September 14, 2006
The Many Faces of Charlotte, NC
By Sheree Bykofsky
Let me introduce you to my friend Charlotte, her sister
Charlotte, and her other sister Charlotte.
Charlotte is an opulent spa and golf resort called Ballantyne, located in the Ballantyne area of Charlotte. The elegant hotel offers the well-heeled traveler every luxury one expects from one of the
world's finest hotels. Even the most basic rooms contain beds that provide perfect comfort, large soaking tubs and separate showers, with fragrant soaps and bath gels, plus the little things that are often overlooked but so appreciated like a shoe shine service, lighted mirrors and super-soft robes. The golf course, which is open to the public but also hosts many corporate, celebrity and PGA-sponsored events, is as beautiful as the finest private country clubs. Everyone will benefit from a lesson at the Dana Rader Golf School
located on the property. Experienced teachers will correct your swing, deepen your drive, and videotape and analyze your game.
The luxurious indoor grotto pool is complete with a small resistance pool beside it that allows you to exercise vigorously by swimming in place. The resistance pool can be set to your speed as you swim for as many miles as your body will allow. The fitness club has state-of-the art equipment, a KMX lab for golf enthusiasts, and a flat screen TV. Everywhere
you look, you'll see beautiful touches such as marble floors, elegant
chandeliers, and comfortable sofas. The restaurants-including the golf course restaurant--feature fresh and well-presented food.
The spa at Ballantyne is every bit as special as the resort. Massage rooms feature heated, adjustable tables. Your Swedish massage may include hot towels, warm oils and the soothing touch of the most experienced massage therapists. Indulge in a lavender scrub, aromatherapy facial, Active Contour eye treatment, or hot stone massage.
By day, the city of Charlotte
is an inviting place to shop and stroll. Charlotte
prides itself on its abundant public artworks and pristine streets. And there are probably more sports stadiums per capita than anywhere else. At night, Charlotte is a vibrant town, alive with world-class restaurants and night clubs that will rival the biggest cities. McCormick & Schmick's is even more beautiful than its counterparts in other cities, and it serves the finest seafood in town. Whatever food you're craving, you'll find it in Charlotte.
And if you haven't been to the city in two weeks, lots of new buildings have gone up. They're needed to accommodate all of the people who visit Charlotte and never leave.
Charlotte (or, more precisely, neighboring Concord and nearby Kannapolis, both in Cabarrus
County) is also a NASCAR lover's mecca, and it may be the birthplace to generations of new NASCAR lovers, including me. Experience the thrill of going 165 MPH around Lowe's Motor Speedway beside a professional driver. Or even take a half-day class and drive a real NASCAR yourself at the Richard Petty Driving Experience. I was nervous, but they paired me with the comforting and talented driver Rick Mertz, and I never felt safer as I careened three times around the oval track. If you're lucky, you can catch a real NASCAR race while you're in town. Kids will love NASCAR SpeedPark located at the enormous mall called Concord Mills, North Carolina's number one attraction.
Follow the Dale Trail through Kannapolis where you can see the childhood home of #3 Dale Earnhardt, gawk at the 9 foot statue in a park dedicated to his memory, or even eat his favorite sandwich (tomatoes with Miracle Whip) for $3.33 at the retro-diner Punchy's on the newly named Route 3, the Dale Earnhardt Blvd.
Visit the Sam Bass Gallery of Motorsport Art and some of the multi-million dollar race shops of such drivers as Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson (Hendricks). Be sure to stop at the Roush
Racing Museum
and Race Shops to pick up some racing souvenirs and watch a thrilling film.
A new feature of Charlotte
is the U.S. National Whitewater Center, which is a four channel man-made river, where Olympic athletes are able to compete and train in every level of white-water rapids, and visitors can enjoy white-water rafting in a controlled environment. Climbing facilities and rope courses are also part of the spectacular "real sport" facility. This is no kiddie waterpark, and it's not for the faint of heart.
Charlotte's
motto is "shhhharlotte," which is funny because it's a city worth yelling about. Don't let them have it all to themselves. C'mon down!
IF YOU GO:
Ballantyne Resort
10000
Ballantyne Commons Parkway
Charlotte,
NC28277
866-248-4824 or 704-248-4000
Fax 704-248-4005
www.ballantyneresort.com
U.S.
National Whitewater Center
820 Hawfield
Road
Charlotte,
NC 28214
Main line and reservations:
704-372-9695
info@usnwc.org
www.usnwg.org
McCormick & Schmick's
Seafood Restaurant
200 South Tryon
Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
704-377-0201
or 888-344-6861
Sam Bass Gallery
6104 Performance
Drive
Concord,
NC 28027
704-455-6915
www.SamBass.com
Cabarrus
County Convention &
Visitors Bureau
3003 Dale
Earnhardt Blvd.
Kannapolis,
NC 28083
800-848-3740
www.FullThrottleFun.com
Concord
Mills
8111 Concord
Mills Blvd.
Concord,
NC 28027
704-979-3000
www.ConcordMills.com
NASCAR SpeedPark
Concord
Mills Entry 7
Concord,
NC 28027
www.NASCARSpeedPark.com
Cabarrus County
Convention & Visitors Bureau
The Racing Side of Charlotte
3003 Dale
Earnhardt Blvd.
Kannapolis,
NC 28083
www.visitcabarrus.com
media@cabarruscvb.com
Visit Charlotte
www.charlottecvb.org
