Day 1
- Southern history comes alive when visiting the charming Historic Rosedale Plantation, which continues to serve as a beloved symbol of Charlotte’s earliest beginnings. Take a leisurely tour with 19th century docents through the well-preserved gardens.
-Ice cream- may be an ok treat, but an ice cream pedicure at The Spa at Ballantyne Resort is an even better one! In addition to Ballantyne, Charlotte’s got a list of spas sure to rejuvenate the senses.
- Any way you- slice it (no pun intended), Charlotte’s got plenty of courses to choose from. More than 40 public ones to be exact. Whether driving the impressive wetland-shrouded 15th hole of Rocky River Golf Club or teeing off onto the hourglass-shaped greens at Olde Sycamore Golf Plantation, you’ll find a lot of links to your liking.
- Stroll- through the idyllic lanes of Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden and enjoy aromas of lavender, irises, and lilies. The captivating landscapes throughout the nine distinctly themed gardens are sure to offer instant serenity. The Orchid Conservatory, open year-round, is home to a tropical refuge with waterfalls that flow into water lily sprinkled pools and orchids spanning every color of the rainbow.
- Cap off- your day by hitting up some of Charlotte’s hottest nightlife destinations. Taste a signature martini at Blue Restaurant & Bar, let loose on the dance floor at Suite in the EpiCentre, or get the complete nightlife experience at Hom boasting a different theme on each of its three levels.
Day 2
- Like a fine wine, North- Carolina’s Piedmont vineyards have certainly gotten better with age. Nestled along the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, sip your way through this promising grape-growing terrain that’s been compared to France’s celebrated Burgundy region and that ranks 12th in the nation’s wine production. Don’t miss area wineries like Childress Vineyards, Shelton Vineyards, and Uwharrie Vineyards.
- Spend the afternoon at- SouthPark Mall, considered the luxury shopping destination of the Carolinas. Peruse high-end retailers like Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus, browse exclusive brand names such as Tiffany & Co., Hermes, and Louis Vuitton, or stop in at favorites like Gap, J. Crew, and Anthropologie.
- Alfresco shopping and dining locales are taking- south Charlotte by storm. But architects in this city have the right idea – who wouldn’t want to miss out on that Carolina blue sky? Destinations like Phillips Place, Blakeney, Morrison, and the Village of SouthPark tout specialty stores, unique dining experiences, and outdoor pavilions that all add up to a sophisticated ambiance.
- Be- prepared to give Charlotte a standing ovation after taking in breathtaking ballets, awesome operas, and a wide variety of scintillating stage shows at venues like Belk Theater or Ovens Auditorium.