Over the last several weeks, I’ve been working hard to compile a list of my top 101 must see, must do, and must eat things in the Greater Charlotte Area. I’m proud to present that list to you today along with a brief description of each one. Over the next 101 weeks, I will be highlighting each item individually with it’s own post. I hope you enjoy and use the list to get out and see more of our amazing community and all it has to offer! Please click on the name of each item to learn more about them.
In no particular order:
1. Upstream Upstream, located in the South Park area of Charlotte, prides itself in serving only the freshest seafood of the highest quality in Pacific Rim cuisine.
2. Lollipops A production of the Charlotte Symphony, The Lollipops series provides a fun and engaging introduction to classical music and the live orchestra experience through imaginative storytelling and inspiring reinterpretations of classical repertoire.
3. Freedom Park Freedom Park is a 98-acre park in Charlotte centered on a 7-acre lake and has paved trails, tennis/volleyball courts, sport/athletic fields and playground equipment.
4. Raptor Center Carolina Raptor Center is a living museum, dedicated to the conservation of birds of prey. Located in Latta Plantation Nature Preserve on 57 acres, the 3/4 mile Raptor Trail is home to over 25 species of native and exotic raptors — hawks, falcons, eagles, merlins, kites and vultures.
5. Christmasville This award winning festival has over 70 events including horse drawn carriage rides, historic tours, strolling Dickens carolers, art, theater, dance, music, a gingerbread house contest, multiple Santa activities, an ice skating rink, and 20 tons of real snow!
6. Singing Christmas Tree The Singing Christmas Tree is an annual two-hour holiday production showcasing the members of Carolina Voices’ MainStage Choir singing in a tree shape.
7. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is located on 380 acres of rolling meadows, woodlands and lakefront property in Belmont and includes a woodland trail, sparkling fountains, and an Orchid Conservatory. (Love this garden? Then check out this guide to other amazing gardens throughout the US! “55 Stunning Botanical Gardens to See Before You Die.“)
8. Birkdale Village Shopping Center Patterned after the wonderful texture of New England seacoast towns, Birkdale Village brings to the shopping and residential environment a scale and texture that is atypical of either conventional shopping centers or housing communities
9. Great Wolf Lodge This 84-degree indoor water park includes over 80,000 square feet of water-packed excitement, including jaw-dropping slides for thrill seekers or zero-depth entry areas for little ones.
10. ImaginOn ImaginOn is a collaborative venture of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte. ImaginOn brings stories to life through extraordinary experiences that challenge, inspire and excite young minds.
11. Dan Nicholas Park 450 acres of pure family fun including miniature golf, paddle boats, gem mining, lake fishing, Haden’s carousel and miniature train rides plus 70 camp sites
12. Carolinas Aviation Museum The Museum was founded in 1992 by Floyd and Lois Wilson, and has a collection of over 50 static aircraft and a wealth of smaller historic items related to aviation in the North and South Carolina.
13. Time Warner Cable Arena Built by the City of Charlotte and operated by Bobcats Sports & Entertainment, the Time Warner Cable Arena is the home of the NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats, the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers and is the premier destination for top-rated concerts and events.
14. Rosedale Plantation Just minutes away from Uptown Charlotte, The Historic Rosedale Plantation is truly one of the best kept secrets in Charlotte. Take pleasure in exquisitely landscaped grounds or be inspired by the timeless grandeur of the home with its majestic, century-old trees with year-round blooms.
15. Paper Skyscraper Paper Skyscraper, “Charlotte’s Best” gift, book and card store for 20 years with a sense of humor in all areas of the store.
16. Rooster’s Restaurant Rooster’s Wood-Fired Kitchen serves high-quality Southern cuisine with Spanish, French and Italian influences in portions to be shared or eaten alone.
17. Latta Plantation Historic Latta Plantation is a circa 1800 cotton plantation and living history farm, located within Latta Plantation Nature Preserve. Schedule your visit when they are doing a Civil War era reenactment for a special treat.
