Elizabeth's Guidebook for Charlotte
Drinks & Nightlife
There are various activities going on here throughout the week. Sometimes they have an awesome "silent movie" night with a pianist providing the accompaniment. Wednesdays they have karaoke. One of the only bars with a real piano.
18 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Petra's
1919 Commonwealth AveThere are various activities going on here throughout the week. Sometimes they have an awesome "silent movie" night with a pianist providing the accompaniment. Wednesdays they have karaoke. One of the only bars with a real piano.
This place has good $2 tacos and salsa dancing on Tuesday evenings! Best Latin dance scene in Charlotte!
La Revolucion
900 North Carolina Music Factory BlvdThis place has good $2 tacos and salsa dancing on Tuesday evenings! Best Latin dance scene in Charlotte!
This place has restaurants, a bowling alley, nightclubs, bars, etc etc. You might want to try this place out and see if you find something you like over here, especially if you're limited on time. Nice views of the city too.
293 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Epicentre
210 E Trade StThis place has restaurants, a bowling alley, nightclubs, bars, etc etc. You might want to try this place out and see if you find something you like over here, especially if you're limited on time. Nice views of the city too.
Great food, drinks, and really good quality music. Some of the best jazz and Latin players around are featured here.
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Blue Restaurant & Bar
206 N College StGreat food, drinks, and really good quality music. Some of the best jazz and Latin players around are featured here.
Very cool, very close! Just a few blocks away, this neat place has a nice outdoor patio and different events going on throughout the week -- karaoke, different bands, trivia, etc. Check out their online calendar. Karaoke on Thursdays!
13 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Hattie's Tap & Tavern
2918 The PlazaVery cool, very close! Just a few blocks away, this neat place has a nice outdoor patio and different events going on throughout the week -- karaoke, different bands, trivia, etc. Check out their online calendar. Karaoke on Thursdays!
Dive bar and nightclub, but so much fun!! Has a pirate theme, and a nice outdoor patio. Karaoke on Sunday.
27 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Snug Harbor
1228 Gordon StDive bar and nightclub, but so much fun!! Has a pirate theme, and a nice outdoor patio. Karaoke on Sunday.
"Fashionable pub with gourmet burgers & more plus a spacious & panoramic rooftop with a full bar."
67 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Whiskey Warehouse
1221 The Plaza"Fashionable pub with gourmet burgers & more plus a spacious & panoramic rooftop with a full bar."
This is a really fun place, day or night. They have ping pong table, lots of other games, great beers/drinks, and great food (try the pulled chicken BBQ)! Everyone I take here seems to really like it too.
35 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
VBGB Beer Hall & Garden
920 Hamilton StThis is a really fun place, day or night. They have ping pong table, lots of other games, great beers/drinks, and great food (try the pulled chicken BBQ)! Everyone I take here seems to really like it too.
Because it's great karaoke 7 days a week. Might have to wait a bit to sing if you go after 10:30pm.
11 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Jeff's Bucket Shop
1601 Montford DrBecause it's great karaoke 7 days a week. Might have to wait a bit to sing if you go after 10:30pm.
Really love this venue and the concerts they put on. It's an intimate setting and everything they have has been really fun and sounding great!
58 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Evening Muse
3227 N Davidson StReally love this venue and the concerts they put on. It's an intimate setting and everything they have has been really fun and sounding great!
Hidden bar, you have to go down the stairs of an apartment complex to find it, but it's really cool and they have karaoke on the weekends!
Surf Inn
3549 North Sharon Amity RoadHidden bar, you have to go down the stairs of an apartment complex to find it, but it's really cool and they have karaoke on the weekends!
Sunday nights are my favorite at Comet Grill because I LOVE the band. They are so good. Not many places you can go to have fun late on a Sunday night (10pm-2am).
8 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Comet Grill
2224 Park RdSunday nights are my favorite at Comet Grill because I LOVE the band. They are so good. Not many places you can go to have fun late on a Sunday night (10pm-2am).
This place not only has awesome drinks, coffee drinks, and bartenders, but it also hosts one of the best Mon night jazz open mics in town. There are always fun events going on here on the weekend. They have a cool stage and good sound system here too.
CROWN STATION Coffee House & Pub
3629 N Davidson StThis place not only has awesome drinks, coffee drinks, and bartenders, but it also hosts one of the best Mon night jazz open mics in town. There are always fun events going on here on the weekend. They have a cool stage and good sound system here too.
Food Scene
Tuesdays = delicious $1 tacos (especially the chicken tacos!)
All the other food is really good and quite authentic too.
40 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Sabor Latin Street Grill
415 Hawthorne LnTuesdays = delicious $1 tacos (especially the chicken tacos!)
All the other food is really good and quite authentic too.
Pho Hoa Noodle Soup | Charlotte
3000 Central AveGreat Pho!
dish
1220 Thomas AveBest southern food you'll find around here.
Midwood Smokehouse
1401 Central AveOne of the best BBQ places!
Mmmm. Delicious Peruvian chicken, etc.
