How to spend 48 hours in Charlotte with local ballet dancer Shaina Wire

One thing every Charlottean should try at least once: “I’m obviously a little biased, but I’d say going to see a Charlotte Ballet performance. I also love heading to Boone and driving the Blue Ridge Parkway. And then you have to get a drink at Thirsty Beaver. That’s a must!”

What makes Charlotte special: “I’ve lived here for seven years and it’s been really awesome to see how much Charlotte has grown. I moved from Manhattan and I grew up in a really small town in New Jersey. I feel like Charlotte is a really good middle ground. There’s always something happening, but it’s not too fast-paced. It feels like home to me.”

Here’s Shaina’s perfect weekend itinerary for entertaining out-of-town friends or family.

Friday: Al Mike’s and drinks

We’d start with dinner at Alexander Michael’s in Fourth Ward.

• Their “What It Is,” which is a cajun pasta, is just so good.
• After that, we’d go to Caroline’s Oyster Bar in the J.W. Marriot.
• We love their oysters, and their signature old fashioned is so good that my fiancé and I bought the bitters that they use so we can recreate the drink at home.

Saturday: Coffee, comedy and cocktails

Undercurrent Coffee in Plaza Midwood is my favorite.

• I always get their vanilla latte and a breakfast sandwich.
• They have a great patio, so we’d sit outside and do some people-watching.

Grabbing some greenery: Next, we’d head to Oakdale Greenhouse.

• I love plants, and probably 95% of the plants in our house came from there.
• It’s a great place to shop around.

Time for some laughs: After that, we’d do The Funny Bus.

• That’s my mom’s favorite thing to do when she visits, and anytime she brings a new family member she’s like, “We have to do it!”

• It’s a great way to learn some history and see new places.
• The bus always stops at Rhino Market, so we’d have their club (sandwich) for lunch.

NoDa for dinner and drinks: For dinner, we’d head to Haberdish.

• We always get the fried chicken and the house pickles.
• We also love their purple cabbage and the banana pudding.
• Their Barrel-Aged Black Manhattan is excellent.
• My fiancé gets the Spring Fever, which is a tequila-based drink.
• After dinner we’d go to Idlewild or their sister spot Fairweather.
• Fairweather’s Manhattan is made with chai and vanilla, which I love.

A Sunday send-off

On our last day, we’d head to Workman’s Friend.

• I used to live right near there, so it’s always been a staple for me.
• Their Working Man’s burger is great.
• You have to get the chips — basically a massive bag of french fries.

This story is proudly presented by Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. The editorial selection is not influenced or endorsed by this sponsor.