Valley in Château-Richer. The first source using "Château-Richer" is the map of Jean Bourdon in 1641; it referred to the cape and the prominence on which the current church stands. Twenty concessions were granted in 1646. With the arrival of new settlers, agriculture and forestry then became the fundamental engines of the local economy. Nevertheless, the inhabitants devote themselves in particular to hunting, fishing, crafts, river transport and the fur trade.

The parish of Château-Richer was incorporated in 1678 under the name of La Visitation-de-Notre-Dame. In 1753, the village was organized into a municipality. The parish municipality was originally incorporated in 1845, then abolished in 1847; it was reconstituted in 1855, after the end of the seigneurial regime in Quebec. The territory became a city in 1968.

By car

 * From Quebec (25 km, time: 0 hr 21 min), take route 138 (eastbound) to the village of Château-Richer.
 * From Montréal (282 km, time: 2 hr 55 min), take Highway 20 (direction East); cross the Pierre-Laporte bridge and continue on Highway 73 (northbound); take Highway 40 (Eastbound); take route 138 (eastbound) to the village of Château-Richer.

Eat
Since March 2020, in the context of health measures resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic, several restaurants or dining rooms in the Quebec City region have transformed the mode of meals at the tables into take-out or delivery service. In general, restaurateurs have demonstrated great resilience by updating their website, integrating interactive and automated applications for remote orders, as well as the display of the menu, opening hours, their mode of operation (e.g. by reservation, drive-through service), required health measures (e.g., vaccination record, mask, distancing), other services (e.g., caterer, shops, accommodation, access for disabled, wi-fi, take-out, delivery), contact details and often the history of the restaurant or site. Considering the evolving context of the pandemic and government measures, it is recommended that customers inquire with each establishment by consulting their respective website.

title: Château-Richer


text:
Chatel

Chatel is in the Haute Savoie region of France.

Chatel is a picturesque ski resort at the heart of the giant Portes du Soleil region of France and Switzerland.

Although the resort has developed into a major tourist resort, it has still remained true to its farming heritage, with a number of working farms still in the centre of the village, and fresh local produce freely available.

title: Chatel


text:
Chatham (Massachusetts)

Chatham  is at the "elbow" of Cape Cod in Massachusetts, and includes the villages of North Chatham, South Chatham and West Chatham. Its beautiful beaches, harbors, coastal scenes and its interesting village shops make it a popular day-trip destination as well as a top-notch vacation area.

In 2007 Chatham was recognized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of America’s Dozen Distinctive Destinations.

By car
From Route 6 take Exit 11; go left off the ramp onto Route 137 South; go straight through one set of lights (by car dealership); go straight (actually a right dogleg) at the four way stop at Queen Anne Rd. ( The Corner Store on corner); continue to the Route 28 intersection (the road will end). Turning right (west) will bring you into the South Chatham neighborhood, while turning left (east) will lead you through Chatham's Main Street (the local name for Route 28). Driving straight (or more precisely, left and then an immediate right up a driveway) brings you to Chatham's Tourist Information Center, sponsored by the local chamber of commerce. This is an excellent first stop, as the Center's volunteers can provide local context and suggestions.

Get around
Remember that traffic is heavy on summer weekends. If leaving on Sunday, try to avoid mid-day.

Baseball
Chatham is home to one of the Cape Cod Baseball League teams, the Anglers (formerly A's). CCBL is recognized nationally as one of the best collegiate summer baseball leagues in the country. Every year numerous athletes are drafted by Major League Baseball, and each summer, fans can get acquainted with the future stars at Veterans' Field. If you like baseball, you will love the pure experience of the finest amateur baseball available anywhere.

Events

 * Chatham Band, 15 Chatham Bars Ave (Kate Gould Park). On summer Friday nights from before the 4th of July to the Friday before Labor Day, the Town Band plays a concert in the park. They start at 8:00 PM and they last about an hour and a half. Bring a chair and a blanket. This is something your little ones would definitely enjoy.
 * Chatham Band, 15 Chatham Bars Ave (Kate Gould Park). On summer Friday nights from before the 4th of July to the Friday before Labor Day, the Town Band plays a concert in the park. They start at 8:00 PM and they last about an hour and a half. Bring a chair and a blanket. This is something your little ones would definitely enjoy.

