South - CLT: A day in NC

On my trip to ATL, I'm going to spend a day driving up through SC into NC. Any suggestions on must-see things?

I've seen the thread on the 10 things to do in CLT, but I'd like to hear from people who actually know, especially locals. I'm into unique eateries and non-mainstream attactions. ^

There's a giant peach (water tower) by the interstate (85) in Gaffney SC. My kids think it looks like a giant butt. :D

Instead of heading for Charlotte, I'd turn north and head for Ashville. See the Biltmore house. Ashville itself is a pretty town and the ride up is scenic (although more so in spring or fall). I can't recommend a specific restaurant there, but you'll find quite a few unique non-chain options.

Driving I-85 through South Carolina will make you think we're a bunch of good ol boys who like strippers and fireworks. I plead nolo contendere.

You'll pass right by a gleaming BMW factory and museum. I haven't stopped there myself, but here's a link.
http://www.bmwzentrum.com/information/

What kind of eats are you looking for? Don't know your demo, but the Penguin is a local insitution on Central Avenue near The Plaza (that's the name of the road - The Plaza; CLT roads are notoriously nonsensical, both in name and direction).
It's a dive bar/diner, where you can get PBR, greasy burgers, listen to indie rock on the jukebox and see lots of tattooed people.
I used to like it, but a word of warning, I have noticed some skinhead-racist people there lately.
For more upscale, Upstream gets raves for its seafood. It's in the Philips Place area, near SouthPark Mall.
There's a nice fish taco place up in the NoDa section of town. It's a small attempt by CLT to get something like the Village - some galleries, performing arts spaces, coffee shops and the like. Head up North Davidson Street to 35th Street.

And as for attractions, CLT is sorely lacking them. I've lived here for about four years, and it's felt like 40.
CLT is really just a glorified suburb, kind of how I see San Jose - strip malls, dry cleaners and an endless supply of big-box stores. But there is a downtown with some skyscrapers.

You could go to an NBA Bobcats game. Or check out the Levine Museum of the New South.
I also think there is a gold mine somewhere around here where you can pan for gold. (Called Reed's Mine).

I actually ended up just driving around Charlotte at night.

For dinner I went to the Ranch House by the airport... very old-school cheesy interior, but an excellent steak and great staff.

For breakfast/lunch I went to Bubba's BBQ... quite excellent pull pork and hushpuppies.

On the way back I stopped by the BMW plant... tried to reserve a tour the night before, but the factory tours are closed until Fall for retooling. Interesting collection they have there though. I also stopped by Greenville... love that suspension bridge. For late lunch, I stopped by Henry's Smokehouse for more BBQ pulled pork... it was awesome. I bought a gallon of sweet tea to take with me on the plane (I abandoned 1/2 of it in SEA when I got tired of lugging it around ;) )

CLT is really just a glorified suburb,


What do you expect when its nickname is the "City of Homes"? I always know what to expect when, before I move there, locals tell you their community is "a good place to raise a family". Translation: "You want the other kind of fun, move to Vegas."

What do you expect when its nickname is the "City of Homes"?
That's really funny. I had never heard that before.
I got worried when I first moved here and had several people try to convince me it was a great place because it had a lot of trees - more than Atlanta even!

That's really funny. I had never heard that before.
I got worried when I first moved here and had several people try to convince me it was a great place because it had a lot of trees - more than Atlanta even!

Well, Queen City is the more popular nickname. Now, that's scary!

In 3 years, we developed a few regular activities. Mrs BamaVol likes to wander through antique stores. Waxhaw is a good place for that.

She also likes wandering through open houses, especially new construction. Gotta love Charlotte for that activity.

In our day, it was the Hornets. We had access to season tickets, good seats. Went to about half the Panthers home games - back when they weren't winning much - could buy seats outside Ericson for $10-20.

Pre-9/11, we would actually drop by CLT, eat dinner, people watch & plane watch.

I miss the Neighborhood Theatre - great venue for bands/artists of middling popularity in a neighborhood of galleries and next door to a decent Cajun restaurant (where you will find tonights performers eating dinner before the show).

And last but not least, enjoyed summer evenings outside Dean & Delucca's (Rea Rd) with an adult beverage, free music on Friday night, a few bites from the deli case or a salad, with the kids and the love of my life.

Friends of ours did the gold mine thing and enjoyed it. Union county is riddled with abandoned mines. It pays to know what your subdivision was before they started building houses. :eek:

All in all, Charlotte was a good experience for us. Believe me, there are worse places to live.

Pre-9/11, we would actually drop by CLT, eat dinner, people watch & plane watch.
I think the airport really is one of the best parts of the city; it's one of the few airports in the country that I actually feel comfortable/at ease in.
And that's an impressive list of things to do in CLT, BamaVol. I know I should try to make more of an effort here, but it's often just too easy to get frustrated as a 20-something coming from a much different pace of life. (Though, I do say "Care-uh-line-ah" now).

I bought a gallon of sweet tea to take with meThe things people will buy as souvenirs never cease to amaze me. Glad you got some good Que. And thanks for the news about the BMW shop, I hope I didn't steer you too wrong there.