'''SouthPark''' is a semi-urban district in south-central Charlotte. A hub of business and retail activity, it is also home to some of the city's most exclusive neighborhoods. In recent years SouthPark has experienced a sudden influx of midrise condominiums and office buildings to complement its suburban-style malls and business centers. It is still essentially an outlying area in relation to Charlotte's central districts, but SouthPark has become the city's primary destination for upscale shopping and dining.
Get in
Like most suburban areas, SouthPark is dominated by wide boulevards. Thus, the easiest method for exploring the district is the automobile. Most locales worth visiting are within seconds of a major street, and parking is adequate throughout the neighborhood. Major arteries include Providence Rd. (NC Hwy 16), Randolph Rd., Sardis Rd., and Rama/Fairview.
It is '''strongly''' advised that visitors obtain a street map of SouthPark before exploring the area. The neighborhood is notorious for its changing street names and complicated intersections.
The '''Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS)''' [http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/CATS/Home.htm] has a few bus lines that serve SouthPark, though they are generally not used by affluent southsiders. Bus routes #18, #20, and #29 connect SouthPark to neighborhoods north, including Uptown. Routes #30, #57, and #60 travel west, connecting to LYNX [http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/CATS/LYNX/home.htm] stations on the way. It is rather difficult to explore the neighborhood using only buses as transportation. Exercise judgment before using the buses as a last resort.
See
SouthPark is still primarily a residential neighborhood, and therefore offers little in the way of public attractions. There are many stately homes in the area that may be of interest, and the office-tower cluster at the center of the district makes a good photograph.
Do
Buy
'''SouthPark Mall''' [http://www.southpark.com/]. Charlotte's upscale shopping destination, including Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Macy's, Dillard's and Belk. This is the lynchpin of the rapidly-developing SouthPark neighborhood, about 15 minutes south of Uptown. The mall is reputed for having a slightly snobbish atmosphere, but the upscale shopping is the best in the area.
Phillips Place. Upscale shopping center with stores like Restoration Hardware and Dean & Deluca, and restaurants including The Palm Steakhouse, P.F. Chang's, and Upstream.
Morrison. Upscale shopping center with organic grocery store (Earthfare), bookstore Barnes & Noble, restaurants, and Furniture stores such as Stickley.
Eat
Baoding. 722 Sharon Rd. (Sharon Corners Shopping Center). 04-552-8899. One of Charlotte's best-reputed Chinese restaurants. Engaging decor and high-quality ingredients make this a relative bargain compared to its pricier competition.
Wolfman Pizza. 06 S Sharon Amity Rd # B. 04-366-3666. Award-winning gourmet pizza has made this small chain highly successful in Charlotte -- so much that their pizza can be found on local grocery shelves. Recommended for the discriminating pizza consumer.
La Bibliotheque. 901 Roxborough Rd (Across from SouthPark Mall). 04-635-5000. French-American fusion restaurant, with a sophisticated menu and an extensive wine list. Boasts of being voted Charlotte's most romantic restaurant. Reservations suggested.
Harper's. 518 Fairview Rd. 04-522-8376.
Il Posto Osteria. 908 Phillips Place Ct. 04-643-6070.
Manzetti_fs. 401 Morrison Blvd. 04-364-9334.
McCormick & Schmick_fs. 335 Barclay Downs Dr. 04-442-5522.
Morton_fs, The Steakhouse. 331 Barclay Downs Dr. 04-365-1330. Recently closed this SouthPark location, but Morton Uptown is still open for business.
Noble_fs. 801 Morrison Blvd. 04-367-9463.
The Palm Restaurant. 705-B Phillips Place Ct. (Phillips Place Shopping Center) . 04-552-7256.
Ruth_fs Chris Steak House. 000 Fairview Rd. 04-556-1115.
''Upstream''. 902 Phillips Place Ct. 04-556-7730.
Zebra. 521 Sharon Rd. 04-442-9525.
Del Frisco's. 725 Piedmont Row Drive Suite 170.
Brio. 720 Piedmont Row Drive. Upscale Italian restaurant.
Oceanaire Seafood Room. 620 Piedmont Row Dr.
P.F. Chang's China Bistro. 809 Phillips Place Ct # .
Rooster's Wood Fire Kitchen. 601 Morrison Blvd.
Arooji_fs Wine Room Ristorante. 20 Governor morrison st..
Yama Asian Fusion. 20 Governor Morrison Street.
Drink
Hotel Charlotte Restaurant. 05 S Sharon Amity Rd. 04-364-6955.
Sleep
Marriott Courtyard Charlotte SouthPark. 023 Park South Dr. 04-552-7333. ttp://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/cltex-courtyard-charlotte-southpark/.
'''Renaissance Charlotte SouthPark''', 5501 Carnegie Blvd, ''+1'' 704-501-2510, [http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/cltrp-renaissance-charlotte-southpark/]. A luxury Renaissance hotel just outside of downtown Charlotte North Carolina in the SouthPark area. $119-209.
Contact