A city that is fit for a queen and named for her. Charlotte, North Carolina is beautiful, with plenty of things to see and do. I am going to give you a list of great places to eat and things to see, along with some unique places to see and things to do for free. So. when you want a weekend trip, go to Charlotte North Carolina.
Food in Charlotte NC
Mac's Speed Shop- BBQ/ American. With 3 locations, South Blvd, Near S. Tryon St, and Matthews, as long as you are on the south side of the city you are close to a location. My favorite items. Burnt Ends, Deluxe Devils (deviled eggs), and Hickory smoked pulled pork plate. Prices range from cheap to mid-range depending on what you get.
Duckworths-American. With 4 locations in Charlotte (South Park, Providence Rd, Johnston Rd, and Uptown), and 1 just outside Charlotte in the Huntersville area. My favorites are the Loaded Nachos, Fish and Chip, Flatbreads and Burgers. Prices range from Cheap to mid-range depending on what you get. Here is the link to a YouTube video of this place.
Sabor Latin Street Grill-Latin American. 8 locations all over Charlotte, so you will be close to one anywhere in the Queen city. Johnston Rd, Hawthorn Ln, Sharon Rd, Camden Rd, North College, South Tryon, JW Clay, North Davidson St. My favorites are the Arepas, Carne Asada Fries, Elote Loco, Empanadas, and of course any Taco. Prices are cheap, so you can eat more. lol Here is the link to my YouTube Video for Sabor
The Good Wurst Co.- Deli. Located on Central Ave, near Uptown in the Midwood Plaza area. My favorites are the Belgian Frites, Rueban and Pork Schnitzel and this is a cheap place to get great food.
Brazilian Eats and Treats,- Authentic Brazilian food. Locally owned and they have special's every day. Follow them on Facebook to find out the daily specials. Totally mind-blowingly amazing!!!!!!! Located on Johnson Road in south Charlotte. Here is the link to a YouTube video I made of this place.
Jasmines Chinese Buffet, Westinghouse Blvd. This is where I will probably catch some flack, but this is still my favorite Chinese buffet in Charlotte Prices are right for lunch, and dinner may be more expensive, but sometimes they have crab legs on the buffet at night which will make the price even more. Sushi, Hibachi, and some of the best Crab Rangoon and potstickers I have ever eaten. Here is a link to the YouTube video I made about this place.
Amelie's Bakery-Desserts. Located at Carmel Commons on Pineville-Matthews Rd, Noda, Park Rd, and just outside of Charlotte in Rock Hill, South Carolina. If you have a sweet tooth this is the place to come. Prices are great, and they make sandwiches, salads, coffee, and tea. My favorites are the Iced Chai Latte, Birthday Macaroon, mini pecan tart, and vanilla eclair. But honestly, I have never had a bad dessert here. Here is the link to a YouTube video I made of this place.
Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream. This is a specialty Ice cream shop, and the prices are a tad more than basic Baskin Robbins but are so worth it. Located on Park Rd, Noda, Rea Rd, and Camden Rd. They also have locations in several US cities and have even started selling in grocery stores. My favorites are Boston Creme Pie, Goat Cheese with Red Cherries and Brandied Banana Brulee. Side note, take a look at the local grocery store. (Publix and Harris Teeter for sure). Jeni's now has some of their flavors in the grocery stores. Here is the link to my YouTube video of my visit to Jeni's
Publix as I mentioned just a second ago, it is a grocery store, but has the best deli. I highly recommend a Chicken Tender sub. You may think I am crazy for mentioning this, but they are the bomb!!!!!! Get them in several different ways too. My preference is regular with sub sauce or buffalo chicken tenders sub.
