Charlotte, North Carolina

Southern Living, Spring 2004 by Patterson, Nick

Like most Southern cities, Charlotte is hot, especially during the long, steamy summer. But if by "hot" you mean "popular," Charlotte's downtown lives up to that definition as well.

The Queen City's central district, radiating outward from the intersection of Trade and Tryon, glows with a warmth fired by the diversity and vibrancy of the people who come here for work, recreation, or both.

Young people, many on bikes or skateboards, weave around men and women on their way to the jobs that anchor life in the city. But Charlotte is about more than work. Wide sidewalks take you to and from pockets of green and delightful water features.

Music plays on the street, while ballet, opera, and theater take to stages at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center and Spirit Square, a performance venue that was once a historic church. Art at places such as the Mint Museum of Art and NOEL GALLERY enriches the lives of Charlotteans.

Children play and learn at Discovery Place, and they find more entertainment at the Children's Theatre of Charlotte. Restaurants, coffee shops, and bars beckon adults with comfortable places to pass the time.

What brings these rich scenes to Charlotte? Deliberateness. Through planning, investment, and the combined will of public and private interests, civic leaders turned an old city of historic architecture into a youthful metropolis of steel and glass. That concentrated effort, aimed at making the core inviting and attractive, came to fruition only in the past few years.

"What happened here was a transformation, especially for the urban nightlife," says Molly Hedrick, vice president of communications at Visit Charlotte, the city's convention and visitors bureau.

Everywhere you look at night, Charlotte pulses with activity. Latin music washes around this corner; people spill out of a play on that one. In addition, the Blumenthal itself lures touring Broadway productions and world-class performers, bringing powerful voices, acclaimed theater, and striking dance to the city.

Skyscrapers dominate Charlotte's look. But at the base of many, open plazas welcome people to sit, enjoy the company of friends, and absorb the sights and sounds of passersby. Those plazas-such as the one at the Bank of America, with its chairs and small tables, plants, and open views-provide space for people and art.

Stadiums in close proximity to the center of the city-with a new one slated to open soon-draw sports fans. Chefs in restaurants such as Bistro 100 and Mimosa Grill continue to educate palates. People eagerly move into homes located in the First, Third, and Fourth Wards, happy to walk to the places where they study, do business, or find entertainment.

The city continues to grow more vibrant. New institutions move in, new buildings rise, old structures embrace renewal-all with the goal of making Charlotte a cultural touchstone and urban icon for the state.

NICK PATTERSON