Buy
Main St. Chatham is host to many small and distinctive shops. The best time to visit is late May/early June or September when the crowds have left. There is always plenty of free parking, but make sure to park within the lines because the police are notorious for ticketing naive tourists.

Go next
Allow lots of time on Sunday's if heading to Boston or anywhere else in New England.

title: Chatham (Massachusetts)


text:
Chatham (England)

Chatham is a town on the River Medway in the north of the English county of Kent, UK. Together with its neighbouring towns of Rochester and Gillingham it forms a large urban area known as the Medway Towns.

By car

 * From London, take the A2 arterial road (32 mi, 51 km).
 * From Canterbury, take the A2 and the M2 to Junction 3 for the Rochester exit (32 mi, 51 km, about 40 min).

By train

 * Fast trains operate from London Victoria (typical journey time 45 - 60 minutes) and slower stopping trains from London Charing Cross, London Waterloo and London Bridge via Dartford (typical journey time 60 - 65 minutes). Trains from Ramsgate & Dover Priory also serve Chatham.

 * High Speed 1 trains from London St Pancras and Faversham serve Chatham. For local journeys these trains are more expensive than the other routes.

By bus
Local buses are operated by Arriva Kent and Surrey, Nu-Venture and ASD Coaches

Buy your ticket from the driver when you board the bus (any operator), For Arriva services buy tickets on the Arriva App or pay contactless.

The Traveline and Medway Council websites provide journey planners and route maps.

See

Eat

 * Pumproom restaurant is within the distillery, see below.
 * Pumproom restaurant is within the distillery, see below.

Go next

 * Gillingham
 * Rochester
 * Strood

title: Chatham (England)


text:
Chatham Islands

The Chatham Islands (Rekohu in the indigenous Moriori language and Wharekauri in Māori) are the eastern-most settled islands in New Zealand. The islands lie 860 km east of Christchurch, in the middle of the "Roaring Forties". Steeped in culture and history, these islands are at the edge of civilisation.

Understand
The Chatham Islands consist of the main island, Chatham Island, with a population of 600, the smaller Pitt Island with about 40 inhabitants, and a number of rocky outcrops. Volcanic in origin, they form a unique and sensitive habitat that supports many rare and endangered species, especially birds, making it an interesting destination for birdwatching and for seeing flora that you won't encounter in the wild anywhere else in the world.

The Chatham Islands have been described as being like mainland New Zealand was 30-40 years ago. This is a positive reflection on the way the locals take an interest in each other and in visitors to the islands, perhaps no surprise given the size and remoteness of the Chatham Islands. The archipelago is home to three cultures: Moriori, Maori and Pakeha (European). There are attractions related to each of these, from rock carvings to fishing harbours.

Lying far out in the ocean, the islands are in their own time zone, 45 minutes ahead of New Zealand Time; the International Date Line zigzags eastward to place them on the same calendar day as the rest of New Zealand.

Climate
The Chatham Islands are at about the same latitude as Christchurch, but the weather is significantly cooler in summer and does not get as cold in winter. The air is always humid, with an average humidity of 84%.

Infrastructure
Electricity on the Chatham Islands comes from a mix of diesel generators and wind turbines. Power is considerably more expensive than on mainland New Zealand.

There is a small primary school on Pitt Island and two small primary schools on Chatham Island. The largest is at Te One, with 52 students, and this has a community swimming pool. Most children go away to a secondary boarding school.

Local government is run by the Chatham Islands Council, with a few things run from Canterbury. The MP for the Rongotai electorate (which covers southern and eastern Wellington City, including Wellington Airport) represents the islands in Parliament.

History
The original people of the islands are the Moriori, who first arrived around 1500. They are descended from the Maori of mainland New Zealand, but developed their own culture and variant of the language. Some 19th century writers had mistakenly thought that they came directly from Polynesia. The Moriori had a pacifist culture and are known for their carvings of rocks and trees.

The first recorded European visit to the islands was by HMS Chatham in 1791, when the islands were claimed for Britain and named after the ship. Pitt Island was later named after William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham.

