A Three-Day Trip

Charlotte: Plan to stay in Charlotte for a fun-filled 3 days. A fantastic trip for couples or families. Stay at the Marriott Charlotte City Center in the heart of downtown Charlotte. You’ll pay about $79.00per night for two double beds. It is one block from the convention center.   Or you could stay in the Charlotte Convention Center, which claims to have “the cheapest hotel” to stay in and the “best restaurant in town.” This may be an interesting option since so much goes on at the Convention Center. You may get to see plays, run across a trade show and find works of art by locals.

Wherever you stay, you are sure to find that Charlotte has become a major city in her own rights, offering as much as any large city does to her tourists.

 

Day One: Arrive early the first day and spend the day at Charlotte’s Paramount Carowinds, a 105-acre amusement and water park. After a long day at the park, head to the hotel for a rest and a change of clothes. Then go out for a laid-back dinner at Light Bites, on Trade Street, for small tastes of a great variety. Light Bites offers tapas type servings of things like dumplings, skewers, pastas, rice and spring rolls. Main courses range from $13.00-$20.00 for dinner. 

Day Two: Discovery Place is rated the #2 place to visit in Charlotte, after Carowinds. It is an amazing hands-on science center. Have lunch at the North Harbor Club Restaurant and Bar. It is rated one of Charlotte’s best lunch spots. It is located on North Tyrone Street. Then hit Victory Lane Karting on Tipton Dr. for some great go-carting experiences.  All of  these sites are north of town. Head back to the hotel for a rest before you head out for a night on the town. Have drinks at Shaken, not Stirred, a night spot located in Transamerica Square. Take in live alternative music at Tremont Music Hall or, if you’d rather have some laughs, try out Looking for Laughs for a great comedy show. You may want to call the comedy club ahead in case the show sells out.

Day Three: Day three will be spent downtown shopping and visiting museums. First take a walking tour of Charlotte, beginning at 330 South Tyrone Street. You’ll tour through a gorgeous Victorian neighborhood, Charlotte’s historic fourth ward district, and Charlotte’s Centre City area. This will give you a great handle on some of the history of the city. Then tackle some of the many museums and galleries downtown: The Levine Museum of the New South, Mint Museum of Craft Design, the Hayes George Gallery, and Brem House Artisians Gallery. Have lunch at Bistro 100 in the Bank of America Corporate Center or at Johnny Burrito’s on South Tyrone Street. Both are known for their excellent fare, French and Mexican, respectively. There’s Universal Shopping and Coliseum Shopping Center nearby and antique shops all around. Make sure you don’t leave Charlotte without a sit down meal at top-rated Portofino’s Italian Restaurant. You can choose one of two locations: 3124 Eastway Dr. and 2127 Ayrsley Town Boulevard. 

Whatever you end up actually doing on your trip to Charlotte, you are sure to have a fun, fulfilling time!

 

Sources: 

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-5251617-charlotte_convention_center_raleigh-i;_ylt=AgCwgs6oUm2KGw5QgKch1d.fFmoL?action=describe  

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/cityguides/charlotte/outonthetown.htm 

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