Day 1

Spend the day in Uptown, where Charlotte’s most famous historic sights are located within a few square blocks.

Have breakfast at Monticello at The Dunhill Hotel before taking a self-guided public-art tour offered by the Arts and Science Council or taking a trolley tour of the neighborhood on Charlotte Trolley.

Spend the rest of the morning walking around Uptown to visit historic sights like Old Settlers Cemetery and Historic Fourth Ward.

Eat lunch at Alexander Michael’s and spend the afternoon viewing the exhibits at the Levine Museum of the New South, Mint Museum of Craft + Design, and the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art.

Try dinner at SoHo Bistro before satisfying your sweet tooth at Crave Dessert Bar.

Spend the rest of the evening at the EpiCentre, where you can catch a movie, bowl 10 frames, dance at a nightclub, or take in a live performance at the Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte.

Day 2

Today, venture outside of Uptown to see some of the other impressive sights in Charlotte.

Get breakfast to go from Reid’s Fine Foods and have a picnic at The Green, an urban park in the heart of Uptown.

After breakfast, hop on LYNX light rail to go to South End. Start at the Charlotte Trolley Powerhouse Museum before going to the Charlotte Art League gallery and Atherton Mill. Spend a few hours checking out the home decor shops along Camden Road before joining the legions of locals for lunch at Price’s Chicken Coop.

Once you’ve had your fill of fried chicken, cross South Boulevard and spend the afternoon in Dilworth. Take some time to wander through the picturesque neighborhood past historic homes like The Walter Brem House and the The Mayer House. The neighborhood is also a shopping mecca; East Boulevard is the main shopping area where stores like HandPicked, Cottage Chic, and sticki rice are local favorites.

After a shopping spree, visit Freedom Park at the end of East Boulevard. Stroll along the paved trail that circles the park and be sure to check out the amphitheater in case there is a concert or outdoor movie playing in the evening.

After exploring the park, walk across the street to have dinner on the patio at Cantina 1511.

For a taste of Charlotte nightlife, check out any of the bars and music clubs you didn’t have time to visit last night. Don’t miss the North Carolina Music Factory for a good dose of live music.

© Jodi Helmer from Moon Charlotte, 1st Edition