Post by Hermy on Apr 24, 2006 2:28:12 GMT -5
What's your favorite city to visit? Why? Let us in on some little-known facts, good restaurants, places to see, places to avoid, just in case another one of us ever ends up there some day.
Right now, my favorite city to visit is Charlotte, NC. My boyfriend is there, so that's a big draw, but unlike some people, I actually like the place too.
It's a city, but it's not New York-sized. It's got bad traffic, but nothing like some other places I've been. Unlike a lot of cities, it's very spread out. There's a small downtown area (uptown to some, since it's technically on the north side of the city), then the city just spreads outward. There are several neighborhoods that have all you need, sort-of like towns inside the city.
There are many great things about Charlotte. The Panthers, the Bobcats (well, maybe they aren't great yet), the concerts that are held there, the performing arts within the city, the museums, nightclubs too... There's a movie theater that plays only indie films. There's a museum dedicated to folk art and another dedicated to the New South. There's a great place called Discovery Place - a science-nature museum with an I-Max theater inside. You can see all kinds of things there - from the rainforest room (complete with trees and animals and birds roaming free) to aquariums to exhibits on the human body. It's a really cool place.
So here are a few of my favorite insider things about Charlotte:
1. The parks -Freedom Park is my favorite (located on East Boulevard) but there are also Dog Parks - where you can let your best friend roam free.
2. Lupie's - A great home-cooking restaurant (on 7th Street) - go on Monday for meatloaf and mashed taters.
3. The Nature Museum - I interned here in college, and it's a neat little place. Very kid friendly with a knowledgable staff. You can pet a snake, take a nature hike (yes, in the city), or walk among butterflies and flowers in the butterfly pavilion.
4. 35-cent wings - I'm a freak for chicken wings. Go to Buffalo Wild Wings or Stool Pigeons on Tuesday. At BWW, try the Asian Zing. (I know these chains probably do this everywhere, but I only enjoy this perk in Charlotte.)
5. The Manor Theater (Providence Rd.) - The indie-movie theater mentioned above. Call for times, or go online - there's only two screens, but they show all the movies no one else will.
Also, try these restaurants:
Portofino's (on Eastway - shady-looking part of town, but trust me. Excellent Italian!)
Cook Out (Albemarle Road - not a sit-down restaurant, but great fast food - burgers, onion rings, hot dogs, everything you don't need but really really want. And it's affordable.)
Selwyn Pub (Selwyn Avenue - Yeah, it's got food, and it's edible, but it's just a neat neighborhood bar. They've got a great outdoor patio that can be enjoyed at seven pm in the spring/summer while having a beer and burger, and before the crowd gets there.)
Laurel Market (off of Providence Rd. in Myers Park - Also not really a restaurant, but they make REALLY good sandwiches.)
Right now, my favorite city to visit is Charlotte, NC. My boyfriend is there, so that's a big draw, but unlike some people, I actually like the place too.
It's a city, but it's not New York-sized. It's got bad traffic, but nothing like some other places I've been. Unlike a lot of cities, it's very spread out. There's a small downtown area (uptown to some, since it's technically on the north side of the city), then the city just spreads outward. There are several neighborhoods that have all you need, sort-of like towns inside the city.
There are many great things about Charlotte. The Panthers, the Bobcats (well, maybe they aren't great yet), the concerts that are held there, the performing arts within the city, the museums, nightclubs too... There's a movie theater that plays only indie films. There's a museum dedicated to folk art and another dedicated to the New South. There's a great place called Discovery Place - a science-nature museum with an I-Max theater inside. You can see all kinds of things there - from the rainforest room (complete with trees and animals and birds roaming free) to aquariums to exhibits on the human body. It's a really cool place.
So here are a few of my favorite insider things about Charlotte:
1. The parks -Freedom Park is my favorite (located on East Boulevard) but there are also Dog Parks - where you can let your best friend roam free.
2. Lupie's - A great home-cooking restaurant (on 7th Street) - go on Monday for meatloaf and mashed taters.
3. The Nature Museum - I interned here in college, and it's a neat little place. Very kid friendly with a knowledgable staff. You can pet a snake, take a nature hike (yes, in the city), or walk among butterflies and flowers in the butterfly pavilion.
4. 35-cent wings - I'm a freak for chicken wings. Go to Buffalo Wild Wings or Stool Pigeons on Tuesday. At BWW, try the Asian Zing. (I know these chains probably do this everywhere, but I only enjoy this perk in Charlotte.)
5. The Manor Theater (Providence Rd.) - The indie-movie theater mentioned above. Call for times, or go online - there's only two screens, but they show all the movies no one else will.
Also, try these restaurants:
Portofino's (on Eastway - shady-looking part of town, but trust me. Excellent Italian!)
Cook Out (Albemarle Road - not a sit-down restaurant, but great fast food - burgers, onion rings, hot dogs, everything you don't need but really really want. And it's affordable.)
Selwyn Pub (Selwyn Avenue - Yeah, it's got food, and it's edible, but it's just a neat neighborhood bar. They've got a great outdoor patio that can be enjoyed at seven pm in the spring/summer while having a beer and burger, and before the crowd gets there.)
Laurel Market (off of Providence Rd. in Myers Park - Also not really a restaurant, but they make REALLY good sandwiches.)