32 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Viva Chicken Elizabeth Avenue
1617 Elizabeth AveMmmm. Delicious Peruvian chicken, etc.
Mac's Speed Shop
2511 South BlvdTHE best BBQ in the area that I've had so far!
One of my favorite breakfast spots. Very affordable, very goooood.
14 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Original Pancake House - Midtown
915 Charlottetowne AveOne of my favorite breakfast spots. Very affordable, very goooood.
Great French entrees and desserts. I've been with friends just for the desserts in the past. Wow! It can be a little more on the pricey side, but not too bad.
21 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Cafe Monte
6700 Fairview RdGreat French entrees and desserts. I've been with friends just for the desserts in the past. Wow! It can be a little more on the pricey side, but not too bad.
Technically a French bakery. This is one place you have to check out in Charlotte.. it's open 24 hrs and the space inside is humungous, lots of places to roam. Great food and desserts/pastries of course. A lot of people just go here to work and eat or hang out and eat.
202 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Amélie's French Bakery & Café
136 N Davidson StTechnically a French bakery. This is one place you have to check out in Charlotte.. it's open 24 hrs and the space inside is humungous, lots of places to roam. Great food and desserts/pastries of course. A lot of people just go here to work and eat or hang out and eat.
I've been going to this place since I was a little girl. I really love the Italian food here and the owner there has been playing the accordion for the patrons ever since I can remember. The area is nice too, a pretty pond with a walking trail around it.
Ciro's Italian Restaurant
8927 J M Keynes DrI've been going to this place since I was a little girl. I really love the Italian food here and the owner there has been playing the accordion for the patrons ever since I can remember. The area is nice too, a pretty pond with a walking trail around it.
"Located in a strip mall in Plaza Midwood, Bistro La Bon serves a menu of international flavors in a romantic and cozy space. Highlights include saffron rice, crispy asparagus and avocado, and Swedish meatballs. Don’t miss Sunday brunch here—there’s a spread with everything from waffles to house cured salmon." Also has good live music from time to time.
47 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Bistro La Bon
1322 Central Ave"Located in a strip mall in Plaza Midwood, Bistro La Bon serves a menu of international flavors in a romantic and cozy space. Highlights include saffron rice, crispy asparagus and avocado, and Swedish meatballs. Don’t miss Sunday brunch here—there’s a spread with everything from waffles to house cured salmon." Also has good live music from time to time.
Basil Thai Cuisine-Charlotte, NC
210 N Church StPretty good Thai food.
Thai Orchid Restaurant
4223 Providence RdProbably the best Thai restaurant in Charlotte.
Malabar
214 N Tryon StVery good Spanish restaurant.
Haven't tried this place yet, but I've heard good things and it's just around the corner.
Finga Lickin' Caribbean Eatery
2838 The PlazaHaven't tried this place yet, but I've heard good things and it's just around the corner.
Dollar tacos 3-5pm every weekday. Also, all day Tuesdays is Dollar Taco Tues. Besides awesome tacos, they have other really great Latin street food.
28 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Sabor Latin Street Grill - NoDa
3205 N Davidson StDollar tacos 3-5pm every weekday. Also, all day Tuesdays is Dollar Taco Tues. Besides awesome tacos, they have other really great Latin street food.
One of my fav Vietnamese restaurants.
43 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Lang Van Vietnamese Restaurant
3019 Shamrock DrOne of my fav Vietnamese restaurants.
Shopping
Tons of stores, they have normal department stores, but also upscale stores here too. As well as nice restaurants -- Maggiano's, Cheesecake Factory, chocolate shops, etc.
39 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
SouthPark Mall
Tons of stores, they have normal department stores, but also upscale stores here too. As well as nice restaurants -- Maggiano's, Cheesecake Factory, chocolate shops, etc.
Buffalo Exchange
1521 Central AveInteresting 2nd hand clothes.
Concord Mills
8111 Concord Mills BoulevardBig mall, lots of stores with good prices.
Ross Dress for Less
3201 Eastway DrConveniently located and prices are right. It's similar to TJ Maxx.
Arts & Culture
Mint Museum Uptown
500 S Tryon StI-Levine Museum of the New South
401 E 7th StThey have a great selection of cool airplanes and aviation stuff to see.
55 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Carolinas Aviation Museum
4672 1st Flight DrThey have a great selection of cool airplanes and aviation stuff to see.
Catch an opera, symphony concert, ballet, or other major production here.
150 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-Belk Theater ku-Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
130 N Tryon StCatch an opera, symphony concert, ballet, or other major production here.
Essentials
This is good for a quick grocery run. Harris Teeter is better, but a little further.
52 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Food Lion
3009 The PlazaThis is good for a quick grocery run. Harris Teeter is better, but a little further.
Grocery Store & Pharmacy. Great selection of fresh foods, fruits, meats, etc.
30 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Harris Teeter Pharmacy
1704 Central AveGrocery Store & Pharmacy. Great selection of fresh foods, fruits, meats, etc.
2ULaundry
Dry Cleaning that picks up and delivers. Highly rated on Google.
