Help please - Charlotte NC and Atlanta GA

[ChuckBecker]

Hi All,

I'm finishing up a one year job in Norfolk, Va and my wife and I will be driving home to Calif starting Apr 1st.  Our preferred route takes us to Charlotte, NC then to Atlanta, GA.  We would be most appreciative of recommendations for lodging and dining in Charlotte (evening of the 1st) and Atlanta (evening of the 2nd).  Just nice, comfortable places to stay and eat, $120/night and $80/dinner for two range.  We'd like to get as good a feel for the towns as we can with only one night in each city.

Thanks!

[ChuckBecker]

No one from Charlotte or Atlanta with any recommendations?  

[servicerifle]

As a former resident of NC, I would recommend staying at a Motel 6 for a real "feel" of Charlotte.  Yeah, that's about right.

For Atlanta, I'm sure they have a Hyatt.  That would suit the city, I think.  Either that or some place with "Magnolia" in the name.

Does that help?  (Honestly Charlotte isn't the kind of place I'd go "sightseeing" though Atlanta can be pretty darn fun).

[chromekid01]

Well I am from Atlanta and as a matter of fact only left a month ago, What kind of food are you feeling like?
what kind of dress code if any are you looking for Tavern on the green would be real nice and there are many others as well it just all depends on your tastes.

PM me and I'll help any way I can

[CafeTBird]

As a former resident of NC, I would recommend staying at a Motel 6 for a real "feel" of Charlotte.  Yeah, that's about right.

Geez - SR is so FOS.  Some folks in NC have been sleeping right through it, but Charlotte has developed quite a night life downtown in the past several years.  I imagine he has totally missed this. With the stadiums and new museums have come some great restuarants and hotels.  

There are at least a half dozen 4 and 5 star hotels spread across town.  For a classy night, I'd Priceline a room at the Westin downtown.  If this is out of your range, go for the Mariott City Center.  For dinner, try Blue - a trendy Jazz club.  If Blue is too pricey, I recommend the Cajun Queen, or for a down home feel, Mert's Heart and Soul.

As the #2 financial center in the U.S., Charlotte is really becoming a great place to live.  You probably couldn't go wrong with much in the downtown area.

[servicerifle]

Scot, you could be right.  Growing up in NC Charlotte was never a place to linger...it was always just on the way to an ultimate destination.  I was just there last year too, but maybe once you get in the mindset that there is no particularly innate draw (other than Carowinds for kids) then it's hard to depart that.  Really, I bet most W-S, Greensboro, Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill folks just see Charlotte as "that unexplainably large city" down there near SC.  

[ChuckBecker]

There are at least a half dozen 4 and 5 star hotels spread across town.  For a classy night, I'd Priceline a room at the Westin downtown.  If this is out of your range, go for the Mariott City Center.  For dinner, try Blue - a trendy Jazz club.  If Blue is too pricey, I recommend the Cajun Queen, or for a down home feel, Mert's Heart and Soul.

Thanks for the recommendations!  We'll probably hit Cajun Queen for dinner.

[CafeTBird]

Scot, you could be right.  Growing up in NC Charlotte was never a place to linger...it was always just on the way to an ultimate destination.  I was just there last year too, but maybe once you get in the mindset that there is no particularly innate draw (other than Carowinds for kids) then it's hard to depart that.  Really, I bet most W-S, Greensboro, Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill folks just see Charlotte as "that unexplainably large city" down there near SC.  

Yeah - having grown up in Raleigh - I used to feel that way.  But Charlotte has grown up quite a bit in the past several years.  It is actually a city now!  The stadium, downtown district, and light rail system have matured it quite a bit.  You need to stay downtown (aka - uptown) and check out a concert some time when you get back from Bishkek.

Enjoy your journey, Chuck.  When will you be passing through?

[ChuckBecker]

We'll spend the evening of the 1st in Charlotte, evening of the 2nd in Atlanta.  Planning on taking 10 or 12 days to get to San Fran.

[bogthing]

Thursday night at the Vortex in L5P is bike night. Good burgers and sometimes interesting tootsies working the joint. Lot's of good drinking emporiums in the neighborhood as well. Hotels-a-plenty downtown.

http://www.thevortexbarandgrill.com/

[ChuckBecker]

Quick update, we're in Charlotte as planned.  Staying at the Quality Inn by the airport (pet friendly and free wireless internet).  For $70/night it beats a lot of other places I've stayed that cost more.  We ate at Macs BBQ (and speed shop).  It's a Harley/Biker theme place, but the food was GOOD, portions HUGE, prices REASONABLE.  There were even a few bikes that weren't Harleys (and some nice Harleys, too).  We won't be able to claim any "authentic North Carolina experience", but no disasters on the first night of our cross country, either.

[cultureslayer]

Good luck with the trip.

One of my favorite tattoo shops is in Atlanta (world famous, I'm super picky) but I doubt you want to pick up that kind of souvenir.  

[evilted]

Today is the best day to be in Atlanta all week as far as the weather goes.  Looks like you'll be missing Bike Night though, as that's tomorrow.  Actually, I imagine a lot of us will be missing it unless the forecast clears up.

But you should hit the Vortex tonight anyway for one of their burgers.  

[CafeTBird]

Well, that is the location of our Euro Bike Night each 2nd Tuesday.  On that night, there is nary a Harley in the place - maybe a few Buells though!

Heading uptown to Merts tonight for some soul food and to catch LeBron James beat up on the Bobcats....  

