I can’t wait to get on the road again! Not only does Charlotte have a lot to offer young professionals, but so does the region. Let’s face it – no matter how much we love Charlotte, we could all use a weekend getaway. For those young professionals who are new to Charlotte, did you know that you’re within driving distance of the mountains, the beach and seven other states? Some of what I consider the more notable weekend getaways are below with a short ditty about each.

• Asheville, N.C. - Asheville is that type of unique, special place that lingers sweetly in your mind and memories for years to come. The city's rich architectural legacy with its mix of Art Deco, Beaux Arts and Neoclassical styles is the perfect retro-urban backdrop to the edgy energy that emanates from the locally owned shops and art galleries, distinctive restaurants and exciting entertainment venues.
• Boone, N.C. - You’ll find exciting attractions in Boone and all around the high vountry. The region is the home of several firsts: North Carolina’s original family theme park, Tweetsie Railroad; the state's very first golf course, Linville Golf Club; the state’s oldest travel attraction, the Blowing Rock; the state’s only public caverns, Linville Caverns; the nation's oldest Revolutionary War drama, Horn in the West; and the world’s first privately-owned biosphere reserve, Grandfather Mountain.
• Chattanooga, Tenn. - Chattanooga offers an incredible combination of breathtaking scenic beauty with a newly revitalized riverfront that includes a 13-mile paved Riverwalk scattered with attractions, parks, restaurants and plenty of boating options, outdoor adventures, rich history, numerous accommodations, a thriving arts scene, shopping and many annual events that provide plenty of year-round fun.
• Wilmington, N.C. - The beautiful port city of Wilmington provides a perfect destination for those who love the excitement of the city and the laid-back atmosphere of the coastal south. The best of both worlds, Wilmington offers hundreds of options for visitors to get to know the beautiful area.
• Outer Banks, N.C. - The Outer Banks, perhaps one of North Carolina's most visited coastal communities, are 90 miles of flawless landscape and effortless beauty. For decades the Outer Banks were remote, with few inhabitants who made their living by the sea; today the islands are a popular tourist spot linked by ferries and bridges.
• Charleston, S.C. - The Charleston Market draws many thousands of tourists a year, and Charleston is a major tourist destination with all one would expect of the upscale historic city. The city is well-known for its grand live oaks draped with Spanish moss, the Cabbage Palmetto (the state tree of South Carolina), cascading window boxes bursting with color, wrought iron gates keeping secret gardens in courtyard allies, and Rainbow Row, a community along the waterfront with a string of beautiful, historic pastel-colored homes.
• Savannah, Ga. - Located in the heart of coastal Georgia's lowcountry, Savannah is a city of rare natural beauty – of azaleas in bloom and stately oaks draped with Spanish moss. These landscapes have been lovingly enhanced by two centuries of manmade splendor, from her distinctive park-like squares and cobblestone streets to the magnificent architecture of her storied antebellum homes and churches.

Personally, I love Charlotte. But I love it even more when I’m driving back on I-77 or I-85 after a nice relaxing weekend elsewhere. What more could you want from a city? Charlotte, N.C., is a great place for young professionals to live, work and play and is close to so many relaxing places when you need that quick weekend away.