BALLANTYNE. Part of the intrepid Ballantyne area on the south side of Charlotte, the Village offers a neat, clean collection of high-end retailers, eateries and personal services set in an attractive, pedestrian-friendly environment. A mixed-use development, Ballantyne Village also boasts a number of luxury condos and office spaces, giving the place a distinct "downtown" feel. In the evening, stop by the Village Theater, an arthouse-style independent cinema that serves imported beer and wine.

PARK ROAD. Since it opened in the mid-50s, Park Road Shopping Center has served as a community icon for folks who live in neighborhoods south of Uptown like Myers Park, South End and even Dilworth. This quaint, crescent-shaped center has only gained charm as it has aged, and it continues to offer today's shopper a terrific mix of shops, restaurants and services. From hardware to soda shop fare, few modern shopping centers have Park Road's sense of style.

BALLANTYNE. This wide-open shopping center, located just off I-485, is a great place to spend an afternoon. The recipe's simple: Drive to Rea Road, park your car and let your feet navigate you from store to store, restaurant to coffee shop. Designed to be pedestrian friendly, StoneCrest features landscaped areas, fountains, wide sidewalks and old fashioned streetlamps.