About Town: Charlotte
By Lauren Deason, PGATOUR.COM Editorial Coordinator
Named after Queen Charlotte, the Q.C. (or "Queen City") is the hidden gem of the well-known Southern cities. A small-town charm remains in the city despite the influx of Fortune 500 corporations that now headquarter there.
Uptown Charlotte lies at the corner of Trade Street and Tryon Street where a pair of Native American trails originally crossed paths. Charlotte expanded away from those roots and is now the 20th city largest in the United States.
SOMEWHERE TO SNOOZE
Mmmmm...that's what you'll be saying after a spa visit at one of these classy Charlotte establishments. Before long, that 'mmm' will sound more like 'zzzz' as you fall into a blissful sleep at one of these hotels, your better-than-a-real-home away from home.
Ballantyne Resort: This grand hotel and resort is 17 miles from the city center but well worth the trip and the dent in your wallet: spa treatments, golf outings and their Gallery Restaurant will leave you relaxed, refreshed and counting down your return for the Wachovia Tournament next year. Distance from Quail Hollow: 6.7 miles.
Westin Downtown: Catch a day of tournament action then return for divine night's sleep in their "Heavenly" beds. Catch breath-taking views of downtown Charlotte from your hotel window. Catch the trolley from the Westin, located in the financial district, to find the area's best dining and entertainment just minutes away. Here's the catch -- expect to pay over $200 a night. Distance from Quail Hollow: 8.6 miles.
Morehead Inn: Built in 1917, this quaint Southern estate located in one of Charlotte's historic neighborhoods is intimate and just minutes from Uptown. Cozy fireplaces, delectable meals and picturesque scenery, including finely-crafted antique furniture, makes this charming white mansion a popular spot for out-of-town guests. Distance from Quail Hollow: 7.5 miles.
SOMETHING TO SNACK ON
Was that your stomach that beckoned loudly (and embarrassingly) for food while the "Quiet" signs were up and the afternoon pairings finished up at the Wachovia Tournament? Don't worry, we won't tell. But it's understandable -- after a long day of eating, drinking and golf-watching, you're bound to be famished. So we've found some of the best places to eat in Charlotte.
Luce: This exquisite Italian restaurant offers a seasonal menu and several scrumptious daily specials, including fresh seafood and excellent home-made pastas. Start with the Fritto di Calamari e Zucchini then splurge on the Sigola alla Mediterranea (sea bass) or Ossobuco Milanese (veal). Oh and remember: you walked around the course all day. Indulge in a so-good-it's-sinful Cannoli for dessert.
McIntosh's: A locally owned steak house in Charlotte, this white tablecloth establishment has been an area and critic favorite for years. Book a reservation online and make a date to sample their unforgettable menu of the best high-class surf and turf in the Tar Heel state.
Providence Café: It's a perfect trifecta: A restaurant that is pleasing to the palate, the debit card and the waistline. Providence Café's salads, sandwiches and pastas are a refreshing yet filling treat after a long, hot day at the course.
Bojangles: Give your wallet a night off and pick one of Charlotte's well-above-average fast food restaurants. Bojangles', headquartered in the Q.C., is finger lickin' good any time of day. Their BoBerry sweet biscuits (a sugary, blueberry treat) make a killer breakfast or order a Cajun Filet (spicy fried chicken on a buttered biscuit) and seasoned fries for lunch or dinner. Craving a hamburger instead? Find one of North Carolina's best-kept secrets: Cook-Out. This fast food joint offers burgers and to-die-for milkshakes in unique flavors.
SOMETHING TO TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT
Something historical, something for the kids and something you might selectively forget to tell your friends about if you have too much fun. That's what we suggest for your Charlotte itinerary away from Quail Hollow.|
WingHaven: Elizabeth Clarkson had dreamed of building a garden ever since she was a little girl. When she and her husband moved to Charlotte in 1927, they created a lovely, flowery oasis on three acres in almost the heart of the city. Today, visitors can roam the grounds and spot unique birds that flock to the gardens.
Carowinds: If the kids need a break from golf, take them to Carowinds theme park just south of the city. Now's the perfect time of year -- it's not too hot and not too crowded to ride the roller coasters. The coolest coaster in the park? Since Charlotte is just minutes from the South Carolina line, the park actually stretches across the state border, and the Thunder Road ride features twin-racing roller coasters that travel through two states.
Alive after Five: After the tournament ends on Thursday afternoon, head downtown for the weekly music-and-mingling party at Tryon and MLK Blvd. Wachovia and Bank of America, two-thirds of the top three financial institutions in the nation, make their home in the city. After hours, the hard-working business folk shed their suits for a fun-filled night in Uptown Charlotte. This week's music entertainment is Almost McGraw, who will cover country music sensation Tim McGraw's hits. After all, y'all can't visit the South without hearin' a lil' country.
Carolina Beer Company: The weather gets so hot in the Carolinas in the summer that sometimes nothing but a good, cold beer can cool you off. Maybe that's why these states have their own brewery -- the Carolina Brewing Company. Based in Charlotte, the CBC offers tours of the facility, also known as Beer School 101. Learn about the beer-making process and then indulge in a little tasting during your tour of the brewery. It only costs $5 a head to get in -- but each head must be at least 21 years old.
STICKING AROUND?
Plan to spend one or two extra days exploring the greater Charlotte area. Two unique venues for competitive sports (save the racecar driving isn't a sport talk -- it won't fly in Charlotte) make their home there.
Lowe's Motor Speedway: Charlotte and NASCAR go hand-in-hand: the future NASCAR Hall of Fame will be built in the city and one of the circuit's biggest races is held just north of Charlotte. In a little less than a month, racin' fans will flock to the gigantic speedway for the Coca-Cola 600, but you can fulfill your need for speed early in a rip-roaring ride-along with the Richard Petty Driving Experience. If your stomach can still handle food after that 160-mph journey around the track, head to Mac's Speed Shop near Lake Norman for "hot bikes, hot BBQ and cold beer".
U.S. National Whitewater Center: Sitting just outside of Charlotte on the banks of the Catawba River is the largest artificial whitewater river in the world. The U.S. National Whitewater Center is the U.S. Olympic Training Site and hosted the 2008 Olympic trials last weekend. If wild and wet is your thing, book a splashy adventure and take on the river. If not, watch the experts paddle from the safety and comfort of the River's Edge Bar & Grill on dry ground.
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