17 Must Do’s for Charlotteans in 2017 January 2, 2017

1. Bike, walk or run on the Sugar Creek Greenway : Start at the Metropolitan and make your way down to Freedom Park. Take advantage of Charlotte’s bike sharing program, too. The bikes have a large basket, perfect to fit an afternoon picnic!

2.Take a trip to the Carolinas Aviation Museum : Check out the wide array of planes and choppers, equipment and gadgets. Most notably, you’ll be able to see US Airways Flight 1549, the “Miracle on the Hudson” plane flown by Captain Sully Sullenberg .

3. Explore nature at the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden : Visit the local gardens at Daniel Stowe, and check out year-round beauty! With 380 acres of beautiful plants and land, HGTV has named this local spot one of the US’s “20 Great Gardens!”

4. Have an Olympic experience at the U.S. National Whitewater Center : Whether you like rafting, paddle boarding, ziplining, walking trails or listening to live music, the USNWC has it all! Visit any time of the year for a fabulous, fun experience!

5. Brush up on history at the Levine Museum of the New South : Learn about the South’s rich, diverse history from the Civil War through today at this incredible Uptown Charlotte museum. Take the family for a full educational, interactive experience!

6. Hike your way up Crowder’s Mountain : Just about an hour outside of Charlotte, Crowder’s Mountain State Park offers incredible hiking and spectacular views of the Queen City. With varying difficulties and mileage, Crowder’s Mountain has trails for all!

7. Wind your way through Charlotte on a Brewery Tour : Charlotte’s brewery scene is booming, and there is no time like the present to check it out! From Olde Mecklenburg Brewery to Birdsong to Legion, and all those in between, Charlotte has a beer for anyone (over 21!). Just be sure to download the Uber app before heading out!

8. Shop and eat local at 7^th Street Public Market : Explore the 7^th Street Market to find a variety of local artisans, farmers and craftsmen selling delicious, affordable food every day of the week! Shop local, support local!

9. Take in the 21^st Annual Charlotte St. Patrick’s Day Parade : Marching through the streets of Uptown, enjoy the Charlotte St. Patty’s Day parade whether you’re Irish or not! Enjoy native dancing, loads of street vendors and copious amounts of green beer! Don’t forget to bring the kids (and dogs!) as they are activities for all!

10. Test your driving skills at the NASCAR Hall of Fame : Charlotte is the proud home of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, open since Spring of 2010, and filled with 150,000 square feet of NASCAR memorabilia and facts. From exhibits honoring the greats in the sport, to becoming a great yourself in the simulator, the Hall of Fame has something for everyone!

11. Check out the Charlotte Symphony at Summer Pops in the Park : Every Sunday in June, plus near the Fourth of July, the Charlotte Symphony rocks out at Symphony Park at Southpark! Grab a picnic basket and some friends (and a bottle of wine!), and post up to listen to the beautiful tunes of local artists!

12. Dine out during Charlotte Restaurant Week : Participate in Charlotte’s biannual restaurant week, Queen’s Fest! In January and July, participating restaurants come together and allow diners to enjoy a three course meal experience for just $30 – $35 each. A great opportunity to indulge in fine dining, without breaking the bank!

13. Cheer on our local teams – PanthersPanthers, Hornets, Knights, Checkers & Hounds! : Charlotte’s sport scene is incredible, and we are the proud home of NFL & NBA teams, as well as minor league baseball & hockey, and professional lacrosse! Share your Charlotte pride by rooting on the athletes who call the Queen City home!

14. Visit nearby Lakes Wylie & Norman : Few cities can say they are nestled right between two beautiful lakes, but Charlotte can! Whether you head south to Lake Wylie or north to Lake Norman, take a visit and enjoy the serenity of these beautiful waters!

15. Shop till you drop – and save – at the local outlet malls, Concord Mills & Charlotte Premium Outlets : Who doesn’t love a good shopping trip? And, who doesn’t love to save a pretty penny? Whether you’re off to Concord Mills or the Charlotte Premium Outlets, savor (and save!) in your shopping adventures at a multitude of fabulous stores.

