32nd Annual Meeting - Charlotte, North Carolina - June 19 - 22, 2014
The 2014 Annual Meeting of the Society of John Gaither Descendants, hosted by Jo Ann Bondurant and Arleen McGinn, will be held in the "Queen City", Charlotte, North Carolina. Nicknamed the Queen City in honor of Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, who had become queen consort of Great Britain the year before the city's founding.
The host hotel, Embassy Suites Charlotte, at I-77 and Billy Graham Parkway is near downtown Charlotte, SouthPark Mall, and Charlotte-Douglas International Airport. Drive or take the hotel shuttle or a light rail train to access local restaurants and attractions.
Charlotte is the perfect place for a family reunion. With indoor and outdoor activities for family members of all ages - and hundred of restaurants to please any palate - you'll never run out of memories to make. Let’s all use this opportunity to encourage every Gaither you know, from all four-corners of the country and beyond, to join us.
In addition to the group activities planned for the Gaither reunion, here are just a few of the standout family activities available in Charlotte:
U.S. National Whitewater Center – At this world-class outdoor recreation complex, you’ll find a full spectrum of family fun and thrills, from gentle rafting excursions to the extreme “Rodeo Rafting,” as well as kayaking and more. For adventures on dry land, the center offers a rock climbing wall, zip-lines, mountain biking and more. At the River’s Edge Bar and Grill, families can enjoy a meal together (and adults can enjoy some local craft beer) while watching rafters brave the rapids.
Carowinds – This popular Charlotte amusement park is a hit with all ages. Younger kids will love the rides at Planet Snoopy while fearless teens will be impressed by the Intimidator, the fastest roller coaster in the Southeast, and the WindSeeker, a swing ride 301 feet above the ground. As for Boomerang Bay, the 20-acre water park, that’s sun-soaked fun for everyone.
NASCAR Hall of Fame – This interactive museum entertains the whole family with hands-on activities for kids and 40,000 square feet of exhibits for race fans.
Discovery Place – Learn and play together at the premier science museum in the region. Challenge yourselves at learning labs, try out interactive exhibits and then chill out together at the IMAX® Dome Theatre.
See more family attractions and activities here.
Whether your family has a hankering for North Carolina BBQ, burgers, pizza, a perfect steak, Thai food or something else entirely, it’s easy to find crowd-pleasing restaurants that fit your style and budget. See more dining listings.