Charlotte is a city that thrives on big business specifically banking and is thus the second leading banking center in the country. Its most visible employers are Wells Fargo/Wachovia the city's largest employer, Bank of America, Duke Energy, Nucor, Sonic Automotive, Continental Tire NA, SPX, Lowe's and Family Dollar. Though the Uptown area has the largest concentration of business offices, the entire metro area has sprouted office and industrial parks. In particular, the gleaming mid rises of SouthPark and Ballantyne are worth noting if you're in those areas. There are several Fortune 500 companies and is regularly listed as one of the U.S.'s fastest-growing business areas, as well as one of the best places to do business in the nation.
Johnson C. Smith University
(http://www.jcsu.edu) - a historically african-american university located just outside uptown. the centerpiece of the historic biddleville community, j.c. smith's campus is a picturesque gateway to the north/west side of the city.
parks
Charlotte has been noted for its "green" appearance, due to its extensive tree canopy and abundance of parks. See the individual district pages for listings of major city parks. Outdoor adventurers may revel in the pleasures offered at the U.S. National Whitewater Center (http://www.usnwc.org/).
golf
Golf is a major sport in the Carolinas, and is played nearly year-round due to the mild autumn and spring seasons. Several private, semi-private and country clubs courses are available.
Music
The Evening Muse
3227 n davidson st, +1 704 376-3737, (http://www.eveningmuse.com). located in the noda district, the evening muse is noted for its variety of music ranging from light folk to rockabilly, and open mic on monday nights.
Tremont Music Hall
400 w tremont ave, +1 704 343-9494, (http://www.tremontmusicha...). premier stop for national acts specializing in modern rock, indie rock, punk, hardcore, metal, emo, ska, roots rock and others. great place to see a band as youâre never more than 50 ft from the stage.
Amos' Southend
1423 s tryon, +1 704 377-6874, (http://www.amossouthend.com). all types of bands play here especially cover bands.
The Double Door Inn
218 e independence blvd, +1 704 376-1446, (http://www.doubledoorinn.com). legendary for its blues history, and one of the city's most beloved institutions. any long-time charlottean will tell you the story about eric clapton's impromptu set at the double door; a framed newspaper article over the bar is proof. hosts musical acts on most nights of the week. very intimate, and more for the drink-and-watch crowd.
The Milestone
3400 tuckaseegee rd, +1 704 398-0472, (http://www.themilestonecl...). almost forgotten in charlotte's mainstream entertainment scene, this veteran club has a shockingly prestigious music history -- nirvana, the flaming lips, and r.e.m. have all graced the stage here. though the interior looks like something out of skid row, there is a well-cultivated hipster vibe at the milestone that is virtually untouched anywhere else in the city. mention this one in conversation to gauge a friend's true cool-factor.
Tours
Driving Tours
(http://www.queencitytours.com) queen city tours covers most of the center city and surrounding area. note that they offer different types of tour service for different group sizes. this tour shows uptown, dilworth and myers park.
Helicopter Tours
(http://www.ncrotorandwing.com) north carolina rotor and wing offers a birds' eye view of the queen city and its surrounding neighborhoods.
Charlotte 101 Class and Tour
(http://cpcc.edu/pi) central piedmont community college offers a quarterly combination classroom lecture and tour about the queen city for 6 hours. pre-registration required.
Annual events
Southern Spring Home and Garden Show
(http://www.southernshows....) has brought designers and experts to the city for nearly 50 years. held in march, and located at the merchandise mart. $9 at the door, kids free.
Speed Street
The Thursday, Friday, and Saturday before Memorial Day, Speed Street (http://www.600festival.com) brings half a million partiers to the center city for major musical acts and events related to the NASCAR All-Star Race. This event shuts down several major streets, and covers the entirety of Uptown with crowds after sundown. Parking is usually stretched to the limit, and hotels will be difficult to find. However, this is an excellent time for hard partiers to see the city at its most active.
Queen's Cup Steeplechase
Charlotte is not known as a horse-racing hub, but the Queen's Cup Steeplechase (http://www.queenscup.org) gives the city an event to call its own. Located about 45 minutes from the center city in Mineral Springs. Held in mid-April.
Taste of Charlotte
(http://www.tasteofcharlot...) festival in june is far and away the best time to bring an appetite to the city. tryon st. closes down for the weekend and many of the city's best restaurants are represented with samples of their signature dishes.