16. Visit the Southern Shows  of Charlotte – the Southern Home & Garden Show, Southern Women’s Show, Southern Christmas Show, etc. : Charlotte is lucky enough to each year host a variety of “Southern Shows.”  From the Southern Home & Garden Show to begin the year in February, and the Southern Christmas Show to close the year in November, find an abundance of treasures and handmade treats from a host of unique vendors!

17. Fill your belly at Food Truck Friday : Food trucks have become a hot trend as of late, and Charlotte proudly hosts a weekly food truck festival in Plaza Midwood. Enjoy inspired, local eats in a fun, social setting!

Whatever you take part in this year, we hope you enjoy a 2017 filled with happiness and joy!

HOT CHARLOTTE STAYS COOL August 5, 2016

Charlotte is a beautiful city, a lot in part due to its distinct change of seasons. There’s no dull monotony of too-long winters or never-ending heat in Charlotte! Queen Charlotte maintains her weather schedule with strict attention to detail, allowing her people to plan activities and wardrobes accordingly! The heat of summer is upon us and because Charlotte is so wonderfully located, cooling off ,in and out of the city, is a easy as (a frozen, peach) pie!

Ocean breezes are just a few hours drive from Charlotte! People all have their favorites, from Isle of Palms and Folly in the Charleston area to the sands of Cherry Grove and Litchfield in Myrtle beach. Charlotte locals can be seen with their OBX stickers swearing allegiance to the Outer Banks, while others have the HH for Hilton Head on their bumpers. Wilmington offers a charming, breezy beach opportunity at its popular Wrightsville and Carolina beaches. Dip your toes in the water, grab a cool drink and play to your heart’s content at one of the plethora of beaches just a very short trip from Charlotte!

Who doesn’t love the amazingly beautiful Carolina Mountains?! Always about ten degrees cooler than the metropolitan areas, the mountains are just a couple hours away. Blowing Rock is a two hour drive and a favorite for families! Ride the train at Tweetsie Railroad, and visit the mysterious winds of the Blowing Rock. Just up the road, past the city of Boone, swimming holes abound for those wanting an alternative to the cement ponds. Hebron Rock Colony is a natural rock formation about 20 minutes away from Boone. Large boulders, small waterfalls and multiple swimming holes can be found there. Trash Can Falls features cascading falls and a few jumps ranging from 15 to 30 feet high. The Falls are off 321, right past the Watauga River Bridge. Snake Pit is in the same vicinity as Trash Can. Snake Pit provides visitors with a large area to swim  and multiple flat boulders make it possible to sunbathe. Sliding Rock is literally a sliding rock! Slide down the smooth rock into the crisp, mountain water! Sliding rock is located just north of Brevard. Hooker Falls is in the DuPont State forest and offers a great tubing experience while listening to the peaceful sounds of a waterfall. Lake Lure offers sandy beaches with mountain views! Near Chimney Rock, hiking in the cool of the morning and splashing in the refreshing water in the afternoon is a heavenly way to enjoy summertime!

Stay in the gorgeous green of the Queen City and have some fun to escape the high summer temps! Charlotte is always regionally prepared for her seasons and offers cool summer activities to beat the heat! Parks in Charlotte most appropriately turn on the water during the warm sunny days of summer!

Romare Bearden Park is located in the heart of the city! Open, grass fields offered a casual play area (just recently spotted casually kicking balls on the grass were international soccer players from the 2016 International Champion Cup being played at Bank of America stadium) and a fountain/waterfall area for the kids to splash and play! Quiet gardens and benches are strategically located for peaceful relaxation! Latta Splash Park in Dilworth is located just in sight of the Charlotte skyline! The splash park is directly next to the playground area and makes this park especially convenient for the young families! Green, the Splash Park is Uptown at the popular The Green area. Art, statues and restaurants are all within this metropolitan, three-tiered lawn area! Towering fish fountains supply a steady stream of cold water for a romp in the splash area. Carolina Harbor Water Park at Carowinds offers all sorts of water activities from a six story high water slide to a Myrtle Turtle pre-school beach area!