In 1835 Maori settlers from the mainland arrived, and massacred and enslaved the Moriori, who remained enslaved until the 1860s. German settlers arrived in 1865, after a failed attempt in the 1840s.

By plane
The only way for visitors to get to the Chathams is by scheduled or chartered air service to. Air Chathams fly 4 days a week (6 days a week in summer), from either Christchurch, Auckland (weekly on Th, 2hr 15min, $385 one way) or Wellington (1 hr 30 min, from $385 one way) (May 2018). The plane is based in the Chathams and flies to mainland New Zealand in the morning, then back to the Chathams in the afternoon. As the Chathams are part of New Zealand, there are no passport or visa requirements and no border controls on arrival from the mainland.

You should arrange accommodation before you fly to the Chathams, as during the popular months of the tourism season (October to April) accommodation can be severely limited. There are no same-day return flights, so you have to stay at least one night.

Although flying there and back is not cheap, it is worth it. Even the mainland school groups that fly there for school camps and stay at Kopinga Marae get value for money by chartering a flight one way. Anyway, you don't have a choice on how you get there, unless you happen to own an aeroplane.

If you haven't organised land transport for your arrival you will have to walk, and it's a long way into town.

By boat
There are freight shipping services to the Chatham Islands, but no passenger service.

Vessels can call at the Chathams and there are a number of safe harbours for shelter. Remember to notify the local policeman, or Ministry of Fisheries officer, if you are entering New Zealand via the Chathams. If you want a wharf berthage, then call the local harbour master as you approach the Chathams.

Get around
There is no bus or taxi service. You can probably arrange for your accommodation provider to pick you up at the airport.

There are several businesses on Chatham Island that will rent you a vehicle. Do not expect the flashiest and latest, although they will be warranted and safe.

 * Pitt Island is accessible by air from Chatham Island. See its listing in the See section below for details. It may also be possible to arrange a trip by boat – ask locally.
 * Pitt Island is accessible by air from Chatham Island. See its listing in the See section below for details. It may also be possible to arrange a trip by boat – ask locally.
 * Pitt Island is accessible by air from Chatham Island. See its listing in the See section below for details. It may also be possible to arrange a trip by boat – ask locally.

See
Scenery ranges from sandy beaches to swampland, lakes and rivers to ocean vistas, and from the cliffs to the hills. The landscape is made up of fern, pasture and forest.

Situated far from other land, the Chathams have several animal and plant species found in the wild nowhere else in the world, and some of the world's most rare and endangered birds, plants and insects.

There are 388 plant species, of which 47 are endemic, and the islands make up its own floristic province within the Antarctic Floristic Kingdom. Myosotidium hortensia (Chatham Islands forget-me-not), Olearea traversiorum (Chatham Island tree daisy), Astelia chathamica (Chatham Islands kakaha) and rautini (Chatham Island Christmas tree) are some examples.

You can see many different seabird species here, many of which are threatened. Particularly rare birds are the Magenta petrel (the world's rarest seabird), the Chatham albatross, breeding only on the tiny islet of The Pyramid south of Pitt Island, and the shore plover. Other endemic birds are the black robin, Chatham oystercatcher, Chatham gerygone, Chatham pigeon, Chatham parakeet, Chatham snipe, Chatham shag and Pitt shag.

Marine mammals you can see on the beaches and in the waters around the islands are sea lions and different species of seals and whales.

Culture
There are three cultures on the Chathams islands: Moriori, Maori and Chatham Islands culture. Kopinga Marae is the base for Te Imi Moriori and is adorned with carvings and artworks from contemporary Moriori artists. The revival of Moriori culture and language is facilitated from there. Maori have a marae (ceremonial meeting place) and the local iwi (tribe), Ngati Mutunga o Wharekauri, have an office building here. Maori culture is very strong on the Chathams. The Chathams culture is a blend of all three ethnicities and has been shaped by the environment, the lifestyle, the contributions from each group.

Do
There is plenty to do on the Chatham Islands, and the islands have some of the most spectacular scenery in New Zealand. There are rugged coastlines with towering cliffs, boulder strewn beaches and wide sandy expansive beaches that visitors can walk or beach-comb on. Find a 40-million-year-old shark tooth, thankfully without a shark attached to it. Most of the time you will have the beach to yourself.

