GoScope founder gives us his favorite top six must-do’s in Charlotte for an adventurous and fun getaway.
Photo: Kyle ScarolaIn 2004, I graduated from high school and moved to Charlotte to attend the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC). I graduated in 2008 with my degree in Electrical Engineering. Although I love engineering, my true hobby/passion is traveling and making videos with my GoPro camera. I would put video clips together on my Mac, add music, and share my adventures on YouTube. This was really only a hobby for me until 2010, when I decided to make a pole for my GoPro. The pole was helpful to take selfies, but it was also great in stabilizing the footage and getting close to my subject without having to hold out my arm. My dad nicknamed the pole “GoScope”. The name was a combination of GoPro with a telescoping pole.
So, after dabbling in the field of nuclear power for three years, I decided to break away from the cubical life and start making these poles FULL TIME! I haven’t looked back since! Now, almost six years later, we make over 16 different GoPro accessories. My wife, Lindsey, and I still love to travel and make short movies with our GoPro. We’ve traveled with my family to places like Thailand, British Virgin Islands and Tahiti. The travel bug has bit us hard! The best part of traveling is getting to share our crazy adventures with the world by using our GoPro camera and our trusty GoScope gear!
So, if you happen to make your way to my home city, here are my favorite top six must-do’s in Charlotte!
1. Big Bradley Falls
5436 Holbert Cove Road, Saluda, North Carolina 28773 (map)
Big Bradley Falls is about an hour-and-a-half drive outside of Charlotte in a town called Saluda, but it is by far our favorite place to go! Google Maps will bring you right to it. It’s our hidden gem that very few people know about! My wife, Lindsey, and I go there quite often and where we often find ourselves completely alone next to the giant waterfall; needless to say, it is very romantic! Big Bradley Falls looks like it was taken right out of Jamaica. In July and August, bring a bathing suit to swim in the pool below the falls!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BFHqbz7n9p3/?taken-by=katie_lovesjazzz
2. Lake Norman
19900 West Catawba Avenue, Cornelius, North Carolina 28031 (map, website)
If I could be anything, I think I would be a fish. We love the water! I grew up in Florida, so I constantly miss the beach, but Lake Norman is the next best thing! We moved to Lake Norman about two years ago because of how much we loved the lake, and it has tons of great places to eat nearby. We highly recommend The Blue Parrot Grill (make sure to get the shrimp tacos, it’s a must-try!). For the true party animal, the Sand Bar Tie-Up on Saturday is the hot spot, with all kinds of amazing crowds showing up to pump out the jams and dance the day away! Break out the beer, strap on the life vest and float around for some truly jaw-dropping entertainment.
3. U.S. National Whitewater Center
5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte, North Carolina (map, website)
The U.S. National Whitewater Center has to be one of the coolest places I have ever been! The man-made rapids are sure to put a smile on anyone’s face, not to mention white water rafting, zip-lining, rock climbing, and the awesome food! Seriously, this place has it all and I cannot recommend it enough!
4. EpiCentre
210 East Trade Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28202 (map, website)
EpiCentre is THE place to hangout on a Thursday night! They have live bands that come out and play at an event called Alive After Five. On the weekends there is great food and really cool bars to go to. We recommend going to silent disco, and if you have never been to a silent disco, we highly recommend it! Put on your headphones and go crazy on the dance floor or take them off and have a casual conversation without the hassle of yelling over the loud speakers.
5. Bank of America Stadium
800 South Mint Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28202 (map, website)
I’m not sure Charlotte would be as fun without our beloved Carolina Panthers! After attending the Super Bowl, tickets for a Panther’s game may be on the pricier side but trust me it’s totally worth the price of admission. Cam Newton always manages to put on a show, which makes a game at Bank of America Stadium such an experience!
6. BB&T Ballpark
324 South Mint Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28202 (map, website)
During the offseason, we like to attend a Charlotte Knights baseball game at BB&T Ballpark. A fun experience with a great baseball game, tasty food, and amazing views of the city, makes a stop at BB&T Ballpark an absolute must!
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