Welcome back!
Maybe a long weekend is coming up or you need a road trip stop or a get-away idea? Add Charlotte, North Carolina to your travel plans. The small yet lively city is booming and growing fast! From being in the heart of the city’s night life to taking long strolls in the park, Charlotte has something for everyone. Here are my top 10 things to do!
1. UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens.
Need I say more? The gardens are filled with beautiful, fragrant flowers and gorgeous plants. Just…go check it out.
2. Walk around the streets of NoDa.
This area of town is fresh, popular, and unique. It is known as the historic arts district of Charlotte. Walk around and stop in Smelly Cat Coffee + Roastery. If you are a dog lover and of age, check out The Dog Bar. Don’t forget it’s BYOP (Bring Your Own Pup)! Getting hungry?Grab your lunch at NoDa Bodega after looking into all the fun shops and checking out the murals! Check out Artist Nick Napoletano, his murals can be found all around Charlotte and he is just a great guy.
3. Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts +Culture.
This and the Mint Museum are my favorite in Charlotte. This one is a culturally specific institution that embraces the past, present, and future. The Gantt center is filled with incredibly powerful and breath taking art that leaves an impact. Whether you embark on a guided tour or stroll along on your own, you are sure to leave with more knowledge than you walked in with.
4. Bubble Charlotte
If you are into clubbing, Bubble Charlotte is your go to. While the lines get long-especially on college student night (Thursday), Bubble is a fun spot to let loose and just dance!
5. EpiCentre
In the mood to bowl? What about a movie? Okay, maybe just shopping and restaurants. The EpiCentre has it all. This is a great spot for a date night, a family night out, or just a place for a reunion spot for you and your bestie.
6. Local Organic Produce
Farmers Markets are incredible! Not only are you buying organic fresh fruits and veggies, but also you have an amazing experience! This day in age, its hard to remember where our food comes from and how much work it actually takes from ‘farm to table’. Being able to connect and talk to the people who worked so hard so you can much on their juicy peaches and fresh kale, is heart warming. Truly, a great experience.
Check out: Providence Produce Markets and Kings Drive Farmers Markets.
7. Outdoor afternoons
Do you enjoy people watching as much as we do? Or maybe you just like soaking up some Vitamin D and listen to the sounds of nature. Perhaps you are looking for a place for you and your pup to go on a stroll or a hike? No matter what your reasoning, Charlotte is filled with parks.
Check these out: Freedom Park, Reedy Creek Nature Center, Crowders Mountain
8. Carolina History & Haunts
For those of you thrill chasers, haunting hunters, or adrenaline lovers, this tour de Charlotte is for you! You will get to learn about and see Charlotte and her history with this walking tour. You and your friend(s) will be lead by lantern. See how past Charlotteans still linger.
9. Cafés
Central Coffee Company
Ameliés French Bakery
Not Just Coffee
Julia’s Café & Books
Smelly Cat (see #2)
Mugs Coffee
10. My Favorite Food Places
Pizza: Blaze Pizza, Fuel
Sushi/ Asian Dishes: Ru San’s, Co.
Ramen: Futa Buta
Vegan: Fern & Luna’s Living Kitchen
German: Old Mecklenburg Brewery
Mexican: La Unica
Donuts: Duck Donuts [not vegan ): ] but my friends love it!
Have fun! If you have any questions or suggestions for places you have been CLT or if you visit any of these places, feel free to leave a comment below
X,
Morasha and the Gilded Twenties team
Gilded Twenties 