Our Events and Scouting Director Winn Elliott shares some of her favorite destinations for day trips or weekend getaways that are fairly close to the Queen City.
Saluda
An hour and a half drive from Charlotte, Saluda is an eclectic mountain town with a charming downtown and an abundance of outdoor activities.
Start the day with a cup of coffee at Wakey Monkey. Then head to Green River Adventures for the outdoor adventure of your choice including zip lining, rappelling and white-water kayaking. Having worked up an appetite, lunch will be next on the agenda, and Green River BBQ does not disappoint. A stroll down Main Street to peruse shops and galleries is a great way to finish the day.
Should you decide to extend your stay, check into the lovely Saluda Inn. Enjoy an afternoon cocktail on the Grand Terrace Overlook and return to Main Street for dinner at The Purple Onion.
Wakey Monkey
18 Church Street, 828.769.9040
Green River Adventures
111 East Main Street, 828.749.2800
Green River BBQ
131 West Highway 176, 828.749.9892
The Saluda Inn
229 Greenville Street, 828.388.9027
The Purple Onion
16 East Main Street, 828.749.1179
Blowing Rock
One hour and 45 minutes from Charlotte, and located along the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway, Blowing Rock has so much to offer.
Grab your coffee at Bald Guy Brew and enjoy it in the courtyard while watching dogs and their people on their morning walks. For trophy views you can’t beat, take a hike on nearby Rough Ridge Trail. If you’d rather stay in town, try a picturesque stroll around Bass Lake.
If shopping is on your list, Blowing Rock’s Main Street has it all. Stop in and browse at Mustard Seed Home for a unique selection of local and international home décor and accessories, as well as fresh flowers. For gifts and accessories, don’t miss The Bee and The Boxwood. Or check out the latest exhibition at the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum.
For lunch (and maybe a signature cocktail), grab an outdoor table at The Speckled Trout. Finish
your day off with a trip to Westglow Resort and Spa. Treat yourself to the half-day spa package
and be sure to try the Revitalizing Back Facial!
Bald Guy Brew
1116 Main Street, 828.414.1961
Rough Ridge Trail
Mile Post 302.8, Blue Ridge Parkway
Bass Lake
Mile Post 294, Blue Ridge Parkway
Mustard Seed Home
312 Green Street, 828.818.0036
The Bee and The Boxwood
960 Main Street, 828.372.9089
Blowing Rock Art & History Museum
159 Ginny Stevens Lane, 828.295.9099
The Speckled Trout
922 Main Street, 828.295.9819
Westglow Resort and Spa
224 Westglow Circle, 828.295.4463
Belmont
A short 30-minute drive from Charlotte, the town of Belmont exudes Southern charm.
Spend the morning exploring the beautiful gardens at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden or wander along Main Street in Belmont’s quaint downtown. Grab a coffee and homemade pastry at The Everyday Market and peruse the Piccolo Antique Mall. For lunch, enjoy local Southern fare at Nellie’s Southern Kitchen or The String Bean.
Belmont is conveniently located near Lake Wylie, the Catawba River and the US National Whitewater Center. Anchored Soul Paddleboarding offers paddleboard rentals, lessons and classes. Or head to The Boathouse in nearby McAdenville for kayak rentals or guided tours of the river. If you like being on the water, make a dinner reservation or enjoy a cocktail with a view at Drift on Lake Wylie.
If you’re not quite ready to head home, take in a movie at the newly re-opened Belmont Drive-In.
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
6500 South New Hope Road, 704.825.4490
The Everyday Market
7 South Main Street, 980.283.7170
Piccolo Antique Mall
134 North Main Street, 704.825.5656
Nellie’s Southern Kitchen
36 North Main Street, 704.396.7169
The String Bean
106 North Main Street, 704.825.3636
Anchored Soul Paddleboarding
910.787.4343
The Boathouse
115 Willow Drive, McAdenville, 980.251.7898
Drift
315-M Lanyard Lane, 980.351.0111
Belmont Drive-In
314 McAdenville Road
Chapel Hill
Hawthorne & Wood
Blair’s favorite restaurant in North Carolina! The little gem salad is the perfect combination of tender greens and crunchy quinoa. And the flounder with coconut-lemongrass broth is sublime.
3140 Environ Way
919.240.4337
The Purple Bowl
Local hangout serving up fantastic açaí bowls.
505 West Franklin Street
919.903.8511
Osteria Georgi
This is a favorite spot of Blair’s son, Duwe. Chef Dan Jackson, a Chapel Hill native, returned to the area after developing an esteemed 17-year culinary career in NYC.
201 South Elliott Road
919.375.0600
Lucha Tigre
Bold and innovative Latin and Asian fusion restaurant whose owner, Khoa, is a good friend of Duwe’s. Everything on the menu is great!
746 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
919.914.6386
Via Napoli Express
A late-night staple for the college crowd, this food truck has the most amazing pizza.
315.842.0698