As one of the largest banking centers on the East Coast, Charlotte, North Carolina has quickly become a prime shopping location. The posh South Park Mall is the first stop of most Charlotte shoppers. South Park Mall is home to high end luxury stores like Tiffany & Co, Louis Vuitton and Coach as well as national department stores like Nordstrom’s, Macy’s, and the North Carolina- born Belk’s.

However, the Charlotte area boasts some quaint neighborhoods that allow you to explore more local flare and one of a kind boutiques. The Dilworth area of south Charlotte is home to Paper Skyscraper and Hand Picked, where you will find fabulous gifts and jewelry at affordable prices. Walk along East Boulevard to find unexpected gems at Cottage Chic and Lotus.

Pop into Mac's Speed Shop in nearby South End, for an upscale biker's bar specializing in "Beer, Bikes and BBQ." You don't have to arrive by bike to know their barbecue and mac n cheese is phenomenal.

On a totally different note, Dilworth's Lucy and Company puts together whimsical and creative pieces for decorating adult and children rooms. Both Dilworth and nearby Myers Park are beautiful areas to stroll around and take in the Arts and Crafts Bungalows, stately mansions and wide, tree-lined boulevards.

If local art is more your style, NoDA is the true historic art district of Charlotte. NoDa, or North of Davidson, is just a few miles from Uptown Charlotte, but a long ways from the banker suits and power heels.

A relative newcomer to the restaurant scene, the Crepe Cellar brings a dash of Europe to the area while The Evening Muse is the best venue for local musicians. It can be difficult to tear yourself away from the popular Cabo Fish Taco, but try hitting NoDa during a gallery crawl to get the most out of your shopping experience.

Green Rice Gallery never fails to have an impressive assortment of media and quality work and the shops and galleries carry an ever-changing collection of handmade jewelry. Find the perfect dog toy at Meow and Fetch or link up with area dog sitters for your night on the town.

Although most Charlotte visitors flock to Discovery Place, Carowinds, and the Nascar Museum, delve into the nearby neighborhoods to give you a taste of the local flair that makes Charlotte a southeastern hub for shopping.