NACAA: 2008 AMPIC Spouses' Activities

Tour 1 - For the China Collector!
If you relish fine china, you will not want to miss Replacements Ltd. which is the world’s largest retailer of old and new china, crystal, flatware and collectibles with more than 11 million pieces of inventory in 250,000 plus patterns. After this shopping spree, you’ll visit Chinqua Penn Plantation featured on A & E’s America’s Castles and acclaimed as an architectural American treasure. The Plantation includes a 27-room English countryside mansion filled with elaborate furnishings from 30 countries. Depart hotel at 9:00 a.m. and return at 4:30 p.m.

Tour 2 – Greensboro’s Downtown History
The city of Greensboro features much in terms of history. With this tour, you will take a sightseeing tour of Old Greensborough and the downtown historic district where Edward R. Murrow and O. Henry witnessed the same scenes. Drive by the historic Woolworth Sit-In site and be reminded of those who led the Civil Rights movement. Then visit Blandwood Mansion, a national landmark originally constructed in 1795 by John Motley Morehead, formal governor in North Carolina. Enjoy shopping at two open-air shopping villages, Friendly Center and the Shops at Friendly Center, with over 1,300,000 square-feet of retail shops. Depart hotel at 9:00 a.m., return at 3:15 p.m.

Tour 3 - African-American History Tour
Choose this tour and you’ll visit the Mendenhall Plantation, an early 19th century Quaker plantation which includes many unique out buildings, a museum and one of two existing false-bottomed wagons used to transport runaway slaves during the time of the Underground Railroad. Take a tour of the city of Greensboro and drive by NC A & T State University, Bennett College and the actual site of the Woolworth Sit-in. Bennett College is the only historically African-American college for women in North Carolina. As you pass by NC A & T State University, you’ll see the famous statue of David Richmond, Franklin McCain, Ezell Blair, Jr. (Jibreel Khazan) and Joseph McNeil who envisioned and carried out the lunch counter sit-in of February 1, 1960, in downtown Greensboro. Conclude at the NC A&T State University Research Farm for the latest in agricultural research. Depart hotel at 9:30 a.m., return at 5:00 p.m.

Tour 4 - The Biltmore Estate
The Biltmore Estate and Gardens, completed in 1895, took an army of stonecutters and artisans six years to construct. The Biltmore House, which today is the largest private home in America, is situated on more than eight thousand acres of land. George Vanderbilt filled his 250-room mansion with treasures he collected during his world travels. Enjoy a buffet lunch at Deerpark Restaurant, which was originally a dairy barn for George Vanderbilt’s farm operations located on the estate. Visit the winery which was opened in 1985 and follows George Vanderbilt’s original concept of a self-supporting European estate. Depart hotel at 6:30 a.m., return at 7:00 p.m. Biltmore is 2 hours & 45 minutes from Greensboro. Additional fee of $55.

Tour 5 - A Tour of Mayberry
If you’re an Andy Griffith fan, see the town that inspired the classic television show – Mount Airy. Board the bus and take a sightseeing tour out with a step-on guide. Hear the general information on the area, industry, history, and Andy’s life in Mount Airy. See the area attractions such as Snappy Lunch, Floyd’s City Barbershop, Mayberry Jail, and the Andy Griffith Playhouse. You’ll have lunch at Snappy Lunch, which opened in 1923 and is Mt. Airy’s oldest eating establishment. Tour Mayberry on your own and visit Floyd’s City Barbershop, the Jail House, Wally’s Service Station, Lamm’s Drug Store, Old North State Winery, and much more. As an added attraction, visit the world’s largest open-face granite quarry as well as other highlights. Depart hotel at 8:00 a.m., return at 4:15 p.m.; Mayberry is 1 hour & 15 minutes from Greensboro.

Tour 6 – It’s Furniture Galore
If it’s furniture that you like, take a sightseeing tour of High Point where 70,000 people visit twice a year for its furniture market. Visit Classic Gallery for upholstery - transitional & contemporary furniture. See the steps it takes to make furniture beginning in the cutting room onto the sewing room, cushions, upholstery, clean up and then out to shipping. A featured stop is Furnitureland South, which provides bedroom, dining room, upholstery, accessories, office furniture, outdoor furniture, bedding, lamps, leather, clocks, oriental rugs, and fine art. It is the largest retail furniture showroom in the nation with more than 300 furniture and accessory lines. Depart hotel at 9:15 a.m., 2 Returns at 2:30 or 3:30 p.m.

Tour 7 - Seagrove Pottery
With more than ninety potteries in the area, Seagrove is known nationwide as the “Pottery Capital” of North Carolina. Learn the history of each potter's shop and how pottery became popular in the area. You will see a potter take clay and mold it into a beautiful piece of pottery, then tour the sheds and showrooms where you can purchase pottery to take home. Depart hotel at 9:00 a.m., return at 4:30 p.m. Seagrove is 45 minutes from Greensboro.

Tour 8 - Civil War and NC Transportation Museum
For the Civil War buff, you will visit the Salisbury National Cemetery which was dedicated in 1874. This cemetery is the final resting place of veterans of all wars. Over 5,000 Union Soldiers who died at the Salisbury Confederate Prison during the Civil War are buried in 18 trench graves. Visit the Josephus Hall House, an impressive house museum was once home to Dr. Josephus Hall, Chief Surgeon at the Salisbury Confederate Prison during the Civil War. Take a tour of the NC Transportation Museum which was once Southern Railway’s largest steam locomotive servicing facility. Built in 1896, at a point half-way between Atlanta and Washington, D.C., this site now features 3 exhibit areas chronicling the development of transportation. Depart hotel at 9:00 a.m., return at 5:00 p.m. Salisbury is 45 minutes from Greensboro.

Tour 9 - Bob Timberlake Gallery
Bob Timberlake is far and away North Carolina's most recognized and successful living artist. A painter of rural landscapes, he is a master of the American Realist genre. Timberlake's work is a touchstone to a fading way of rural life in the fast-growing South. But Bob Timberlake is not a painter only. He has designed a hugely successful line of home furnishings - hundreds of pieces, from tables and sofas to lamps and rugs, all inspired by his paintings and his collection of museum quality 18th century antiques and decorative art. Enjoy his gallery which showcases his original artwork, reproductions and personal memorabilia. Featured are unique collectibles, exclusive gift selections and clothing. Tour historic Downtown Lexington – home of the Famous Barbeque Festival, here you will enjoy shopping at many unique stores. A final stop includes a tour of the Childress Vineyards. Depart hotel at 9:30 a.m., return at 5:15 p.m. Lexington is 30 minutes from Greensboro.

Tour 10 – North Carolina Zoo
Walk from Africa to the Artic in an afternoon…..our North Carolina Zoo features 500 acres of natural-habitat exhibits with more than 1,100 animals and 60,000 plants! Experience these face-to-face animal encounters with gorillas, lions, polar bears, elephants, and more. Depart hotel at 9:30 a.m. and return at 5:00 p.m. The North Carolina Zoo is 45 minutes from Greensboro.

lions at zoo