18. The Come-See-Me Festival The Come-See-Me Festival was first held in 1962 as a community project to invite visitors, relatives and friends to see Rock Hill during its most beautiful season. It started as a weekend event and has expanded to 10 days.
19. Customshop Handcrafted Food Customshop is a modern Roman trattoria with a neighborhood feel, located in the heart of Charlotte. The menu offers an eclectic mix of traditional and innovative American dishes inspired by Italian, French, and Spanish cuisine.
20. Zootastic Park Zootastic Park is an educational, interactive zoo that is hands on for both children and adults.
21. The Depot at Gibson Mill The Depot is a tourist destination for “Pickers” of antique furniture, household items and mementos from the past. Folks drive in from across the region, and from as far away as New York and Florida, to explore the Depot’s huge 88,000 square feet sales floor.
22. Charlotte Regional Farmers Market If you are looking for a friendly place to shop for fresh produce, fresh pork products, grass fed beef, ostrich & emu meat, goat milk cheese, scrumptious baked goods, delectable jams and jellies, unique handmade crafts, goat milk soap, beautiful fresh cut flowers and plants of every kind, you can find it all at the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market.
23. Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival The Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival is a great day of beer sippin’, bourbon tastin’, music listenin’, cigar smokin’, and barbeque eatin’. Admission buys you a sampling glass so you can enjoy an All-You-Care-To-Taste sampling of 60+ beers and 40+ bourbons.
24. South Carolina Strawberry Festival The South Carolina Strawberry Festival is Fort Mill’s signature salute to spring
25. IKEA IKEA is a Swedish company that designs and sells ready-to-assemble furniture (such as beds, chairs, and desks), appliances, and home accessories and is known for its modern architectural designs for various types of appliances and furniture, and its interior design work is often associated with an eco-friendly simplicity.
26. Spider Lillies at Landsford Canal State Park The Catawba River is home to the largest known stand of the rocky shoals spider lilly, a flower species found predominantly in the Southeast. Peak bloom season for the rocky shoals spider lily is during May and June.
27. Carowinds Carowinds is a 398-acre amusement park on the border between North and South Carolina, that was inspired by Earl Patterson Hall’s 1956 trip to Disneyland and a dream of bringing the two states closer together.
28. Summer Concerts During the summer months, there’s no shortage of free outdoor concerts.
29. The Visulite Theatre The Visulite is known as Charlotte’s premier live music club.
30. Summer Pops Each Sunday evening in June and culminating with a concert in July, the Charlotte Symphony gives an outdoor concert at Symphony Park adjacent to SouthPark Mall.
31. Taste of Charlotte Along with sampling delicious food, this festival includes many features including kid’s activities in the CrossRoad and the Tavern at the Taste for wines and specialty brews plus live entertainment on the Tavern Stage.
32. Pinky’s Westside Grill This popular Charlotte eatery is known for its burgers, dogs and sandwiches and for its charm including the VW Beetle parked on the roof.
33. Price’s Chicken Known as Charlotte’s finest southern fried chicken to take home, to the office or any social gathering.
34. The Booty Loop 2.8 mile loop in the heart of the Myers Park neighborhood that attracts cyclists, runners, walkers, strollers, and rollerbladers from all over. It’s also the home of the annual 24 Hours of Booty event to raise awareness and funds for the Lance Armstrong Foundation and local cancer organizations.
35. Harrisburg July 4th Festival An annual celebration featuring a pageant, amusement park rides, live entertainment, a cow milking contest, fireworks and more!
36. Concord Memorial Gardens This garden is a privately owned cemetery of First Presbyterian Church of Concord and continues to be maintained through a generous trust from Mr. Williamson. The Garden has annual display beds and borders entwined through a 200-year-old cemetery.
37. ZMax Dragway Built in 2008, zMAX Dragway is the world’s only four-lane, all concrete drag strip. Located on the grounds of Charlotte Motor Speedway, the Bellagio of drag strips annually hosts two NHRA events, as well as street racing nights, and various other family-friendly events.
38. The Manor Theatre An old classic looking theater, the Manor Theater originally opened in 1947 and plays movies from festivals and occasionally features new releases.
