A weekend in Charlotte, N.C.

Stay

Spacious contemporary guestrooms at Hyatt Place Charlotte/Arrowood feature signature bedding, oversized corner sofa-sleeper, wet bar; from $119 weekend nights with complimentary WiFi, continental breakfast. Two-night minimum stay rates from $164 include three single-day tickets to Carowinds, a 112-acre theme park (12 roller coasters) two miles from the hotel; charlottearrowood.place.hyatt.com, 7900 Forest Point Blvd., 704-522-8400.

Eat

Find the best burger in town along with fried pickles, dogs, cold beer (Pabst, Schlitz) and Cheerwine (cherry soda) at the Penguin Drive-In, $2-$5, 1921 Commonwealth Ave., 704-375-6959. Walk your take-out chicken dinner from Price's Chicken Coop a few blocks over to quiet Latta Park (510 E. Park Ave.). For less than $6 you get a quarter chicken, cole slaw, tater rounds, hushpuppies, roll; priceschickencoop.com, 1614 Camden Road., 704-333-9866.

Experience

A free, 90-minute guided walking tour through Uptown Charlotte is offered each Friday at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. from the Visitor Info Center, 330 S. Tryon St., 800-231-4636. Partake in several other guided and self-guided tours, free to $5, charlottecultureguide.com.

Moderate

Getting there

One-way rates from $79, 21-day advance to $229 with 3-day notice; AirTran, Delta, USAirways.

Stay

The Morehead Inn is a gracious Southern-style manor. Amenities include breakfast, complimentary coffee, tea, bottled water, soft drinks; use of inn bikes; WiFi. Terry robes and triple-sheeted beds are extra touches in guest rooms featuring period furnishings. Average rates from $179-$249 weekends, lower weekdays; moreheadinn.com, 1122 E. Morehead St., 704-376-3357.

Eat

Bonterra, awarded AAA Four Diamonds, is housed in a renovated 100-year-old church. Many small plates and appetizers complement wine tastings (100 red, 100 white by the glass) with other entrees from $19-$54; bonterradining.com, 1829 Cleveland Ave., 704-333-9463.

Experience

Stop by a couple of the race shops; raceshops.com. The 90-acre Hendrick Motorsports complex invites fans into auto and engine building shops and to the on-site museum housing a great collection of Dale Earnhardt cars and other memorabilia; free, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; hendrickmotorsports.com, 4400 Papa Joe Blvd., 704-455-3400. Lowe's Motor Speedway offers tours. Monday-Saturday, $5; lowesmotorspeedway.com, 5555 Concord Parkway, Concord, 800-455-3267.

Splurge

Getting there

Walk-up Business Class seats from $298; AirTran, Delta, USAirways.

Stay

Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge overlooks the 18th fairway of the Golf Club at Ballantyne. On site is a full-service spa, fitness center, walk/jog paths, indoor grotto pool. The "Spa Escape" package includes elegant accommodations, breakfast, a one-hour spa treatment, from $449, double. Non-package rates from $179; theballantynehotel.com; 10000 Ballantyne Commons Parkway, 704-248-4000.

Eat

An evening-long, chef's choice dinner (6 to 8 courses) is served at McNinch House Restaurant, an elegant Victorian landmark; $89 prix fixe, per person; mcninch

houserestaurant.com, 511 N. Church St., 704-332-6159.

Experience

Enjoy a night at the Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St. Andrew Lloyd Webber's "The Phantom of the Opera" is performed June 10-July 5 ($35-$70) and the joyous musical "The Color Purple" on Aug. 25-30 ($35-$125). For other cultural events, blumenthalcenter.org.