Other activities include fishing, hunting (pig hunting is a popular pastime) and watching or participating in farming. There is also a multitude of reserves on the islands, listed below, which are great for bushwalking. If you are into rare plants and birds, then this is the place for you.

Eat
Do you like crayfish (lobster), paua (abalone) or fish? Well you're coming to the right place, because there's lots of it and it's all fresh and tasty. Weka are a protected species elsewhere in New Zealand, but are sufficiently common that you might see them on the menu here.

If you prefer to be self-catered, there are two shops on the island that sell groceries:

Sleep
You need to arrange accommodation before you arrive. The plane is based in the Chathams and flies to mainland New Zealand in the morning, then back to the Chathams in the afternoon. So if you get off the plane and find all the accommodation is full, you're stuck for the night. Most of the accommodation gets booked out during the summer months, so be sure to book.

Connect

 * As of 2023, 4G mobile phone service was added, with good coverage over much of the island.
 * Wi-Fi is available from Hotel Chathams (for a fee) and at the airport (for free). It is however quite slow since it relies on a satellite uplink.
 * Radio Weka broadcasts at 92.1 MHz FM, with a mixture of local volunteer content and relays of Radio New Zealand. New Zealand television is also broadcast.

Go next
Unless you have your own vessel, you won't go directly from here, but you may be interested in visiting other islands:
 * Stewart Island
 * Great Barrier Island

title: Chatham Islands


text:
Chatham-Kent

Chatham-Kent is a municipality of 104,000 people (2021) which includes the former city of Chatham in southwestern Ontario, between Windsor and London. The municipality is defined as all of Kent County including Blenheim, Chatham, Dresden, Ridgetown, Tilbury and Wallaceburg.

Chatham was established in the 1790s as a naval dockyard on the Thames River. In the War of 1812, the Battle of the Thames was fought on October 5, 1813; the area is also included in the signed African-Canadian Heritage Tour route as a part of the Underground Railroad.

By car
From Highway 401, take exit 81 (CR 27 - Bloomfield Road) or exit 90 (Highway 40 north, Communication Road).

By train

 * Operates trains multiple times daily between Windsor and Toronto including stops in Chatham, London, Ingersoll, Woodstock, Brantford, Burlington, and Oakville.
 * Operates trains multiple times daily between Windsor and Toronto including stops in Chatham, London, Ingersoll, Woodstock, Brantford, Burlington, and Oakville.

Get around

 * Many of the locations listed here are rural and most easily accessed by automobile. Note that "Highway 2" (Queen's Line, through downtown Chatham) and "Highway 3" (Talbot Trail, along the Lake Erie waterfront) are marked locally as county or regional roads on maps issued after 1998. Highway 2 is the original main road from Windsor to Montreal (bypassed by 401), Highway 3 is the road from Detroit (bridge and tunnel) to the Buffalo-Niagara region along the north shore of Lake Erie.
 * Many of the locations listed here are rural and most easily accessed by automobile. Note that "Highway 2" (Queen's Line, through downtown Chatham) and "Highway 3" (Talbot Trail, along the Lake Erie waterfront) are marked locally as county or regional roads on maps issued after 1998. Highway 2 is the original main road from Windsor to Montreal (bypassed by 401), Highway 3 is the road from Detroit (bridge and tunnel) to the Buffalo-Niagara region along the north shore of Lake Erie.

Buy
Chatham-Kent is a collection of individual, separate small towns; each of Chatham. Blenheim, Ridgetown, Wallaceburg and Tilbury has its own independent downtown core with an assortment of boutiques and stores.

title: Chatham-Kent


text:
Chathannoor

Chathannoor is a city in Southern Travancore in India.

Understand
Chathannoor is in the extreme east part of Kollam District of Kerala, around 55 km north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram and 15 km towards south from Kollam Town on the National Highway (NH 47).

This town is one of the fastest developing towns in Kerala. It is a Special Grade Panchayath in Kollam District and can reach this town by Bus and Train.