39. Amelie’s French Bakery Amélie’s is a French bakery and café in historic NoDa. Along with award-winning pastries and desserts, the bakery offers soups, tartines and sandwiches and is open 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
40. The Local Dish Food fresh from local farmers, Local Dish is bringing the Farm to Table concept to Fort Mill, SC.
41. Trump National Golf Course Trump National Golf Club Charlotte is a Private, Members only facility situated along the shores of Lake Norman, NC.
42. Olde Mecklenburg Brewery The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery is located in the heart of south Charlotte and produces premium, all natural beer and delivers it fresh weekly to bars, restaurants and retailers in the region.
43. Charlotte Oktoberfest Presented by the Carolina BrewMasters, Charlotte Oktoberfest is NC’s premier beer festival. Charlotte Oktoberfest is also a charity-focused event with over $422,250 given to worthy non-profits in its14 year history!
44. Port City Club Casual yet classy waterfront restaurant on Lake Norman open to the general public featuring a creative menu using fresh seafood certified Angus beef, all natural chicken.
45. The Diamond The Diamond Restaurant is a traditional Greek diner serving everything from burgers, salads and sandwiches to seafood, Southern, Italian and Greek classics.
46. Bank of America Stadium Located in uptown Charlotte, Bank of America Stadium serves as the headquarters for the Carolina Panthers and is the home of the ACC Championship and a college bowl game.
47. Selwyn Ave Pub Located in Myers Park, Selwyn Ave pub has become a regular hang-out for many who live in the area.
48. Jim and Nicks’ Taco Tuesday Don’t miss slow cooked BBQ perfections wrapped in a warm flour tortilla, a delicious collision of 2 tasty cultures.
49. Sauceman’s BBQ Founded in 2010, Sauceman’s brings Lexington-style BBQ to Charlotte. You’ll find fantastic barbecue, gourmet sandwiches, burgers, ribs, and more.
50. Mallard Creek Presbyterian BBQ Known as the oldest BBQ in North Carolina, the Annual Mallard Creek Presbyterian Barbeque is always held on the fourth Thursday of the Month in October.
51. Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte Actor’s Theatre is the region’s only professional theatre company dedicated to programming exclusively for mature audiences.
52. Thunder Road Marathon Charlotte’s Thunder Road Marathon unites the excitement of road racing, music, family-friendly entertainment and the Charlotte region’s rich heritage of stock car racing.
53. Charlotte Knights at Uptown Stadium The Charlotte Knights are the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. Beginning in 2014, the Knights will play their home games in Uptown Charlotte at BB&T Ballpark.
54. NASCAR Hall of Fame Located in Uptown Charlotte, the 150,000-square-foot NASCAR Hall of Fame is an interactive, entertainment attraction honoring the history and heritage of NASCAR.
55. The Cowfish The Cowfish brings to the world the first restaurant focusing on offering both the best sushi AND the best burger in town.
56. Matthews Community Farmers’ Market The Matthews Community Farmers’ Market is the largest, most diverse producer-only farmers’ market in the greater Charlotte area. Foods are grown, raised or made within 50 miles of Matthews.
57. Pike’s Soda Shop Pike’s Soda Shop has been around since the 1930’s. Formerly part of a pharmacy on Shamrock, this establishment has been standing alone on Camden Street in Southend since 1998.
58. Levine Center for the Arts Levine Center for the Arts is one of Charlotte’s key cultural destinations, comprised of Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, John S. and James L. Knight Theater and Mint Museum Uptown.
59. North Carolina Dance Theatre Founded in 1970, North Carolina Dance Theatre is the oldest professional ballet company in North Carolina. Today, the organization enjoys a national reputation for excellence in programming, education and outreach, and dance training.
60. Bobbee O’s BBQ Bobbee O’s BBQ, simply put, has the best barbecue and the best prices.
61. Jake’s Good Eats Brothers Jake and Gordon Stegall converted an old gas station into this local favorite for twists on Southern cooking such as venison quesadillas.
