Summer Fun

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40 Hit up the Cook-Out drive-through on Freedom Drive for a banana chocolate shake, find a parking spot at Bryant Neighborhood Park, and take in a great uptown view with your (equally great) shake. 2540 Freedom Dr., eatcookout.com ✿ More great shake spots:

Big Daddy’s: There’s a reason that milkshakes and burgers come in pairs; they’re a perfect match. And burger go-to Big Daddy’s boasts gotta-have-’em milkshakes. Go for an oldie but a goodie, like the classic chocolate. bigdaddysburgerbar.com

Pike’s Old Fashioned Soda Shop: There seems to be no shortage of great shake spots on South Boulevard. But there’s no better treat than posting up on a stool at Pike’s Old Fashioned Soda Shop at Tremont and Camden in South End. Pile the whipped cream and cherries onto a black cherry milkshake and you’ve got summer in a tall glass. With extra in the metal container. Kids love this joint. 704-372-0092, pikessodashop.com

Mattie’s Diner: Take yourself back to carefree summer days spent sipping on strawberry shakes. Now shake it up a little, and stick your straw in a few nonconventional flavors, like s’mores or peanut butter and jelly. With no-close weekend hours, you can satisfy your sweet tooth from sunup to sundown. 915 Hamilton St., 704-376-1020

Mr. K’s Soft Ice Cream and Drive In: In its tiny old outpost in South End, which is always busy, Mr. K’s blends up everything from blueberry to butterscotch, mocha, and pineapple milkshakes. But follow the motto if you don’t find a flavor to fit your cravings: “Anything you can dream, we can make.” 2107 South Blvd., 704-375-4318

Zack’s Hamburgers: Wash down a mountain of onion rings and a barbecue sandwich with a cold milkshake at this delightful little South Boulevard dive. Get your daily fruit intake with a banana, strawberry, or cherry shake, or shake up your routine with a root beer–flavored one. 4009 South Blvd., 704-525-1720

41. Split a plate of risotto fritters or pita and dip with a special date under sparkling lights at Nolen Kitchen's patio. nolenkitchen.com

42. Two words: sandal season. Shake your foot shame and get a quick, affordable pedicure at Polished Nail Bar — free drink included. ipolished.com

43. Grab a few friends and take in a breath of fresh air and a cool view (and maybe a bucket of beer) on Gin Mill's rooftop patio. ginmillcharlotte.com For a guide to rooftop drinking in Charlotte:

Boardwalk Billy’s: Pop open a couple of icy brews on the rooftop patio at Boardwalk Billy’s, which plants you right above all of the action on Dilworth’s main drag. Best of all? With a raw bar and seafood to boot, you’ll feel like you’ve hit the beach without leaving the city streets. multiple locations

Presto Bar and Grill: For finer fare and the opportunity to enjoy cooler air on a hot night, head over to Presto Bar and Grill. Pick a spot on the rooftop patio and sip on one of twenty-two fruit martini selections, like the caramel appletini, as you survey Trade Street in all its evening glory. 445 W. Trade St., 704-334-7088

Phoenix Charlotte: For a sky-high kind of night, sip on cocktails and watch the stars on Phoenix nightclub’s sofa-laden, wood-planked rooftop terrace. This in-the-air lair overlooks the so-called “District 300” section of nightclubs along North College Street—and it does it with cool, Cuban-inspired décor. 300 N. College St., 704-375-8765

Loft 1523: A great view and a great martini (try the Big City Dog) to go with it? You can’t go wrong, so gather a group and go up to Loft 1523’s second-story patio. It’s not technically a rooftop view, but once you get up there and get a glimpse of Elizabeth and the skyline,
you’ll realize why it’s so popular — and why it garnered our BOB in 2007 for Best View. 1523 Elizabeth Ave., 704-333-5898

44. The performing arts department at CPCC knows no summer break. Shows on board for summer theater programming this year are Hairspray, Alice In Wonderland, Deathtrap, and Hello, Dolly! tix.cpcc.edu

