Vibrant Piedmont Cities

Shopping, Art & Fabulous Food In Central NC

When women get together to do their favorite things, the agenda looks something like this: Shop, shop, unwind, shop some more, relax. In North Carolina, girlfriends looking for a cosmopolitan getaway weekend can find it either in Charlotte or the Triangle.

Upscale department stores dot the landscape at both ends of the Piedmont. Find your favorite designers at Sak’s Fifth Avenue in Raleigh’s Triangle Town Center and Nordstrom at the Streets at Southpoint in Durham, or at Neiman-Marcus at Charlotte’s SouthPark Mall. Or prowl the boutiques in Raleigh’s Cameron Village or in Charlotte’s charming Dilworth neighborhood. Bargain hunters can stalk their prey at Concord Mills near Charlotte or at Morrisville’s Outlet Mall.

After shopping, you and your entourage will need to refuel. In Charlotte, sophisticated dining and lodging are close at hand. Savor small plates of Mediterranean specialties and great wine in the sleek, see-and-be-seen setting of The Cowfish at SouthPark mall, then rest up at the Renaissance Charlotte at SouthPark. Or head to Uptown for dinner overlooking the city lights at Bentley’s on 27 and sleep sound in a luxury tower hotel. In Raleigh, find elegant dining options downtown at Fin’s, The Mint, or Posta Italian Grille in the new Marriott at the Convention Center, which has lush suites with skyline views. Or head to Cary, where you’ll find the beautifully prepared cuisine of Heron’s in the luxurious Umstead Hotel and Spa. In nearby Durham, you'll find plenty of fantastic food choices, from the locally grown distinctive NC cuisine at Watts Grocery to the upscale Four Square Restaurant.

Once you’ve rested up, you and your girlfriends can pause for cultural enrichment. In Charlotte, top off the weekend with a tour of The Mint Museum or a stroll through the quirky North Davidson Arts District. In the Triangle, treat yourself to a trip to the North Carolina Museum of Art and brunch at the Blue Ridge restaurant in Raleigh or head for the Nasher Museum of Art and its café in Durham.

You’ll find that North Carolina’s metropolitan areas boast big-city charm without the big-time hassle.

By Amber Nimocks

added: December 4, 2008

updated: May 2, 2012