Free things to see and do in Charlotte NC
Hilton Sisters Grave- I know this is a weird one, but I am always up for seeing something different, and cemeteries are some of my favorite places. Located in Forest Lawn West Cemetery on Freedom Drive, Conjoined Twins Violet and Daisy Hilton are buried after dying at the age of 60 from the flu. Born in Britain, and they were sold by their mother to a lady that worked in a pub, who started to earn money by showing them off. They crossed the pond and started performing with the circus. Violet could play the saxophone and Daisy played the Violin. They could even tap dance. In the early 1960s their tour manager abandoned them in Charlotte. Knowing they didn't have any money they went to work at a grocery store. They share a grave with friend Troy Thompson, his name marks the tombstone, but there is a marker located on the side with the Hilton sister's name. The simplest way to find it is to look for the funeral home on a small hill in the cemetery. You can go inside, and they will help you, or you can drive straight and pass the first section of plots, then take the first right after passing an island with 2 trees on the left. Continue and follow the road until it curves, and in the middle of the curve the grave is 6 rows back, 2nd from the right.
Big Rock Nature Preserve- These were used by the Native Americans as a lookout area. Located in South Charlotte near Interstate 485. Take Rea Rd exit and go right, then take a right on Ballantyne Commons Parkway, then a right on Meadow Run Lane, then a Right on Elmstone Dr. If you are in a residential area, you are in the right place. This is a nice area to walk and look around. A sign in the parking area will point you in the right direction. Archeological evidence proved it was used by the Native Americans for many generations, up to 7,000 years. It is odd being that it is so close to the interstate.
Freedom Park- Near Dilworth. Walk paved trails, take a picnic and just people watch. They have tennis and basketball courts, batting cages, playgrounds, pavilion and a duck pond. While there, walk the Little Sugar Creek Greenway, part of the park. (I enjoy this walk a lot).
Produce Clock- East of Downtown on Pegram St. This is an outdoor clock with a second hand that makes 1 rotation a year, going over the fruits and vegetables that are seasonal at that time of year. It's just a cute little roadside attraction, but neat to see since it is free.
Musical Parking building-Near North College Street, on the South side of East 7th Street. Strange indeed but interesting to see and play. There are 36, 30-foot panels on the sides of the parking building that you can touch. When you touch them, they play music. Also, once an hour they play music for you.
Spend the Money
Now if you have money to spend here is a quick list of favorites.
Catawba 2 Kings Casino- about an hour drive from Charlotte, in Kings Mountain NC. You know I love to gamble. Here is a YouTube video of one of my casino videos from Catawba 2 Kings. Follow me on YouTube @tourangie and watch my other videos. Mayan Kings
Carowinds (ride the roller coasters) On the SC border, the park is on the line of Fort Mill SC and Charlotte, NC
Nascar Hall of Fame in uptown, I went and thought it was neat, lots to learn and look at.
Truist Field- uptown, watch a baseball game. GO Charlotte Knights!!!! (My picture below is old, before Truist it was BB&T field, and this was at a beer festival at the ballpark).
The Fillmore, or Uptown Ampitheater. (Go to a concert). I have seen what seems like 50 concerts between the 2 places. Love them both, and they have a variety of music. There are so many concert venues in Charlotte that I have written a blog just on that. To read it click here.
Carolina Aviation Museum-Next to the airport. Lots of displays, old planes and newer ones. The plane that is the miracle on the Hudson is also on display here. I spent an hour and half looking around and learning a lot. They are doing a renovation right now so check their website to see when it opens back up.
Olde Mecklenburg Brewery-Old Yancey Rd. German Brewing at its best and has won several awards. Captain Jack and Copper are my favorites. This place is great to sit outside on their property and people watch. Lots of tables, music, and dog friendly. During the Christmas Season there is a Christmas market located here on the weekends. There are several other breweries on the same street that you can check out too. check out Brewer's at 4001 Yancey,
District 57 is one of my favorite game rooms in Charlotte. This is not your typical game room. Check out THE GRID! There are 30 rooms with several challenges to compete in. Some are physical, some are mental, but great for a group of 4. If you have ever wanted to play games like you would see on the TV shows like "Big Brother" or "Survivor" this is the closet you will get to it. These rooms are timed, and if you are anything like my group, we didn't even get through half of them, but it was so much fun.
This list is just the tip of the iceberg on Charlotte NC. The area I have called home for the past 12 years. Charlotte North Carolina is a great place to visit for a day or a weekend trip. You will find plenty to eat, see and do in her majesty's city. If you are interested in more information or a personalized tour of the area. Give me a yell.
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