Tuesdays-Saturdays, 10 a.m. Continues through May 31

Charlotte Fine Art Gallery  - Pineville/Hwy 51

Price: FREE Spring has sprung at Charlotte Fine Art Gallery! Award-winning artist Joni Purk creates vibrant oils with brush or palette knife in many different pictorial styles. On view in May: Purk's seasonal tableaus of flowers, animals, and plants, along with work on this theme by other CFA represented artists. Highlighted THRU May 31. Opening Reception/Meet the Artists: First Friday, May 3, 6-9 p.m. Refreshments served. Gallery hours: Tues 10A-4P; Wed & Thurs 10A-9P; Fri 10A-6P; Sat 10A-2P. Closed Sun and Mon. Email: info@charlottefineart.com

May 10-31, 6:30 p.m.

Civic & Cultural Arts Center of Pineville  - Pineville/Hwy 51

Price: FREE The public is invited to view the creative works of current oil painting students during its “Night Critter’s” 4th Annual Student Art Show which is free to the public and opens on May 10 at 6:30 p.m. in the main gallery located at 316 Main Street, Pineville, NC. In addition to the art exhibit, attendees will be treated to live music by MCC Music (Marie C. Calabro), wine and other beverages, as well as hors d’oeuvres, on opening night.

Sat., June 1

NASCAR Hall of Fame  - General Charlotte Area

Price: Admission is $19.95 for adults, $17.95 for seniors and military, and free for kids 12 and under. Don’t miss the red-carpet worthy, star-studded community celebration at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The “Lights. Camera. NASCAR.” Premiere Party is full of kid-friendly activities to celebrate the premiere of this special exhibit. Glitz and glamour await as you explore NASCAR’s legacy in Hollywood from the promotion of blockbusters like “Jurassic Park” to starring roles in smash hits like “Days of Thunder.” Artifacts are ready for their close-ups and include items like the Doc Hudson car from “Cars,” the Wonder Bread car from “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby” and dozens of other artifacts straight from the set.

Mondays-Fridays, 9 a.m. Continues through June 13

Cleveland County Arts Council  - General Charlotte Area

Price: Free to Attend This exhibit features a rich and varied showcase of the talent that lies in Cleveland County. Local artists exhibit their work and compete for awards totaling $2,050 in this prestigious competition.

May 16-June 13, 9 a.m.

Cleveland County Arts Council  - General Charlotte Area

Price: Free to Attend This exhibit features a rich and varied showcase of the talent that lies in Cleveland County. Local artists exhibit their work and compete for awards totaling $2,050 in this prestigious competition.

May 17-Oct. 1

NASCAR Hall of Fame  - General Charlotte Area

Price: $19.95-$12.95; free for members

May 17-Oct. 1

NASCAR Hall of Fame  - General Charlotte Area

Price: Admission is $19.95 for adults, $17.95 for seniors and military, $12.95 for children 5-12 and free for children younger than 5. Don’t miss the red-carpet worthy, star-studded coming attraction at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. “Lights. Camera. NASCAR.” illustrates the tremendous appeal NASCAR holds both on the track and the big screen. Glitz and glamour await as you explore NASCAR’s legacy in Hollywood from the promotion of blockbusters like “Jurassic Park” to starring roles in smash hits like “Days of Thunder.” Artifacts are ready for their close-ups and include items like the Doc Hudson car from “CARS,” the Wonder Bread car from “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby” and dozens of other artifacts straight from the set.

Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sundays, 12-5 p.m.

Discovery Place  - Uptown

Price: Admission to the museum is $12 for adults; $10 for seniors and $9 for children; Free admission to children under 2 years old Exhibit explores science and physics through hands-on interaction and experimentation. The exhibit allows visitors to launch objects into the air, lie on a bed of nails, crush a garbage can, use a laser to listen to secret messages and more.

Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sundays, 12-5 p.m.

Discovery Place  - Uptown

Price: Admission to the museum is $12 for adults; $10 for seniors and $9 for children; Free admission to children under 2 years old Discover the secrets of stuff through chemistry and physics in this exhibit that allows visitors to experiment with forces and materials, through magnetism, electricity and more.

Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sundays, 12-5 p.m.

Discovery Place  - Uptown

Price: Admission to the museum is $12 for adults; $10 for seniors and $9 for children; Free admission to children under 2 years old Fun and learning go hand in hand at this exhibit for young visitors. The stimulating atmosphere relates to science and math. Children will learn by touching and testing different environments and activities, including water tables, wind tunnels, blocks, gears and air tubes.

Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sundays, 12-5 p.m.

Discovery Place  - Uptown

Price: Admission to the museum is $12 for adults; $10 for seniors and $9 for children; Free admission to children under 2 years old Exhibit explores the Earths's biodiversity, through a range of habitats and live species. From rainforests to aquariums, viewers can broaden their education and experience related hands-on activities.

Mondays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays, 12-5 p.m.

Levine Museum of the New South  - Uptown

Price: $6 for adults; $5 for seniors, students and children 6-18 years old; Free for children 5 years old and under The interactive exhibit features Charlotte and its 13 surrounding counties as a case study to illustrate the profound changes in the South since the Civil War.

Tuesdays-Fridays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays, 12-5 p.m.

Charlotte Nature Museum  - South Charlotte

Features live exhibits of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians native to North Carolina. Get close to wildlife by walking among butterflies in a Butterfly Pavilion, observing live animals in both Creative Cavern and Insect Alley and hang out in "Our Big Backyard" or explore the Paw Paw Nature Trail.

Tuesdays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays, 1-5 p.m.

Charlotte Museum of History  - East Charlotte

Price: $6 for adults; $5 for students and seniors; $3 for children 6-12 years old; Free for children under 6 years old Highlights a variety of treasures from the Charlotte Museum of History collection, as well as borrowed items.

Tuesdays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays, 1-5 p.m.

Charlotte Museum of History  - East Charlotte

Price: $6 for adults; $5 for students and seniors; $3 for children 6-12 years old; Free for children under 6 years old This exhibit traces a Charlotte city flag's journey to the North and South Poles.