“Go...” listings
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PAPER TWIST
Your holiday wrapping should look as good as the gifts inside, and this South Park-area boutique carries classy wrapping paper, ribbons and gift bags, and even offers gift-wrapping classes, to make sure that's the case. (12/2009)
6401 Morrison Blvd
704-366-3100
www.shoppapertwist.com -
SKATING AT THE GREEN
Locals love this popular outdoor skating rink surrounded by New South skyscrapers. Take a few turns around the rink, and then grab a post-skating meal at one of the many nearby eateries. (12/2009)
401 S Tryon St
704-944-1627
www.wbtholidayonice.com -
MEINEKE CAR CARE BOWL
This relative newcomer to the college football bowl lineup-it was initiated in 2002-is spectacularly popular, most likely due to its location in the NCAA-crazed Carolinas. In it, the No. 3 Big East team faces No. 5 or 6 from the ACC at the home field of the Carolina Panthers. Dec. 26. (12/2009)
1900 W Morehead St, Charlotte
800-618-8149
www.meineke...arebowl.com -
BUBBA'S BARBECUE
This barbecue shack is famed for Eastern Carolina-style sauce (vinegar-, not tomatobased) and great prices, whether you like your meat on a bun ($9 for a plate) or on the bone (a pound of ribs is $15). $ (12/2009)
4400 Sunset Rd
704-393-2000
www.bubbasbarbecue.com -
BASIL THAI
Two brothers who moved to the US to escape turmoil in Cambodia hit it big with this restaurant. It offers fare that's just familiar enough to make exotic eating easy. Try the deep-fried duck in red curry sauce. $$ (12/2009)
210 N Church St
704-332-7212
www.eatatbasil.com -
AQUAVINA
This super-fresh seafood place offers steakhouse-style appetizers, like Crab Three Ways (blue crab cake, snow crab cobbler and soft-shell crab with brioche toast points) that are almost big enough to make a meal. $$$ (12/2009)
435 S Tryon St
704-377-9911
www.aquavina.com -
PREVUE
Twentysomethings looking for an alternative to the pricier uptown scene love this NoDa live music club for half-priced martinis and wine and free food on Wednesdays. (12/2009)
2909 N Davidson St
704-375-3747
www.prevuemusichall.com -
TYBER CREEK PUB
This dark South End pub opened long before the area became trendy, and it still thrives by remaining low-key and locally owned. Settle in for a $3 pint of Guinness, available all day. (12/2009)
1933 South Blvd
704 343-2727
www.tybercreek.com -
YADKIN VALLEY WINERIES
Wine-making has taken root in the Yadkin River Valley in a big way: More than a dozen wineries, large and small, modest and slick, offer tours, samples and cases to bring home. (12/2009)
80 miles northwest of Charlotte
www.visitncwine.com -
FESTIVAL IN THE PARK
The “granddaddy of Charlotte festivals” has changed little since its 1964 debut. You’ll find more than 150 artists and crafters selling their works at this popular, family-friendly outdoor event. Sept. 23-26. (09/2009)
1409 East Blvd
704-338-1060
www.festivalinthepark.org -
COMMON HOUSE
This space serves as a music venue, restaurant and tavern for the Plaza Midwood area. Great beers (like Asheville’s Highland brews) are on tap, and the bar food (fried green tomatoes) is better than your average nachos and wings. (05/2009)
1101 Central Ave
704-332-1010
www.charlot...onhouse.com -
CENTER OF THE EARTH GALLERY
Anchoring the NoDa arts district, this impressive, long-established gallery represents more than 50 artists of various media, styles and price ranges. Its corporate clients range from Neiman Marcus to the Federal Reserve Bank. (03/2009)
3204 N Davidson St
704-375-5756
www.centeroftheearth.com