48-hour guide: How to spend the weekend in Charlotte with event planner Katrina Hutchins

This story is proudly presented by Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority – our partner in exploring the Queen City. When you’re hosting out-of-town guests, snag weekend itinerary inspiration here.

Meet Your Tour Guide

Who: Katrina Hutchins
Neighborhood: Myers Park
Time in Charlotte: 9 years. I moved here after finishing my masters program at The University of Michigan. My husband is a banker (how creative) and asked me to marry him — so here I am! Wouldn’t change it for the world.

From Katrina: I am the owner and principal planner of Katrina Hutchins Events, which I started in 2011. Before that, I was a healthcare management consultant for a firm out of Chicago. I took a leap of faith and completely switched careers, abandoned a stable salary and started my own business. I was 24. I was scared. I have zero regrets. If you feel it in you to do the same — do it. Don’t let your ego and pride get in the way. People will doubt you. You will have naysayers. I still do. You do you and forget the rest. I am a wife to Hutch and have two boys — Callahan (5) and Row (3). It’s wild times in our household filled with lots of wrestling and Legos.

Here’s how I’d spend a weekend with college friends visiting our city.

FRIDAY: Chill afternoon and late night Transfusions

Relaxing afternoon: I normally pick my kids up from preschool at 2:30 p.m. (mom-life) and relax at home, but with friends in town I’d head to Resident Culture. After that, I’d drive across town to Mere’s in Dilworth for a glass of wine and a charcuterie board.

Dinner: After a quick pitstop at home to throw some dry shampoo in my hair, I’d consider heading to one of the 15 new restaurants that opened in Charlotte this week. But then I’d retreat to a tried and true favorite like O-Ku, Good Food on Montford or Stagioni.

Drinks: If we DO get crazy (twice a year), you’d find us at Dilworth Tasting Room after dinner followed by a late night at Selwyn Pub trying to relive our glory days (with Transfusions in hand).

SATURDAY: Healthy morning with ramen for dinner

Breakfast: I’d relieve Hutch (my husband) from his typical Saturday morning pancake duty, and we’d head to Living Kitchen for smoothies.

Sweat: Now it’s time for Hilliard Studio Method. Those ladies never disappoint on the ass-kicking level. I love bringing out-of-town friends here too for a new workout to show them something unique.

Shop: After the workout, it’s time for a little mom shopping time. I’d head over to the new House of Nomad store Myers Park and peruse for a new coffee table book or a pair of candlesticks from Bali — if I can’t travel the world anymore, I can at least pretend I went shopping in Bali! I love to support local.

Lunch: A new favorite we like to show-off is Optimist Hall. There is something for everyone (Papi Queso, Bao & Broth, The Dumpling Lady), lots of local vendors, and it’s easy on the eyes. The views of Uptown are insane too — great for out of town friends to see!

Watch football: You’ve got to watch college football on a fall afternoon. Either we’d cozy up on my sofa or head to a brewery like OMB that the kids may be semi-accepted (great play area for kids).

Dinner: The babysitter is back — PRAISE. Last night’s dinner and lunch were super heavy, so we head to Futo Buta for some Miso Ramen and Rice Crispy Squares. A trip into South End is always a must to show people that Charlotte really IS a “big city”(insert eye roll), and “OMG you have a train!?” We sit outside on the light rail and enjoy views of the Duke Energy Building’s nightly light show.

IPA time: After ramen, we’d bop over to Wooden Robot to enjoy an Overachiever IPA and marvel at all of the “young kids” and lament about our younger days. It’s 9 p.m., we are the oldest people in the place — time to go home.

SUNDAY: Panthers game day

Beverage: We normally do Myers Park Presbyterian every Sunday, but with friends in town, we clamor to get out the door to go watch the Panthers play. We start at Angeline’s in Uptown and get the magnum mimosa special —$28 and oh-so-good. Then we take the short walk to Bank of America Stadium, where there’s a  50-50 chance on a W or a L for the cats.

Dinner: Friends take an Uber to the airport and we Uber back to Myers Park where we Postmates Yama for hibachi and sushi. Exhausted. Monday morning we get the kids ready for school, and it’s back to work for both of us. The weekends go by way too fast!