Get in
Chathannoor is well connected to other parts of Kerala by road. National Highway (NH47), which is coming from Salem, is going via Chathannoor to Kanyakumari. NH 47 is passing through the center of the town. Kollam Railway Station is only 18 km from the town and is well connected by buses. Nearest Airport is Thiruvanathapuram International Airport.

There major transport hubs are:

 * Chathannoor Junction. This is the central part of town. All the shopping centres and Market are located here. Buses to all major cities of Kerala stops here. This junction is be busy with traffic and pedestrians all the time.  The Panchayath office, and more than a dozen of Government offices, police station, Government higher Secondary school, NSS Higher Secondary School and the public library are in the town center.
 * KSRTC Junction. KSRTC Bus Station and Mini Civil Station (under construction) are here.  Many other state and central offices here makes this junction always busy.
 * Thirumukku. This is another busy junction in the town. Paravur and Varkala roads are deviated from here.

Places of worship
Almost all Christian denominations have churches in this town. Baptist Bible College (Seminary) is located in this town.

title: Chathannoor


text:
Chatsworth (California)

Chatsworth is in the San Fernando Valley in the Los Angeles metropolitan area in Southern California.

Get in
Chatsworth is at the northwest end of the San Fernando Valley. Chatsworth can be most easily accessed by the 118 Freeway. Amtrak and Metrolink trains also stop in Chatsworth.

Get around
An automobile is indispensable for getting around Chatsworth. There is a Metro buses also operate in the city.

Go next
Go out the way you came in or strike off to explore the San Fernando Valley or neighboring Simi Valley.

title: Chatsworth (California)


text:
Chatsworth

There is more than one place called Chatsworth:

South Africa

 * Chatsworth: a suburb of Durban, South Africa
 * Chatsworth (Swartland): in Swartland region of Western Cape in South Africa.

United Kingdom

 * Chatsworth House: a stately home near Bakewell, Derbyshire, England.

United States of America

 * Chatsworth (California): in California, United States of America
 * Chatsworth (Georgia): in Georgia, southern USA

title: Chatsworth


text:
Chatsworth (Georgia)

Chatsworth is a small town in Georgia's Northwest High Country, near Dalton and Chattanooga.

title: Chatsworth (Georgia)


text:
Chattanooga

Chattanooga is the 4th largest city in Tennessee. It is the seat of Hamilton County. It is in Southeast Tennessee on the Tennessee River and near the border of Georgia. It was immortalized in the popular 1941 song "Chattanooga Choo Choo", made famous by Glenn Miller.

Understand
Chattanooga played an important role during the American Civil War, when it was a major railroad hub and one of the most industrialized parts of the Confederacy along with the nearby city of Atlanta, resulting in Chattanooga and being at the center of numerous pitched battles. Many of the tourist attractions center around Civil War history such as numerous battlefield parks in and around the city. It is less prominent today because of the decline of its famed railroad, made famous by the popular song "Chattanooga Choo Choo", which is also commemorated in numerous tourist attractions and the popular Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel. In 2020, the city was home to about 185,000 people. The racial makeup of the city is 62% White and 31% African American, with the remainder being other races or mixed-race. Despite its economic loss and a small population, the city has become notably modernized, urbanized, and economically revitalized, receiving nationally recognition for the renaissance of its once-dilapidated, post-Industrial downtown, redevelopment of its riverfront, and the fastest Internet in the world. Within the last ten years the city has won three national awards for outstanding "livability", and nine Gunther Blue Ribbon Awards for excellence in housing and consolidated planning. An early cornerstone of this project was the restoration of the historic Walnut Street Bridge, which is now the world's longest pedestrian bridge. Chattanooga is the corporate headquarters and home of Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Tennessee, Rock Creek Outfitters, Krystal, Chattem, Unum, the Chattanooga Bakery (home of the Moon Pie), and Miller Industries, the largest tow truck manufacturer in the world (Chattanooga is the birthplace of the tow truck, so you'll also find tourist attractions such as the Tow Truck Museum to commemorate this). Chattanooga is also home to the Tennessee Valley Authority, a self-funding government agency which operates numerous power plants in the South. Following the city's industrial decline, many businesses in the banking and insurance industries also set up operations in Chattanooga; the city is home to large branch offices of Cigna, AT&T and UBS.

