madana

We are driving from NJ to visit family in Atlanta at the end of the month. Out two daughters are ages 11 and 8. We'd like to stop overnight somewhere to break up the trip. We'll be taking route 81 to Charlotte. Any suggestions on where to spend the night?

starrs

If you want to enjoy time in the mountains, take a little detour to Boone, NC.
If you want to stay closer to the interstate and liked Andy Griffith's show set in Mayberry, stop in Mt. Airy, NC.
If you want just to make more time, stay in Statesville, NC.
If you want to take a non-81 route, stay in South Hill, VA at the Best Western.

suewoo

^^^^ All good recs. I would add (if you don't want to go as far) Charlotteville and Monticello.

starrs

If your girls have seen the show, take them for a ride in a squad car - http://www.tourmayberry.com/Tour_Info.html

suewoo

Maybe Barney will shoot himself in the foot.

madana

So we decided to stay in Charlotte. Any suggestions as to where to stay and eat?

Gretchen

I couldn't figure out Starrs suggestion of Statesville for sure.
There are nice places right off I77. The Embassy Suites are nice although the building is UgLY!! Our financial advisor often stays there. There is also a Holiday Inn-this is at the Woodlawn exit. The Renaissance is a bit further off the highway but not far.
another exit down is the Tyvola Road exit and you can get to the SouthPark area from there--several miles. Lots of good restaurants and shopping area.
Not far from the Embassy Suites there is Mac's Speed Shop==voted the best BBQ in town.
There is also our favorite Vietnamese restaurant near there on South Blvd (as is Mac's)--Saigon Palace. These two places are within a mile/blocks.
Also not far is the South End area of charlotte with places to eat. What kinds of food do you like?

Gretchen

We have done that drive from NJ and it is a surprisingly easy drive--about 10-11 hours, which surprised us.