If you’re looking for some fun things to do in Charlotte as the weather finally cools down and thoughts of Christmas whisper from around the corner, here are a few ideas to whet your appetite and get you out of the house and onto the streets for some fine Charlotte fun!October
- Charlotte OktoberFest Beer Festival is an annual event featuring hundreds of craft-brewed beers, food and loads of live entertainment.
- Carolina Renaissance Festival runs from October through Continue Reading »
On the corner of N. Graham and West 5th street is one of Charlotte’s sweetest nightlife spots: Crave. A dessert bar and lounge, this delicious venue offers seven varieties of desserts, as well as 35 signature drinks. If you were born with a sweet tooth, Crave has the menu you’re looking for.One of the bar’s most popular treats is Le Crme. Unlike the traditional vanilla crme brulee, this dessert comes with a passion fruit cream and a portion of mango sorbet. Another Crave favorite is the Chocolate Neufville: a lava cake with espresso flavoring. However, if you have a preference for baked goods, there’s still a number of treats to choose from; such as Coconut Dream cupcakes, Double-Decker Strawberry Shortcake, and the Banana’s Foster. Continue Reading »
Clear 4G wireless has turned Charlotte into a giant wireless hotspot. This means that wherever you go in the city, you’ll have access to fast reliable internet.How does it work? CLEAR uses WiMAX technology, a new wireless broadband that provides fixed and fully mobile internet access. Now you can stop worrying if your favorite coffee shop has Wi-Fi and forget about paying for internet at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. CLEAR takes care of all your internet needs and Continue Reading »
The growing downtown area has young professionals flocking to this vibrant center of the city. Despite the recent economic downturn, Charlotte remains one of the nation’s banking headquarters, home to well-known corporations such as Bank of America and Wachovia. Downtown Charlotte is a great place to find a job, and if you want to avoid the commute into the city, there are many beautiful apartment and condo complexes in the heart of downtown. The many parks, bars, and fine dining in Charlotte make it perfect for meeting new friends and going out with old ones.Court 6 is a new condominium complex located at the corner of East Sixth and North Davidson Street. The beautiful skyline view along with a courtyard located in the middle of the building are just a few of the amenities of this location.230 South Tryon is a brand new condo complex, built in 2008, right in the heart of downtown. Each unit in the 13-story high rise has its own balcony so you can enjoy the weather and the beautiful city around you from the comfort of your own home. A pool, fitness center, billiards room and internet caf, make this an unbeatable downtown home.If you want to stay near downtown but in an area that is slightly more secluded, consider Fifth and Poplar. This gated community really is its own little village, complete with a pool, putting green and recreation area for residents to enjoy. There is even a Starbucks and a supermarket. Once you move in here, you may never want to leave. But when you do decide to go exploring around your new home, you will find yourself in walking distance of restaurants, parks, and libraries.
As the name suggests, the EpiCentre is literally a focal point for activity in Charlotte. Covering half a million square feet, it is home to countless restaurants, shops, and bars. We’ve compiled some highlights to help you get acquainted.RestaurantsWhether you’re looking for a quick business lunch, a fun dinner with friends, or a romantic evening for two, the EpiCentre has the right restaurant for you. We recommend trying the casual American cuisine at BlackFinn, the Asian delicacies at Enso, the dramatic views and culinary genius at Mez, and the loving atmosphere at Wild Wings.ShoppingFashion, accessories, technology, the shops at EpiCentre have it all. Find something hot to wear to the bars at Revolution designer boutique, find the latest trends at Belle Ville’s European Boutique, or pick up any necessary trinkets at CVS. While you’re at it, stop by the Fudgery to try some handmade fudge, fresh squeezed lemonade, or hand dipped apples.EntertainmentWelcome to the party. The EpiCentre is full of exclusive night clubs, neighborhood pubs, and bustling bars. Start the night at Whiskey River where you can watch live music performances, sip on nightly drink specials, and ride the mechanical bull (yes, mechanical bull). After the show, head over to Aloft Hotel and w xyz barCharlotte’s new hot-spot for Continue Reading »
These days, everyone is trying to be more money conscious. That shouldn’t stop you from going out and having a good time. Here are some great ways to spend the daywithout spending your money.
