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Home to the first chunk of gold found in the United States, Charlotte, North Carolina, offers up many other valuable attractions and qualities. There are over 250 Fortune 500 companies and this “hornet’s nest” features a banking center second in size only to New York City’s! In fact, it’s one of the best places in the United States to live, and you can bet it’s a wonderful place to enjoy a memorable date or two. Here’s the insider’s scoop on dating in Charlotte.
1. Love the Weather?
Don’t worry – if you don’t, it will change very soon. Charlotte’s weather is quite fickle, as an afternoon can promise bright and sunny weather one moment and sheets of pouring rain the next.
2. Dress to Impress
Because of Charlotte’s corporate atmosphere, you will often see professional clothing in Uptown during the day. Suits, ties, and calf-length skirts during business hours quickly change to slacks, party dresses, and heels after 5 p.m. If you’re planning a less-than-formal date in the city, opt for a “casual but dressy” look with cute skirts or dresses for women, and slacks and polo or collared shirts for men.
3. It’s All about Uptown
When you want excitement and adventure for your date in Charlotte, you want to go to Uptown or the center city. Despite the confusion with the name (since some residents call Uptown Downtown), it’s where all the action is! From museums, bars, and dining establishments to nightclubs and hotels – this is the life of the city and the perfect place to take a date.
4. Transportation
Charlotte has a great bus system, with over 40 stops and affordable fares – but the bus may not be the best way to impress your date. If you choose to go the taxi route, be prepared to pay a pricey fee. The average cost is around $2 a mile, not including the initial fee and any traffic or wait time, which some taxis charge for.
5. Need a Gift?
If you want to purchase a gift for your date, there are several different options. The South Park Mall is a great place to check out – stores include Coach, Banana Republic, Dillards, Tiffany’s, and many more. It’s at the corner of Sharon and Fairview and boasts the first Neiman Marcus in the region! There are also a ton of flower shops in the area, so you can find exactly what you’re looking for.
6. Going Out for Lunch?
If you will be going on a lunch date, you have several delicious options. From Camille’s Sidewalk Café on Sardis Road – featuring delicious and flavorful sandwiches, wraps, and smoothies – to the Cosmos Café on North College Street. Cosmos has a “jazzy” feel, with huge, colorful paintings on the walls, and is in the perfect location for sightseeing. It has light and vegetarian foods as well as specialty burgers and sandwiches. Feeling really hungry? Try the special $35 “Kintaro” hamburger – but if you manage to eat it all, you may have to finish your date at the hospital!
7. Drinks in Charlotte
When you’re ready to take the edge off and get to know your date over a few drinks, there are many great locations in Charlotte. The bars and lounges in Charlotte mirror the people – friendly and inviting. Boardwalk Billy’s on J M Keynes Drive features oversized cocktails at great prices. If you want a great snack, it has delicious seafood and sandwiches. West 9th Street brings you Alexander Michael’s, which is a friendly sit-down pub featuring cold beers and hot food. There is a plethora of choices for great drinks and quiet conversation in Charlotte.
8. Charlotte in Seasons
Dating in Charlotte in the summertime is great, but you may need to find a nice, cool place to visit. Charlotte is hot in the summer, but as the locals say, “It’s really the humidity.” It can make you feel like you’re walking through hot blankets, and while things are supposed to be hot and spicy during a date – here, they can get hot and sweaty! Winter brings relatively few snowstorms, but dressing in layers is a good idea. It’s easy to remove a layer or add one and be comfortable.
9. Have a Great Time
Being the corporate hot spot that it is, Charlotte is a place where the fun is on after 5 p.m. Be sure you bring your sense of humor and outgoing personality, because you can bet the local dating crowd has – after crunching numbers all day, nighttime is a time for fun! Be prepared to enjoy yourself and you can’t go wrong dating in Charlotte.
9. Take a Stroll
One of the most romantic things you can do in Charlotte, North Carolina is take your date for a quiet evening stroll and get to know him or her better. Boardwalk Billy's in the University area is a great place to do this. Stroll around the tranquil pond and feed the geese until you've worked up an appetite. From the pond, it's just a hop, skip and a jump to some of the best restaurants, department stores, bars and nightclubs.
10. Have a Great Time
Being the corporate hotspot that it is, Charlotte is a place where the fun is on after 5pm. Be sure you bring your sense of humor and outgoing personality; because you can bet the local dating crowd has – after crunching numbers all day, nighttime is a time for fun! Be prepared to enjoy yourself and you can't go wrong dating in Charlotte.
What are your top tips for dating in Charlotte?
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