Tastebuds have their own requisites during the summer! Satisfying that summer palate most likely includes something cool, creamy, bubbly and delicious! Pike’s Old Fashioned Soda Shop in Southend offers custom made milkshakes, malts, New York Style egg creams and old fashioned ice cream sodas! Sit and share a milkshake at the very same counter as Gwyneth Paltrow and Jack Black in in the movie SHALLOW HAL! Go local and fresh at the Elizabeth Creamery. Owned and operated by the lovely Kims, this mom and pop ice cream will have you loving your brain freeze! King of Pops are popsicles for the sophisticated palate! Tracking down the location of this frozen treat is a must for sweating Charlotteans! Yummy flavors range from white chocolate peppermint to peppermint mojito.

Mojito popsicles are delicious, but if you prefer to refresh with drinks in liquid form,Charlotte is home to over two dozen breweries with many more in the planning stages!  The Brewery Crawl in South End is the ticket to sampling several breweries in one night! Twelve stops allow you to hop the breweries, including tastings from Triple C Brewery (who welcomes your four-legged friends on the back patio) to The Unknown Brewing company. Olde Mecklenburg Brewery,Charlotte’s very first brewery, opened in 2009! Enjoy the outside Biergarten or dine in at the Brauhaus. Take a tour of the operations and events are always a part of the Olde Meck scene, everything from yoga to the upcoming LOSO BLOCK PARTY  includes a frosty, tall one!  Food Truck Friday in Charlotte now has more than 14 trucks, including the Sycamore Brewing Company.Grab a bite and wash it down with a cold brew!

Charlotte sizzles with summer cool downs just a short drive away or minutes down the road. Hop on the trolley, jump in the car or walk down the street to enjoy the advantageous centralization of a hopping city surrounded by beach and mountain escapes!

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CHARLOTTE IS HOPPIN’ INTO SPRING March 20, 2016

 

 

Charlotte is bursting with a spring color spectacular! Every neighborhood is a sea of pink and green. White pear trees shower every passing car with beautiful snow- white blossoms and the daffodils’ bright yellow spots of sunshine are in every yard.
Children are anxiously awaiting the Easter Bunny and families are welcoming their neighbors and friends to their homes and churches to celebrate.

The Easter bunny will be visiting Charlotte throughout the Easter weekend and families have several options of egg hunting fun venues!
In South Charlotte egg hunters and bunny seekers can hop about starting in the beautiful Ballantyne area.
Ballantyne Village will have free pictures with the Easter Bunny, crafts and more on March 26th, from 1-3pm. This busy shopping and eating area offers many restaurants, salons, shops and even a movie theatre to keep the entire family entertained!
Easter brunch will be offered in the Ballroom at The Ballantyne Hotel and Lodge on March 27th, 11am-3pm. Live entertainment and a visit from the Easter Bunny will be a part of your delicious culinary experience.
An Easter Tea will celebrate the season at the Hotel and Lodge Wednesday, march 23rd through Saturday, March 2th, 1-5pm. Tea sweets and savories menu will accompany your loose leaf tea sipping selection.
Join in the hunt at the Easter Eggstravaganza in Elon Park on March 26th 9am-12pm. Hunt for eggs, play games and dance to the music!
Ballantyne Kidzart will offer special Easter activities on March 26th. Bring the whole family and explore your artistic side!
Venturing just minutes from South Charlotte will bring you more spring fun!
Carowinds Easter Eggstravaganza and Spring break on March 25th –April 3rd will have you screaming on the Fury rollercoaster, along with getting your picture taken with Eggward the Easter Bunny and Snoopy!
The quaint, historical town of Matthews is just 10 minutes from bustling South Charlotte. Stumptown Park is the place for fantastic music, fun and food. Join in the Food Truck Friday festivities on March 25th, 5-9pm.
Spring Fling at Hodges Family Farm is a country Easter minutes from the metropolitan bustle of Charlotte. Old- fashioned fun will include sack and spoon races, interacting with barn animals (especially the bunnies) and, of course, an Easter egg hunt! The country fun begins on March 26th at 10am.