- Reed Gold Mine: Jackpot! This historical site showcases America’s very first documented gold find in the United States. The best partmany of the underground tunnels have been restored for free guided tours. There are multiple nature trails and picnic areas open to the public, or you can sift for gold yourself for just 2.
- Reedy Creek Nature Center and Preserve: If you’re sick of the bustle of the city, this is the place for you. This expansive park, located in Mecklenburg County, is the perfect place for fishing, hiking, sightseeing, or simply relaxing. Bring the kids for a picnic and take the dog for a walk in the parks family friendly environment. Continue Reading »
Looking for a great place to watch the NBA playoffs? Or just want a fun bar with great drink specials? We’ve put together a list of the best sports bars in Charlotte. Some are known for their food. Others are known for their big screens and satellite television access to nearly every sporting event of the year. See if any of the spots on our list make your top picks in Charlotte.Tavern on Park: If you’re looking for a great place to watch your favorite team and want outstanding service, Tavern on Park is for you. The Park Road bar and restaurant has DIRECTV, so they’ll be broadcasting nearly every major sporting event of the year. Plus, the owner and staff are super accommodating. If the big game is on a Sunday, be sure to ask about their mimosa special – 16 for all-you-can-drink.Stool Pigeons: This uptown bar is one of the best in the city, but it requires some planning on the day of a big game. Tables fill up fast so think about getting there early to reserve a table for your friends. Stool Pigeons also has a super affordable menu and great daily drink specials, making it the perfect place to spend game day.Buffalo Wild Wings: This is a great place to watch a game and kick off your Friday or Saturday night. Located in the heart of Epicenter, Buffalo Wild Wings broadcasts the biggest games of the year and is always packed with a fun crowd. Continue Reading »
If there’s one area where Charlotte is thriving, it’s great coffee shops. Coffee-lovers can join the locals at the ultra-cozy Smelly Cat Coffee House in NoDa or bring their own high-speed Internet to the bustling Starbucks in the heart of Dilworth. Whether you want a coffee shop that offers the strongest beans in the city or just a cool atmosphere, there are great options across the city for everyone.For the flavor-obsessed: You can find the city’s most delicious flavored coffee at Dilworth Coffee – hands down. And our personal favorite is the Roasted Caramel Vanilla. With 11 locations throughout the Charlotte area, Dilworth Coffee delivers the feel of a neighborhood coffee shop, with the variety of beverages you’d expect at a national chain. They change their flavors every day and offer free refills on their smallest coffees after 5 p.m.Couple coffee-drinkers: Caribou Coffee on East Blvd. offers the perfect setting for a daytime date or late-night cup of coffee. The popular coffee shop boasts tons of outdoor seating and is within walking distance to some great restaurants. The Atlanta-based chain also offers some surprisingly strong blends at affordable prices. Continue Reading »
I saw an ad on TV the other day about “The New Workplace”. If you haven’t seen it, the commercial promotes the resurging popularity of shared office space amongst the self-employed.It goes something like this: Guy in a tie, late 30s, walks through a keyman-style building extolling the virtues of sharing a coffee pot and receptionist with a half-dozen strangers. He exchanges smiles and nods with the other “self-employeds” as he spins through the modern chic office/set.”You work for yourself, but you have people to bounce ideas off of,” he says. “You have clerical support, a copier and coffee, too!” But best of all: you don’t work with or for these people. You’re a self-employed, independent, freewheeling, up-by-your-bootstraps kind of honcho!It looked and sounded kind of cool. As someone who works in an industry ripe for start-ups and freelancers, I found this little community of symbiotic self-starters rather appealing. And with a recession still raging out there, you have to think this cadre of workers will continue to grow as corporate America struggles to rebuild its workforce. Continue Reading »
Author has published many articles about living in the fine city of Charlotte.