1. Carolinas Medical Center–Pineville
City: Pineville, NC
Category: Health Care
Telephone: (704) 667-1000
Address: 10628 Park Rd.
Description: Formerly known as Mercy Hospital South, CMC–Pineville opened in 1987 and today is the hub of a growing medical community in south Charlotte. The full-service hospital has 109 beds and is in the midst of a $174-million expansion project that will add 285,000 new square feet and approximately 100 beds by 2013. These enhancements will transform CMC-Pineville into a leading tertiary care center, building on a comprehensive selection of services that includes an open heart surgery program, comprehensive surgical services, and one of the community’s busiest obstetrical units.Also available are a 24-hour emergency department; three intensive care units for premature newborns, adult, and those who need specialized cardiac care; a sleep center; a diagnostic center; cardiopulmonary services; and physical therapy. The maternity center was the first in the area to offer homelike labor/delivery/recovery suites. Today the center has expanded to 22 suites with whirlpool tubs, a Web nursery, and the neonatal ICU. The hospital’s imaging center has state-of-the-art equipment. CMC–Pineville has won national Top Performer awards for patient satisfaction in quality of care.
2. Trio
City: Pineville, NC
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (704) 541-8000
Address: 10709 McMullen Creek Parkway
Description: With all the chain restaurants in Pineville, it’s easy to overlook Trio. Make sure you don’t, however, because this versatile eatery offers good food and good service at a great price. Trio is the place to bring your hard-to-please mother-in-law because the menu offers something for every taste. From brick-oven pizzas to crab cakes, from filet mignon to three cheese tortellini to fried North Carolina flounder, it’s all there, and served in an open floor plan illuminated with ceiling lights. Trio’s Sun brunch is one of the best-kept secrets in the Queen City. Open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.
3. The Cottages At Carolina Place
City: Pineville, NC
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (704) 544-8889
Address: 9916 Bishops Gate Blvd.
Description: Choose from several floor plans in this community of senior-owned patio homes near Carolina Place Mall in south Charlotte. Amenities include two-car garages; maintenance-free lawns; gated entry; security cameras; on-call handyman, a clubhouse with pool, fitness center, and putting green; walking trails; and on-campus staff at all times. Meals and activities are available next door at the Dorchester, a retiree apartment community. The Manor condominium homes were added in 2007.
4. Carolina Place Mall
City: Pineville, NC
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (704) 542-4111
Address: 11025 Carolina Place Parkway
Description: Conveniently located near the I-485 outer belt, Carolina Place Mall is anchored by Dillard’s, Macy’s, Belk, JCPenney, and Sears. The mall’s 130+ specialty stores fit its suburban surroundings, and while they aren’t as uptown and high-profile as those at SouthPark Mall, they offer practicality rather than fantasy window-shopping. Notables include Buckle, Pacific Sunwear, Gap, Victoria’s Secret, Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle, Hot Topic, Gymboree, the Disney Store, Cache, Express, Wet Seal, Kirkland’s, and Sharon Luggage. When you tire of shopping, head to the food court or the children’s play area on the lower level outside Sears. Free to the public, it includes a jungle gym, tunnels, climbing nets, and a ball chamber. The mall has plentiful parking, though traffic can be bad getting in and out. One fun perk: nightly indoor “snowfalls” in December.
5. Boyles Furniture
City: Pineville, NC
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (704) 542-4770
Address: 11410 Carolina Place Parkway
Description: Boyles offers discounts of 40 to 50 percent below retail on famous-name manufacturers. The store showcases premier furniture lines such as Henkel Harris and Lexington Home Brands.
6. Lee Lighting
City: Pineville, NC
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (704) 540-5878
Address: 11600 Carolina Place Parkway
Description: Lee Lighting offers a wide selection of lighting fixtures and other related products. Trained consultants are available to assist in the showroom or at your home.
7. Persian Rug House
City: Pineville, NC
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (704) 889-2454
Address: 312 Main St.
Description: The Persian Rug House has the largest selection of Persian rugs in the area. In business since 1986, it buys and trades old rugs and provides professional cleaning, repair, appraisal, pickup, and delivery.
8. James K. Polk State Historic Site
City: Pineville, NC
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (704) 889-7145
Address: 12031 Lancaster Hwy.
Description: James K. Polk, 11th president of the United States, was born in a log cabin on a cotton and grain farm in Pineville in 1795. His homestead has been reconstructed and is now a state historic site. No original buildings or articles remain from Polk’s childhood, but the memorial depicts how the future president’s family would have lived at the time. A log house, separate kitchen, and barn are each authentically furnished.A museum details Polk’s family and political career. It covers the significant events that occurred during his administration from 1844 to 1848, including the Mexican-American War, the annexation of California, and the settlement of the Oregon boundary dispute. In fact, it was Polk’s stance on the occupation of Oregon that helped sweep him into the White House as the first dark horse candidate in American politics. His campaign slogan was “Fifty-Four Forty or Fight,” which referred to the northern boundary of the Oregon territory.Guided tours of the buildings are available anytime but are especially beautiful when the candles are lit at the annual Christmas celebration, and during July and August, the Polk Historic Site hosts a series of one-day history camps for children. Regular hours are 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Tues through Sat. Free.
9. Build-A-Bear Workshop
City: Pineville, NC
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (704) 543-9800
Address: 11025 Carolina Place Parkway
Description: Build-A-Bear Workshops let youngsters create a personalized stuffed animal from among 30 styles and hundreds of outfits and accessories. Kids choose a stuffed animal, watch workers put in its heart, help stuff the bear, and choose clothes for it before filling out a computerized birth certificate and storybook. Everything from sunglasses and hats to T-shirts are available, along with recorded sounds, personalized embroidered clothing, and cub condos to carry them home. Animals start at $10, not including clothes. Birthday parties also are big here. Pineville location open 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. Mon through Sat, noon until 6 p.m. Sun. Concord location open 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. Mon through Sat, noon until 7 p.m. Sun. Northlake location open 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. Mon through Sat, noon until 6 p.m. Sun.
10. Ice House
City: Pineville, NC
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (704) 889-9000
Address: 400 Towne Centre Blvd.
Description: Though ice-skating has never been the South’s biggest sport, it’s grown in popularity in recent years. And, thanks to the Ice House, anyone can enjoy skating year-round here in Dixie. Adults and children can take lessons or just skate for the pure pleasure of it. It’s also a great place for birthday parties, and for children to learn how to play hockey. There is a youth hockey academy and youth hockey leagues. Public skate sessions are offered daily. Call or visit the Web site for details.
11. Zuma Fun Center
City: Pineville, NC
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (704) 552-7888
Address: 10400 Cadillac St.
Description: Formerly Celebration Station, this popular spot for birthday parties and family outings has miniature golf, bumper boats, go-kart rides, batting cages, a video arcade, and a huge indoor play station with a monstrous two-story slide. When you’re tired from all the activity, there’s plenty to eat and drink while you rest up for the next go-round. All-day pass is $18.99; attractions also priced individually. Open noon to 8 p.m. Mon through Thurs; noon to 11 p.m. Fri; 10 a.m. until 11 p.m. Sat; and noon to 9 p.m. Sun.