NC Charlotte | Insiders' Guide® Golf in the Carolinas, 4th Edition

Fun Things To Do in Charlotte

Charlotte is a working town, so you're not going to find a large number of really touristy things to do and see: This isn't Orlando. You will, however, discover some major attractions that draw people from all over the city and surrounding counties.

As Charlotte is the retailing epicenter of the Carolinas, SouthPark Mall, 4400 Sharon Road, Charlotte, (704) 364-4411, is the retailing epicenter of Charlotte. In addition to anchor department stores Belk, Hecht's and Dillard's, there are more than 100 retail stores, including a Warner Brothers Store, two Victoria's Secret shops, Pea in the Pod, the Nature Company and Brooks Brothers. Nordstrom will open a store in 2002. The mall is well run and clean--an excellent place for those who love to shop. Amid the myriad retail stores, you'll find a number of interesting eateries. Besides SouthPark, this area has three other malls offering a fine collection of specialty shops: Specialty Shops on The Park, Morrocroft Village, Sharon Corners and Phillips Place.

Discovery Place, 301 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, (704) 845-3882, is a nationally known state-of-the-art science museum. It's a hands-on type of place that will fascinate children of all ages. Wander around the numerous displays and well-designed exhibits. Learn about subjects such as the rain forest, electricity, weather and moon exploration. This is a great place to spend hours discovering the nature of the world around you.

Once you've finished your museum tour, step over to the Charlotte Observer Omnimax Theater. Watch a movie in a special surround-sound environment that truly has to be seen to be believed--it's like watching a movie on all four walls of the theater while sitting in a dentist's chair.

Charlotte is successfully on the map as a big-league sports town. The Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association's Eastern Conference play in the Charlotte Coliseum on Tyvola Road West. NBA action Hornets-style is a never-ending barrage of noise and off-court entertainment. If you're a fan of excellent dancing, you'll enjoy the cheerleading squad, affectionately known as the Honeybees. For ticket information, call (704) 357-0252.

The Carolina Panthers play in the National Football League, in the NFC West division. One of the newer teams in the NFL, the Panthers reached the NFC Championship game in 1995, just their second season in the league. Their state-of-the-art home is Ericsson Stadium on S. Mint Street Downtown. Call (704) 358-1644 for more information.

If you like ice hockey, the Charlotte Checkers play at Independence Arena (known to locals as the "Big I"), 2700 Independence Boulevard, Charlotte, (704) 342-4423. The Checkers play in the East Coast Hockey League, the hockey equivalent of Class AA baseball. The team is affiliated with the New York Rangers of the NHL. The season starts in October and lasts until mid-April. In 1996, the Checkers won the Riley Cup as champions of the league. There's nothing quite like minor league ice hockey. The Checkers were popular in the 1950s, '60s and early '70s until the league folded. The revamped Checkers feature youthful players who hope that their stay in Charlotte lasts but a season. ECHL teams can only have three players with three or more years of professional experience on the roster. Plenty of players are eager to prove themselves worthy of a better league, so the action is always fast, furious and hard-hitting. And, yes, there is the occasional incident where players drop their gloves and engage in fist-to-fist combat. It's part of the game. In the Checkers' first season, the team mascot, a 7-foot-tall bear named Chubby, got into a fight with player Sebastien LaPlante of the Greensboro Monarchs over the use of a water pistol. Yes, there's never a dull moment at a Checkers game. Plenty of home games sell out. As you enter the Big I, turn left and say hello to Betty the ticket-taker.

Opened in 1992 in tandem with the tallest building in the Carolinas--the NationsBank Corporate Center--the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, (704) 372-1000, is a testament to Charlotte's commitment to the arts. The Blumenthal Center is home to the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Opera Carolina and numerous other performing arts groups. The main performing hall seats about 2,000 patrons.

Events at the Blumenthal might include an opera, a symphony, a rock 'n' roll performance, Carol Channing in Hello Dolly!, or a major dance production. The adjacent state-of-the-art Belk Theater seats about 400 in a warm and intimate setting. Consult a copy of the Charlotte Observer to see what's playing or visit the Observer's Web site: Charlotte.com.

