15 New Ways to Experience Charlotte in 2015

Discover news places to dine, drink and discover this year in Charlotte, North Carolina  "In 2015, Charlotte becomes home to new restaurants, bars, breweries, sports teams and even roller coasters. Here are 15 news ways to experience Charlotte in 2015.  DINE 1. Treehouse Whiskey & Fork Treehouse Whiskey & Fork takes their namesake seriously; a sprawling tree in the middle of the space creates an eccentric, whimsical atmosphere that transports diners back to their treehouse-living childhood. The South Park restaurant serves up new American cuisine with creative twists on classic dishes and an emphasis on barbecue. 2. Tacos and Sushi at NC Music Factory  The NC Music Factory is a one-stop shop when it comes to food and entertainment with two new spots sure to suit any mood. Flavorful food fusing Tex-Mex and Gulf Shore cuisine makes Texicali Taco & Tequila Bar a fun, casual place to grab a margarita and tacos. Newly opened Eight Sushi Asian Kitchen serves up fresh sushi in an elegant atmosphere. 3. Yama Izakaya Authentic Japanese cuisine has arrived in Plaza Midwood. Yama Izakaya serves up Japanese small plates for sharing including a variety of classics such as edamame, yakitori and ramen. 4. Passion8 Passion8 opened in October 2006 in a small yellow house in Fort Mill and now has a new home on Elizabeth Avenue in Charlotte that boasts three dining areas including a 10-seat chef’s table (with a view of all the action), a mezzanine for private events and a bar area plus a much larger kitchen. Passion8 is devoted to using high-quality, seasonal ingredients from local farmers and producers. 5. RockSalt   Fourth generation oyster farmer Travis Croxton's seafood eatery, RockSalt, is set to debut in Charlotte’s restaurant scene this spring. The restaurant’s goal is to support local North Carolina products and farmers in addition to a bounty of seafood from the Carolinas and Virginia. DRINK  6. Craft Tasting Room & Growler The newly opened Craft Tasting Room and Growler in South End creates a sense of community by putting artisan producers and farmers of craft beer, cheese and meat all under one roof. Of Craft Growler Shop’s 36 taps, half are dedicated to local breweries and the other half are dedicated to regional brews and special edition beers. 7. Sycamore Brewing   Charlotte natives Justin and Sarah Brigham are bringing tasty craft beer to Charlotte using fresh ingredients and an all-natural brewing process. Sycamore Brewing opened with five beers on tap but now has 16 beers and four wines on tap. An old auto garage was renovated and refurbished with a lot of work and family love to house this new brewery. 8. Tank's Tap  Tank’s Tap in the 7th Street Public Market showcases the flavors of the growing North Carolina craft beer community with a focus on local Charlotte breweries. The bar features 12 beers on tap and 48 different varieties in bottles. Tank’s Tap also offers a growler fill station so guests can enjoy a cold one in the Market or can take their favorite beer home. 9. Red Clay Ciderworks  A seed that was planted in 1995 is coming to fruition in 2015 with the opening of Charlotte’s first cidery, Red Clay Ciderworks. The cidery got its start in Jay and Deanna Bradish’s garage and will be moving to a space in South End in spring of 2015. Red Clay will specialize in small batches of hard ciders made from locally sourced North Carolina apples. 10. Sugar Creek Brewing  Sugar Creek Brewing Company is committed to bringing high quality Belgian-inspired beer to Charlotte in a style and commitment representative of Belgian Trappist Monks. Occupying The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery’s old space on Southside Drive, Sugar Creek Brewing produces quality brews using top-shelf ingredients, secret spices and award-winning malt varieties. DISCOVER 11. Racing Insiders Tour Did you know that Charlotte is home to more than 90 percent of NASCAR teams? The Racing Insiders Tour is the perfect way for NASCAR fans or newcomers to get up close and personal with Charlotte’s motorsports community. The all-access, in-depth tour starts at the NASCAR Hall of Fame and continues to various race shops and other motorsports attractions in the Charlotte area. 12. Charlotte Independence  The USL Charlotte Independence, whose name refers to the May 1775 Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, will give Queen City soccer fans a new team to cheer for in 2015. Charlotte Independence will hit the field in the spring with game tickets ranging from $10 to $70. 13. 3H Market at Ballantyne Village  Ballantyne Village’s 3H Market features everything homegrown, homemade and handmade. Twice a week on Tuesdays and Saturdays, you’ll find local food, produce and products (everything from candles to stone jewelry to handmade soaps to chocolates). 14. Charlotte Premium Outlets  Charlotte Premium Outlets, an upscale outlet center 8 miles southwest of Uptown at I-485 and Steele Creek Road, features 100 retailers including a mix of stores with apparel, footwear, fashion accessories, leather goods, home furnishings and specialty brands. 15. Lost Hollow at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden A magical world has been unlocked and there’s a host of adventures waiting for the young and the young at heart in Lost Hollow at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. Guests can explore Lost Hollow’s three acres, which include meandering paths leading to Sunken Pond, The Aviary, Moon Keep and Fireplace Cave. And one for good luck... Carowinds is growing to new heights and is unleashing Fury 325, the world’s tallest and fastest giga coaster in spring 2015.  Click here to view the full article about What To Do in Charlotte in 2015. With so much to see and do, there is no better time to explore Charlotte. For more information on events, attractions, hotels, dining and more, go to charlottesgotalot.com or call the Visitor Info Center at (800) 231-4636. Get the latest updates at facebook.com/fan.charlottesgotalot, twitter.com/charlottgotalot, instagram.com/charlottesgotalot, pinterest.com/charlottgotalot and youtube.com/charlottesgotalot. About the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA)  The Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA) works to deliver experiences that uniquely enrich the lives of our visitors and residents. Through leadership in destination development, marketing and venue management expertise, the CRVA leads efforts to maximize the region’s economic potential through visitor spending, creating jobs and opportunities for the community. Brands supported by the CRVA include the Charlotte Convention Center, Time Warner Cable Arena, Bojangles’ Coliseum, Ovens Auditorium, NASCAR Hall of Fame, Visit Charlotte in conjunction with the region’s destination marketing brand, ‘Charlotte’s got a lot.’ For more information about Charlotte, visit charlottesgotalot.com." - A Press Release