Last Updated:
1/14/23
Charlotte, NC
Below is a list of the best places I would visit on a trip to this location. My picks fit my personality and interest. Everyone has a different interest so you may not like everything I listed which is fine. If you like a place, I recommend saving it to Google Maps for a future trip down the road. I made sure to include the address or GPS to make it easier to find. You can find out more about me in the "About Me" section to see if we share common interests.
​
Breakfast
Eddie's Place Restaurant
617 S Sharon Amity Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211
Sample Breakfast Menu of What I Would Order
Chicken & Waffle: Fresh Baked Waffle Topped with a Pecan Fried Chicken Breast and a Honey Cinnamon Butter with an Added Side $12.75
Country Fried Breakfast: Country Fried Breast of Chicken Placed on an Open-Faced Grilled Biscuit Smothered with Sausage Gravy and Served with Two Eggs $11.75
French Toast: Eddies Famous French Toast (Ciabatta or Texas Toast) Sprinkled with Powdered Sugar, Comes with 1 Meat & 1 Side --- Two $8.50 Three $10.25
Kitchen Hours:
Daily 8 am - 9 pm
Order Online: Yes
The Chicken & Waffle is Their Most Popular Item on Menu, A Local Hotspot
Reigning Doughnuts
3120 N Davidson St STE 100, Charlotte, NC 28205
Donut Flavors I Would Order
Apple Pie
Cream Cheese & Berry
S'mores
Maple Bacon
Lemon Poppy
Peanut Butter Banana
Honey Glaze
One Doughnut is $2, and a Dozen is $21
Hours:
Monday Closed
Tuesday to Thursday 8 am-Noon, 5 pm - 9 pm
Friday 8 am-Noon, 5 pm - 10 pm
Saturday 8 am-4 pm, 5 pm - 10 pm
Sunday 8 am- 4 pm, 5 pm - 9 pm
Order Online: Not Yet, In the Works
Cool Little Walk-Up Window, They Keep It Simple Way I Like
Activities
Carowinds
Last Updated (12.5.22)
This amusement park sits on the North Carolina/South Carolina border. Cedar Fair owns the amusement park; they have a nice collection of rollercoasters (14 of them, with different levels of excitement). Carowinds also features a 27-acre water park, Carolina Harbor, which is included with park admission.
Top Five Rides I Would Ride (No Order)
Copperhead Strike
Fury 325
Intimidator
Afterburn
Carolina Goldrusher
Daily Admission Ticket Cost:
Gate Price $75.00 Online Price $52.00
Fast Lane (Skip Lines, Does Not Include Park Admission) $75.00
Single Day Parking $25.00
Premium All Day Dining $39.99
Event - Winterfest
When: Select Nights; Nov 21 - Jan 1st; Fri, Sat, and Sun 5 pm - 10 pm
Quick Notes: Celebrate the holiday season at Carowinds with holiday light displays replete with millions of shimmering lights, ice skating, family activities, live entertainment, holiday-inspired comfort food and beverages, and select attractions. Find the perfect present at specialty holiday gift shops, play holiday-themed games, and catch the season's festive live entertainment.
Basic Cost (Online): $32.99
300 Carowinds Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28273
Park Hours (During Peak Season):
Daily 10 am - 10 pm
Fast Lane Makes Best Sense On Peak Season Dates, Why Waste Day Waiting in Line
U.S. National Whitewater Center
Raft the World's Largest Manmade Whitewater River - $55
Ziplines
Mountain Biking & Hiking - Over 50 Miles of Trails
Deep Water Solo (Wall Climbing Over Pool) - $32
Climbing, Largest Outdoor Climbing Facility on East Coast - $27
Upcoming Special Events
Dog Days of Winter - Feb 11, 2023- Dog-Friendly Activities, Ice Skating, and Races
Frigid Trail Race & Plunge - Feb 4, 2023 - Brave the cold with 5k and 10k trail race options followed by a plunge into the Deep Water Solo pool.
Ride and Seek MTB Adventure Race- Feb 25, 2023 - Dart through the trail system in teams of two. The Mission: Collect the most points by reaching checkpoints hidden across the Whitewater Center trail system and getting back to HQ first before time expires.
5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28214
Hours:
Best Advice Check Their Website
Hours Vary From Month to Month
The Perfect Place For Any Person That Enjoys The Outdoors
NASCAR Hall of Fame
The NASCAR Hall of Fame explores the legacies of the racing legends while immersing NASCAR's excitement, passion, and history through ever-evolving exhibits and over 50 different interactive experiences. My two favorite experiences were the pit stop challenge and the iRacing simulator in full-size racing cars.
