Review: Charlotte’s Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit and The Goodyear House
Immersive Van Gogh Charlotte
One of the more exciting aspects of moving to a new town is exploring the area - the sights, the food, the shopping, the outdoor activities, etc. Having moved to North Carolina a few months ago, Stewart and I got to enjoy our first date in Charlotte the other weekend. It did not disappoint.
With three young kids at home, my definition of a date is any occasion that my husband and I leave the house together without the kids in tow. For example, we recently had a most romantic date at the local DMV - staring into each other’s eyes (with rage) as we waited in line for two and a half hours to get our new driver’s license. Did I mention we had an appointment?
The original plan for that day was to quickly get our new IDs and then head into Charlotte to see the Immersive Van Gogh exhibit. Unfortunately, due to the effects of a storm the night prior, the exhibit had to cancel all performances that day. So we rescheduled our tickets for a later date, and it was well worth the wait!
With the grandparents in town to babysit, mom and dad headed into the Queen City to expand our artistic and culinary horizons. Here is a recap and review of our experience.
Outdoor Seating at The Goodyear House
Bocce Ball Court at The Goodyear House
Our first stop was The Goodyear House in NoDa for lunch. How can one appreciate Van Gogh’s artistic genius on an empty stomach?
The outdoor ambiance at The Goodyear House is one of the best I’ve experienced. Sunshine beaming through the tree tops, a cool breeze, string lights, a bocce ball court and the aroma coming from a pair of smoker grills. It’s quintessential outdoor dining and beautifully designed.
The Goodyear House works well for a romantic date or going out with a group of friends. This was also a place we would consider bringing the kids to because the outdoor area was very kid and pet friendly. Not to mention the food and the service were great.
While every dish I had was noteworthy, the curled corn with a side of Kewpie mayo was the star of the show. I am now obsessed with this Japanese mayonnaise. I could eat it with nothing but a spoon, it’s that addicting. Stewart said he’s going to put some Kewpie mayo in my stocking for Christmas, and I sincerely hope he’s not joking.
Curled Corn with Kewpie Mayo at The Goodyear House
After lunch we headed over to the Immersive Van Gogh experience in Charlotte’s historic Ford Building. The building is a former Ford factory in an area called Camp North End.
Camp North End in Charlotte
Fun Fact:
The CAMP of Camp North End stands for Charlotte Army Missile Plant. During WWII the army used this site to build missiles and use as an ammunition warehouse. The floor of the Ford building is made up of wooden bricks laid 85 years ago by the army. Should any of the ammunition accidentally drop, the wood would prevent it from sparking and igniting.
From the moment you walk into the exhibit, this immersive experience will take over your senses and have you observing art in ways you never have before. I’ve seen Van Gogh’s work in museums. But in this larger than life format, I found myself paying greater attention to his use of color, brush strokes, and how it all creates a sense of movement.
Immersive Van Gogh Charlotte
We purchased the premium flex ticket option which gives you the ability to arrive 2 hours before or after your selected show time. You also receive a Van Gogh poster and a rented cushion for your tushie - which came in handy because we sat through the show twice to experience it from different angles of the room.
The entire show runs about 35 minutes, so get those smart phones ready. As long as you don’t use flash, you’re aloud to take pictures and video. I also enjoyed the exhibit’s soundtrack. If you have a Spotify account, there’s actually an Immersive Van Gogh playlist, so you can relive the experience through the music long after you’ve left.
Immersive Van Gogh Charlotte
If you’re near a city offering the Immersive Van Gogh exhibit, I highly recommend it. If you’re near Charlotte, there’s still time to go! The exhibit is running through October 31, 2021. For tickets, visit: vangoghclt.com. If you’d like to see more images and video from the show, check out my Instagram stories @frenchgrits.
As far as first impressions go, I think Charlotte and I are going to get along quite well. We already have a lot in common - a love for good food, an appreciation of the arts and an affinity for eclectic neighborhoods steeped in history.
