Charlotte is one of the most well-known cities in North Carolina, where sports, business, and entertainment converge with a long history of arts and culture. It’s easily accessible by car, train, and plane, making it a good choice for a weekend getaway. Here’s some of the best that Charlotte has to offer.
Where to Eat and Drink
The men behind Charlotte’s top cocktail bar deliver a creative mix of food and drink made possible by choosing only the most select ingredients and flavors to provide guests of Dot Dot Dot with an unforgettable experience. Impeccably plated dishes include beet risotto served with whipped fromage blanc and roasted carrots; cold-smoked fried chicken served with turnip puree and special hot sauce; plus scallops, steak tartare, foie gras, and rabbit. Indulge in custom cocktails made with aged and small batch bourbon, gin, whiskey, and tequila with fresh mint, limes, herbs, purees, and more. Look for specialty events like 5-course cocktail pairings and tasting dinners paired with high-end liquors.
Tucked into The Ivey’s Hotel, Sophia’s Lounge is the perfect combination of vintage luxury and modern sensibility. Plush fabrics, crystal chandeliers, plentiful natural light, and elegantly worn wooden floors complement European-inspired artwork and wall-coverings, enveloping guests with the royal touch. Recognized by Domino, Southern Living, the Charlotte Business Journal, and more, it serves a menu designed and executed by Chef Jamie Lynch. Dine on the yellowfin tuna poke stack, jerk octopus lettuce wraps, filet mignon toast, and barbacoa mini tacos. An extensive wine list and handcrafted cocktail menu ensure there’s a perfect complement to any dish.
From the brainchild of Chef Walker, Seafood Connection is a place where you can revel in old-school southern cuisine and high-end dining. From the sumptuous lobster mac-n-cheese to creative lobster and shrimp dishes, you would be hard-pressed to find anywhere else; it’s not just a meal, it’s an experience.
Things to Do
The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture on South Tryon Street is perhaps the best place to view, learn about, and celebrate the artistic and cultural contributions of African-Americans. Current exhibits include A Woman’s Work: Selections from the John and Vivian Hewitt Collection of African American Art, where viewers are invited to explore the many roles of a woman in her community and her family; Question Bridge: Black Males, where viewers are engaged by the honest and heartfelt conversations among Black men on what it means to live in America; For Freedoms, a contemporary revisiting of Norman Rockwell artworks based on Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms speech; and Welcome to Brookhill, a historical survey of the local Brookhill Village community in photographs. Special events include film screenings and symposia, so it’s worth checking the calendar when planning your visit.
See the best of the Queen’s city with Charlotte NC Tours. As the city’s only full-service tour company, guests can choose from segway, bicycle, scooter, and walking tours. Book a tour of historic uptown neighborhoods, marketplaces or museums. Or customize your own tour. The uptown neighborhood tour includes stops at Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, Levine Center of the Arts, and The Green, Trade & Tyron, Historic 4th Ward. The museums and markets tour includes The Green, Panthers Stadium, Historic 4th Ward, 7th Street Public Market, and Romare Bearden Park. Local tour guides offer insight, commentary, and the kind of stories that make Charlotte come alive.
Where to Stay
The expansive grounds of The Duke Mansion bed and breakfast provide seclusion and privacy. This 100-year-old historic property has utterly charming guest rooms and suites that showcase the best of Southern hospitality with traditional furniture styles, luxury bedding, highly modern bathrooms, and vintage-patterned textiles and upholstery. Beautifully maintained grounds showcase the magnificence of The Duke Mansion and convey its worthy addition to the National Register of Historic Places.
The city of Charlotte, NC has so much to offer, whether this is your first visit or you’ve lived here all your life. A weekend provides the perfect opportunity to sample great local food, cultural attractions, and more while staying in luxury accommodations unique to the city.
