Question
I live in Davidson, NC (just outside of Charlotte).  I have 500 foot of driveway from the road that I want to plant some kind of tree.  I only have one side as the other side is not available for planting.  I am looking for something different than the crepe myrtles you see so common here.  Can you recommend something that is unique but will thrive here in NC.

Answer
Here is a place to look up your NC plant-hardiness zone:
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/weather/hardiness_zones.html

As far as "unique", you are right that certain regions tend to over-use the same old "tried & true" that it creats a monoculture of plants.  Here, it is Juniper & Mugo pines.  

Your NC university agriculture extension has a tremendous wealth of landscaping resources at your disposal.  Here is there website: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/index.php?page=lawngarden

Specifically to tree selection, here is the link to several brochures of other options besides Crape Myrtle (which I would DIE to be able to plant, here in the dry & cold high-desert west!!)

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/hortinfo.html

You'll need Adobe Acrobat to read the PDFs, and there are several selecions to choose from:
Large trees, small trees, trees under utility lines, trees for wet or difficult sites, etc.

To recap - 1.) look up your hardiness zone, 2.) go to the Ag extension website and select the appropriate tree guide, and 3.) select a tree that fits your condition.

All the best.  ~Marc