Hi-Tech Laundromat
2915 The PlazaBasic dry cleaning and laundry services.
Entertainment & Activities
Ummm.. They have the tallest fastest roller coaster in the world right now!!!
484 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Carowinds
300 Carowinds BlvdUmmm.. They have the tallest fastest roller coaster in the world right now!!!
Can have a lazy day at the lake or rent a kayak, boat, jet skis, etc.
49 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Lake Norman
Can have a lazy day at the lake or rent a kayak, boat, jet skis, etc.
You've got to try this if you like mysteries, suspense, etc. This was super fun when I went with my 18 year old nephew and 65 year old mom!
7 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-Exit Strategy
4215 Stuart Andrew BlvdYou've got to try this if you like mysteries, suspense, etc. This was super fun when I went with my 18 year old nephew and 65 year old mom!
Charlotte Knights Baseball Club
324 S Mint StBank Of America Stadium
I like this place because you can order food and drinks at your seat and eat and watch the movie. Pretty good food and drinks are nice too!
42 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Studio Movie Grill (Epicentre)
210 E Trade StI like this place because you can order food and drinks at your seat and eat and watch the movie. Pretty good food and drinks are nice too!
This is a restaurant with a great mini music scene going on here. They have live Latin band / DJ and dancing on Sunday evenings around 7-10. They have blues and jazz other nights of the week. The food is decent. Check out their calendar: www.blunotes.com/clthappenings
BluNotes of Charlotte
3425 David Cox RdThis is a restaurant with a great mini music scene going on here. They have live Latin band / DJ and dancing on Sunday evenings around 7-10. They have blues and jazz other nights of the week. The food is decent. Check out their calendar: www.blunotes.com/clthappenings
I'm not into NASCAR, but the Richard Petty Driving Experience was amazing!!
176 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Charlotte Motor Speedway
I'm not into NASCAR, but the Richard Petty Driving Experience was amazing!!
Eastway Park
423 Eastway DrGood place to play disc golf. And it's free!
The only huge arcade around this area. Lot of fun, good food, tons of TVs for sports nuts.
31 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Dave & Buster's
8361 Concord Mills BoulevardThe only huge arcade around this area. Lot of fun, good food, tons of TVs for sports nuts.
SEA LIFE Aquarium Charlotte
8111 Concord Mills BoulevardSmall, but effective aquarium.
I don't like Nascar, but This is an awesome experience. A racecar driver will rip you around the speedway at 180+ mph. Gravity will tug at your face, it's just amazing. I didn't expect to love it so much. There were about 10 of us and everyone still raves about it.
Richard Petty Driving Experience
6025 Victory Ln SWI don't like Nascar, but This is an awesome experience. A racecar driver will rip you around the speedway at 180+ mph. Gravity will tug at your face, it's just amazing. I didn't expect to love it so much. There were about 10 of us and everyone still raves about it.
Really fun indoor karting, the karts are pretty fast too!
20 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Victory Lane Indoor Karting
2330 Tipton DrReally fun indoor karting, the karts are pretty fast too!
Parks & Nature
Can have a lazy day at the lake or rent a kayak, boat, jet skis, etc.
48 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Lake Wylie
Can have a lazy day at the lake or rent a kayak, boat, jet skis, etc.
Large park, probably one of the nicest in Charlotte. A few walking trails, even a little nature museum, pond, and an old train car on display.
338 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Ikhaya Lokulunga
1908 East BlvdLarge park, probably one of the nicest in Charlotte. A few walking trails, even a little nature museum, pond, and an old train car on display.
Great for renting bicycles, but be prepared for some challenging mountain biking, even for beginners. Fun whitewater rafting and kayaking, zip lining, hiking, obstacle courses, lots of fun things to do there! May-Sept they have really good concerts every Thursday & Saturday.
405 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
U.S. National Whitewater Center
5000 Whitewater Center PkwyGreat for renting bicycles, but be prepared for some challenging mountain biking, even for beginners. Fun whitewater rafting and kayaking, zip lining, hiking, obstacle courses, lots of fun things to do there! May-Sept they have really good concerts every Thursday & Saturday.
Nice botanical garden with paths and a gazebo.
26 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens
9090 Craver RdNice botanical garden with paths and a gazebo.
South Mountains State Park
3001 South Mountain ParkGood hiking, not far from Charlotte.
Stroll through parts of the city, near a creek and pass restaurants and parks. Really lovely for a jog or walk. Nice views of the city too.
36 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Little Sugar Creek Greenway
1133 Metropolitan AveStroll through parts of the city, near a creek and pass restaurants and parks. Really lovely for a jog or walk. Nice views of the city too.
Ikhaya Lokulunga
1908 East BlvdDisc golf and baseball are big here. It has a nice playground and is a very big park, conveniently located.
Kilborne District Park
2600 Kilborne DrDisc golf and baseball are big here. It has a nice playground and is a very big park, conveniently located.