From thrilling adventures to moving artistic performances, from family play dates to magnetic nightlife, Charlotte NC has something for everyone. This city showcases Southern hospitality in its full glory.
Tryon Street, a major thoroughfare in the heart of the city, doesn’t align with the compass as it does in many Colonial towns. The streets instead follow a natural ridgeline which predates European settlement.
History
Charlotte’s rich history spans more than 350 years. The Catawba river in South Carolina’s Piedmont region was the crossroads at which two Indian trails crossed. The city’s settlers were loyal to King George III, and they earned the name “The Hornet’s Nest” for their patriotic fervor during the American Revolution.
Two events lifted Charlotte out of its minor place on the plantation economy: the discovery of gold in 1799 and the coming of a railroad in 1852. Charlotte was now a major trading town.
Four statues on a monument in Independence Square link Charlotte’s past with its present and future. A prospector panning for gold symbolizes commerce, while a woman and child millworker represent the city’s early textile factories.
Arts & Culture
Charlotte has a deep history that reaches back to the Revolution. A gold rush in the antebellum period fueled railroads, banking and a booming fabric industry. Its rich legacy of civic activism is evident in the city’s many museums.
Modern performance venues are the perfect setting for Broadway hits as well as local theatre. The Levine Center for the Arts, for example, has collections that showcase Charlotte’s post-civil conflict history. The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, and Harvey B. Gantt Centre for African-American Arts+Culture both feature works by internationally influential visionaries.
A plan for strengthening Charlotte’s culture is underway, focusing on equity, affordability and Community connection. City staff are incorporating feedback from residents to help shape the strategy.
Outdoor Adventure
Coed dodge ball and flag-football games, kayaking trips and ice-climbing excursions are a few of the outdoor activities that Charlotte Outdoor Adventures plans for its active membership base. Other active trips are organized by the group, ranging from hiking to waterfall rappelling in North Carolina and beyond.
Mecklenburg County has 37 miles of greenways that are perfect for biking and running. Rent a boat on Lake Norman or Lake Wylie.
Visit the National Whitewater Center in Uptown for a more challenging adventure. Enjoy 30+ outdoor activities from mountain biking to rafting. The area’s more lofty mountains are also beckoning with Crowders Mountain State Park a quick drive south from the city with views of Uptown and Morrow Mountain State Park a crisp 54 miles east with 47 miles of hiking trails and horseback riding.
Food & Drink
Located in Charlotte’s South End, Flower Child serves vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dishes. Healthy, tasty, and colorful food. Guests can enjoy fresh salads, bowls and wraps. The restaurant also offers a wide range of premium drinks and local craft beers.
The bar menu at Heist Brewery offers a variety of drinks as well as food. You can try smoked bacon macaroni and cheese or peanut butter banana cream pie, inspired by Elvis. The restaurant is open 7 days a week.
Heist is located in the Optimist Hall Complex, which also includes other bars and restaurants. Heist offers daily specials on dinner and drinks.
Nightlife
Charlotte transforms into a vibrant nightlife destination once the sun sets. The city’s bars, lounges, pubs, and clubs offer a mix of musical harmonies, mouthwatering world cuisines, adventurous cocktail combinations, and lively dance floors.
Relax in a wine bar, and choose from a variety of wines curated by sommeliers. Sip your drink while enjoying a cozy ambiance and engaging conversation with friends or loved ones.
QC Social Lounge in Charlotte NC is one of Charlotte’s best bars for 18+. The drinks are complimented by delicious appetizers. The venue also has a spacious terrace that features stunning views of the city skyline. This club’s staff is dedicated to safety and enforces strict policies on age verification.