By car
I-75 (North-South) and I-24 (East-West) intersect in Chattanooga.
 * I-75 - Easy access from Atlanta and Knoxville. Begins in Hialeah, Florida and ends in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan at the Canadian border. If coming this way from the south, consider making a detour to take the Cohutta Chattahoochee Scenic Byway, a Georgia-designated scenic route that includes some beautiful mountain views and charming historic sites.
 * I-24 - Easy access from Murfreesboro, Nashville and Kentucky.
 * I-59 - Connects to I-24 just Southwest of Chattanooga, gives access to Birmingham, Alabama, Southeast Mississippi and ends near New Orleans.

By plane

 * There are non-stop flights to Chattanooga:
 * Atlanta, GA
 * Charlotte, NC
 * Chicago, IL (service from O'Hare International Airport)
 * Dallas, TX (service from Dallas-Ft. Worth International Airport)
 * Detroit, MI (service from Detroit Wayne County International Airport)
 * New York City, NY (service from LaGuardia Airport)
 * Orlando, FL (service from Orlando Sanford Airport)
 * Philadelphia, PA
 * Tampa Bay, FL (service from St. Petersburg/Clearwater Airport)
 * Washington, D.C. (service from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, otherwise known as National Airport, and Dulles Airport)
 * Washington, D.C. (service from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, otherwise known as National Airport, and Dulles Airport)

By boat
Chattanooga is accessible by way of the Tennessee River by personal water craft.

By car
When a speed limit is not posted, assume that it is, especially when downtown or in a residential area.

 * National Car Rental, Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport, +1 423 855-2229.
 * Dollar Rent A Car, +1 423 855-2232.
 * Avis Rent A Car, Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport, +1 423 855-2232.
 * Enterprise Rent A Car, Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport, +1 423 296-9902.
 * Donna's Rent A Car, 1419 South Moore Road, +1 423 899-5621.
 * Thrifty Car Rental, Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport, +1 423 892-8983.
 * Access Car Rental, 2114 Chapman Rd, +1 423 894-3833.
 * Access Car Rental, 3150 Broad Street, +1 423 634-7771.
 * Hertz Rent a Car, Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport, +1 423 855-8131.

By bus
The Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority, better known as CARTA, provides one of the easiest way to move around downtown Chattanooga via a free electric shuttle that operates between the Holiday Inn Choo-Choo and Tennessee Aquarium, along with new service to Chattanooga's North Shore shops and Coolidge Park.

There are also buses serving the remainder of the city. As of 2012, the fares are:

 * Adult - $1.50
 * Seniors - $.75
 * Persons with Disability - $.75
 * Students - $.75
 * Children 5 and under are free with a paying passenger

Special reduced fares require a photo ID issued at the CARTA bus depot.

CARTA schedules are available at many of the local banks, shopping malls, social service agencies, hospitals, colleges, universities, the downtown post office, libraries and through CARTA.

By bike
There are bike sharing services in Chattanooga.

Area parks and greenspaces

 * Coolidge Park. This park features a beautifully restored carousel, a pavilion, an interactive play fountain, and lots of open space where the Navy and Marine Reserve Center once stood. A short walk across the Walnut Street Bridge allows visitors to enjoy Chattanooga's most popular park. It is part of the Tennessee Riverpark, a 22 mile long public park along the Tennessee River. Coolidge park is also a Wi-Fi Hotspot thanks to the City of Chattanooga and AirNet Group.
 * Renaissance Park. Another Northshore park. Adjacent to Coolidge Park, this 23-acre urban wetland park is a product of Chattanooga's 21st Century Waterfront project. Plans are underway to create an outdoor center to promote outdoor activities in the Chattanooga area, as well as a nature trail through the park.
 * Tennessee River Walk. A continuous 10-mile path stretching from Ross's Landing in the heart of downtown Chattanooga to the Tennessee Riverpark and the Chickamauga Dam, stopping various times along the way to open up into picnic areas. Start the trail in any number of places along Amnicola Highway, Riverside Drive, or Downtown. This linear greenway continues to grow and expand through several different projects.
 * Ross's Landing. A site of great significance for its relevance in Cherokee Indian and Chattanooga history, Ross's Landing has been renovated, adding a large pier, natural amphitheater and a large greenspace. Wrapping underneath Riverfront Parkway is a unique water feature for visitors to cool off in. Several mooring posts are available for boaters to make a stop off at this beautiful space.
 * Ross's Landing. A site of great significance for its relevance in Cherokee Indian and Chattanooga history, Ross's Landing has been renovated, adding a large pier, natural amphitheater and a large greenspace. Wrapping underneath Riverfront Parkway is a unique water feature for visitors to cool off in. Several mooring posts are available for boaters to make a stop off at this beautiful space.

