Charlotte: The Queen City
I’m not going to lie to you, I had a few assumptions about Charlotte, North Carolina before I went and then Charlotte said “hold my beer”. Dear readers, I was so pleasantly surprised that the city is culturally diverse, has a growing art scene, and has a surprising number of French bakeries? I was only there a few days, but here’s everything I did:
Where I stayed:
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Charlotte SouthPark
Spacious all-suite hotel in the gorgeous SouthPark neighborhood (I loooved the residential architecture)
Outdoor pool (with a waterfall!), fitness center, and on-site restaurant
Walkable to SouthPark Mall for shopping and dining
Great home base for exploring the city
Where to eat
Café Monte: French-inspired bistro with a fantastic lunch menu.
Chapter 6: Cozy dinner spot with creative small plates and cocktails.
Chez Marie Café Patisserie: Charming modern bakery with delicious pastries, coffee, and a lux European vibe.
Milkbread: One of Charlotte's must-visit brunch spots (don't skip the doughnuts!). But keep in mind it only has outdoor seating.
Amélie's French Bakery: Eclectic café perfect for brunch or an afternoon pastry. There are a few locations in Charlotte and each one has it’s own unique decor!
7th Street Public Market: A fun food hall with local vendors, coffee, snacks, and quick bites. It is quite small though so don’t need to dedicate a ton of time.
Where to visit
The Mac Tabby Cat Cafe: Perfect for coffee and feline cuddles.
Explored the NoDa Arts District, browsing vintage shops and discovering unique local art. I got a couple of wonderful pieces!
Hunted for colorful Charlotte street art throughout NoDa.
Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture: A beautiful museum celebrating African-American art, history, and culture through rotating exhibitions and thought-provoking installations. Even if you're not a regular museum-goer, it's a meaningful stop that highlights powerful stories from local, national, and international artists.
The Mint Museum Uptown: Charlotte's premier art museum, featuring an impressive mix of contemporary art, fashion, craft, design, and rotating special exhibitions. The airy galleries make it easy to spend a few hours wandering, and there's something for every type of art lover.
The Sleepy Poet Antique Mall: A treasure hunter's dream! This massive antique mall is packed with hundreds of vendor booths selling everything from vintage furniture and home décor to retro clothing, vinyl records, books, collectibles, and quirky one-of-a-kind finds. It's the kind of place where you can easily lose track of time while browsing.
Where I would have gone if it wasn’t 500 degrees outside
Romare Bearden Park: A beautiful Uptown green space with fountains, skyline views, public art, and plenty of room to relax.
Freedom Park: One of Charlotte's most beloved parks, featuring walking trails, a lake, gardens, and picnic spots.
Camp North End: A trendy mixed-use campus filled with local restaurants, breweries, shops, art installations, and frequent community events.
Little Sugar Creek Greenway (The Rail Trail): A scenic walking and biking path connecting neighborhoods, public art, breweries, and restaurants.
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden: A peaceful escape just outside the city with beautiful seasonal gardens, fountains, and conservatories.
food spots on my list for next time:
The Asbury: Southern comfort food with a modern twist inside the historic Dunhill Hotel.
Church + Union: Stylish American restaurant known for creative dishes, cocktails, and one of Charlotte's prettiest interiors.
Not Just Coffee: A local favorite for expertly crafted coffee and espresso drinks.
Sweet Crunch Waffles: Belgian-style Liege waffles with sweet and savory topping options.
Salted Melon Market & Eatery: A charming café serving fresh breakfast and lunch with locally sourced ingredients.
Babaloo Coffee Club: Cozy neighborhood coffee shop with excellent espresso and pastries.
Optimist Hall: Charlotte's popular food hall featuring dozens of local restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops, and bars under one roof.
Rosie's Coffee & Wine Garden: A laid-back outdoor café that's equally perfect for your morning coffee or an evening glass of wine.
Mother's Comfort Food & Cocktails: A local favorite serving hearty Southern comfort classics in a welcoming atmosphere.
Haberdish: One of Charlotte's signature restaurants, famous for Southern fried chicken, comfort food, and an extensive whiskey selection.
Fun fact about Charlotte: after the Civil War it was one of the first cities to embrace the “New South”. This brought on years of a thriving textile industry and railroad junction, and more recently, a big banking area.
Charlotte surprised me with its creative neighborhoods, incredible brunch scene, and thriving arts culture. If you enjoy vintage shopping, museums, cute cafés, and a relaxed city vibe, it's definitely worth adding to your travel list.
Samantha Shammas, Author
A true travel enthusiast, Samantha has been going around the globe her entire life and has visited over 40 countries and counting. With a lust to wander, she’s always excited to visit new places and soak in inspiration for her artwork.