Lowe's Motor Speedway (formerly Charlotte Motor Speedway), N.C. Highway 49 N., Concord, (704) 455-2121, is the place to be for stock car racing, or NASCAR, as it's more commonly known. It's a major industry in the Charlotte region, and many of the top racing teams are headquartered just a smooth 3-wood from the speedway. LMS hosts three major races: the Winston Select and the Coca-Cola 600 in May, and the Mello-Yellow 500 in the fall. Each race event is replete with "extracurricular activities," so come prepared for long days in the sun--the local population provides much of the entertainment. During the year, the venue offers many ancillary events including auto fairs, demonstrations, non-NASCAR races and exhibitions. Call to arrange a tour of the facility. For motorsports fans, a trip to Charlotte is not complete without a stop at LMS.

Paramount's Carowinds, south of Charlotte, just off I-77 on Carowinds Boulevard, Fort Mill, South Carolina, (704) 588-2600, has been one of the Charlotte region's biggest attractions for years. It was called simply "Carowinds" until corporate giant Paramount bought the theme park. It must be one of the most entertaining places in the Carolinas, offering everything from long, screaming roller coasters and water rides to smaller-scale carousels designed for smaller-scale people. The larger, more involved roller coasters are some of the most radical in the Southeast. You'll be turned upside-down at high speeds on The Vortex, a stand-up roller coaster. In addition to the rides, Carowinds' Palladium is a great place to see pop music concerts in the summer months.

The Mint Museum of Art, 3730 Randolph Road, Charlotte, (704) 337-2000, is housed in the city's former 19th-century federal mint, a fact that in part explains why the town is such a banking center today. For an art museum nestled in one of Charlotte's oldest neighborhoods, the Mint is a pretty hopping place--for a museum. Various auxiliaries and affiliated organizations spend a lot of time and energy keeping the museum alive and funded, so it's quite a social center as well. There's always at least one exhibit going on in addition to the regular collection, including one of the world's best accumulations of pre-Colombian art.

The museum is closed on Mondays.