Easter weekend in Charlotte will offer the grownups some much-deserved fun away from the kids, Easter bunny and egg hunts! Bunny Hop Bar Crawl on March 26th and 27th begins at Rooftop 210. Pick up your t-shirt and complete the tasks while enjoying beverages and prizes!
The Fillmore Charlotte presents PAPADOSIO on March 25th. This Indie-Rock experience unfolds as the night goes on, creating a live, earthy livetronica act. Also at the Fillmore, Trial by Fire a Tribute to Journey will have you traveling down a favorite band and memory lane. You will be happily humming “Don’t stop Believin” for days. Saturday, March 26th at 8:00pm.
Winter Jam 2016 at Time Warner Cable Arena will be a Christian musical experience for all fans of the most popular Christian bands! Enjoy the musical praise on March 26th doors open at 5pm.
Dale Earnhardt’s Whiskey River Tavern will offer a spring balloon drop on March 25th-26th at 9pm. Hundreds of balloons and cash will be dropping from the ceiling as rock and country music fans dance!

The celebration of Easter will have Charlotte’s many churches swelled with parishioners joyous at the risen Christ, families and friends enjoying the beautiful spring weather at Easter egg hunts and music filling Uptown.
Happy Easter!
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CHARLOTTE CELEBRATES WITH FALL FESTIVALS September 7, 2013

 

 

Charlotte is whispering fall with hints of yellow and red in the trees, a sprinkling of crisp mornings and FALL FESTIVALS popping up throughout the Carolinas!

Fall Festivals are a wonderful way to explore Charlotte’s International community! A fun Charlotte tradition for many families is to start the Fall Festival line up with the Yiasou Greek Festival!

The Yiasou (Hello and Goodbye in Greek) Greek Festival has been a cultural event in Charlotte since 1978. Yummy Greek cuisine and pastries are a tantalizing must-have at the festival! Start with a delicious plate of spanakopita, and do not leave without extra baklava for friends to enjoy later! Cultural exhibits, entertainment, shopping and wine tasting will transport to Greece without the cost of a plane ticket! The Greek Festival runs September 5-September 8.

The 19^th Annual Festival of India will be held in Uptown Charlotte, September 14-15. The festival will have entertainment from classical Indian to modern Bollywood dance. Art, crafts and cuisine representing the various regions of India will intrigue visitors and satisfy palates! Children’s activities will be offered. Why not take home a bit of beautiful, exotic India with you by getting a henna tattoo!

Charlotte’s very own UNCC will host its annual International Festival on September 28. The festival will have representation of over 50 nations!  Each booth offers a wonderful adventure into foreign lands! Featuring arts, crafts, traditional dress and food from participating countries, the International Festival is an educational and fun way to explore other countries!

Celebrate Charlotte’s Latin American community by attending the Latin American Festival held in Southpark’s Symphony Park on October 13^th! Mexican pop stars Julieta Venegas and Uruguayan rockers No Te Va Gustar will be performing! Tickle your taste buds with Latin American cuisine and enjoy folkloric dance performances. Local artisans and live visual art performances will be offered.

Charlotte celebrates its very passionate canine community of various heritages and backgrounds with a fall festival that Woofs It Up!

The 5^th Annual Woofstock will be held on Saturday, September 14^th at Amos’ Southend. Dane of Ruff Love, and Blue Ridge Boxer Rescue both team up for this doggie lovin event! Vendors, music, food, drink and an opportunity to bring home a new family member from the adoptable dogs is a great way for the family to celebrate all things canine!

The artistic community of Charlotte will once more be celebrated at Festival In The Park! Festival In The Park has been a Charlotte tradition for 49 years! The Festival will be held at beautiful Freedom Park’s scenic lake. There will be over 180 artists and crafts people at this years festival, all offering a story to go with that “couldn’t resist” beautiful piece of art! Carvers, potters, painters and sculptors offer their wares and often give demonstrations of how they created their art. Local schools have art exhibits celebrating student art. The band shell offers free entertainment, with over a thousand entertainers performing throughout the weekend! This is a great family festival with many children’s activities and food available for purchase. The Festival will be Friday, September 20- Sunday, September 21.

Chili is an American tradition with varying tales of origin.No matter where the chili pepper came from, chili is a tradition in the fall and expert chili chefs and tasters will enjoy the 4^th Annual Dilworth/Southend Chili Cookoff on October 27! Bring the family to this chili festival and enjoy live music from local bands, raffle, games including a corn hole tournament, and , of course, CHILI! Local restaurants and local cooking teams will provide the delicious variety of chili. The tasting begins at 11:00! http://www.dsechilicookoff.com

Celebrate Queen City diversity, art and culture at one of the many family-friendly fall festivals offered in the Charlotte area!