General Admission Tickets:
Adult $27
Senior (65+) $24
Youth (4-12) $20
400 E M.L.K. Jr Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28202
I Would Get The Combo One: Daily Admission, iRacing Simulator, & Lanyard $36
Hours (1.14.23):
Monday 10 am - 5 pm
Tuesday Closed
Wed to Sun 10 am - 5 pm
Discovery Place Science
Science Museum For All Ages In Downtown Charlotte
Some Exhibits That Spark My Interest
Fantastic Frogs - A Popular Exhibit
World Alive - Charlotte's Only Indoor Rainforest
Being Me - Human Health & Anatomy Exhibit
Project Build - Create Your Own Fort or Castle, All About Building
Admission (Online):
Adults $23
Seniors $20
Children $18
301 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
New Exhibit (1.28.23) - Top Secret: License to Spy
Hours (1.14.23):
Mon to Fri 9:30 am - 4:30 pm
Sat & Sun 10:30 am - 4:30 pm
Food
Midwood Smokehouse
1401 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
Sample Menu of What I Would Order
Smoked Meatballs: Prime Brisket Meatballs Topped with Smoked Jalapeno Barbecue Sauce, Melted Cheese, and Green Onions $9.00
Lone Star Brisket Sandwich: Tender Smoked Brisket with Midwood Sauce on a Brioche Bun with Slaw and House Pickles $13.50
1930 Cheesesteak: Thinly Sliced Smoked Brisket with Boar's Head White American Cheese, Mayo, and Carmelized Onions on a Hoagie Roll $14.00
Combo Platter - Pick 4 Proteins: Served with Two Side Items, Hushpuppies, and House Pickles. Either Well-Fed $30 or Pig Out $39
Hours:
Sunday to Thursday 11 am - 9 pm
Friday and Saturday 11 am - 10 pm
Order Online: Yes
Best BBQ in Charlotte, North Carolina
Pinky's Westside Grill
1600 W Morehead St, Charlotte, NC 28208
Sample Menu of What I Would Order
Greg's Pickles: Fried Dill Pickle Chips with Ranch Dressing $8.50
Mammoth Burger: Two Five Ounce All Beef Patties $10.95 (Cheese + $1.50)
Viking Corn Dog: Hand-Dipped Hot Dog Deep Fried on a Stick $5.25
Big John: 6oz Chicken Breast, Swiss, Bacon, Honey Mustard, Lettuce, and Tomato $11.75
The Velvet Elvis: Crunchy Peanut Butter, Spicy Honey, Cream Cheese, Banana, and Bacon on Texas Toast $9.50
Hours:
Sunday to Wednesday 11 am - 10 pm
Thursday to Saturday 11 am - 11 pm
Order Online: Yes
Known For Their Burgers in the Charlotte Area
Two Scoops Creamery
913 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28204
Flavor Samples From Menu (Seasonal)
Papi Crunch - Yellow Cereal Ice Cream with Crunch Berries
Not Your Mama's Pumpkin Pie - Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream with Crust Pieces, Oreos, Chocolate Sauce, and Caramel Swirl
Choco Taco - Waffle Cone Pieces, Fudge, Peanuts, & Chocolate Shavings
Cookies by the Sea - Oreos & Salted Caramel
Chocolate Krazy Kake - Chocolate Cake Pieces & Rainbow Sprinkles
Cherry Crunch - Vanilla Whiskey Ice Cream with Soaked Cherries and Almonds
Hours (1.14.23):
Sun to Thurs 1 pm - 10 pm
Fri & Sat 1 pm - 11 pm
Order Online: No
Offers Over 32 Homemade Flavors Year Round
Places to Stay
FYI: The hotel prices are estimated and will most likely fluctuate since I looked them up on their website. I will keep them updated the best I can every three months. I look for the cheapest available room, usually a queen bed. I typically look at book rates two months in advance and in the middle of the month to get average rates. Reminder: It is an ESTIMATE
Hyatt house Charlotte/Center City
The Rooms Have Plenty of Space, Great Views of Downtown
Within Walking Distance of the Spectrum Center, EpiCentre, and Bank of America Stadium
Complimentary Morning Spread Buffet
Nice Overall Vibrant Feel in the Hotel
435 E Trade St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Estimated Cost for Weekend Night (without tax/fee)
Studio King July 22' - $334
Studio King Nov 22' - $265
High Floor King Studio Feb 23' - $226
Studio King April 23' - $249
If Attending a Hornets Game, This Would Be the Hotel to Stay the Night
Embassy Suites by Hilton Charlotte Uptown
The Hotel is Right Next Door to the NASCAR Hall of Fame
Within Walking Distance of the Spectrum Center, EpiCentre, and Bank of America Stadium
Free Made-To-Order Breakfast
Complimentary Evening Reception
401 E M.L.K. Jr Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28202
If you like the color brown/tan, this would be the hotel for you
Estimated Cost for Weekend Night (without tax/fee)
1 King 2 Room Suite July 22' - $297
1 King 2 Room Suite Nov 22' - $212
1 King 2 Room Suite Feb 23' - $206
1 King 2 Room Suite April 23' - $282
21 and up fun
Wooden Robot Brewery
1440 S Tryon St #110, Charlotte, NC 28203
SAMPLE OF BEER MENU
Good Morning Vietnam: Coffee Vanilla Blonde Ale | 5.0% ABV | 40 IBU
What He's Having IPA: IPA - American | 6.5% ABV | 70 IBU
Overachiever: Pale Ale - New England/Hazy | 5.3% ABV
Prickle My Fancy: Prickly Pear Sour Ale | 6.0% ABV
Hours (11.30.22):
Monday 8 am - 4 pm
Tuesday to Thurs 8 am - 10 pm
Friday 8 am - Midnight
Saturday 9 am - Midnight
Sunday 9 am - 9 pm
Food Menu is Available
RunBots: Every Tuesday Evening Social Group Run (1,3,or 5 miles), afterward have a beer with your new friends
The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery & Biergarten
4150 Yancey Rd, Charlotte, NC 28217
SAMPLE OF BEER MENU
Captain Jack: Pilsner | 4.8% ABV | 25 IBU
704: Hazy Wheat Ale | 5.6% ABV | 25 IBU
Hornet's Nest: Hefeweizen | 5.3% ABV | 12 IBU
Fat Boy: Baltic Porter | 8.3% ABV | 24 IBU
Hours:
Monday to Thursday 11 am - 10 pm
Friday & Saturday 11 am - 11 pm
Sunday 10 am - 10 pm
Food Menu is Available
Great German Feel without the Pricey Plane Ticket
Again these are just few of my picks that fit my personality and interest. If you feel that I left one-off that may interest me or other people, message me on Facebook about the location. I value a person's opinion and never just discard the information. Always looking forward to learning about new places to add to my Google Map. ~ Shawn