Steele Creek - Charlotte, NC

The Steele Creek area was annexed by the city of Charlotte in 1959. After the annexation, Steele Creek remained mostly rural farmland until new roads were constructed, allowing the city of Charlotte to spread further outward from the center of the city.

Steele Creek does not have any museums, but the Mint Museum Randolph and the NASCAR Hall of Fame are a short ride uptown. Mint Museum Randolph is the largest visual art institution in the state, with work from the ancient Americas, America from 1700-1945 and ceramics from around the globe dated 2000 B.C. to A.D. 1950. The NASCAR Hall of Fame has many films, picture and car exhibits that spotlight hall of fame inductees.The local YMCA holds an annual survival race through a three-mile trail with all kinds of obstacles.

Most restaurants in Steele Creek are found along Highway 49, also known as Old Steele Creek Road. The local Steele Creek Cafe serves breakfast food including fresh omelets, biscuits and breakfast sandwiches. The lunch and dinner menu features burgers and all types of fresh sandwiches, including the famous chicken salad sandwich with homemade chicken salad and fresh pita.

Harry's Grill & Tavern is a stylish steakhouse featuring upscale food, an assortment of small plate menu options and a full bar. Diners can choose from traditional, tavern or soft seating, and the restaurant prides itself on friendly, top-notch service. Popular dinner entrees include the New York strip steak, the Black Label burger, Cajun shrimp pasta and pecan-crusted chicken.

A North Carolina favorite, Mac's Speed Shop serves up slow roasted barbecue and chicken paired with Southern sides including mac and cheese, baked beans, collard greens, cheddar grits and more. Mac's also pours more than 300 different beers from all over the country. For a night out, try Grid Iron on Highway 49. In addition to live music and karaoke on the weekends, the restaurant serves a full food menu featuring steaks, seafood and Italian food. The Trap, a popular spot on Westinghouse Boulevard, offer live music, beer pong tournaments and several pool tables, making it a happening social spot.

The Steele Creek area offers many transportation options. Many people choose to bike or walk within residential areas, but although paved sidewalks line most of the roads and Highway 49, neither has bike lanes. For public transportation, 4 CATS buses serve the area, and a cab can always be called. The closest LYNX station is a 20-minute ride from Steele Creek and can be reached with CATS bus 42. Uber and Lyft are not available in the area but can be used in most of metropolitan Charlotte. For commuting, Highway 49 runs straight through Steele Creek and all the way into downtown, and the I-485 loop also runs through Steele Creek, making getting into the city simple. Parking can be found on just about any residential street, and most of the food and shopping areas have their own free parking lots. For parking in the uptown or downtown areas of Charlotte, meters line the streets and the city also has many parking garages available to the public at an hourly rate.

The neighborhood has multiple parks and recreational options within close range, including the McDowell Nature Preserve and Thomas McAlister Winget Park. McDowell Nature Preserve sits on more than 1,000 acres and offers many educational and recreational opportunities for visitors. Visitors get in for free and have access to a nature center, 56-site campground, seven miles of hiking trails and several playgrounds. Thomas McAlister Winget Park has 18 holes of disc golf and has many trails for running or walking. The park, which allows dogs, also has basketball courts, a playground and volleyball courts.

The median rent cost for a one-bedroom in Steele Creek is $690, well below the Charlotte median cost of $868 and North Carolina median of $760. Items typically are cheaper here than in the downtown area: gas prices sit about 1.5 percent below the Charlotte average and 3 percent below the national average. For a trip to the pub, a beer usually costs between $3 and $5 for craft beers and $2 and $4 for standard domestics.

Several shopping areas exist within the immediate Steele Creek area. The Charlotte Premium Outlets on New Fashion Way Drive boast the ultimate shopping experience, with more than 50 stores, including favorites such as Steve Madden, Michael Kors and Kate Spade. Steele Creek also houses boutique shops that feature designer clothing. Francesca's specializes in clothing, selling dresses, tops, handbags and shoes all handpicked by the Francesca's staff.

Head to the corner of York Road and Steel Creek Road to find a wide variety of shopping options, including Steelecroft Jeweler's, a local jewelry store with some classic Charlotte charm. Find a bracelet or necklace for someone you love, and have it gift-wrapped at no extra charge. This shop can also repair your broken jewelry and watches.

For grocery shopping in the area, Southern Foods has a variety of fresh meat, seafood, cheese and other organic specialty groceries. The area has several chain favorites as well, including Publix and Harris Teeter locations and bargain favorites such as ALDI and Wal-Mart. A nearby farmers market off Highway 160 and Zohr Road serves Steele Creek with fresh and locally grown South Carolina fruits and vegetables from April through October.