 

 

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CHARLOTTE WELCOMES ALL GOLF ENTHUSIASTS May 3, 2013

Charlotte is now humming  spring’s symphonic sounds, sprinkled with just a whisper of pending summer breezes!  Included in the melodies of song birds, children giggling in backyards and the outdoor concerts of The Charlotte Symphony and local bands; is the unmistakable sound of a well-hit golf ball!

Golf is very popular in Charlotte and both private and public courses are sprinkled throughout the Charlotte area.

Some favorite private courses in Charlotte include:

Quail Hollow Club has hosted the PGA Tour in Charlotte each year for the past eleven years, during the first week in May. This prestigious event will be April 29-May 5 in 2013. Quail Hollow Country Club Course and the Clubhouse are located at 3700 Gleneagles Road in Charlotte. Quail Hollow Club has what is considered by many to be one of the finest courses in the southeastern United States. The Quail Hollow layout features numerous bunkers and tree-lined fairways to provide a truly challenging round.  The course features 7,114 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72. The course rating is 74.9 and it has a slope rating of 139.

Piper Glen Golf Course opened in 1989 and is Arnold Palmer designed.  The course features a par 72, 6,853 yard course. Located a 4300 Piper Glenn Drive in the lovely Ballantyne area, Piper Glen is a private course.

Ballantyne Golf Course   is a member only course; located at 11120 Ballantyne Crossing Ave.
Tee times can be made up to 30 days in advance online or 10 days in advance by calling the golf pro shop. Driving range and putting greens are available to the public and guests. Located just down the road is the The Ballantyne Resort Golf is a public course offering year-round play. It is a championship PGA course located at 1000 Ballantyne Commons Parkway. It is an 18-hole, par 71 course.The Ballantyne Spa and Resort offers beautiful rooms, delicious meals and luxurious spa treatments as a way to end your golf experience.

Charlotte Country Club was founded in 1910 and is located four miles east of bustling uptown Charlotte, in the historic Plaza-Midwood neighborhood. The yardage is 7,335 yards with a 75.9 rating and 146 slope. Charlotte Country Club permits up to six member-sponsored Golf Outings each year.

Carmel Country Club offers members two championship 18-hole courses on 384 acres of landscape. North and South 18-hole courses offer wonderfully different golfing experiences. The club is located at 4735 Carmel Road.

Public Courses are also located throughout South Charlotte, offering a great golfing experience for all!

Some favorite public courses in Charlotte are:

Carolina Lakes Golf Course is a public course located just minutes from the South Charlotte/Ballantyne area. Carolina Lakes Golf club is considered challenging, but fair par 72m 7,024 yard course.

Springfield Golf Club is located in Fort Mill. The Clyde Johnston design is surrounded by trees and is a hilly site. It is a 6,906 yard, par 72 course.

The Golf Links is located at 11500 Providence Road and is considered great for the bargain-hunting golfer.  The course has 6.700 yards of golf, par 71. It is a 18 hole, regulation length course.

Yes, the resounding “thwack!” of golf balls well hit is a true sound of another beautiful spring and summer in Charlotte!   And if YOU would like to live in a Charlotte Golf Course community, call us – there are plenty of wonderful properties currently FOR SALE!  704-541-2500.

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QUEEN CITY CUPIDS CREATIVELY CELEBRATE VALENTINES DAY February 3, 2013

Charlotte is enveloped in love for Valentine’s Day! Couples, friends and families are seeking unusual, fun and romantic ways to celebrate Heart Day in the Queen City! And our fine city is responding with a heart-felt cornucopia of lovingly creative options that won’t break your heart or your bank account!

