This week I had the opportunity to spend some vacation time visiting Charlotte, North Carolina. I’ve flown through Charlotte’s Douglas International Airport more times than I can count. More than once a flight delay has found me spending an unexpected overnight in one of the many hotels along Billy Graham Parkway. However, aside from in passing, I’ve never actually visited this southern metropolis and enjoyed some of its local culture and attractions.
Although my day-and-a-half visit was hardly enough time to enjoy all that Charlotte offers, it was at least a chance to scratch the surface, and see that a return trip is definitely in order. Rather than bore with details, I’ll share a few interesting highlights of my trip:
SouthPark Mall
This merchandise mega-center was my first stop. Belk (a southeastern-based department store chain) was responsible for the buildup of this shopping mecca, and so it rightfully has its flagship store anchoring the mall. It’s four floors of Belk, Belk, and more Belk. From house wares on level one, to bath & bedding on level four, it’s quite an impressive sight to see.
In menswear, I thought the ProTour® golf shop was a progressive merchandising initiative. ProTour® is a private label of golf fashions for men. Plaid pants, pink shorts…a country clubber’s haven for sure. But the shop-within-a-shop features dark wood fixtures, comfy couches, HDTV sporting the Golf Channel, and surround sound. Just like the Biltmore™ for Your Home private label, Belk incorporates its deep Carolina roots into its private branding.
A quick-service restaurant, wine-shop, and bar rounded out the unique Belk shopping experience. I wish I would have known about Arthur’s in Belk. It would have probably been better than the Baja Fish Tacos I had at California Pizza Kitchen.
Otherwise the mall is modern, clean, and an absolute labyrinth to navigate. While only one main floor, each of the department-store anchors is multiple stories. Signs are confusing, and maps are not very helpful. I finally had to get a security guard to help me navigate back to my car. He was a very friendly and helpful southern gentleman.
The mix of stores is pretty much standard mall fare, although seeing a Teavana was pretty cool. The ultra special-tea retailer serves up some eclectic brews and all kinds of brewing gadgets for leaf lovers. Samples are always free. Closest one in Buffalo is at Walden Galleria.
Uptown
Instead of “downtown” and the term's negative connotations, Charlotte has branded its city center as “Uptown.” I parked my rental car at the Tyvola Park & Ride and took the Lynx light rail into Uptown. Figured that was better than trying to navigate city streets in a metro I’ve never been to before. I was right. The Lynx was quick and efficient.
Planning to spend a few hours in Uptown, I ended up spending about six. It’s a great network of sidewalks and navigable streets that is any walker’s paradise.
Bank of America Center
The “Crown Jewel” in the Queen City’s skyline is the Bank of America Corporate building. At 60 stories high, it’s a testament to the banking industry’s strong link to Charlotte. I took some magnificent photos of the modern skyscraper. A security guard promptly informed me that photography on the building’s main plaza in not permitted, but was OK from publicly owned street turf. I complied, and at the security guard was very friendly about it, considering I was but a bumbling tourist.
The Founder’s Shops is a small retail center within BofA HQ. I stopped in for a Caribou Coffee and observed banker-types clad in suits, ties, and/or pantsuits & heels milling about on the mezzanine. In line at Caribou, a pantsuit continually turned around and glared at me. Perhaps it had to do with my jeans-and-sweatshirt garb? Hey, it appeared to be open to the public, and well, I was a cold tourist needing a caffeinated Caribou fix.
Artwork
All over Charlotte abstract art decorates street corners and Lynx stations alike. By abstract I mean sculptures of twisted metal that resemble absolutely nothing, but make you stop and ponder them anyhow.
Epicentre
This new haven of retail, entertainment, dining, and nightclubs intends to be branded as a sort of “Charlotte Times Square”. When doing research for this trip, I discovered Aloft Hotel within the complex. I wish I could justify nearly $200 a night. This ultra-modern swanky Uptown lodging had a beautiful view of the city from its fifth-floor lobby, a fireplace, business center, and lap pool. It took me a while to find it, as I expected the lobby to be at ground level, not a loft at floor five. Definitely up-and-coming.
Levine Museum of the New South
I had no intent on visiting this place. But as I perused the racks at Charlotte Chamber of Commerce (a sight in itself), I was intrigued. This museum offers an objective look at the south, particularly Charlotte’s, emergence from Reconstruction to near present day. It weaves the tapestry of cotton growers and textile mills, and what led to the growth of Charlotte’s powerful banking sector. The exhibits are informative, hands-on, entertaining, and unbiased.
Fourth Ward
This historic neighborhood showcases beautifully restored Victorian homes and gardens flanked among red-brick sidewalks. Historic-looking street signage and lamp fixtures add an aura of charm. Look up, though, and the towering skyscrapers of Uptown remind you that modern hustle and bustle are but a few blocks away.
McCormick and Schmick’s
Uptown is home to some surprisingly cheap eats—at least at lunchtime. Eateries put signs on the sidewalk advertising the day’s soups and specials. I never even dreamed I’d be able to take advantage of an under-$10 lunch at seafood haven McCormick & Schmick’s. My $8.95 got me a crab-and-shrimp-salad sandwich on a flaky croissant with a cup of soup. I opted for chicken and sausage gumbo. The sandwich, advertised as a half sandwich, was piled high with fresh field greens and fresh seafood salad. The mayonnaise was a perfect compliment without being overly heavy, the sweet flavor of the crab shined through, and large chunks of shrimp added some great texture. The gumbo was hot, not too salty, and loaded with chopped veggies and orzo pasta. It was very light on the meat—but not in a detrimental way. Best Carolina cookin' I had.
I dined at the bar area which is lit by mosaic chandeliers bearing Carolina sports team logos set in an ornate tin ceiling. Service was very friendly. Come lunchtime, the place was filling with bankers and other suit-clad execs—testament to a loyal local lunch crowd.
Coming Home
Returning from Charlotte’s 50-degree sun-filled days to dark clouds and snow was a harsh Buffalo reality. Come spring or summer, I want to go back to Charlotte. There’s so much more to see, so much more culture to soak in. I’ll start saving now—maybe I can even justify staying at Aloft next time. My Charlotte Comeback Tour will be soon in coming.
Photos - Check out pictures from my trip on Facebook (for now). I'll try to get a better slideshow up using Flickr.
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