Soo here's the thing. I knew one of my close friends was coming to visit me, but I get to the airport and am met by two of my other friends and the news my friend would be there shortly. Nothing makes you feel more special than having friends who would go out of their way to visit you and surprise you. This weekend is bound to be perfect and I want to enjoy every moment I can with them so I will update this post on Sunday with my Friday Favorites - my favorite things about Charlotte, North Carolina. But for now I'm going to go and enjoy 3 of my favorite friends and show them in person some of my favorite Charlotte things.
So here is the post I promised (maybe the pictures will make up for it being late?) Better late than never, right??? Ok, so in retrospect the person who cannot commit to a new haircut, has had a different apartment and/or roommate every year for the past 5ish years, wants a pet, but is afraid to commit to actually getting one, probably shouldn't have committed to a specific day of the week to have this post, but I digress.
Anyways as I mentioned on Friday I have a few favorite places in Charlotte. What's great about living here for a year is that I feel comfortable enough to know how to make it home if I wander somewhere yet still find "new" places every once in awhile. I really, really do love the city and know even though I am moving back to Pittsburgh I will still be back to visit often.
The very first time I was in Charlotte was for a school related trip. It was there that I fell in love with one of the things that makes the city great, the random fountains everywhere. I love fountains so this is the perfect city for me. This summer I have been to the airport at least 7 times picking up/dropping off friends - I really need to go somewhere myself. What I wont show you a picture of is the boy wearing a Fedora and man capris - never a good look no matter the guy. Another side note, maybe its the patriotic-ness (not even close to a word) I have, but Im not a fan of it being the QC (queen city), but again I digress.
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Im partial to any airport with fountains
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| Fountain Uptown - looks like a rainforest waterfall right in the center of the city |
Another favorite place of mine is
Vida a Mexican Cantina. The decor is cute, the staff is nice (though the service is sometimes slow) and the food is always good (normally get something vegetarian so I can vouch for any of those entrees). None of those are the reason why you should go there. Tequilla is the reason you should go like NOW (well maybe after making a reservation). Tequilla is wonderful. All forms. You will not be disappointed (you also will not be sober - just a warning). They also have the best Sangrias in the QC (I'm sure I've had enough to make that expert opinion.
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Such perfect gems of drinks
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Besides fountains there are statues/artwork everywhere. The city is such a clean city, but the artwork everywhere takes it to the next step.
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One of the many statues (this is over by JWU by the Double Tree)
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One of the best things about Charlotte and one of the things I have gotten used to is the living. I checked out quite a few apartments and loved them all. I'm sure I could have a house for rent in Pittsburgh for the price I pay for a studio apartment here (ok in reality I could have a house here too, but living in the hood wasn't what this girl living alone was looking for - pepper spray can't fight off bullets). Im also a city snob, I wasn't living in the country, your only young once right? What I could never get in Pittsburgh for the price I pay is free coffee, pools (yes, plural) gyms (again plural) an internet cafe, as well as a nice apartment and good maintenance (trust me, I've used their services way too much). All of those things are wonderful, but what I really, really love is the courtyards (yes, plural). I love that I can see into a courtyard from my window and then walk out into the city. It's going to be hard for me to top my living conditions in the future.
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One of my courtyards
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My other courtyard. Loved this tree (sadly its green now)
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I don't want to post the same things on here so check out this
past post to see the amazing Cherry Blossoms that Charlotte has (I love that it looks like snow without the side effects of actual snow) as well as my
Sweet Caroline post to see more of my favorite Charlotte things taken at the green. And as you can see in
this post I took a carriage ride with one of my favorites - just a warning the drivers like to talk so we were in luck since it wasn't a romantic ride obviously, but you might want to tell the guy to keep the history channel dialogue down if you're looking for romance.
Another unique place to check out is the public library (outside). Not normally a hotspot for tourists, but I love (and so has every one of my friends who has seen it) all the quotes outside.
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Reading all the quotes makes up for not actually reading recently, right?
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These are just a
few of the places I love. I could sit here all day (night/morning) posting, but what I recommend is going out (not on a 100 degree day) and just wandering. You are bound to find a park, a fountain, piece of art, courtyard, or shop that you will fall in love with and make your favorite. If you have never been to Charlotte I recommend visiting. Seriously will always be one of my favorite cities. There is plenty of nightlife, museums, and malls (so many perfect malls). Hope you enjoy & if you ever plan a trip let me know and I'll send you in the right direction of a favorite :)
From Charlotte with love!
