Things to Do in Charlotte

Charlotte is a fast growing city with great neighborhoods to explore, a standout food and brewery scene, and plenty of local spots that make for an easy and fun week. Here are a few ideas during your visit:

Outdoor Activities

- Freedom Park:

One of the prettiest parks to explore! Take a stroll around the lake or continue on the little sugar creek greenway through surrounding neighborhoods for a beautiful walk.

- Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden:

Near the Whitewater Center, this is a peaceful spot to browse gardens as well as explore the surrounding town of Belmont.

- Crowder's Mountain

Nearby hiking destination (~40 min) with views of Charlotte NC.

Shopping

- SouthPark Mall:

A high-end shopping mall featuring everything from Lululemon to Louis Vuitton.

- Shops at Atherton Mill & South End:

A trendy area for shopping in Charlotte's bustling South End neighborhood. Popular with younger crowds, South End offers shopping, eating, & drinks all accessible by a 3.5 mile trail adjacent to the light rail.

Attractions

- Whitewater Center:

Home to the world's largest manmade whitewater river, the Whitewater Center offers a variety of activities throughout the year with March kicking off the spring season & re-opening of rafting activities.

- ACC Mens Basketball Tournament:

It wouldn't be March in NC without ACC basketball! Catch a game during the ACC tournament from March 10-14th (Go Deacs!)

- The Mint Museum:

Located Uptown, it’s a great stop for art and culture lovers.

Places to Eat and Drink

Coffee Shops & Brunch:

- Summit Coffee

- Caffeto & Smelly Cat Coffee (In Charlotte's vibrant NoDa neighborhood)

- Sunflour Bakery (One of our favorites!)

- Cafe Monte

- The Crunkleton

- Rosemont

- Rhino Market (Great quick lunch options too)

Lunch & Dinner:

I recommend making reservations wherever possible, as many restaurants book up quickly.

- Olde Mecklenburg Brewery (SouthEnd & Ballantyne)

- Optimist Hall

- Southern Pecan

- Stagioni

- Good Food on Montford

- Peppervine

- Menya Daruma or Sheng Ramen

- Inizio Pizza

- Legion Brewing

- The Smoke Pit (Providence Rd)

- Oshen

- Custom Shop

- Yunta

- Ace No 3

- Clarks Snack Bar

- Salud Cerveceria

- Ever Andalo

- Dot Dot Dot

- Alexander Michaels (Charlotte staple)

Desserts:

- Sunflour Bakery

- Batchmaker

- Jeni's