A local’s bucket list guide to Charlotte
August 19, 2024
From food and fashion to sports and self-care, Brianna Crane’s new book highlights 100 top things to do in Charlotte.
by Cathy Martin
Keeping up with the latest openings and closings in Charlotte can make your head spin. And in a city obsessed with the shiny and new, it’s easy to overlook some of the Queen City’s tried-and-true classics when making weekend plans or heading out for a night on the town.
In her new book, 100 Things to Do in Charlotte Before You Die, Brianna Crane does the research for us. Crane is a North Carolina native who has been tracking lifestyle trends in Charlotte since she started working at Charlotte Agenda (now Axios Charlotte) in 2018.
It’s the third edition of the guide; the first two editions were written by former SouthPark Magazine Editor Sarah Crosland. But don’t expect the same-old, same-old, Crane says. While there is some crossover with the previous book, in this ever-changing city, there’s always something new to discover.
Crane views the book as a way to highlight and encourage readers to support local entrepreneurs.
“This isn’t a new idea, but [writing the book] really emphasized the importance of supporting small businesses that you love,” she says. “It’s a really tough environment, and all these entrepreneurs want is to bring something good to their community.”
Comments have been lightly edited.
Who is this book for?
The book is really designed for newcomers and visitors. I really want them to get plugged in faster and find their favorite go-tos. But I think for people who aren’t new to town, this book can help break your routine! Even writing the book, I felt more encouraged to get out of my neighborhood and check things off my own bucket list.
Tell me about your “research” process for the book.
I’ve been covering Charlotte for nearly a decade at this point, so I’ve had a front row seat to all the happenings — and I’ve seen how people feel about all those happenings — for a while now. It was really cool to dive into the archives of not just my own reporting, but all the great reporting local journalists do. We’re lucky to have such a sharp, connected ecosystem of journalists who really care about this place. We become kind of record keepers or historians over time.
That existing reporting really helped me form the bones/fact check, but things like menu items, hours, prices, etc. change. I really wanted these vignettes to capture a sensory experience or the spirit of place. I spent a lot of time walking around the places in it, studying photos, making phone calls, reading reviews/social-media comments/Reddit threads.
Plus, it was pretty fun treating myself to a tea party or fabulous meal “for research.”
Charlotte changes so fast! How many places and events are new in this edition, and how many were iconic enough to carry over from previous editions?
Truthfully I made the very conscious choice not to read previous editions before writing. I was really anxious about getting the book “right” and didn’t want any other reason to second guess myself.
In the year I spent writing it, the list of 100 things probably shifted at least a dozen times. Businesses closed, expanded, changed locations or completely shifted their strategy. Charlotte’s very much alive and growing.
In your day job, you mostly cover real estate trends in Charlotte and beyond. Was writing this book a nice change of pace?
I’ve covered real estate for about five years now, but this felt like a return to my roots, for sure. It really reminded me that Charlotte is truly so special. Everyone is cheering each other on and I really, really enjoyed catching up with old sources and making new connections.
It sounds cliche but you really seem to have your finger on the pulse of this city. Do you ever have a lazy weekend or get to enjoy any downtime?
Hah! Yes, I’m someone who very much enjoys quiet alone time to recharge. I’m also a huge observer. I love walking and studying everything from what people are wearing to what new buildings are cropping up. You’d be amazed by what you can learn just by walking and looking around this city, without actually doing all the things.
Did you discover anything new about Charlotte while working on the book?
I’m not just saying this because it’s in SouthPark, but I got really into the mall’s history. One of my favorite facts was that Arthur’s has been around since the very beginning of SouthPark Mall! The mall has obviously really leaned into its luxury arm, and I love that this humble hidden gem has remained a constant.
Where can people buy the book?
Park Road Books, Thirty-One Jane, Paper Skyscraper, REI – Northlake Charlotte or That’s Novel Books (at Camp North End). I will also be selling copies in person at the Batch House for their September Wednesday (evening event) and at the Fall EDIT sale (Sept. 25-29).
Featured image by Andy Weber.
