Where to Eat, Drink, Play and Stay in Charlotte

Author's Note: This Staycation was sponsored in part by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority.
However, my family and I also spent our own money for many of the destinations mentioned in this guide in order to offer you guys an authentic experience and review of some of the best Charlotte has to offer. All thoughts, opinions and photos (unless otherwise indicated) are my own. 

If you follow me on Instagram, by now you've probably had the chance to check out some of my recent photos of our Charlotte Staycation. It's amazing how you can spend years in city, and never fully get the chance to enjoy it. This past weekend changed that for the A Team. We were able to explore every nook and cranny of the Queen City and share some quality time at some of our favorite places.

Since I believe sharing is caring, today, I'm sharing some highlights from our Charlotte Staycation. So if you're local, or intend to visit Charlotte sometime in the near future, think of this as your unofficial Charlotte Travel Guide. Here's where to eat, drink, play and stay in Charlotte, North Carolina.

75 Restaurants where Kids Eat Free (or Dirt Cheap)

Why pay for something when you can have it for free?

As a general rule of thumb, parents have a much better time taking their kids out to eat when the meal is free.  And as it turns out, that old cliché "nothing in life is free" isn't true. Thankfully.

From Applebees to Texas Roadhouse, here are 75 restaurants that offer either free, or dirt cheap kids meals that even your pickiest eaters will enjoy! If you find this post useful, feel free to repin to bookmark for later or retweet to share with friends and family!

Please Note: It's always wise to call the restaurant location you plan on attending to get your free kids meal before you head out. Some of the individual restaurants may choose to opt out of the promotion or have slight differences in the days or offerings.

Quick and Easy Patriotic Bandanna Tablecloth

This simple no sew patriotic bandanna tablecloth will add a festive touch to your Fourth of July celebration!

If you live in the South you know BBQ's are pretty much how we celebrate everything. Just had a wedding? Fire up the grill. Celebrating a graduation? Fire up the grill? Just got out on probation? Check with your parole officer first, and then fire up the grill. It should come to no surprise that Fourth of July is typically celebrated with copious amounts of beer, laughter, and a good ole' fashion BBQ.

Red, White and Blueberry Patriotic Parfait

4th of July is right around the corner, and today I'm sharing the recipe for the simple and beautiful Red White and Blueberry Patriotic Parfait

Summers are a typically time for barbecues, family picnics, and eating outdoors. Now that the kids are home for the Summer, you probably won't have as much time to dedicate to preparing a time-consuming dish. This Red, White and Blueberry Patriotic Parfait is the perfect problem to your cooking woes. Plus it's the perfect dessert to serve at your 4th of July gathering this year!