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| photography courtesy of Ballantyne Resort |
Where to Stay:
The fabulous Ballantyne Resort sits on a 2,000-acre plot of gorgeous, sprawling land. Everything is beautiful, from the perfectly manicured greens on the par-71, five-star golf course to the sophisticated guest rooms with marble entrances and luxe linens. The only stay of its kind in the Charlotte area, this resort covers all the bases of bliss: a 20,000-square-foot European spa, state-of-the-art fitness center, tennis courts, and several mouthwatering restaurants (10000 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy., 866-248-4824, www.ballantyneresort.com). The Duke Mansion is the perfect place to stay if you crave something more intimate than enormous. Built in 1915, this 20-room bed-and-breakfast is a study in Southern splendor—tall columns, floral fabrics, white shutters, and screened-in porches with bench swings that are perfect for enjoying warm weather (400 Hermitage Rd., 888-202-1009, www.dukemansion.com). At 60 rooms, The Dunhill Hotel is a nice compromise in size and price. Service with a smile and quaint, historic charm go a long way in this conveniently located, uptown hotel featuring elegant, 18th century-style furniture (237 N. Tryon St., 704-332-4141, www.dunhillhotel.com).
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| photography courtesy of Noble’s Restaurant |
Where to Eat:
The Pewter Rose Bistro is a favorite stop for North Carolina natives no matter what time of day or night it may be. Open for brunch, lunch, and dinner, this cozy “Internationally American” restaurant also turns into a hip nightspot with a late-night menu available until 2 a.m. on weekends. The wait staff is professional but not overly formal, and the setting reflects the same upscale-yet-comfortable feel. Snag a spot on the adorable porch where you can take in the view of the city’s skyline (1820 South Blvd., 704-332-8149, www.pewterrose.com). Charlotte is renowned as one of the best places in the country to get fried chicken, and Price’s Chicken Coop is known as the best in town. That’s saying quite a lot. Though it’s takeout only, the delicious flavor, moist meat, and crispy crust make up for the lack of seating and the inevitably long line of loyal customers who range “from beggars to businessmen” (1614 Camden Rd., 704-333-9866, www.priceschickencoop.com). When business dining is your dish, head to Zebra Restaurant and Wine Bar for fine French fare. Pale woods create a warm atmosphere and the vast selection of wine is sure to hit the spot (4521 Sharon Rd., 704-442-9525, www.zebrarestaurant.net). Celebrated chef Jim Noble offers upscale Southern cuisine with Tuscan and Mediterranean influences at Noble’s Restaurant. A daily changing menu and award-winning wine list make this top-notch restaurant a must-try (6801 Morrison Blvd., 704-367-9463, www.chefjimnoble.com). If you crave surf over turf, enjoy scrumptious seafood at Upstream. Whether you sample the oyster bar, try the tuna rolls, or lap up lobster bisque, you can’t go wrong (6902 Phillips Pl., 704-556-7730, www.upstreamit.com).
What to do:
Lowe’s Motor Speedway in nearby Concord draws race fans from all over the country, and even if you missed the Coca Cola 600 last month, there’s still plenty of action to see. Tuesday nights, the Speedway plays host to the 14th annual Summer Shootout Series featuring Legends Car, Thunder Roadster, and Bandolero racing. Take part in the fun yourself with one of several racing schools in the area. The Jeff Gordon Racing School and Richard Petty Driving Experience offer race lessons or ride-alongs in authentic stock cars, while the Mario Andretti Racing School uses both Nextel Cup cars and 600-horsepower, Indy-style race cars at the track (5555 Concord Pkwy. S., 704-455-3200, www.lowesmotorspeedway.com). NoDa (short for North Davidson Street) is Charlotte’s answer to the Bishop Arts District. This historic neighborhood first flourished as a textile center from 1903 and lasted until the 1970s before it was turned into a vibrant arts community full of galleries, theatres, shops, and restaurants. For a whirlwind tour of the area’s best, take part in one of the regular neighborhood “gallery crawls” (36th St. and North Davidson St., www.noda.org). If all that trolling makes you thirsty, head to Madison’s, a great place for a guy’s night out. Oversized leather couches provide a comfortable spot to enjoy a cigar and a whiskey. Take in a game on the 70-inch, wide-screen television set or play your own at the pool table (115 E. 5th St., 704-358-4244, www.madisonsbar.com).
Charlotte Convention Center
501 S. College St.
704-339-6000
www.charlotteconventionctr.com
WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS MONTH:
June 3:
DUB Magazine Custom Auto Show & Concert
June 9-14:
National Emergency Number Association (NENA) Annual Conference
June 19-20:
DSCP Food Show
June 25-30:
National Square Dance Convention