For the little ones who have stolen your heart, you can celebrate Valentine Month at the Heart Fairy House Festival on Saturday, Feb 9 10:00a to 4:00p at one of Charlotte’s favorite parks, the Latta Plantation and Nature Preserve. Spend the afternoon discovering the joy and magic of fairy houses. Storytelling, face painting, crafts, activities, pony rides and food will be available. Prizes for best fairy or gnome costume and best fairy houses will be awarded. Learn how to build your own fairy house on one of the nature trails. Enchanting fun for all ages! No registration required. FREE with a special appearance from Tracy Kane – author and illustrator of the award-winning Fairy House Series books.
Red is the color of love and what better way to show your love than ruby red slippers? You and the kids will love the classic MGM film The Wizard of Oz in its entirety on a giant screen with live accompaniment by the Charlotte Symphony performing all your Oz favorites including “Follow the Yellow Brick Road,” “We’re Off to See the Wizard,” “If I Only Had A Brain,” and, of course, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Tickets start at $27.50. February 2, at 2:30 and 8:00p.m.
The little ones always enjoy creating art and making a Valentine will be fun for the entire family at Dish It Out. All sorts of bowls, plates and decorative pieces are available to paint and create at Dish It Out, located in the Stonecrest Shopping Center in South Charlotte. No appointment necessary.

Charlotteans appreciate their friendships and celebrating with those great pals is a fun way to spend Valentine’s! Fashion is a passion and friends will be awed by the And the Bead Goes On presented by Mint Museum on May 26, 2012-February 17, 2013. Beads have been used to enliven fashion designs since ancient times. Originally restricted to the wardrobes of aristocrats and made of precious materials, beads indicated wealth and status in numerous cultures throughout the globe. Sometimes beadwork was employed on garments to convey rank, spiritual significance, or protection of the wearer. Colorful and sparkling beads appeared on articles of clothing, ceremonial dress, ritual masks, aexpand to view more [+]And the Bead Goes On features twentieth and twenty-first century women’s evening gowns, cocktail dresses, and ensembles from the museum’s Fashion Collection, complemented with exciting new works on loan from contemporary designers. Designer names featured in the exhibition include Halston, Bob Mackie, Giorgio Armani, Oscar de la Renta, and Albert Elbaz for Lanvin. To continue your love of art, hop over to Painting With A Twist. On February 14 you can celebrate being single for the night with BYOB and paintbrushes.

Reservations at one of Charlotte’s fine restaurants or ordering flowers is a sure- fire way to assure your sweetheart that you do, indeed, remember it is Valentine’s Day. Reservations at The Ballantyne Hotel and Lodge will include dinner, beautiful room accomodations and flowers.You could also impress with an unexpected adventure! You could wow your loved one by capturing your inner Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore by creating pottery. Position yourselves in front of the potter’s wheel at Muddy Fun Saturday presented by Clayworks, Inc. Clayworks hosts a clay day for adults to come and discover the Muddy Fun of working with clay.

Adoring your Valentine over a delicious meal is not an unusual way to celebrate Valentines, but eating out at Local Flavors of NoDa Food Tour will be a lasting memory! Presented by Feast Food Tours & Culinary Events, Inc. at NoDa (North Davidson) Arts District January 12-January 26. This walking food tour in the popular art district will include meeting the owners and chefs, sample food from locally owned restaurants, bars and artisans and tasting NoDa’s craft beer produced right in the North Davidson neighborhood. Wine tastings paired with delicious food, and admiring local art will have you appreciating Charlotte history as you stroll hand in hand.

Creating your own sumptuous dessert is creative, romantic and not budget crushing. Try the easy and delicious recipes on tarheeltastebud.com. The adorable college student, Katherine Regele, posts recipes that even the least- seasoned chef can create with love.
Gathering ingredients for your culinary masterpiece is easy at Trader Joes and while you are there, choose some flowers for your darling and her heart will melt with your hand picked floral design with her in mind!
The Queen City offers budget- friendly, delightful ways to celebrate your love! Family, friends and all loved ones will happily comply with Cupid in Charlotte on Valentine’s Day by enjoying fantastical adventures, culinary romps and amazing artistic endeavors!

A new Groupon.com came out today with some other great holiday ideas – think outdoor photos for you and your special someone, jewelry, and more great dinner deals!

And if you’re in the market to fall in love with a new home in Charlotte, contact one of our love-ly agents at Bon Maison Properties! 704-541-2500 or send us a note from here!

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