Four short days in Charlotte, NC - can we get by without a car?
Jun 12th, 2010, 07:56 AM
#1
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Four short days in Charlotte, NC - can we get by without a car?
I'm currently hunting down cheap fares for a long weekend of R&R and Charlotte, NC is under consideration.
The question is, can we get by without the expense of renting a car (and parking fees that go along with it) and still see something? We are considering staying at the Marriott which is located in the city center and hope we can travel by foot or bus.
Thoughts or recommendations?
Thanks!
The question is, can we get by without the expense of renting a car (and parking fees that go along with it) and still see something? We are considering staying at the Marriott which is located in the city center and hope we can travel by foot or bus.
Thoughts or recommendations?
Thanks!
Jun 12th, 2010, 09:33 AM
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NO. Pure and simple. I live here!! I LOVE Charlotte, and there is good stuff to be done here and the environs, but we are a "car city". I think you would want to do some things maybe outside the city, and even for getting to shopping and eating, you would want to drive.
You could stay at a hotel outside the city center and have free parking.
You could stay at a hotel outside the city center and have free parking.
Jun 12th, 2010, 12:43 PM
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I agree. If it was just a quick weekend, you could maybe get by enjoying uptown and some of the surrounding neighborhoods by foot (though it may be too hot to walk a lot - lord knows it is today), but with 4 days, you're going to want a car.
Jun 13th, 2010, 09:22 AM
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Speaking with experience regarding the public transit system, seems like the others have none, the question is unable to be answered as you typed it. It depends on where you want to go and what you want to see.
If your intentions are to remain low-key, yet have the ability to venture out, it is very possible to go the weekend without a rental. The reason for this, in your case, is because you're staying Uptown. Downside to Charlotte's transit system is the hub and spoke operation. Once outside of the hub, connecting and transferring to other bus routes is difficult and time consuming. Starting off with a destination and plans to return to the city following them, it shouldn't be an issue. Weekend schedules (Saturday is even different than Sunday's) operate less frequently, just like other city's transit systems.
You can purchase a weekly pass for 15$ until July 1. Then the pass rate is increasing to $17.50. One dilemma surrounding the weekly pass, it does NOT begin the "week" whenever the card is first used, it begins and ends on specific days. Sunday through Saturday. I purchase a monthly pass to avoid this. If there are two people and it happens to cover two weeks, it still may be better for you to buy the two weekly passes--$70 total. Another option is to buy a 10-ride local pass, $12.75 now and $15 after July 1, this is not a round trip pass, a transfer is offered though and are valid for one hour. Weekly pass allows you to use the LYNX rail whenever you want, 10-ride local pass requires a transfer card to ride the LYNX, otherwise purchasing a LYNX rail ticket is required.
There's a lot to absorb about this. Like I said, it depends on where you're going and what you're planning to do. If you truly need help discussing this, this forum is not the route to ask me questions as I was asked to provide my input and probably never look at the site again. Send me an email, jhaugens at gmail.com, and I'll help you further.
If your intentions are to remain low-key, yet have the ability to venture out, it is very possible to go the weekend without a rental. The reason for this, in your case, is because you're staying Uptown. Downside to Charlotte's transit system is the hub and spoke operation. Once outside of the hub, connecting and transferring to other bus routes is difficult and time consuming. Starting off with a destination and plans to return to the city following them, it shouldn't be an issue. Weekend schedules (Saturday is even different than Sunday's) operate less frequently, just like other city's transit systems.
You can purchase a weekly pass for 15$ until July 1. Then the pass rate is increasing to $17.50. One dilemma surrounding the weekly pass, it does NOT begin the "week" whenever the card is first used, it begins and ends on specific days. Sunday through Saturday. I purchase a monthly pass to avoid this. If there are two people and it happens to cover two weeks, it still may be better for you to buy the two weekly passes--$70 total. Another option is to buy a 10-ride local pass, $12.75 now and $15 after July 1, this is not a round trip pass, a transfer is offered though and are valid for one hour. Weekly pass allows you to use the LYNX rail whenever you want, 10-ride local pass requires a transfer card to ride the LYNX, otherwise purchasing a LYNX rail ticket is required.
There's a lot to absorb about this. Like I said, it depends on where you're going and what you're planning to do. If you truly need help discussing this, this forum is not the route to ask me questions as I was asked to provide my input and probably never look at the site again. Send me an email, jhaugens at gmail.com, and I'll help you further.
Jun 13th, 2010, 10:06 AM
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You can absolutely spend four days in Charlotte without a car.
Some of your choices will depend on your comfort level with walking and with public transit.
You'll be more comfortable too, staying out of the midday sun if it's a summer visit, and you can take advantage of cool mornings and evenings for walks.
Suggested itinerary:
Consider staying at the Blake Hotel on the edge of uptown Charlotte. Rates might be cheaper than the center city.
Day One:
Walk half a mile to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, about $20 to get in, but you can likely get in the gift shop for free. There are restaurants nearby.
It's just a few short blocks from there to the Bechtler Museum (gorgeous: see pix at http://underoak.blogspot.com/search?q=bechtler ), the Mint Museum of Craft and Design, the African American Culture Center and the Knight Theater. Swim at the Mecklenburg Aquatic Center across the street from your hotel.
Day Two:
Walk less than a mile to the Stonewall Street station of the Lynx light rail. Take it one or two stops south to South End, for eating and shopping. Don't miss Paper Skyscraper for shopping by walking a few blocks east on East Boulevard from the Lynx light rail. If you're there Tuesday through Saturday, visit the Atherton marketplace for fresh veggies. Take the Lynx back to the main transit station and catch a No. 9 bus to Plaza Midwood for dinner, drinks and perhaps music at a variety of restaurants and bars. Options: Zada Jane's, Soul Gastro Lounge, Thirsty Beaver, Thomas Street Tavern, Dish. Snug Harbor. Take the No. 9 bus back.
