Charlotte City - An All-Inclusive Guide FOR 2025
- SeventyEleven Team
- Apr 15
- 14 min read
The city of Charlotte in North Carolina is popularly known as a major financial hub in the United States.
But it isn’t all business. This city is also known for its rich history, modern facilities, great music, and food.
Named in honor of the German Princess Charlotte, yet widely considered as Britain’s first queen of African descent, the city has several nicknames including the Queen City and The Hornet’s Nest. It played a big role in America’s history during the American Civil War and was the epicenter of the United States' first gold rush.
In this guide, you’ll learn many such facts about this city. And if you’re planning a trip to Queen City, then this will be your ultimate guide to exploring top attractions, restaurants, neighborhoods, bars, shopping complexes, and other local favorites.
This guide is also designed in honor of an upcoming festival we are hosting called “Queen City Weekend Fest” which is focused on bringing more attention to the city and all the nice things it has to offer. Register for your spots at http://www.qcweekend.com/
Where to stay in Charlotte?
The city has a wide range of accommodation options depending on your preference and budget. Some of our top picks for hotels in Charlotte include:
Grand Bohemian Hotel
The Ivey's Hotel
The Westin
Hyatt House City Center
The Hilton Uptown
Hyatt Place Downtown
Kimpton Tryon Park
JW Marriott
Charlotte Marriott City Center
Drury Inn & Suites Charlotte University Place
AC Hotel Charlotte Ballantyne
Hyatt Centric Charlotte SouthPark
Embassy Suites by Hilton Charlotte Ayrsley
Main Neighborhoods to Explore
Each neighborhood in Charlotte has its own charm and vibe—exploring these unique areas is the best way to experience the true personality of the Queen City.
NoDa
North Davidson or NoDa is a popular arts district in Charlotte. It serves as a center for arts featuring an eclectic and playful community atmosphere. You’ll find many musical events, restaurants, and art galleries in this neighborhood.
Uptown
Plaza Midwood
South End
South Park
Ballantyne
Visit Museums to Enjoy Art & Culture
The Queen City has a rich history, from being the epicenter of the United States' first gold rush to NASCAR running its first Strictly Stock car race here. The museums in the city proudly display everything including music, art, history, and science.
Levine Museum of the New South
Location: Uptown
This is a history museum that exhibits life after the American Civil War. The permanent exhibit here is called "Cotton Fields to Skyscrapers: Charlotte and the Carolina Piedmont in the New South".
UPDATE: The Levine Museum of the New South will vacate its temporary location at Three Wells Fargo Center in Uptown Charlotte on May 4, 2025. The museum plans to announce its new location later this year. Visitors can enjoy free admission to the current exhibition space until its closure.
Harvey B Gantt African American Museum
The Mint Museum
Bletcher Museum of Modern Art
Museum of Illusions Charlotte
Sullenberger Aviation Museum
Fun Activities To Do In Charlotte
Charlotte has something for everyone. From day tours to outdoor activities you’ll have plenty of options to spend your time and enjoy in the Queen City. Our top recommendations are:
Boozy Games
Drinks and games are a great way to socialize. Head to Queen Park Social for casual bites, creative drinks, and games including bowling, shuffleboard, Ping Pong, Skee Ball, Pop-A-Shot, etc. If you’re a fan of the traditional arcade games with food and drinks, you should visit the Lucky's Bar & Arcade.
Another popular place for boozy games is the Pins Mechanical Bar. This bar is known for its massive venue full of interactive games, musical entertain-ment, and cocktails.
Laughter Therapy
Carowinds Amusement Park
The National White Water Center
Watch a Sports Game
Freedom Park
Camp North End
Treehouse Vineyards
Lake Norman
Monopoly Lifesized
Grab A Drink at The Best Bars and Lounges
Tired of exploring the city? Head to a bar to catch a break and relax. Although you’ll find many spots that serve up cold beers and refreshing cocktails in Charlotte, our best recommendations are:
Bocao
Location: Uptown
Craving sushi? Bocao offers an exciting collect-ion of exotic flavored cocktails, fresh hookah flavors, vibrant lounge, and fusion sushi. The lounge also features some of the top Reggaeton DJs.
