Well, then Gretchen, I don't understand why you couldn't tolerate a difference of opinion. I've lived in the area the same length of time and in the state my whole life which is a little longer. Good day.

I didn't think we had a difference of opinion. I was trying to add to your offerings.

And to just be really clear, my motives and integrity were really questioned which was my reason for posting that.

OK, gotten way off topic here......................

I hope both Caroline and I can be or have been of help. And I hope you'll ask any other questions you have before or during your visit==maybe it is even this weekend.
Enjoy yourself. And charlotte.
Your original question asked about places within an hour--and I think Fort Mill and Rock Hill would be worth the visit.
Concord-Kannapolis are to the north and feature Concord Mills Mall, an area on steroids on weekends in particular. There is also an IKEA store near there.
The South End area of the city is a fun shopping area, near downtown. One "institution" of charlotte in that area is Price's Chicken Coop, renowned for the best fried chicken "anywhere". It is all "to go".
Good luck.

Any BBQ places in the Charlotte metro area that are considered top-notch NC BBQ?

Yes. Mack's Speed Shop on South Blvd (near Woodlawn) is probably the best in charlotte. Spoon's is good also. I'll check with my minions to see if there are others. I'll also give you my recipe!!
On Central Avenue there is a fun place that serves southern comfort food--Dish. And across the street is The Penquin.
Up the road is Lexington, the BBQ capital of NC. If you are driving down from DC, you'll come right by.

I have forgotten a relatively new phenomenon in Charlotte--the food truck. There is food truck Fridays in an empty lot in South End with probably 10 trucks. And also I think on Saturdays. BUT the truck you need to look for if he is around is Pig Man Dan. He catered DD's wedding party and bar none, it is the best BBQ pork I have EVER eaten--whole hog. DD had also had his ribs at some other time and said they were out of sight. He caters a lot on weekends so isn't always in the food truck mix.
Here is another list of local BBQ.
I think Midwood is good also.

http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc...harlotte%2C+NC

Another thing I don't miss going to on Saturday morning is our regional Farmers' Market on York Road.

Mac's is good (the one on South Blvd), but Midwood Smokehouse is my favorite:

http://midwoodsmokehouse.com/

We'll need to try that one. Thanks.

Hope they are on the way.