Activate Charlotte

Taylor Freeze • July 24, 2024
A man in a blue shirt is pressing a button in a dark room.

Recently, I had the opportunity to experience the newest addition to Charlotte’s entertainment scene: Activate! This innovative venue takes gaming to a whole new level, offering an immersive, action-packed experience that gets your body moving and your mind racing. Activate boasts a variety of exciting games, each designed to challenge your physical and mental agility.


Here are just a few of the ones I had the pleasure of trying:

• HIDE: This high-energy game combined elements of tag and hide-and-seek, utilizing a dynamic arena with interactive features.

• PRESS: Teamwork and quick reflexes were key in this fast-paced challenge that involved coordinated button presses.

• HOOPS: Who doesn’t love a good hoops game? Activate’s digital version added a unique twist, keeping us on our toes.

• TOSS: This game tested our accuracy and hand-eye coordination in a thrilling throwing competition.

• LASERS: Weaving through a maze of laser beams got our hearts pumping as we raced against the clock.

• CONTROL: This strategic game required planning and collaboration to navigate a series of obstacles.

• GRID: Activate’s GRID offered a test of agility and balance, challenging us to traverse a light-up wall.


Each game room featured cutting-edge technology that responded to our movements in real-time, making for a truly interactive and engaging experience. The atmosphere at Activate was electric, filled with laughter, friendly competition, and the thrill of the game. Whether you’re looking for a fun night out with friends, a unique team-building activity, or simply a way to get active and unleash your inner child, Activate Charlotte has something for everyone.

Two women are standing on a red carpet in front of a building.
A group of people are standing on a glow in the dark dance floor.

The Veranda House Returns

April 18, 2025
Nantucket, with its misty harbors, salt-kissed breezes, and centuries-old charm, has always been a place where history whispers through every weathered shingle and cobblestone street. This spring, one of the island’s most beloved landmarks, the Veranda House, will once again welcome guests, rising from the ashes of a devastating 2022 fire that necessitated a complete rebuild. Set to reopen in spring 2025, the new Veranda House is a masterpiece of restoration and reinvention. Owned by Procaccianti Companies and managed by TPG Hotels & Resorts as part of the Nantucket Resort Collection, the rebuild was meticulously overseen in collaboration with the town and historic district commission to ensure that the property retained its original federal-style elegance while incorporating modern luxuries and state-of-the-art amenities. First built in 1684, the Veranda House has stood as a symbol of Nantucket’s rich maritime legacy, its wraparound porches offering a front-row seat to the island’s ever-changing seascape. The new design remains true to its original size, scale, and architectural character, seamlessly blending historic integrity with contemporary comforts. Guests will find spa-like ensuite baths in every room, featuring Carrara marble, custom fixtures, and sleek walk-in showers—a nod to modern indulgence without sacrificing classic charm. The 19 redesigned rooms, including the Grand Harborview King with its private balcony and fireplace, exude an intimate, serene luxury. Expanded outdoor gathering spaces now offer even more opportunities for guests to soak in the island’s ambiance, whether sipping coffee at sunrise or toasting the golden hour over Nantucket Harbor. “This reopening marks a significant mile- stone, not just for Veranda House, but for the entire Nantucket community. We are deeply thankful for the community’s unwavering support in bringing this iconic property back to life,” says Paul Hitselberger, EVP of Operations for TPG Hotels & Resorts. The Veranda House is not just a recon- struction—it’s a resurrection, a tribute to Nantucket’s ability to endure, evolve, and enchant. Its doors reopen as a beacon of timeless hospitality, welcoming travelers to a place where history is honored, and every detail—from the breezy verandas to the handcrafted interiors—tells a story. For those who love Nantucket, the Veranda House is a homecoming. Images courtesy of The Veranda House.

Cadbury Creme Martini

By Inspired by Francesca Zani • April 16, 2025
A Grown-Up Indulgence

GABRIELE’S OF WESTPORT

By Vivian Ashcroft • April 16, 2025
Where Italian Elegance Meets Steakhouse Sophistication
More Posts