Things to do in Raleigh!!!

Are you wondering what ELSE there is to do in the Raleigh, North Carolina area? Well, Raleigh is centrally located: about three hours from the majestic North Carolina mountains (Boone & Asheville areas) and about two hours from the beautiful North Carolina beaches (Wilmington/Wrightsville Beach area, in particular).

Additionally....there's a LOT to do while in the City of Raleigh. Keep in mind that you'll be only a few minutes' drive from three top universities: UNC-Chapel Hill (also known as CAROLINA!), Duke University, and N.C.S.U. (home of the Wolfpack). Below is a list of just a few of Raleigh highlights. And, note that all TWENTY of these "things to do" are FREE:

1. N.C. Museum of History -- Sparkling facility showcases North Carolina's unique and colorful history. (919) 715-0200. Closed on Mondays.
2. N.C. Museum of Art -- Features one of the South's best collections. (919) 839-6262. Closed on Mondays.
3. N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences -- Learn about the state's natural history, from the coastal plains to the mountains. (919) 733-7450.
4. N.C. Sports Hall of Fame -- Members include Arnold Palmer, Dean Smith and Richard Petty. Housed in the N.C. Museum of History. (919) 715-0200. Closed on Mondays.
5. State Capitol -- This National Historic Landmark was built in the 1830s. Greek Revival architectural style. (919) 733-4994.
6. North Carolina Executive Mansion -- Called "the most beautiful governor's mansion {interior} in America" by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. (919) 733-3456. Call in advance to make reservations for guided tours.
7. Parks, Lakes and Greenways -- Visitors to Greater Raleigh can enjoy more than 150 beautiful parks and lakes, covering 6,500 acres, and 46 miles of greenways. For a detailed listing, call the Greater Raleigh Convention & Visitors Bureau at (800) 849-8499.
8. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Gardens -- A colorful variety of trees, shrubs and flowering plants surround a life-size bronze statue of Dr. King. (919) 834-6264.
9. State Farmers Market -- Produce doesn't get any fresher -- or more colorful - than at this 75-acre open air market. (919) 733-7417. Admission is free; produce is not.
10. Artspace -- A center for the visual arts featuring 44 working artists in open-to-the-public studios. (919) 821-2787. Closed Sundays.
11. J.C. Raulsten Arboretum at N.C. State University -- Features more than 6,000 varieties of plants from 55 countries. (919) 515-3132.
12. Historic Oakwood-- Victorian neighborhood listed in the National Tour of Historic Places. Nearby Oakwood Cemetery is the resting place of U.S. Senators, N.C. Governors, Confederate soldiers and generals. Neighborhood: (919) 834-0887. Cemetery: (919) 832-6077.
13. Pullen Park-- Downtown park featuring a 1911 antique carousel, train ride, kiddie boat ride and pedal boats. (919) 831-6468. Hours vary; small fee for rides.
14. State Legislative Building-- Home of the N.C. General Assembly. Designed by Edward Durrell Stone, who also designed the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and the American Embassy in New Delhi, India. (919) 733-7928.
15. St. Augustine's College Chapel -- Built in 1895, the chapel is home to the bishop's chair, a memorial to the Right Reverend Henry Beard Delany. (919) 516-4189. Hours: June - July, Mon. - Fri. 9 am-5 pm; Aug. - May, chapel service on Sundays at 11 am.
16. African-American Cultural Complex -- An exposition of contributions made by African Americans to the development of North Carolina and the United States. (919) 231-0625. Call in advance to schedule appointment.
17. Raleigh City Museum -- Interesting exhibits take visitors through the 200-year history of the Capital City. New location downtown at Historic Briggs Hardware Building (1874). (919) 832-3775. Hours vary; call for details.
18. North Carolina Solar Center -- Demonstration house and research facility on the N.C. State University campus. (919) 515-3799. Closed Saturdays.
19. Historic Oak View County Park -- Historic farmstead that focuses on Wake County's agricultural heritage. (919) 250-1013. Open Monday through Saturday. Main house by appointment only.
20. Ray Price Legends of Harley Drag Racing Museum — Check out the only Harley-Davidson drag racing museum in the world located on the second floor of one of the largest Harley dealerships in the United States. The newly-expanded showroom is the home of the world-famous drag racing champion Ray Price. (919) 832-2261.

If you have any questions whatsoever, do not hesitate to contact me. I'm here and available to help, as are all of my fellow employee owners! I can't wait to meeting you in Raleigh in November!

Until then,

Connie

(aka "Convention Connie")

Did we say BRAND NEW???

Carol Penney, Scott Cross, Sam Wilson, and I went on a "Hard Hat Tour" of both the Marriott Raleigh City Center site AND the Raleigh Convention Center and I wanted to share a picture of two with you! Yup! Both are brand spanking new! The Marriott is scheduled to open on July 22 (2 months AHEAD of schedule), and the Convention Center has scheduled its GRAND OPENING for September 5-6, 2008.

Both facilities are, for lack of a better description, out of this world! When we actually went into a couple of the rooms at the Marriott (where you'll be spending the night), I had one of those "Calgon, take me away moments." Luxurious bedding....beautiful decor.....first class all the way. And, when I think about the room rate that we locked in for our educators, even I (the biggest tightwad that I know!!!) am amazed. What a deal!

And...the convention center is absolutely amazing. I still don't know how architects and engineers do it, but these folks are doing an outstanding job. The convention facilities that we have reserved are first class (again, for lack of a better descriptive word!). So....we'll keep you updated as construction progresses, but won't it be fun to be able to say we were one of the FIRST groups to EVER hold a convention at the Raleigh Convention Center....and.....be one of the FIRST people to stay in one of those luxurious rooms at the Marriott!

Register on the teachers lounge TODAY for convention, and then call the Marriott at 1-866-260-1270 to reserve your room. Be sure to request the KINDERMUSIK rate!

Until then,

"Convention Connie"

(below is a picture of one of the chandeliers in the Marriott!)

Shouting it from the rooftops!

Kindermusik Maestro Stephanie Bartis is shouting it from the rooftops! Register for convention today! And, be sure to reserve your room at the brand NEW Marriott Raleigh City Center by calling Marriott group reservations at 866-260-1270. Be sure to request the KINDERMUSIK rate, which is $109 or $119 depending upon the size room you will need during your stay.

Now is the time to do your research and find the best travel deal out there to attend this year's convention. Remember to contact Convention Connie at cschor@kindermusik.com should you need assistance in finding a travel deal.

There's so much on the convention to do and see! To take a look at the full convention agenda, click here: http://www.kindermusik.com/2008KindermusikConvention/ePostcard_Convention08/downloads/agenda.pdf
And, if you would like to have your baby picture posted on the Kindermusik Convention blog, just email it in .jpg format to me! These pictures are yet one more reminder that "a good beginning never ends"!

See you in November,

"Convention Connie"