Georgia battles Louisville in an SEC-ACC showdown in Charlotte’s Belk Bowl on Dec. 30 at 6:30 p.m.

Bowl officials received quite an appetizing matchup in the Queen City this season pitting a pair of nine-win football teams. For the first time since 2006, the game does not include a team based in the Carolinas.

Where To Stay

  • On the pricey side, official team hotels include The Westin (ACC) and Hilton Charlotte Center City (SEC). More affordable options nearby include, but are not limited to the Holiday Inn Center City, Marriott Center City and Omni Charlotte.

Restaurant Suggestions

  • Infamously known for its wood-fire pizzas and made-to-order sushi, Cosmos Cafe ($$) in Uptown is a frequented by young adults. There’s alcohol and music, too.
  • You can’t visit North Carolina without trying the state’s barbeque and there’s no better place than McKoy’s Smokehouse Saloon ($$) along Old Pineville Road. McKoy’s meat falls off the bone and several different sauces are quite different. Don’t forget the wings. Midwood Smokehouse ($$) is another solid choice and located just 10 minutes from the stadium.
  • For those interested in fine dining, The Fig Tree ($$$) at 1601 East 7th Street is consistently ranked amongst the best in the southeast. One of their infamous menu items? The peppercorn-crusted ostrich filet.

Things To Do

  • The EpiCentre, a popular hang-out spot with over 35 restaurants, bars and retail stores, is centrally located in Uptown along East Trade Street and will surely be hopping during bowl week. A rooftop terrace is a nice touch for what’s expected to be chilly Carolina nights in late December. The Belk Bowl will host its official pre-game party here on Dec. 29 at 7 p.m. with cheerleaders, pep bands and mascots.
  • The Charlotte Hornets are at home three times during bowl week — Dec. 27, 29 and Jan. 2. If you can hang around for the first weekend of the New Year, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers will be in the Queen City. Time Warner Cable Arena sits adjacent to the EpiCentre.
  • For those who like to shop, Concord Mills, a 1.4-million-square-foot shopping mall, is located 15 miles north of Bank of America Stadium in Concord. Southpark Mall is closer, but not as vast.
  • Two days before kickoff, the Belk Bowl 5K will be held in Uptown.

Bars

  • For a hint of southern flair on Trade Street, try TILT, formerly known as Liquid Lounge. Simply elegant with hardwood floors and chandeliers, the outdoor patio is a fan favorite. Be warned: the dress code is strict.
  • Alexander Michael’s is a classy neighborhood restaurant and bar combo that USA Today called ‘one of Charlotte’s best-kept secrets’ in a recent review. Try their fried pickles, delicious.
  • Rí~Rá is a multi-level Irish pub with a Victorian-style bar featuring many of Ireland’s finest drinks.

Getting To The Stadium

The 74,000-seat Bank of America Stadium is located in the heart of downtown with easy access to and from major highways. There are paid public parking lots in the surrounding area though taking a complimentary shuttle service from a nearby hotel wouldn’t be a bad idea. More than 30,000 parking spaces are located within five blocks of the stadium available on game day.