		Where to Eat Refer to our Preface for an explanation of the pricing code. Charlotte South End Brewery and Smokehouse $$ • 2100 South Blvd., Charlotte • (704) 358-4677 Glitzy and big, South End Brewery is the epicenter of Charlotte's bustling and revamped South End district, just a mile or two from Uptown's skyscrapers. Beer is brewed on premises; the India Pale Ale is popular, as is the Carolina Blonde, a wheat lager. In addition to the Blondes, the food is another superb attraction featuring anything from plain burgers to fresh fish. But if you want to be especially cool, head to the Pizza bar where you'll watch the cook work on your pie. After Panther football games, this is where the players head for postgame libations. It's a jumping joint after big wins and is open for lunch and dinner. Cino Grill $$-$$$ • 6041 Morrison Blvd., Charlotte• (704) 365-8226 In the heart of Charlotte's upscale SouthPark area, Cino's clientele is usually an interesting mix of out-of-towners and locals. On weekends, with live jazz, the scene is more local, with trendsetters and heavy-hitters rolling in to be seen with a martini in one hand, a cigar in the other. The bar menu includes an awesome selection of 007's favorite pick-me-up. But Cino is refined enough that by the end of the evening, you'll be stirred, not shaken. Manzetti's $$ • 6401 Morrison Blvd., Charlotte• (704) 364-9334 Set among the SouthPark area's Specialty Shops on the Park, Manzetti's has long been a popular stop on the drinking and dining scene. It's a pretty trendy place, so come expecting to see a number of slightly aging yuppie-types dressed to kill. The atmosphere is definitely "fern bar," with bright brass rails and dark wood predominating. The food is outstanding--menu items include fun appetizers and a number of traditional American entrees. There's plenty to drink at the bar, and it's always crowded with lively people. It's a great place for a relaxed lunch or dinner outing with friends. Providence Café $$ • 110 Perrin Pl., Charlotte • (704) 376-2008 If you're looking for an excellent meal for your dollar, then look no further than Providence Cafe, just off Providence Road near the intersection of Providence and Queens. If you get lost in this area of Charlotte, don't worry--you're not the first and certainly not the last. As you enter Providence Cafe, you might be fooled into thinking that you're going to spend a lot of "cashola," but don't worry--your bill for a big session will be less than you think. In addition to a fine array of beverages, the mildly eclectic menu features a number of interesting selections that won't increase your overdraft. It's open for lunch and dinner. Cornelius Kobe Japanese House of Steak and Seafood $$$ • 20465 Chartwell Center Dr.,Cornelius • (704) 896-7778 If you've never been to a Japanese steakhouse, here's your chance. It's all here, and it's all good. There's the sushi bar, where the expert sushi chef will prepare your California Roll along with that green radioactive horseradish that's guaranteed to clear out your sinuses no matter how bad your head cold is. Then there's the meal itself, the authentic Teppan-Yaki show where the ambidextrous chef dices and slices your dinner right before your eyes, sizzling the rice, making the shrimp dance and the steak do the fandango. Wash it down with some sake and you've received the full Japanese steak house experience. It's best to go in a party of 10 so you can dominate a table and have a chef all to yourself. Davidson North Harbor Cafe $$-$$$ • 181 North Harbor Dr., Davidson Landing • (704) 892-3855 Literally inches from Lake Norman, it's possible to drive your boat right up to the North Harbor Cafe, then drive it back to your lakeside mansion. Because of its accessibility to the lake and its fine views of the water, this ranks as one of the area's hot spots, especially if you dine outside in the middle of a midsummer day. Call ahead for reservations. The menu includes fresh fish, steaks, chicken dishes, fajitas, burgers, sandwiches, soups, salads and a full list of great desserts. It's sounds like pretty standard fare, but the quality of the preparation and the lakeside feel make North Harbor Cafe one of the most popular spots on the eastern shores of Lake Norman. Denver Jones Fish Camp $ • N.C. Hwy. 16, Denver • (704) 483-2480 For more than 43 years, Jones Fish Camp has been serving up the stuff that fish camps are all about--great fish in a down-home, nothing-fancy ambiance. In addition to broiled and fried seafood, you'll find ribeye steaks, prime rib and chicken dishes. So there's more to Jones Fish Camp than just fish. But you will also find a staple fish camp specialty here: iced tea that's so sweet and so strong and so iced that a spoon will stand to attention in it. Gastonia El Cancun $ • 516 E. Garrison St., Gastonia• (704) 853-2855 Take a tasty trip to Mexico at one of the Charlotte region's greatest venues. If you like Mexican food but don't want to spend a fortune on it, head for El Cancun. Your waiter or waitress (always Mexican) will bring you chips with excellent salsa. After that, you should skip reading the menu and indulge in the cream burritos. But all the choices on this extensive menu are wonderful. Wash it all down with a Dos Equis or two. Hillbillys Bar-B-Que and Steaks $$ • 930 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia• (704) 861-8787 Yer invited for supper here at Hillbillys, which describes itself as a "cook-out inside." You'll find some of the best pit-cooked barbecue in town, in addition to hickory-cooked rib eye and New York Strip steaks. Also enjoy ribs, chicken, pork, beef, sizable hot dogs, hamburgers and a pretty extensive kids menu as well. Hillbillys will also cater anything from family reunions to shotgun weddings.
