Charlotte, NC, offers a number of activities for lovers. The Queen City will be the location for a vacation of romance.
A staple part of most dates or romantic outings is a restaurant, which can make or break the mood. Duke Mansion promises to provide the perfect romantic atmosphere, as it is housed in a revived colonial mansion in one of the best neighborhoods in the city. Once owned by James Buchanan Duke, it's like taking a step into a history book. If it's Victorian flair that you're looking for, go no further than the McNinch House, a veritable museum in itself. Chef Ellen Davis personally decorates the House with a variety of antiques, creating a romantic feel throughout. Although fairly pricy, you can treat yourselves to a six-course meal with the menu changes daily. When calling to make your reservations, you will be able to explain your culinary savoir-faire and the menu will be adjusted accordingly.
If you are a wine connoisseur, the Bonterra Restaurant & Wine Room will surely satisfy your tastes, with over 200 in-house wine choices. Each is served by the glass via bottles stored on the premise. The owners, John & Buddy Duncan, refurbished this 100-year-old church into an interesting dining venue. The food choices are mainly American, and the waiters will help the amateurs select the perfect wine to go with your meal of choice.
If you're a fan of more modern-type romance, The Melting Pot provides just that. Guests are nestled into private booths and treated to personal service by the waiters. Fondue pots are the centerpiece in this creative restaurant, and the waiters will help you to select the perfect fondue for you! Each guest receives his or her own color-coded skewer and the adventure begins. Generally, guests begin with a cheese fondue, with breads, vegetables, and fruits for dipping. Whether vegetarian or carnivore, the entree selections provide a choice for everyone and you actually "cook" the food yourself in a boiling broth. The dessert is incomparable; in fact, you may choose to simply come for dessert and coffee. Selections vary from a variety of chocolates, caramels, and other flavors, sometimes flambéed right at the table! An overflowing plate of cakes, marshmallows, brownies, cheesecakes, and more is sure to make you wide-eyed and trigger the sweet-tooth in any diner.
If you've planned a lunch date, go no further than Reid's Fine Foods. Known as one of the hippest spots for lunch, the grocery offers a prepared foods selection that has everything from sushi to salads and more. Dessert leaves no one behind, with choices from candies to cakes and cookies. You can take your time to enjoy the food while eating on the patio. Friendly service and fantastic food continue to influence the growing opinion of this spot.
If you're looking for something a bit different, try the Blue Restaurant & Bar. The wide range of choices from the Mediterranean provides everyone with a different taste. The top-notch waiters will help make your experience perfect if the decor isn't enough already; a rotating art gallery and blue stained-glass wall creates an atmosphere of modern relaxation.
Another unique idea is taking the food from Reid's or another hot spot with you to the famous Freedom Park. Pack a blanket and create a romantic picnic for the two of you while enjoying Charlotte's natural atmosphere. There are a number of choices for the athletic, or you can spend a lazy afternoon or evening lake-side and then take a stroll along the Sugar Creek. The Nature Museum also offers a unique view of Charlotte for anyone who appreciates the outdoors.
If the date is going well, you can continue on to any one of Charlotte's interesting locations. The Charlotte Trolley & Museum offers a romantic ride through the city with the driver pointing out spots of interest. It's the perfect way to take in everything while still being cozy with your mate. Returning to Charlotte's rich history, you can tour the Trolley Museum, learning of the history of the street car, and even see some cars in the restoration process. It's an inexpensive, unique journey for anyone!
If pampering is what you desire, check out the Georgetown Bodyworks Day Spa, where you will be enveloped in luxury. The couples massage and Steiner facials are a favorite for that relaxing, romantic outing. They also offer a number of other choices for the spa-goer, some more unusual than others. Located in Plaza Midwood, you can be sure to find some unique gifts in one of the many shops or enjoy a nice lunch or dinner in one of the neighboring restaurants. You are sure to be rejuvenated after a special trip to Bodyworks.
One of the most exciting times is in the fall when the Carolina Renaissance Festival & Artisan Marketplace comse to town. Stepping back into medieval times, the 20 acre grounds are filled with every aspect of the time period. You may be entertained by a juggler or belly dancer as you make your way through the attractions. Often the nobility can be seen enjoying the atmosphere themselves, as they take on entirely the culture of the time period. Events include jousts, performances by the gonzo entertainers, and other live entertainment. Perhaps the best part of the festival is the vendors selling everything from renaissance jewelry to weaponry, giant turkey-legs to a number of unique tastes. Have your palm read while your date has her hair braided in a style of the times. No one breaks character at the festival, making it a one-of-a-kind place for couples to enjoy.
There are many other options available in the Queen City, including Concord Mills, one of the most famous shopping centers in the mid-South. Charlotte never ceases to offer all types of people with a variety of options for any occasion.