Buy
Chattanooga offers many shopping opportunities and generally lower prices than many other cities.

North Shore District
''On the north shore of the Tennessee River, just across from downtown Chattanooga, the North Shore represents a great triumph in city growth and development. What was once a street of abandoned buildings and run-down homes has become one of the city's focal points. Mixed-use business and residential developments are underway, bringing even more people to the area. Coolidge Park, one of the city's most popular greenspaces, is the centerpiece of the North Shore District. The renovation of the Walnut Street Bridge as a pedestrian bridge is also heralded as part of the dramatic growth in the area. Frazier Avenue is considered to be the "Main Street" of this area, and many unique businesses are located here, such as ...''

Southside District
''This area between the Chattanooga Choo-Choo and Finley Stadium is still being renovated but has been popular for redevelopment. Several retail businesses have opened along Market Street near the Choo-Choo, but these listed here a little off the well-beaten tourist path:''

St. Elmo District
In contrast to the more metropolitan downtown, the quaint, historic St. Elmo district at the foot of Lookout Mountain offers a walkable residential area with several small boutique shops and restaurants.

Budget
Plenty of fast food restaurants litter the town, although not as many in the downtown area.

 * Southern Burger Co., 9453 Bradmore Ln #101, Ooltewah. They offer an assortment of gourmet burger combos for under $11. Call at +1 423-825-4919.
 * Southern Burger Co., 9453 Bradmore Ln #101, Ooltewah. They offer an assortment of gourmet burger combos for under $11. Call at +1 423-825-4919.
 * Southern Burger Co., 9453 Bradmore Ln #101, Ooltewah. They offer an assortment of gourmet burger combos for under $11. Call at +1 423-825-4919.
 * Southern Burger Co., 9453 Bradmore Ln #101, Ooltewah. They offer an assortment of gourmet burger combos for under $11. Call at +1 423-825-4919.
 * Southern Burger Co., 9453 Bradmore Ln #101, Ooltewah. They offer an assortment of gourmet burger combos for under $11. Call at +1 423-825-4919.

Splurge

The Bluff View Art District is host to several restaurants, art museums and galleries, as well as lodging.

Coffee and tea

 * Velo Coffee Roasters, 509 E Main Street, 8AM-5PM. An institution of Chattanooga coffee that serves traceable, light roast, single-origin coffees that are roasted within this space. Location includes roasting space and full service espresso bar, including a garden patio seating.
 * Goodman Coffee Roasters, 1110 Market Street, 8AM - 5PM. Goodman Coffee is in the upscale Warehouse Row shopping center and is largely known for its wide selection of light to medium roasts of single origin coffees. Tea, pastries, and eggs are also available.
 * Sleepyhead Coffee, 735 Broad Street, M-Sa 8AM-3PM, closed Sunday. Intimate, bright multi-roaster that serves espresso drinks and vegan pastries. Sleepyhead is notable for its abundance of plants and green life within its space.
 * Mean Mug Coffeehouse, 114 W Main Street, M-Sa 7AM-5PM, Su 8AM-4PM. Popular Main Street stand-by for food, coffee, and tea.
 * Mad Priest Coffee Roasters, 1900 Broad Street, Tu-F 7AM-2PM, Sa 8AM-2PM. A small tasting room for this local coffee roaster that serves espresso drinks and filter coffee. Mad Priest is known for their mission to support the refugee communities within Chattanooga.

