DD and I want to go to Mary Jo's soon. DH will go because I hate driving long distances. (MJ is about 120 miles from here.) Are there any stores or other things to keep him occupied while we are there? Or any other craft stores to visit along the way? DD is into knitting and crochet but loves to help me pick out fabric.

I can't help out with craft stores, but I always check out Long Creek Mills when in the area...it is must if you machine embroider. It is a thread mecca. There are a whole bunch of restaurants near MaryJo's now. I'd google craft stores Gastonia for more ideas. Remember to bring swatches of projects that need fabric and patterns with yardage needs with you. It is rather overwhelming(understatement) they have bridal, swimwear, home dec, super fancy fabrics, too.

Visit the Billy Graham Museum. It is not far from Mary JO's

You all mean when I was in NC I missed that shop? calla

Have fun, never been there

Check with AgapeStitches. She lives in Gastonia, she probably has some good suggestions.

Not far from Mary Jo's it Dick's Sporting Goods and Super Target(same shopping center) Home Depot,Super Walmart, Lowe's and Kmart down the street. Schiele Museum about 3miles away. Qudoba Grill!!


ETA---I'm not allowed to go to MaryJo's without a chaperone-DH and no checkbook or credit cards! :cry:

Oh, forgot, down past Walmart and Kmart, in the shopping center with Khols and PetSmart is Sew Much Fun. It's a Bernina dealer but they have fabric, patterns and all kinds of do-dads.

I've got to have a chaperone there too.

Thanks for all the suggestions!!! I will probably go with a set amount of cash and have DH keep my debit card with him and send him off. LOL!!! DH is a major tight wad so no worries of him spending more than a couple $$.

He would love the Billy Graham museum. Going to look up the Schiele Museum also.

Billy Graham museum is a little further over in Charlotte. I haven't been but I hear it's really nice. Either end of the road it is on is not the best neighborhood, keep your doors locked if you have to stop at a light.

Schiele also has a planetarium and outdoor exhibit of the Catawba Indians which are native to the area. On weekends they have outdoor workshops.

In center city Charlotte is the NASCAR Hall of Fame. It's easiest to park outside of town and ride the train in.

A bit further in Charlotte is the Carolina Raptor Center. Weekends have outdoor volunteer speakers that tell you a lot about the birds that are there. There is a beautiful Bald Eagle exhibit of birds who have been injured and unable to be released. They have even had chicks hatch that they have released.
Latta Plantation is also at that park. Old plantation home exhibit of by-gone days. Again, weekends have people there to walk you through the house and explain things.

There is a nature walk out along the river/Mountain Island lake. Sometimes you can spot raptors that have been released from the center.

About 30miles away up in Concord is the Speedway and lots of race teams garages where you can do tours.

Also in that area is Concord Mills. Concord used to be a big mill town but that went the way of NAFTA. Their largest company was Cannon. aka Cannon towels, sheets, etc.... Corncord Mills is a big shopping mall with lots of outlet shops and Bass Pro shop for your husband.

I don't know if you will be coming in on I-85 or I-40. I-85 there is a big outlet mall in Gaffney, SC. The Crackel Barrel there is really nice. I-40 there is a fabric place around Swanannoa. You'll see signs for it. I haven't had a chance to check it out yet.

Enjoy!!