We ate at Macs BBQ (and speed shop).  It's a Harley/Biker theme place, but the food was GOOD, portions HUGE, prices REASONABLE.  

[Sign Guy]

Use to travel to Charlotte on a regular basis. I'd recommend the Hilton Gardens downtown. There is a very good Italian Restaurant that is with in about a mile and a half. Don't recall the name but it was VERY good and I'd think w/o too many glasses of Chianti well within your budget. If slightly more exotic fare is wanted there is an Ethiopian place in the same building as the Italian place. There is also an area of town that has some very authentic Vietnamese places; couldn't tell you where, I stumbled across the area calling a client. As for ATL, live near and don't go there unless I have to.

[ChuckBecker]

Good luck with the trip.

One of my favorite tattoo shops is in Atlanta (world famous, I'm super picky) but I doubt you want to pick up that kind of souvenir.  

I got my one and only (Royal Dragon on the back of my shoulder) at Ricky's in Hong Kong, 1973.  I'm very happy with that, although it definitely needs to be re-colored.  That's the wide needle part, and I'm in no rush.......

[ChuckBecker]

Atlanta update (still no exciting local color).  We're staying at the Quality Inn on Ranchwood (by Northlake Mall).  Had dinner at Viollete, absolutely awesome.  We were expecting the usual French restaurant "elf food", but were surprised by very generous portions.  The food was sublime, the experience most pleasant.  Driving back on Briarcliff checked out the local housing market.  I'm ready to stop right here, phone our agent to sell our place in Calif and settle down.  Cathie's not going for it.  More tomorrow night from Nashville.  And thanks for the ideas and feedback!

[evilted]

Dang, if I'd thought of it I could have invited you to our monthly RAT pack meeting at the Highlander pub, but I forgot all about it until someone sent me a text asking if I was going.

[cultureslayer]

I got my one and only (Royal Dragon on the back of my shoulder) at Ricky's in Hong Kong, 1973.  I'm very happy with that, although it definitely needs to be re-colored.  That's the wide needle part, and I'm in no rush.......

Where are you living now?

Nate was my guy at All or Nothing.  He's moved to Houston (I45 ink) and I can say that he's really good and it didn't hurt that much (he worked on me for 2 hours without a break).  Some of the guys still at All or Nothing are good, some I don't like as much.

[ChuckBecker]

Where are you living now?

Nate was my guy at All or Nothing.  He's moved to Houston (I45 ink) and I can say that he's really good and it didn't hurt that much (he worked on me for 2 hours without a break).  Some of the guys still at All or Nothing are good, some I don't like as much.

San Francisco, my wife and I are driving home (hence the trip through Region 5).  Nashville was another Quality Inn (racking up the bonus points, I guess).  We drove down to the Loveless Cafe for dinner, it was extremely worthwhile.  Friday and Saturday we were in Paducah, Ky (Cathie is a quilter and Paducah is the capital of quilting).  Dinner at CCCohen's was highly forgettable, but Sat night we ate at Cythia's Ristorante and it was superb (but $$$).  We're in Kansas City tonight, ate at Fiorella's Jack Stack BBQ, another win.  Thanks for the comments and recommendations!

[cultureslayer]

San Francisco, my wife and I are driving home (hence the trip through Region 5).  Nashville was another Quality Inn (racking up the bonus points, I guess).  We drove down to the Loveless Cafe for dinner, it was extremely worthwhile.  Friday and Saturday we were in Paducah, Ky (Cathie is a quilter and Paducah is the capital of quilting).  Dinner at CCCohen's was highly forgettable, but Sat night we ate at Cythia's Ristorante and it was superb (but $$$).  We're in Kansas City tonight, ate at Fiorella's Jack Stack BBQ, another win.  Thanks for the comments and recommendations!

Sounds like fun!  Farthest west I have been on the bike (or in a car) is St. Louis, need to change that.  Thanks for the tip on Paducah, I'll avoid it like the plague if my mom is around.  

I have no idea about who is good as far as west coast ink.  

[ChuckBecker]

I have no idea about who is good as far as west coast ink.  

I don't keep up any more.  The only thing I'd be interested in is getting my dragon recolored, anyway.  But if you post in the Kitchen Sink at www.bayarearidersforum.com you'll got swamped with good advice.  SF has a very active ink culture going.

[cultureslayer]

I don't keep up any more.  The only thing I'd be interested in is getting my dragon recolored, anyway.  But if you post in the Kitchen Sink at www.bayarearidersforum.com you'll got swamped with good advice.  SF has a very active ink culture going.

Sadly, grad school is going to prevent me from taking any epic cross country trips, and riding back with fresh ink would probably be a bad idea.  

Hope you had some fun on the road.

[ChuckBecker]

Feeling like I owe an update, we're in Reno tonight, home to the SF Bay Area tomorrow.  Our last night of freedom on the road, for a few months at least.  My best tip of the whole trip?  Ride to Grand Junction, Colorado.  Stay anywhere, but eat at "Bin 707".  Somehow, someway, someone opened the BEST STEAKHOUSE IN THE COUNTRY in Grand Junction, CO.  Oh, the winelist matches the food.  I shuddered, I grimaced, I flinched, but ordered a bottle of the Palisade Red (Palisade, CO).  Best dinner of the trip!  Thanks to all for your recommendations and support.  Dinner for three, with wine and dessert, $108.

[JRinNC]

Charlotte is a dump.

[CafeTBird]

Charlotte is a dump.

JR is clueless  

Now Jax FL - THERE is a dump for ya!

[JRinNC]

Hey, I resemble that remark!