Stay safe

 * The Chattanooga Police Department operates a police precinct located on Walnut Street in Downtown Chattanooga. (Closed)
 * The Chattanooga Police Department's Traffic Division uses patrol cars without emergency lights on their roof. Instead they have numerous blue lights mounted in the front grill and rear window.  In September 2006 the police department announced increased speed limit enforcement due to numerous recent speed-related fatal accidents.
 * The City of Red Bank, which is very close to the North Shore district, employs photo enforced traffic lights. A rolling right turn on red will very likely result in a citation.

Telephone
Local phone numbers - The area code for Southeastern Tennessee (which includes Chattanooga) is 423.

Internet
(Many of the city's parks have WiFi hotspots in them. See WirelessInTheParks.com for more information regarding this venture.)
 * Chattanooga Area Convention and Visitors Bureau - 2 Broad Street, next to the Aquarium. The Chattanooga Visitors Center provides maps of downtown, sample itineraries, attraction tickets, and more. Official Chattanooga Tourism site.
 * Coolidge Park - The area centering around the Carousel is a Wi-Fi Hotspot thanks to the City of Chattanooga and AirNet Group. It uses 802.11b.  WEP security is turned off.
 * Grey Friars Coffee - Using 802.11a/b. SSID "Greyfriar24"
 * Chattanooga Choo Choo/Holiday Inn - Located at 1400 Market Street.
 * Panera Bread -
 * Located near the Target in the Hamilton Place Mall Area. 1810 Gunbarrel Road.
 * 417 Market Street, Near Jack's Alley
 * Stone Cup Roasting Company - Located in the Northshore Distinct. 224 Frazier Avenue.
 * The Walden Club - 633 Chestnut Street, 21st floor. The Walden Club is a members-only restaurant in the Republic Center.
 * University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Lupton Library - Located at the center of the UTC campus offering 802.11b on an open network.
 * Barnes & Noble - Near Hamilton Place Mall at 2230 Hamilton Place Blvd.
 * Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport
 * Holiday Trav-L-Park - Free 802.11 WiFi for all campers.
 * Located near Northgate Mall, next to the TJ Maxx strip mall. 620 Northgate Mall.
 * The UPS Store - Located near the Best Buy in the Hamilton Place Mall Area. 2288 Gunbarrel Road.  May require subscription to Boingo Wireless service
 * Krystal Restaurants  - Nearly every Krystal Restaurant in the Chattanooga area.
 * McDonald's - Service is $9.95/day or $29.95/month through the provider Wayport.
 * 2003 Dayton Blvd in Red Bank
 * 4502 Rossville Blvd, 6220 Lee Hwy
 * 1117 E 3rd Street. This location very close to Erlanger Hospital and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga campus.
 * Amigo's Mexican Restaurant - Located in Hixson at 5450 Highway 153.

Medical
The Chattanooga area has three major hospitals with 3 full-service Emergency Departments and 3 limited-service Emergency Departments:

Law enforcement
In any emergency situation, call 911!

Weather

 * Summer (Jun-Aug), average temperature of, with maximums in the low 100s (38°C). Scattered thundershowers quite often appear and disappear almost as quickly, sometimes dropping almost an inch of rain in 30 minutes or less.
 * Autumn (Sep-Nov), average temperature of.
 * Winter (Dec-Feb), average temperature of, with a number of days below freezing. Very little snow or ice in the valley, but fairly often in the higher elevations such as Lookout and Signal Mountains.  Almost any amount of snow or ice in the valley will stop nearly all activity in the city.
 * Spring (Mar-May), average temperature of.

Go next
Nearby: (While they may not necessarily be huge tourist attractions, they are nearby) Not quite as nearby, but still reasonable:
 * Ocoee, TN. A popular destination for water sports such as white water rafting and kayaking, as well as fishing.
 * Sewanee, TN. Home of the University of the South, and many scenic views.
 * Cleveland, TN. 30 minutes North of Chattanooga.  M&M Mars has a plant here.
 * Dalton, GA. Home of SHAW Industries, one of the world's largest carpet manufacturers.
 * Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Explore acre upon acre of forested mountains with a 2 hour drive North.
 * Knoxville. About a 1.5 hour drive.
 * Nashville. About a 2.5 hour drive.
 * Atlanta, GA. About a 1.5 hour drive. (Including Marietta, Decatur and Stone Mountain)

title: Chattanooga