Must Be Nice
Slate
Broken Promises
The Royal Tot
Graham St. Pub & Patio
Canopy Cocktails
VINYL
Eighty Eights
Folia
Whiskey Warehouse
Connolly's on 5th
Tilt on Trade
Idlewild
Upscale Bars
If you want to take things up a notch, try our favorite upscale bars in Charlotte:
Fahrenheit
Location: Uptown
Situated on a 21st-floor space with a patio and fire pits, Fahrenheit serves Asian-accented New American plates. This food is made using only the finest and freshest, locally sourced seasonal ingredients.
PARA
Novelty House
Dahlia’s Lounge
Buho Bar
Lorem Ipsum Listening Bar
Brighten Your Nightlife in the Best Clubs
Queen City is known for its lively nightlife. If you’re looking to spend an unforgettable evening, head over to these top Charlotte spots:
SIP Bar & Cellar
Location: Uptown
SIP is a cozy cocktail bar situated at the corner of 5th & Tryon Streets, just a block from the Spectrum Center. It features a spacious lower level ideal for private events, an indoor/outdoor patio, and a welcoming neighborhood vibe.
📍 Located on the same block as Prohibition and The Local.
Prohibition Bar
The Local
Hive Nightclub
Imperial
QC Social Lounge
XOXO Lounge
Explicit Bistro & Lounge
Alibi Patio & Garden
Hookah Bars to Puff The Night Away
Fan of Hookah? The following hookah bars in Charlotte serve the smoothest and most flavourful hookahs in the world.
Infused
The Infused bar is known to infuse premium liquors with fresh fruit, vegetables, and herbs to create unimaginable flavors. You can drop by to enjoy their specialty drinks and smoke some hookah.
Dream Lounge
Crave Dessert & Hookah Bar
King Tut Hookah Lounge
Shisha Cafe Hookah Lounge
Fumée Kitchen & Cocktails
Speakeasy Bars in Charlotte
If you’re craving a more hidden, intimate vibe for your night out, Charlotte’s speakeasies deliver. From secret entrances to artist-inspired cocktails, these spots offer a unique twist on the city’s bar scene.
Supperland Speakeasy
A ten-seat bar located in the basement of Supperland in Plaza Midwood. The speakeasy's team regularly hosts themed "spirit experiences," which are multi-course pairings of cocktails and small plates.
Syn (Owned by Canopy Cocktails)
Bruno at Seoul Food Meat Co. Seoul
Single Barrel Room
Elsewhere
SneakCLT
Where to Eat in Charlotte?
Whether you’re looking for a healthy option, authentic Southern taste, or a fine dining experience, you’ll find plenty of options in Charlotte.
We’ve shortlisted and arranged the top places to eat in Charlotte according to their food specialty below:
American Cuisine
The Crunkleton
300 East
STIR
Culinary Dropout
Sixty Vines
Brunch Spots
Korean Cuisine
Mexican Cuisine
Dominican Cuisine
Mediterranean Cuisine
Barbecue (BBQ)
Caribbean Cuisine
Indian Cuisine
Mixed/Fusion
Soul Food
Thai Cuisine
Peruvian Cuisine
Seafood
Sushi / Japanese Cuisine
Where to Shop in Charlotte?
If shopping is on your travel list, you’ll certainly enjoy the malls in Charlotte. The city is filled with high-end retail districts, neighborhood boutiques, malls, antique stores, etc.
Malls in Charlotte
Some of the must-visit malls in Charlotte are:
Concord Mills
Concord Mills is a single-floor oval building that brings together more than 200 stores, restaurants, and various other entertainment options. This mall is also the largest single-site tourist attraction in North Carolina.
South Park Mall
Atherton Mill and Market
Phillips Place
Shoppes at University Place
Charlotte Premium Outlets
Shopping Complexes in Charlotte
Our top 4 recommendations for shopping complexes
Hickory Furniture Mall
Stonecrest at Piper Glen
Ballantyne Village
The Metropolitan
Start Exploring Charlotte!
Charlotte is the city you’ll fall in love with… It has everything from museums,
unique culinary experiences, music, breweries, shopping complexes, sports, and various outdoor adventures that you can enjoy alone or with your friends and family.
We have included most of these in this urban Charlotte guide. If you wish to know more about Queen City, then sign up for our festival “Queen City Weekend Fest” which is focused on bringing more attention to the city and all the nice things it has to offer.
Check us out at www.qcweekend.com
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