Charlotte/SouthPark

SouthPark is a semi-urban district in south-central Charlotte. A hub of business and retail activity, it is also home to some of the city's most exclusive neighborhoods. SouthPark has many midrise condominiums and office buildings to complement its suburban-style malls and business centers. It is still essentially an outlying area in relation to Charlotte's central districts, but SouthPark has become the city's primary destination for upscale shopping and dining.

Like most suburban areas, SouthPark is dominated by wide boulevards. Thus, the easiest method for exploring the district is the automobile. Most locales worth visiting are within seconds of a major street, and parking is adequate throughout the neighborhood. Major arteries include Providence Rd. (NC Hwy 16), Randolph Rd., Sardis Rd., and Rama/Fairview.

It is strongly advised that visitors obtain a street map of SouthPark before exploring the area. The neighborhood is notorious for its changing street names and complicated intersections.

The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) has a few bus lines that serve SouthPark, though they are generally not used by affluent southsiders. Bus routes #18, #20, and #29 connect SouthPark to neighborhoods north, including Uptown. Routes #30, #57, and #60 travel west, connecting to LYNX stations on the way. It is rather difficult to explore the neighborhood using only buses as transportation. Exercise judgment before using the buses as a last resort.

SouthPark is still primarily a residential neighborhood, and therefore offers little in the way of public attractions. There are many stately homes in the area that may be of interest, and the office-tower cluster at the center of the district makes a good photograph.

• 🌍 Charlotte Eagles and Lady Eagles, 7301 Sardis Rd, Charlotte Christian Stadium, ☏ +1 704 841-8644, +1 704 841-8644 ext 20 (tickets), fax: +1 704 841-8652, ticketsales@charlotteeagles.com. Minor-league semi-nomadic soccer teams.  

• 🌍 SouthPark Mall. Charlotte's upscale shopping destination, including Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Macy's, Dillard's and Belk. This is the lynchpin of the rapidly-developing SouthPark neighborhood, about 15 minutes south of Uptown. The mall is reputed for having a slightly snobbish atmosphere, but the upscale shopping is the best in the area.  
• Phillips Place. Upscale shopping center with stores like Restoration Hardware and Dean & Deluca, and restaurants including The Palm Steakhouse, P.F. Chang's, and Upstream. 
• Morrison. Upscale shopping center with organic grocery store (Earthfare), bookstore Barnes & Noble, restaurants, and Furniture stores such as Stickley. 

• 🌍 Baoding, 4722 Sharon Rd. (Sharon Corners Shopping Center), ☏ +1 704-552-8899. One of Charlotte's best-reputed Chinese restaurants. Engaging decor and high-quality ingredients make this a relative bargain compared to its pricier competition.  
• Bentley's Restaurant, 4620 Piedmont Row Dr #110, ☏ +1 704-343-9201. M-Sa 4:30PM-10PM. If you're looking for a "wow" factor with your meal, this is it. Bentley's offers upscale dining. Panoramic views of south Charlotte accompany your meal. Has a reputation for being a bit overpriced, though for obvious reasons. 
• 🌍 Wolfman Pizza, 106 S Sharon Amity Rd # B, ☏ +1 704-366-3666. Gourmet pizza has made this small chain highly successful in Charlotte -- so much that their pizza can be found on local grocery shelves. Recommended for the discriminating pizza consumer.  
• 🌍 Harper's, 6518 Fairview Rd, ☏ +1 704-522-8376.  
• 🌍 McCormick & Schmick's, 4335 Barclay Downs Dr, ☏ +1 704-442-5522.  
• 🌍 The Palm Restaurant, 6705-B Phillips Place Ct. (Phillips Place Shopping Center), ☏ +1 704-552-7256.  
• 🌍 P.F. Chang's China Bistro, 6809 Phillips Place Ct.  
• 🌍 Rooster's Wood Fire Kitchen, 6601 Morrison Blvd.  
• 🌍 Yama Asian Fusion, 720 Governor Morrison Street.  

• 🌍 Leroy Fox Cotswold, 705 S Sharon Amity Rd, ☏ +1 704-366-3232.  

• 🌍 Doubletree Guest Suites Charlotte / SouthPark, 6300 Morrison Boulevard, ☏ +1 704-364-2400. Hotel suites with full kitchens 7 miles from the airport, and 5 miles from downtown. Amenities include pool with waterfall and fitness center.  
• 🌍 Marriott Courtyard Charlotte SouthPark, 6023 Park South Dr, ☏ +1 704-552-7333.  
• 🌍 Marriott SouthPark, 2200 Rexford Rd., ☏ +1 704-364-8220. A boutique hotel in the Queen City neighborhood offering meeting and event facilities.  
• 🌍 Renaissance Charlotte SouthPark, 5501 Carnegie Blvd., ☏ +1 704-501-2510, fax: +1 704 554-6774. $119-209.  
• 🌍 Residence Inn Charlotte South Park, 6030 Piedmont Row Drive S, ☏ +1 704-554-7001. Next to Charlotte's South Park Mall. Free hot breakfast buffet, evening socials M-Th, indoor pool and spa.