12. Forget your diet at Carolina Cones.

Eat an ice cream cone — new flavors include peanut butter pretzel, moon pie, play dough, spumoni and chocolate amaretto — at this cute, non-chain ice shop that opened in 1981. If you're lucky, the mechanical train that runs along the upper walls will be going when you come by. Choo choo! 20801 N. Main St. 704-892-8190.

13. Discover your inner Picasso at Cornelius Arts Center.

Take an art class — there are plenty of ongoing pottery, painting and mixed media classes. Also, check out rotating exhibits such as Bryant Holsenbeck's Markers of Our Lives, an intricately arranged installation of colorful, recycled bottle caps, inspired by mandalas (on view through April 30). 19725 Oak St. 704-896-8823. www.cornelius.org/parc.

14. Prepare for the zombie apocalypse at The Range at Lake Norman.

Go for target practice and test your shooting skills, especially on Ladies Night, which includes gun time and appetizers/beverages afterward. 10913 Bailey Road. 704-895-3155. www.therangeatlakenorman.com.

15. Sit on the deck at Rusty Rudder and reflect on life (or your age).

Take in a live jam and relax on the big deck with views of Lake Norman. 1990s cover band Gump Fiction performs here on occasion and will make you feel » Continue

Discover