		Where to Stay Refer to our Preface for an explanation of the pricing code. Charlotte The Dunhill Hotel $$$ • 237 N. Tryon St., Charlotte• (704) 332-4141 The Dunhill is in Uptown Charlotte near the new NationsBank tower. It's in a vintage building with the ambiance of an Old World bed and breakfast inn, which makes it a great alternative to the larger chain-style hotels. Yet it's extremely convenient to the central business district, library and Discovery Place (see our "Fun Things To Do" section). You'll find a restaurant on the ground floor, in addition to services tailored to the business traveler. Hilton at University Place $$-$$$ • 6929 JM Keynes Dr., Charlotte• (704) 547-7444 Just off I-85 near the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, the Hilton at University Place is a fully appointed 240-room hotel. The Hilton is convenient to the university area (hence its name), but it's also near Lowe's Motor Speedway, all the new office developments in the area, a couple of fine golf courses (including Highland Creek) and the new hospital. So should you suddenly be hit by a flying golf ball and need some stitches to your head, the Hilton will be a convenient place to recuperate. The Park Hotel $$$ • 2200 Rexford Rd., Charlotte• (704) 364-8220 In the heart of SouthPark, with some of the best shopping in the Southeast just a few steps away, the Park offers great location and excellent service. The Park is well known in Charlotte as one of the best hotels in the city. In fact, it's where the players in the Paine Webber Senior PGA Tournament stay. With nearly 200 rooms, the Park boasts a European feel. Smoky's, on the first floor, is an outstanding place to eat. Amenities at The Park Hotel include several meeting rooms, an outdoor swimming pool with a whirlpool, two ballrooms and a newsstand plus full meeting and banquet facilities. Wayne Shusko is one of the friendliest, most helpful and most experienced hotel managers in Charlotte. The Park enjoys tremendous repeat business, with good reason. Radisson Plaza Hotel $$$ • 2 NationsBank Plaza, Charlotte• (704) 377-0400 The Radisson Plaza in Uptown Charlotte was one of the city's first large hotels with connections to a large chain. It's a magnificent accommodation, with close to 400 rooms and a bunch of meeting rooms and entertainment suites. If you're in Uptown and you're looking for a first-class hotel with every amenity under the sun, you won't go wrong here. Concord Holiday Inn Express $$ • 1601 N.C. Hwy. 29 N., Concord• (704) 786-5181, (800) 647-STAY Convenient to I-85 and Concord, this Holiday Inn Express offers a comfortable place to stay at a comfortable rate. You get free local and Charlotte calls, free breakfast bar, free newspaper and free cable with HBO and ESPN on a 26-inch color TV with remote control. There are in-room refrigerators, nonsmoking rooms and free 18-wheeler parking. In addition, you'll get a discount on your room if you're a member of AARP, and there's fax and copy service. Cornelius Holiday Inn Lake Norman $$ • I-77 and N.C. Hwy. 73, Cornelius• (704) 892-9120 On the east side of Lake Norman, the Holiday Inn is convenient not only to the lake but to the entire Charlotte region. The hotel has 119 guest rooms, offers a free breakfast buffet, a restaurant and lounge, a pool and a fitness room as well as meeting and banquet facilities. If you're someone who can't survive the day without a cup of coffee, rest easy here: You'll find an in-room coffee maker at your disposal. Gastonia Comfort Inn $$ • I-85 and N.C. Hwy. 161, Gastonia• (704) 739-7070, (800) 228-5150 Convenient to West Gastonia and I-85, this new and friendly Comfort Inn boasts a number of amenities including in-room microwaves and refrigerators, free deluxe continental breakfast, cable TV with HBO and ESPN, fax and copy service and a laundry room. If you really want to splash out, spend the extra cash for the executive Jacuzzi room. Econo Lodge $$ • I-85 and N.C. Hwy. 274, Gastonia• (704) 867-1821, (800) 555-2666 Just seconds from the always-bustling I-85, Gastonia's Econo Lodge offers a swimming pool, free cable TV with HBO, free local calls, continental breakfast and meeting rooms. Inquire about seniors' and other discounts.
		Golf Equipment One of the leaders in golf retailing in Charlotte is Pro Golf Discount. The three stores in Charlotte offer an outstanding variety of equipment for players of all levels. If you want the latest state-of-the-art clubs custom fitted to your swing, you can find them here. If your golfing budget is limited, Pro Golf offers playable clubs perfect for those who are just starting the game. Pro Golf stocks a variety of putters and utility clubs that you won't find anywhere else. You'll also find a good selection of name-brand accessories, including gloves, shoes, shirts, balls and bags. Stop by any of the three locations in Charlotte: Central Avenue, (704) 536-9021; South Boulevard, (704) 523-7262; and Pineville, (704) 541-6950. An excellent shop for used equipment, expert club fitting, repair, re-shafting and just generally good conversation about golf and unrelated subjects is John Gamble's Carolina Golf Manufacturing at 2917-B Central Avenue, (704) 563-0897. Many in Charlotte will tell you that Gamble is the best clubfitter in the Carolinas.