45. See the stars of soul when Sade and John Legend determine just how much swooning Time Warner Cable Arena can handle on July 31. ticketmaster.com

46. On the patio at South End's Mac's Speed Shop, the buffalo sauce is almost as hot as the motorcycles parked outside. Cool off the whole experience with a cold beer. macspeedshop.com

48. Hey, squinty! Get yourself $20 sunglasses at K-La in Phillips Place. 704-643-7800

49. Pick up a pizza at Brixx or a cup of ice cream at Coldstone and sit in on one of the free concerts at Blakeney Shopping Center on Friday and Saturday nights. It's also a great excuse to catch up on window shopping. shopblakeney.com ✿ ✪

HAROLD HINSON; ISTOCK (3)

50 Pile your bucket high with berries at Jo's Blueberry Farm in Mount Pleasant. Just $4 a quart. Just don't wear white. 704-4086995, northcarolinablueberriesjo.com ✿

51. There's no heat antidote more effective than a cup of Italian ice or frozen custard from Rita's Water Ice. There are spots at Galleria Commons and The Shoppes at Ardrey Kell right now, but be sure to swing by the new Plaza Midwood location, too. ritasice.com ✿'

52. Visit a library. Read a book. You know it's been a while. ✿ ✪

53. Celebrate American and Charlottean heritage with picnic at Independence Park—Charlotte's oldest park. Bring a volleyball! 300 Hawthorne Ln., charmeck.org

54. Feel the NASCAR thunder while watching a race on the sixty-four-foot-wide screen at the Hall of Fame's Belk High Octane Theater. nascarhall.com

55. At Pure Taqueria in Matthews, there are ten margarita options with sixty-plus tequilas—you do the math. Some house-made guacamole to take the edge off is advisable, too. 704-841-7873, puretaqueria.com For more great margaritas:

Cabo Fish Taco: Looking to catch a buzz without breaking the bank? Try the $4 “El Cheapo” Margarita at Cabo Fish Taco. Or catch a wave, specifically the “Perfect Wave,” the house special, concocted with Blue Agave tequila, Cointreau and Grand Marnier. 3201 N. Davidson St.,
704- 332-8868

Loco Lime: This Mexican mainstay mixes up some inventive “Loco-ritas,” such as Spicy Jalapeno Margaritas and Beer-ritas (add Dos XX amber beer to the blender). The real fiesta comes on Margarita Mondays, which feature those Loco-ritas and Jalapeno Margaritas half-priced. multiple locations

Prickly Pear: After you sip on the signature namesake margarita at this Mooresville restaurant, which is flanked with actual fresh, prickly fruit, treat yourself to the Dessert Mirage Margarita. Served with Sauza tequila and raspberry liquor, it’ll leave you wanting seconds — of dessert. 761 N. Main St., Mooresville, 704-799-0875

Pacos Tacos and Tequila: Come on; it has “Tequila” in the name. No wonder; there are more than sixty different types, and they’re carefully chosen for the cantina’s seven specialty cocktails. Those chilly wonders partner well with grilled chipotle barbecue shrimp tacos. 6401 Morrison Blvd., Ste. 8-A, 704-716-8226

Vida: With rare tequilas behind the bar (like Cazadores), you better believe Vida vies for a margarita mention. Order the Bull Rita, Millionaire’s or Skinny (zero calorie sweetener will have you fooled), and you might just happen upon the best margarita you’ve had in your vida. 210 E. Trade St., Ste. 104-A, 704-971-8432

56. Browse CPCC's summer course catalog and pick something you've never tried before — anything from a cooking class to a swing dance lesson. All for around $100. cpcc.edu

57. New season, new outfit! Head over to Ivy & Leo for a trendy, budget-friendly summer dress or blouse. ivyandleo.com

58. Bocce is quite possibly the perfect summer sport, because you barely have to move. The Kings Drive portion of the new Little Sugar Creek Greenway has two courts. B.y.o. pallino! ✪

59. OK, this is cool, literally: Charlotte's Ice Sensations offers ice-carving classes. You'll be the star of your neighborhood block party. icesensations.com