What's the surrounding area like?

The arena is located in uptown Charlotte, so there are a whole host of bars and restaurants, not to mention hotels near the Spectrum Center. You may feel that there is a bit of street lighting lacking immediately around the arena so it might be wise to stick with the crowds.

How can I spend a day in Charlotte before heading to the concert/game?

Carowinds

Carowinds is a great destination for families as well as big kids looking for something to do before a game or concert. Ride the fury 325, which gets to a height of 325 feet (hence the name) and reaches speeds of up to 95 miles per hour. There are 12 other world-class roller coasters in the park. There are other sections of Carowinds for all the family such as the fantastic Dinosaurs Alive experienceand Planet Snoopy for the kids. You should order your pass online for $49.99, which is $10 cheaper than on the day.

NASCAR Hall of Fame

Motor racing fans can visit the NASCAR hall of fame that was opened in 2006. Visit the museum and find out how a NASCAR team prepares in the run up to race day in Race Week. The Racing Insiders Tour is a must if you want an all-access in-depth full-day tour.

Epicentre

Shopping, nightlife and restaurants are just a short walk away from the Spectrum Center at EpiCentre. There are outdoor patios, over 200 TVs, cafes, restaurants and fine dining for you to make it a day to remember. Why not catch a film at the 5-screen movie theater or spend a few hours in the bowling alley to really let your hair down before a game or concert at the arena.

Where are the best places to eat and drink near the Spectrum Center?

Brixx Wood Fired Pizza

This places offers up a great atmosphere, great beer and a location just around the corner from the Spectrum Center. Some of the best pizza in town is available here and there are daily offers on drinks, such as $3 beers on a Friday. Brixx Wood Fired Pizza has around 27 draft beers to choose from so it is ideal before or after an event. Pizzas are around $9 to $11.

Fitzgerald's Irish Pub



Fitzgerald's is open until 2am every day so it is not only the perfect place before a game but also ideal for afterwards too. There are daily specials on drinks and food and they have a dedicated game day menu for those heading to a Hornets game.

Whisky River

Just a short stroll from the Spectrum Center inside the EpiCentre, Whisky River is a great spot for nightlife and a bite to eat. Owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr of NASCAR, there is live music and special calendar events worth checking out year-round. The atmosphere can get very lively especially on Friday and Saturday nights.

Is there anything else visitors to Charlotte should know?

If you are hoping to explore all of Charlotte's neighborhoods, especially those to the south and east, you may want to consider renting a car as the LYNX light rail has only one line and it will limit your options. If you're staying in uptown Charlotte and are not planning on travelling all over the city, then you will be ok with public transportation.

View more restaurants near Spectrum Center Charlotte

What's the best way to get to the Spectrum Center (formerly Time Warner Cable Arena)?

To access the Spectrum Center by car, you should head for the I-77 and exit at Trade Street. From the airport, follow Josh Birmingham Parkway for a mile and a half to Billy Green Parkway south where you can join the I-77 north and then exit at Trade Street.

There are plenty of public transportation options. You can park up at one of the seven park and ride lots and take the Lynx train to Trade Street Station. The main bus terminal in Charlotte is situated in a convenient location next to the arena. You can also catch the Charlotte and Gold Rush street trolleys to the arena too.

How much are drinks/food in the Spectrum Center?

There is a wide range of food and drink on offer as you would expect from a major arena that hosts NBA games and other special events. Hot dogs start at $6 and you'll pay extra for toppings. A regular burger will cost you $6.50.

If you're feeling super hungry (or just want to take on a Man versus Food style challenge), you could splash out a massive $75 for the Hugo's Boss Burger which comprises 14 (yes you read that correctly - fourteen) beef patties and weighs a gut shattering eight pounds.

A bottle of water is around $4.50 and sodas start at the same price. Beer starts from $7.75 depending on which beer you take. A coffee or hot chocolate comes in at $4.

Does the venue have WiFi?

Yes, there is free WiFi at the Spectrum Center.

Is there any parking?

There are over 30,000 parking spaces within a fifteen minute walk of the arena so getting parked is not going to be an issue.

How much does parking cost?

You can generally park for as little as $5 or $6 in the lots near the stadium. There are some more expensive lots charging around $10 but there is no need to use them unless everywhere else is full, which is unlikely on game nights. You can even benefit from free parking at some bars and restaurants if you validate your ticket with them.

What time do the doors normally open?

Doors open 60 minutes before all games and special events.

Any other important information visitors should know?

If you're planning on recording the experience, make sure you only take photographs as video and audio recording is generally not permitted, especially for NBA games. Make sure your camera lens is no bigger than 6" as you won't be permitted to bring it in.