St. Patrick's Day Parade
(http://www.saintpatricksd...) is not on the scale of boston or nyc, but always well-attended and a fun time to visit the irish restaurants uptown. the parade goes up tryon st., and the best place to view is at the square.
Scarowinds
(http://www2.paramountpark...) is the city's most unique halloween event. the carowinds theme park turns ghoulish after dark, with special decor and events. though it's a bit pricey, it never draws complaints of overpricing. $29, no kids.
Carolina Renaissance Festival
(http://www.royalfaires.co...) is in late fall. located just outside the city, it is a family-friendly reenactment of elizabethan times. features a wide array of shopping and themed events. $15 for adults, $5 for children.
Southern Christmas Show
(http://www.southernshows....) in late november is one of the region's biggest holiday shopping events. the merchandise mart on e independence blvd hosts the event. $8 at the door for adults, $3 for kids. $6 per car to park all day.
EclecFest
(http://prelude.realeyesbo...) is a fledgling november festival in noda, started by the owner of a local bookstore. a combination flea market and cultural festival, this event is a good way to get introduced to the stores and locals of noda. parking is typically available on and around n. davidson st.
Charlotte Pride
Is a more general gay-pride festival in august. it has shifted locations, most recently to the gateway village area on the edge of uptown. it has grown significantly since its inception.
Black Gay Pride Festival
Has made inroads as an annual festival in july.
Art and Soul of South End Festival
There is no better time to visit South End than during the Art and Soul of South End Festival (http://www.artandsoulofso...) in April. Several major events coincide to bring the district a variety of visual art, music and entertainment. Prices vary based on event, but most is free to attend.
September
Is one of the best times to visit the city. the city's labor day parade along tryon st is modest, but a well-established annual event. the month-long charlotte shout (http://www.charlotteshout.com) collaboration includes not only cultural festivals and events, but also a day of free admissions to important cultural locations. for over 40 years, festival in the park (http://www.festivalinthep...) has transformed freedom park into a massive marketplace and fair. the new charlotte film festival (http://www.charlottefilmf...) is a collaboration between the city's most prominent theaters in and around the center city. also, the yiasou greek festival (http://www.greekorthodoxc...) is a long-running tradition at holy trinity greek orthodox church that draws a huge crowd for its mouth-watering food and unique shopping opportunities.
The Public Library of Charlotte hosts the Novello Festival of Reading (http://www.novellofestival.net) in October. This series of readings and events brings well-known authors such as Kurt Vonnegut, Ray Bradbury, Toni Morrison to the city. Prices vary based on event, most of which are held at the Central Branch.
PGA Quail Hollow Championship
(http://www.wachoviachampi...) brings the world's best golfers to quail hollow country club for a weekend in april. as one would expect, there are plenty of wine-and-cheese events associated with the championship... as well as a noticeable upturn in polo shirts at uptown clubs.
CIAA Basketball Tournament
(http://www.ciaatournament...) will come to charlotte in early march for the next several years. historically-black colleges from across the country bring their teams, alums and fans to the center city for a week of games... and accompanying parties and conventions. games are held in bobcats arena. other events take place throughout the city, including a festival along tryon st.
Fourth of July Fireworks Display
Has shifted locations several times lately, but is always located somewhere in uptown. this event draws nearly 100,000 visitors to the center city at once; be prepared to sit in gridlock, especially during the display when streets will come to a complete halt. using public transit to park-and-ride from another district is recommended.
Heroes Convention
Also in July, comic book collectors meet for the annual Heroes Convention at the Convention Center.
Charlotte International Auto Show
(http://www.charlotteautos...) brings various dealers and buyers together. located in the convention center and usually in november. adults $8, kids free.
Carrousel Thanksgiving Day Parade
(http://www.carrouselparade.org) is one of the city's most beloved annual events. televised regionally, this parade has run along tryon st for half a century. a great time to visit.
Charlotte Collectible and Antique Show
(http://www.dmgantiqueshows.com) comes to metrolina expo on statesville rd. each december. the name says it all: shopping opportunities abound. $5, kids free.
Meineke Car Care Bowl
For college football fans, the Meineke Car Care Bowl (http://www.meinekecarcare...) is a chance to catch a great game as well as a football-themed festival. An ACC team and a Big East team close out their seasons in Bank of America Stadium. Price varies year-to-year.