Things to Do in Cornelius

Gliding through the crystal waters of Lake Norman, Queen's Landing offers sightseeing and catered dinner expeditions on its two steadfast vessels—the 90-foot yacht Lady of the Lake and the Catawba Queen, an old-fashioned paddle boat. Trips during the autumn provide stunning views of changing foliage, whereas cruises at other times of the year supply a buoyant venue for holiday parties or tax audits. When in season, you can inquire about the business’ partnerships with other dining and entertainment spots such as Pirate Land Miniature Golf and Jack’s Lakeside Grill.

After owning Duffy electric boats in Newport Beach, California, where the company has its headquarters, the Textor family decided to introduce the fun-filled and stress-free world of electric boating to Lake Norman in 2010. Thanks to the electric motor and patented Power Rudder propulsion device, Duffy boats carry passengers over water with a remarkable speed and maneuverability and cost as little as $1 per day to maintain. Since 1970, Duffy shipwrights have constructed each vessel exactly to the client's specifications, outfitting crafts with Duff-Eze cabin enclosures that allow captains to pilot their ship in any climate and ensure that boats never have to be winterized, covered, or sent to Florida because of cold weather.

Customers can rent out 21-foot Avalon models that carry 10–12 passengers for brief lakefront voyages, dancing to tunes from the onboard mp3 and CD hookups, warming themselves with the heater on chilly nights, and sunbathing on the bow. Specialty cruises entertain guests with floating wine tastings, catered feasts from Lake Norman cottage, and movie nights, and a seasonal schedule of special events dazzles families with upcoming attractions such as electric-boat sleigh rides.

Among the largest shows of their kind in the southeast, ICA events gather vendors from across the region and beyond to display rare, original pieces, including high-end antiques and vintage jewelry, as well as collectible toys, sports memorabilia, and military paraphernalia. Handmade and gourmet food options help sustain patrons as they wander the 98,000-square-foot space, perusing the imported china, furniture, and still-wrapped President Eisenhower figurines replete with karate-chop action.

Since the early 1960s, Captain Gus Gustafson has wrangled scaly creatures from the depths of scenic Lake Norman. Experienced in both saltwater and freshwater fishing, Captain Gus and his experienced guides help first-timers and veterans reel in lunkers such as striped and largemouth bass, catfish, crappie, white perch, and mountain trout. Each trip departs on either a 23-foot center console or 25-foot pontoon boat, each equipped with state-of-the-art electronics such as GPS, depth finders, and a Big Mouth Billy Bass's public-domain mating calls.

Kidz Play Here offers a variety of activities for children ranging from infants to toddlers to preschoolers. Classes lead little ones in engaging themes such as gymnastics, ballet, yoga, and martial arts. Open-play sessions entreat parents to look after their little ones while they play at a train station, in a tree house, or with puppet shows. In addition to parties and drop-off, Kidz Play Here also offers adult classes such as yoga.

After 13 years as a golf instructor, Gary Sinquefield has boiled his teaching style down to a simple method that involves focusing on each player's swinging motions and eliminating extraneous movements. By simplifying the often convoluted and conflicting messages of swing improvement, Gary makes it possible for players of all skill levels to develop a consistent swing that stands up even during high winds or airport-security pat-downs. During private lessons, students take shots inside a golf simulator while Gary scrutinizes swing tendencies from every angle and shot type. A video camera records the process frame by frame for later analysis so that golfers can see swing tendencies such as poor alignment or signs of repeated sweaty-palm syndrome. At the end of the lesson, players leave with an action plan to develop their game.