My teenage son and I are returning from Rome to LA July 22nd with an overnight layover in Charlotte (did it to get business class with miles--seemed cheaper to spend a night in Charlotte, and I know the airport is lovely!). Arriving around 4 PM and have a flight to LAX around 9:30 AM next day. I would like suggestions--I would prefer not to rent a car for such a short time but I don't particularly want to stay right at the airport--are there hotels with shuttles (not looking to spend a fortune at the end of the trip)? Also, I thought it would be a fun contrast after Europe to go out for some Carolina BBQ, but can we get somewhere good without a car? My son would love to be able to take a drive around town, because he thinks he might like to live there some day--are there taxis/ car services not too expensive? Thanks!

Good idea not to stay out at the airport - not a lot of good choices there and not a great area.

You should be able to find something nice downtown for not a lot of money then take the light rail a short distance to Mac's Speed Shop for BBQ. Cab to/from the airport isn't a lot of money, but if you want to drive around and see the town, you need to rent a car.

Brian's advice is good about Mac--and the light rail.
Brian, what was the other BBQ place that got such good press for the "face off" in the paper?
Well, I looked it up and this is what I found, which is just down the street from Mac's. I think there was another, but this is also good BBQ.
Bill Spoon's Barbecue!
Bill Spoon's Barbecue is thrilled to win the "Best BBQ in Charlotte" award on About.com! Since our restaurant was founded in 1963, a lot has changed, but our recipes are still original and our true southern hospitality has remained the same. We pride ourselves on the food we serve, the in's and out's of cooking our Eastern NC style barbecue to perfection, and growing our Spoon's family with each customer who walks through our doors- from our local weekly lunch crowd to the new faces we see each day. We are humbled to know that we continue to be Charlotte's favorite BBQ spot!
- Steve Spoon Jr., Owner of Bill Spoon's Barbecue -
Bill Spoon's Barbecue
5524 South Blvd
Charlotte, NC 28217
(704) 525-8865

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Thanks--I will look into this info.

The light rail would also go to Spoon's. JUst an FYI.
Mac's is an interesting place--a "biker" joint opened by a very good restauranteur in Charlotte because he's a "biker". GREAT food--pulled pork and ribs and all other things.
You can probably get a good place downtown on Hotwire or such. And it would be fun to walk around. charlotte is getting the big city vibe these days.

Any idea of taxi cost and length of trip from airport to downtown hotel?

How does one take light rail--is that like a trolley car?

Thanks

Light rail may be a little bit of a hike to either of the restaurants we've mentioned from the stations near them. It is "light rail"--railroad tracks, etc., not a trolley.
I'm not sure how much a cab would be--it isn't far from downtown, and for two of you, might not be a whole lot more that RT with the light rail.
You may need to decide how to get to your hotel and back (Hotel shuttle maybe, maybe not) as to whether you rent a car for a day. It probably would not be worth it just to get to a resto, but if you have to cab to your hotel, it would be.

Interesting. why does your teenage son think he might be interested in Charlotte? ;o)

He visited friends in Asheville once and, being a native Californian, thinks North Carolina seems like a pleasant, green place to live. Then we flew into Charlotte a couple of years ago to connect to LA, and he was admiring how green and "like a normal American town" it looked from above.

We shall see!

Thanks for the advice.

Oh, he has it JUST right!! It's a great place. ;o) Good town for young people.

Taxi to/from airport to downtown hotels is $25 flat rate each way. Should take about 15 minutes.