Charlotte Luxury City Guide: Named after Queen Charlotte, the wife of King George III of England, and sometimes known as "The Queen City," Charlotte, North Carolina has rich history dating back to the 1769. Since then, Charlotte has been a bustling hub of industry from the site of the country's first gold rush to agriculture, textiles, railroads and most recently finance, being the second largest banking headquarters in the nation.

Today, Charlotte is much more than just a banking capital. It's is a cultural epicenter filled with cosmopolitan buildings, colorful characters, rich landscapes and more. For both visitors and residents, Charlotte offers live music, golf, museums, spas, festivals, luxury shopping, ballet, opera and plenty of romance. Not to mention being a NASCAR hotspot.

City Scene:
The dynamic and historically rich cultural city of Charlotte boasts and astounding array of neighborhoods to visit, whether it's for shopping and entertainment or exploring elegant Southern mansions.

Myers Park is one of Charlotte's oldest and most prestigious areas. Tree-lined streets boast historical marvels including Duke Mansion, the former home of Duke University founder James Buchanan Duke, which is now a bed and breakfast. Also check out the Mint Museum of Art.

Dilworth, one of Charlotte's streetcar-era neighborhoods, offers hip eateries, trendy boutiques, corner cafes and more, if you decide to stroll along East Boulevard.

In South Park, Charlotte's premiere luxury shopping destination, be sure to visit SouthPark Mall, and neighboring Phillips Place. Both have been touted as "One of the Four Best Places in the South for Luxury Shopping."

Must Sees and Do's:
NASCAR is big in Charlotte, with eighty percent of all NASCAR Sprint Cup teams headquartered within 50 miles of the city, as well as racetracks, the NASCAR Hall of Fame and various gift and retail shops within the city limits.

Discovery Place science center gives visitors the chance to see the IMAX Dome Theatre and the Charlotte Nature Museum as well as special permanent and visiting exhibitions.

The NC Blumenthal Performing Arts Center brings Broadway to the South. Check out touring Broadway shows as well as other special events and showings, including opera and ballet.

Charlotte also offers an impressive array of museums and art galleries, as well as cultural events and neighborhood festivals that draw thousands each year.

Wining and Dining:
Charlotte offers many more dining options than just your basic Southern-fried chicken. Many restaurants feature "farm-to-fork" menus as well as ethnic cuisines.

In Center City, Charlotte's main cultural and entertainment district, look for a wide variety of dining and nightlife options. Bentley's on 27 gives tableside presentations of exquisite American and French cuisine. The attentive staff and elegant cuisine is accompanied by an art glass collection and relaxed atmosphere.

Also in Center City are many of the city's best bars and nightclubs. From specialty venues that cater to man's best friend to Strike City's world-class bowling, there is always something to do in the Uptown area.

For the VIP:
Charlotte Helicopter Charters Concierge Services provides a professional staff to help you schedule your time in Charlotte. From helicopter tours and charters to making dining reservations, spa treatments and other special arrangements including limousine travel, the concierge specialists can make it happen.

To get around Charlotte in style, South Park Limousine Service provides, sedans, vans, limos and more.