Charlotte
Slices of Life
2008 10Best Bet - Award Winners
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CORNELIUS. Cruise Lake Norman north past Midtown Sundries, and steer to the right. You can't miss the rockin' party that comes together every Saturday with sometimes 100+ boats floating in the area. In attendance are DJs, heavy sound systems, beautiful people, skimpy swimsuits, and even food-carrying water taxis to take care of hot dog and ice cream cravings. Entirely too much fun to be had on the water!
MYERS PARK. Some say it's the attractive backsides of the runners/walkers who cruise this 3-mile route that inspired its "cheeky" nickname. Others insist the term pays homage to the old Southern money firmly ensconced in the beautiful Myers Park neighborhood. Either way, this circuit is the place to be seen taking a jog in Charlotte. In July, the course is used for the popular Lance Armstrong Foundation event, 24 Hours of Booty (a cycling fundraiser for cancer charities).
UPTOWN. Join the suits and trendsetters at Charlotte's largest outdoor happy hour – and is it ever large! Beer is on tap, wine is uncorked, and live music ranges from Journey tribute bands to Michael Jackson covers. The party continues after-hours at nearby bars as trails of people dance down to College Street. It may get hot outside, but the crowd is even hotter.
UPTOWN. Late at night on weekends, the line to get into Fuel starts at around 1:30am. By 2:15am, it's out the door and around the street corner, populated by sweaty, wide-eyed bar-hoppers and club kids with the munchies. With pizzas like Oregano Chicken and The Mean Green and ever-so-tasty Garlic Knots, Fuel is the place to head to after a long night out on the town.
WAXHAW. This oddly unique outlet store turns out a mix of incredible deals sourced from Hickory, NC, the nearby furniture capital. The inventory changes dramatically each week, and you'll undoubtedly miss out if you don't have a way to get what you want home – you can bet it'll be gone by the next day. Furniture Factory Outlet World is an old-fashioned, family-run establishment with the 10 Commandments adorning a cinder block wall. It also promises some of the best deals around.
PINEVILLE. Nothing is as invigorating on a Saturday or Sunday morning as waking up with the other active Charlotteans who regularly head to this outdoor playground. Families, couples, and singles, pooches often in tow, enjoy the greenway's four miles of trails and its picnic areas, which are mixed in with boardwalks and wetland observation decks. By mile two, the scene is so serene that you'll forget you're even in Charlotte's sprawling city limits.
NODA. On the first and third Friday of each month, the revitalized NoDa neighborhood hosts a free, "come as you please" gallery crawl along its two or three blocks. Supporting the action is a cute coffee shop aptly named Smelly Cat (who's seen Friends?), a fish taco café, a dog bar, vintage shops, and several other intriguing restaurants and boutiques. The crawls provide a great reason to visit this off-the-beaten-track artist's enclave north of Uptown.
Carolina BBQ. For the uninitiated, it's smoky pulled pork, slow-roasted over a wood fire, and it's nothing short of divine. At Old Hickory, they serve it Western NC-style, which means it comes with a tangy, tomato-based sauce. Try the half-and-half plate, which features thick chunks and shredded tendrils of succulent meat, a side of baked beans, crunchy coleslaw, and sweet tea to wash it all down. Get there early or plan to stand in line.
Forget places like McDonald's and Captain D's. If you want fast food in Charlotte, get curb service from a drive-in where they've been serving real food since 1955. Known for the two-patty Super Boy Burger, a golden-crisp Fish-O-Burger, and the most sinful milkshakes you'll ever experience, South 21 is a true local legend. Don't forget to order the delicate, single-sliced onion rings – they'll melt in your mouth. Oh, and be sure to get extra napkins ... you'll need 'em!
UPTOWN. In Charlotte, it doesn't hurt to throw on a Jake Delhomme jersey and paint your face black and blue on home game Sundays. For 14 years, Panthers games and tailgating parties have become as much a part of Charlotte's culture as barbecue. If you're not planning to host from your own vehicle, check out "The Ultimate Tailgate Party," which takes place in a parking lot near Graham and Fourth and lets you eat, drink, and play without doing any of the prep work beforehand. Instead of looking like a tourist, it's satisfying to blend into the background and experience the city like a local. Here, we'll let you know about the locales that city residents frequent. On the list are places like Saturday farmers' markets, summer music concerts, and even historic churches that pull folks in each Sunday. We'll direct you to bypass the tourist traps and get a feel for what it's like to live rather than to sightsee.
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Instead of looking like a tourist, it's satisfying to blend into the background and experience the city like a local. Here, we'll let you know about the locales that city residents frequent. On the list are places like Saturday farmers' markets, summer music concerts, and even historic churches that pull folks in each Sunday. We'll direct you to bypass the tourist traps and get a feel for what it's like to live rather than to sightsee.
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