Locals know a great night out in Charlotte begins and ends at K Lounge, where our expert bartenders infuse cocktails with ingredients from the garden atop The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte. Try a smoked old fashioned or one of our signature cocktails. Reservations are strongly recommended at Barrington’s, the Bruce Moffett institution beloved for its elegant seasonal plates, at Church & Union, the hip steakhouse crowned by an elaborate ceiling and Chef Jamie Lynch’s decadent menu, or Leah & Louise, with its' signature Southern-inspired cuisine.

Experience the ultimate Southern charm with a customized pampering session that makes time stand still. Want to spa like a local? Do as the Southern belles do and reserve the city’s prettiest pedi: the ultimate honey and chocolate pedicure, an almost hourlong treatment that nourishes, repairs and transforms nails, feet and legs. If you’ve arrived from a long flight, ask the concierge to arrange for a Southern hot stone massage, which uses warm volcanic stones and intuitive pressure to hit reset on tired muscles and send you off to dreamland.

North Carolina has several cities worth exploring, so save room in your itinerary for a day trip or two. Asheville, nestled between the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky mountains, is a two-hour drive from Charlotte and has emerged as a top destination known for phenomenal dining, creativity and nature. Hike the vast Pisgah National Forest or North Carolina Arboretum, then explore the city’s top-notch craft breweries and locavore restaurants and bars. Also within easy reach of Charlotte: Lexington, for aficionados of barbecue and wine, and Winston-Salem, where you can take in a NASCAR race, tour world-class art in a former tobacco baron’s mansion and sample Southern soul food.

Thrill seekers should visit the U.S. National Whitewater Center, a 1,300-acre complex devoted to outdoor adventure on the Catawba River. The center offers activities for all skill levels, from kayaking and rafting to zip-lining and rock climbing. Head to the lakefront oasis of Freedom Park to kick off local joggers’ favorite run, the 3-mile “Booty Loop.” The park is also a great place for a tranquil picnic or, in season, to see art; the next iteration of the annual Festival in the Park — Charlotte’s oldest arts event — takes place every September.

Morning

Bon Appétit. Start your day at The Market on 7th Street, just a short walk from The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte. With vendors ranging from creperies to bakeries, there’s a morning treat for all tastes.

The Marvelous Malls. No visit to the Queen City is complete without paying homage to Charlotte’s upscale retail mecca, otherwise known as SouthPark Mall, home to more than 175 of the world’s top retailers, from Anthropologie to White House Black Market. Just down the street from the hotel, the newly revitalized South End boasts such staples as Lululemon, Sephora and West Elm.

Midday

Go for a Spin. Pick up a complimentary Trek bicycle from The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte and take a leisurely ride along the 4.5-mile Charlotte Rail Trail — a former rail line-turned-paved pathway that winds through the heart of Charlotte, past cafés, bars, galleries and even artists at work. Cruise over to the Little Sugar Creek Greenway, which offers sweeping views of the Charlotte skyline and a paved path that runs alongside a restored creek.

Afternoon

Brewery Crawl. Charlotte is known for its vibrant craft brewing scene, and the high volume of breweries in the trendy South End neighborhood make it ideal for a DIY tour. Start at Lenny Boy Brewing Co. and work your way back toward Uptown via Hopfly Brewing, Triple C. Brewing Co., Wooden Robot Brewery and Resident Culture. Be sure not to miss Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, which is Charlotte’s oldest brewery.

Evening

Local Dinner. A local favorite in the artsy NoDa neighborhood, Haberdish serves some of the best Southern food and craft cocktails in town. Or try Leah and Louise at Camp North End – a Southern-inspired juke joint, with authentic southern dishes.

VIP Style. Keep the evening going with post-dinner cocktails at The Imperial, a classic refined cocktail and jazz lounge in Uptown.

Morning

Get the Instagram Shot. You’ve never seen a sculpture quite like “Firebird,” standing 17.5 feet tall in the plaza of the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. Designed by French-American artist Niki de Saint Phalle, the whimsical creature covered in mirrored glass has been dubbed “Disco Chicken.”

The Must-See Museum. The main road through Uptown, Tryon Street, is lined with skyscrapers, restaurants and museums. Make it a point to visit the Levine Museum of the New South, which provides a fascinating look at the American South post-Civil War through the lens of Charlotte and the surrounding area.

Midday

Relax and De-Stress. Saturday Morning Yoga at Lenny Boy Brewing Company. A weekly yoga series in a relaxing environment to release the stress of the week. Finish off with a kombucha to enhance the healthy balance.

Afternoon

Olympic Dreams. Experience the thrill of the outdoors at the U.S. National Whitewater Center. The 1,300-acre complex is an official Olympic Training Center for whitewater slalom racing and home to the world’s largest man-made whitewater river. This is the place to try whitewater rafting, kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding.

Adventure Pursuits. The U.S. National Whitewater Center isn’t just water. There are 14 miles of forested trails for runners, mountain bikers and hikers, along with a 1,123-foot zip-line, an aerial adventure park, and one of the largest outdoor man-made rock-climbing walls in the South.

Evening

A Dinner to Remember. Located in a restored mid-century church in Plaza Midwood, Supperland is a southern steakhouse boasting a vibrant garden, a private wine room, and a Speakeasy below the Bar.

Music Experience. Relax by the fireplace in K Lounge with signature drinks as the Smoked Olde-Fashioned, champagne-infused cocktails while listening to our resident live jazz music.

Morning

Breakfast of Champions. Church and Union offers a wonderful selection of delicacies of Southern food, made from seasonal and local ingredients. Try the Avocado toast, delectable fried chicken biscuit, Queen’s breakfast with locally grown Harmony Ridge farm eggs, and finish your meal with the Sweet Home Carolina chocolate cake.

Midday

The Most Charming Neighborhood. There’s perhaps no better example of Charlotte’s artful blend of 100-year-old Victorian homes with urban apartments, modern businesses and city parks than the Fourth Ward. This charming neighborhood is best viewed from a horse-drawn carriage, with Charlotte Center City Carriage Tours.

Tee Time. Charlotte is wild about golf. The private Quail Hollow Club has hosted both the Wells Fargo Championship and the PGA Championship, but you don’t have to be a pro to work on your swing in Charlotte. Head to Puttery, an immersive mini golf venue with delicious food, drinks and a lively atmosphere featuring music.

Afternoon

Back-to-Back Distilleries. Craft distilleries are hot, and Charlotte is at the helm of the trend in the American South. Head to the LoSo (short for Lower South End) neighborhood, where two of the finest, Sugar Creek Brewing Company and Brewers at 4001 Yancey, are just a short stroll away.

Evening

Final Taste. Complete your visit to Charlotte with dinner at BLT Steak, a modern American steakhouse with French-influenced cuisine from renowned chef Laurent Tourondel. This unique Charlotte steakhouse integrates traditional elements of a cozy French bistro with those of a stylish, urbane boîte.