For many of us, Charlotte is not our native home - it is our adopted city. I have grown to love my adopted hometown, but due to a hectic work schedule as a Charlotte Realtor, 2 small children and a new home, I have to say that I have not jumped out there and explored the hometown attractions that make Charlotte a unique and wonderful city to work and live. It is one of my goals this year to vist some of the historical sites of Charlotte's past, eat some of the good down home food that Charlotte is known for and explore some of the beautiful parks and exciting attractions that Charlotte has to offer.
Even if you are a native, I bet there are some things on this list that you haven't done. Join me and get out there and give it a try! Did I miss something on your favorite things to do or places to eat around Charlotte? Post a comment. I would love to hear from you!
Whether it’s eating Carolina style barbecue, going racin’ or strolling through uptown, here are some of the hotspots to hit when looking to experience the true Queen City!
Eateries
Lupies
Great chili and other comfort foods.
2718 Monroe Road
http://www.lupiescafe.com/
The Penguin
A diner serving great dogs, burgers and fried pickles.
1921 Commonwealth Ave
Art’s Barbecue
The place to go for breakfast.
900 E. Morehead Street
Brook’s Restaurant
Best fried balogna sandwiches around.
400 Mallorty Street
Price’s Chicken Coop
Charlotte’s favorite fried chicken.
1614 Camden Road
Cajun Queen
1800 East 7th Street
The best Cajun fare in Charlotte with live jazz.
Santé
165 N. Trade St.
Matthews, NC
Homey family owned restaurant with sophisticated menu in an historic building.
Solé Spanish Grille
1608 East Blvd.
Great tapas in the Dilworth neighborhood.
Talley’s Green Grocery
1408-C East Blvd.
The best place in Charlotte for vegetarian grocery shopping.
Nona’s Sweets
9601 N. Tryon St
Everything from mouthwatering Italian pastries to good old chocolate chip cookies.
Some of my personal favs:
Restaurant I
Great sushi and French Japanese fusion cuisine.
1524 East Blvd.
www.restaurant-i.com
Frankie’s Italian Grille
Great Italian food with a Frank Sinatra themed atmosphere.
800 E. Morehead St.
Attractions
The Manor Movie Theater
Charlotte’s oldest theater.
607 Providence Road
Lazy 5 Ranch
A drive through zoo where you can feed the animals through the car window.
15100 N.C. 150E Mooresville, NC
www.lazyfiveranch.com
Paramounts Carrowinds Theme Park
The only theme park in the Charlotte area also features a waterpark.
14523 Carrowinds Blvd
http://www3.paramountparks.com/carowinds/#actions
Carowinds Boulevar
Lowes Motor Speedway
This is NASCAR country after all! Tour the speedway or go to a race.
5555 Concord Parkway Concord, NC
http://www.lowesmotorspeedway.com/colossal/
Discovery Place
Catch a move at the IMAX theatre or tour the latest exhibit.
301 N. Tryon
http://www.discoveryplace.org/home/discovery_place-home.asp
U.S. National Whitewater Center
820 Hawfield Road
Visit the world's only multi-channel recirculating whitewater river. You can also attempt the country's tallest outdoor climbing center along with rafting, canoing, mountain bike trails and more.
http://usnwc.org/
NoDa – Charlotte’s Historic Arts District
North Davidson and 36th Street
The best collection of galleries and performance venues, there is a Gallery Crawl every 1st & 3rd Fridays from 6pm to 9:30pm.
www.noda.org
Heroes Aren’t Hard To Find
1957 E. Seventh St.
Charlotte’s hangout for comic book enthusiasts.
The Spa at Ballantyne Resort
10000 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy.
World class spa – check out the NC red clay treatment!
Lunchbox Records
1419A Central Ave.
New and used records – vinyl – yes vinyl!
Hornet’s Nest Park’s Frisbee Disc Course
6301 Beatties Ford Rd.
Hornet’s Nest Park also boasts a Frisbee Disk and BMX course!
Latta Plantation Nature Preserve
6211 Sample Rd.
Guided trail rides and horseback riding lessons.
Richard Petty Driving Experience
5555 Concord Pkwy. S
Lowe's Motor Speedway
Ever desired to experience a stock car for yourself? Try the Richard Petty Driving Experience!
Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
130 N. Tryon St.
Check out the hottest musicals or a great Shakespeare production.
Carolina Raptor Center
6000 Sample Road
See birds of prey–owls, vultures, eagles, hawks, and falcons–up close as they are rehabilitated and then released back into the wilds. Light Factory
345 N. College St.
Mint Museum of Art
2730 Randolph Rd.
Originally a branch of the U.S. Mint, this museum houses a wide range of exhibits and offers frequent lectures and demonstrations.
The Belmont Drive-In Theatre
314 McAdenville Rd.
Catch two movies for around $8 a carload. Nastalgia and a cheap family night! Grab a dog and some popcorn while you are at it.
Roush Racing Museum
4600 Roush Pl. NW
A must-see for race fans – grab an autograph from a driver or two during race week!