62. Food Truck Friday in Southend A gathering of some of Charlotte’s best food trucks every Friday evening offering different styles of cuisine. Trucks change from week to week depending on availability.
63. Lazy 5 Ranch Lazy 5 Ranch is a unique educational experience for people of all ages. You can experience domestic and exotic animals from six continents including giraffe, zebra, buffalo, cattle, sheep and lots more.
64. Concord Historic District Historic Downtown Concord is like no other attraction or shopping venue in Concord, Cabarrus County, or the region and was recognized as the winner of the 2013 North Carolina Great Main Street Award.
65. St Mary’s Chapel St Mary’s Chapel is famous for being Charlotte’s most popular location for weddings.
66. Mac’s Speedshop With a tagline of Beer, Bikes & BBQ, Mac’s is family friendly for both the Harley-set as well as the post-Drive-baseball crowd, with plenty of brisket, ribs, and beer-can chicken for all.
67. Charlotte Greenways Greenway trails provide recreation, transportation, fitness, and economic benefits for all to enjoy. There are currently 37 miles of developed and 150 miles of undeveloped greenways in Mecklenburg County.
68. Ray’s Splash Planet Ray’s Splash Planet, owned and operated by Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, includes a one-of-a-kind waterpark with fun-filled features. Ray’s Splash Planet is also home to a state of the art fitness area with an aerobic & dance room, cardiovascular theater, free weights and resistance equipment.
69. The Peach Stand The Peach Stand is a local favorite in Fort Mill, SC and features a custom butcher shop, bakery, restaurant, ice cream parlor, produce, gourmet and southern specialty items.
70. Anne Springs Close Greenway 2,100-acre natural preserve located in Fort Mill, SC that offers countless activities from hiking and biking and horseback riding to picnics, kayaking and more.
71. The Food Lion AutoFair One of the largest car shows around, the event attracts more than 100,000 visitors, and features over 60 car clubs and more than 10,000 vendors offering virtually any automotive parts and memorabilia you could think of.
72. Global Restaurant Global features an eclectic flair & appealing flavors brought back to the Carolinas by the Owners after traveling the world together.
73. US Whitewater Center Home to the world’s largest man-made whitewater river, the USNWC invites outdoor enthusiasts to play, relax and learn on the 400 acres that make up the facility.
74. Speed Week Speed Week is a series of seven races in 7 southeastern cities that begins in Athens, Georgia and ends with the finale in Sandy Springs. Nationally-ranked athletes will take to the streets to contest Speed Week, the richest week of criterium racing in the U.S. with $125,000 in prize money.
75. NoDa Arts District NoDa is Charlotte’s historic arts and entertainment district – a neighborhood where the people are as diverse as the art, live music, craft beers, restaurants, custom gifts and tattoos you will find here. NoDa is dedicated to promoting the arts, living eco-friendly lifestyles, supporting small businesses, encouraging diversity and aiding fellow charities.
76. Billy Graham Library The Billy Graham Library is a 40,000-square-foot experience that allows visitors to discover the life and legacy of America’s Pastor.
77. Concord Mills Mall The largest shopping and entertainment destination of the Carolinas serving Cabarrus, Mecklenburg and other surrounding counties and featuring over 200 stores including manufacturer and retail outlets, off-price retailers, and unique specialty stores
78. Neighborhood Theatre The Neighborhood Theatre originally opened in 1945 as a movie theater and is largest and longest running venue in NoDa.
79. NC Music Factory Charlotte’s newest music and entertainment district that is making a reputation for having the best concerts, pubs, clubs and restaurants in the QC and includes the Uptown Amphitheatre which features soaring views of the Charlotte skyline.
80. Gem Theatre Open 364 days a year, Gem is one of the oldest single-screen movie theatre in continuous operation today. The Gem is also one of only a few movie theatres that offers balcony seating.
81. Antique shopping in Waxhaw Waxhaw has evolved as an antique and fine dining center. The Waxhaw Historic District is on the National Register of Historic Places and includes retail businesses as well as architecturally significant houses near the center of town.
82. Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre (originally Blockbuster Pavilion) is an outdoor amphitheater in Charlotte that specializes in hosting large concerts.
83. The Rusty Rudder The Rusty Rudder is located on the water on Lake Norman with an outdoor tiki bar and live music 6 days a week. It also serves great cuisine.
84. Reed Gold Mine Reed Gold Mine is the site of the first documented gold find in the United States.
85. Revolution Pizza Located in the heart of NoDa, Revolution Pizza and Ale House is a locally owned, Mediterranean inspired restaurant and bar.
86. Charlotte Motor Speedway Offering several tours, The Feel the Thrill Tour gives fans a close-up look at those off-limits areas, including the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Garage, two infield race tracks, Pit Road and Victory Circle.
87. Blumenthal Performing Arts Blumenthal Performing Arts is home to outstanding arts organizations including Charlotte Symphony, Community School of the Arts, North Carolina Dance Theatre, NCDT2 (Apprentice Company of North Carolina Dance Theatre), On Q Productions, Opera Carolina, Queen City Theatre Company, and The Light Factory Contemporary Museum of Photography and Film.
88. Kannapolis Intimidators The Kannapolis Intimidators are the Class A Affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. CMC-NorthEast Stadium, home to the Kannapolis Intimidators, is the place to be all summer long.
89. Queen’s Landing Set alongside beautiful Lake Norman, Queen’s Landing is a fun destination, providing boat tours, banquet rooms, wedding venues, mini golf and a lakeside grill.
90. Levine Museum of the New South Using history to build community, Levine Museum explores the New South from the end of the Civil War to today through powerful exhibits, compelling programs and meaningful dialogue.
91. Hendrick Motorsports Museum & Team Store 10-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champions, the campus features state-of-the-art facilities and technology, which the organization’s four NASCAR Sprint Cup teams employ in preparation for race day.
92. Ilios Noche Traditional Greek dishes like grilled octopus and souvlaki, Italian staples with a twist like boutique pizzas, have made Ilios Noche a favorite dining spot in Charlotte.
93. Mint Museum An internationally-renowned institution, The Mint Museum is dedicated to collecting, conserving, exhibiting, inspiring, publishing and protecting important works of art and design from all over the global art community.
94. Midwood Smokehouse BBQ Midwood Smokehouse BBQ, serving real slow smoked BBQ in many classic styles, offering homemade sides and desserts with fast friendly service.
95. Energy Explorium Located at McGuire Nuclear Station, Duke Energy’s EnergyExplorium offers educational and fun activities for everyone interested in learning more about electricity generation and Lake Norman. Enjoy interactive exhibits, a virtual tour of the station, and a movie about the history and building of Lake Norman.
96. Triple C Brewery Located in the South End and opened in the summer of 2012, Triple C Brewery is Charlotte’s newest Microbrewery. Though they don’t offer food, there is often a food truck outside.
97. Discovery Place Discovery Place is a private 501c(3) not-for-profit education organization dedicated to inspiring exploration of the natural and social world through extraordinary exhibitions and educational programs that inform, challenge and engage audiences of all ages.
98. Mezzanote Italian Restaurant Mezzanotte serves the finest and most authentic ingredient Neapolitan style pizza in Charlotte and as a neighborhood favorite, take-out is in high demand.
99. SouthPark Mall Carolina’s premier shopping destination with over 150+ stores, serving the communities of Charlotte, its surrounding counties as well as cities in North and South Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia.
100. McNinch House The circa 1892 Queen Anne style home of Victorian-era Charlotte Mayor Sam McNinch has served for the last 22 years as the McNinch House Restaurant. In the historic Fourth Ward home of original chef and owner Ellen Davis, guests can expect to be treated like royalty during their multi-course culinary journey.
…and….
101. Leigh Brown & Associates Leigh Brown & Associates have been ranked in the 2013 Top 250 list of America’s top real estate sales professionals and teams. REAL Trends, Inc, in conjunction with the Wall Street Journal, published its seventh annual “Top Thousand” list and we’re proud to report that we’re on it!