Day Three:
Get up really early, walk less than a mile to the Stonewall Street station of the Lynx light rail. Take it out to the end and catch the bus to Carowinds amusement park. Reverse the route by about 3:30 in the afternoon (before the summer thunderstorms start). Take a disco nap, then walk to center city for dinner.
Day Four:
Repeat whatever you liked the best. Or walk a few blocks to the Metropolitan for shopping at Best Buy, Target, Trader Joe's, or grab the (developing) greenway next to it and hike down to Freedom Park.
Some of your choices will depend on your comfort level with walking and with public transit.
You'll be more comfortable too, staying out of the midday sun if it's a summer visit, and you can take advantage of cool mornings and evenings for walks.
Suggested itinerary:
Consider staying at the Blake Hotel on the edge of uptown Charlotte. Rates might be cheaper than the center city.
Day One:
Walk half a mile to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, about $20 to get in, but you can likely get in the gift shop for free. There are restaurants nearby.
It's just a few short blocks from there to the Bechtler Museum (gorgeous: see pix at http://underoak.blogspot.com/search?q=bechtler ), the Mint Museum of Craft and Design, the African American Culture Center and the Knight Theater. Swim at the Mecklenburg Aquatic Center across the street from your hotel.
Day Two:
Walk less than a mile to the Stonewall Street station of the Lynx light rail. Take it one or two stops south to South End, for eating and shopping. Don't miss Paper Skyscraper for shopping by walking a few blocks east on East Boulevard from the Lynx light rail. If you're there Tuesday through Saturday, visit the Atherton marketplace for fresh veggies. Take the Lynx back to the main transit station and catch a No. 9 bus to Plaza Midwood for dinner, drinks and perhaps music at a variety of restaurants and bars. Options: Zada Jane's, Soul Gastro Lounge, Thirsty Beaver, Thomas Street Tavern, Dish. Snug Harbor. Take the No. 9 bus back.
Day Three:
Get up really early, walk less than a mile to the Stonewall Street station of the Lynx light rail. Take it out to the end and catch the bus to Carowinds amusement park. Reverse the route by about 3:30 in the afternoon (before the summer thunderstorms start). Take a disco nap, then walk to center city for dinner.
Day Four:
Repeat whatever you liked the best. Or walk a few blocks to the Metropolitan for shopping at Best Buy, Target, Trader Joe's, or grab the (developing) greenway next to it and hike down to Freedom Park.
Jun 15th, 2010, 03:43 PM
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Thanks for your responses -- very interesting responses.
...am curious as to your choice of CLT as a destination.
Well, I did a search on JetBlue! Actually the CHEAPEST fare was to Richmond, VA, but figured that might really be a stretch!
But, upon further reflection, I think I had a little brain fog and confused Charlotte for Charleston (since you mentioned it suewoo). I need to look at a map. Andriak, thanks for the itinerary!
...am curious as to your choice of CLT as a destination.
Well, I did a search on JetBlue! Actually the CHEAPEST fare was to Richmond, VA, but figured that might really be a stretch!
But, upon further reflection, I think I had a little brain fog and confused Charlotte for Charleston (since you mentioned it suewoo). I need to look at a map. Andriak, thanks for the itinerary!
Jun 15th, 2010, 05:34 PM
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You may have. We love charlotte, but as yet, it may not be a "destination". BUT andriak really did give some great ideas--and opened my eyes and brain. And our new "museum row" is going to be SPECTACULAR. The Bechtler is already a one of a kind modern art museum, and by later this year when all the museums are open, it's going to be just amazing. BUT enjoy the South.
Jun 15th, 2010, 09:58 PM
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Hi seetheworld, I am sure no expert to put it midly but OWJ and I visited Charleston and when we got there by car we had our hotel park our car and we enjoyed being in Charleston for three days without ever seeing our car. We stayed in the historical district. Another day or two would have been fine with me and I think possibly for OWJ also. FYI, our Fodorite GoTravel (who now goes under a different nick) had posted a long report regarding Charleston, SC shortly before we went there and so perhaps you can use the Search here on Fodor's to read her very good thread. Anyway, to enjoy Charleston you sure do not need a car although if you are flying you would need trasportation, taxi I guess, from the airport to your hotel.
Jun 16th, 2010, 03:34 AM
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What you say about CHARLESTON is totally true--it is a wonderful walking city. I think it's the most "European" city in the US in that respect. Of course, the rest of us were addressing it as titled, "Charlotte".
Jun 16th, 2010, 05:26 PM
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Flights into Charleston may not be any more expensive than Charlotte. And as much as I LOVE Charlotte, will join the other Charlotteans in saying, it isn't a destination YET. We really don't want you to be disapointed. Where are you coming from?
Jun 16th, 2010, 06:04 PM
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STW--Jet Blue doesn't fly to Atlanta so guess there's no way to get you to visit...so I recommend Charleston instead. LI summed up my feelings. I'm not putting down Charlotte--it's a great little city but not really a tourist destination. Another thought since your goal is to relax is Asheville, NC.
Jun 17th, 2010, 03:18 AM
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Until I read Andriak's wonderful post, I would have said that there is no such thing as four short days in Charlotte; they will feel very long indeed. The upcoming season may prove a problem for walking (heat, thunderstorms) but I have to rethink the city.
