The Ultimate Summer Weekend Guide for Charlotte, NC

“Do we fly or do we drive?” Michael and I kept asking each other during the month of June. We’d just made plans to visit friends in their adopted hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina, over the July 4th holiday weekend, and with the cost-savings of having a place to stay, we considered flying to save time.

Update: I live here now! You can find more great Charlotte content (from a local!) right here.

We bounced back and forth between the two modes of transportation – particularly after finding flights for $99 out of Orlando – but the high cost of a rental car over the holiday weekend made the decision easy.

We started our drive up on a Wednesday night, stopping over in Savannah to stay with a sweet couple and their pets in an inexpensive Airbnb, and eventually made it to the Queen City by lunchtime on July 4th. After a crazy hailstorm passed through we were off on an adventure, attending the Southeast’s largest fireworks show and taking turns with our friends showing each other around. After all, once you’ve lived somewhere for a little while, it’s easy to put off exploring your hometown.

Much of our weekend was spent as quality time with friends, so there are fewer photos than usual. Still, I hope this guide is helpful if you’re planning a visit!:

THINGS TO DO IN CHARLOTTE

U.S. National Whitewater Center

The U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte is one of the largest attractions in the area, and we were easily impressed with the facilities! It’s difficult to accurately describe this adventure park, so it may just be easier for me to list off the types of activities you’ll find here: whitewater rafting (duh!), ziplining, rock climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, a ropes course, yoga, and so much more. I know, right?

Our friends hold an annual parking pass, so it was nice to save a little at the entrance. Without gear to raft or climb, we opted not to purchase any activity, but instead just hung out, ordered drinks, and listened to a live band playing during their River Jam concert series. Clearly, this is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike!

→U.S. National Whitewater Center // 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28214

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Dowd YMCA

The YMCA may seem like a strange recommendation for a travel guide, but I like to squeeze a workout in when I can and as Y members, we can use any facility in the country for free. The Dowd location is packed with state-of-the-art equipment and I really enjoyed my Zumba class. But what made our workout even better was the charming view of Uptown from the rooftop track (above).

→Dowd YMCA // 400 E Morehead St, Charlotte, NC 28202

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Charlotte Regional Farmers Market

Charlotte is home to several farmers markets, but we headed to the largest in the area: the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market. This state-run market is open most days of the week, but I understand the weekends bring in more vendors and customers.

Indeed, it was quite busy during our Saturday visit as we explored the rows and rows of farmers, producers, and vendors. Summer brings in a bounty of colorful produce; don’t miss the fresh local peaches and watermelons!

→Charlotte Regional Farmers Market // 1801 Yorkmont Rd, Charlotte, NC 28217

WHERE TO EAT IN CHARLOTTE

Midwood Smokehouse

Just before arriving at our vegetarian friends’ house, Michael and I made one more meaty stop for lunch at Midwood Smokehouse. This being the Carolinas, BBQ is a hotly debated topic in the region, and despite everyone having a favorite spot, you’ll never be able to determine which place is the best.

But I can say that we completely cleared our plate at Midwood Smokehouse. A platter is almost always going to be the best value at any barbecue joint, offering up a sampler of different smoked meats and sides. Though the local barbecue staple in the area is chopped pork (at small, homegrown joints this is simply known as “barbecue”), our favorite this day was the ribs. Pork is pork, I guess!

→Midwood Smokehouse // Multiple Locations

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Benny Pennello’s

(Please excuse the late-night, post-drinks cell phone pic!).

Virginia-based readers may have heard of Benny’s 28″ pies, but prior to this trip, we had not been enlightened. Thankfully, that all changed on this trip!

It’s hard to describe how large these pies (and slices) are. Even in the photo, it’s not obvious to me, but just know these slices can’t be contained by one paper plate. They’re all served on two. Pick your slice from the limited menu, and if you’re not that hungry, maybe consider sharing.

→Benny Pennello's // 2909 N Davidson St #100, Charlotte, NC 28205

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Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams

Chains don’t often make it on our lists, but Jeni’s is still pretty new to the Charlotte area and I’d be remiss not to include it! We were happy to accompany our friends on their first visit to the parlor for always unique and delicious flavors.

→Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams // Multiple Locations

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Living Kitchen

After days of barbecue and beer, my body was ready to repent. Still, dining at vegan/raw Living Kitchen felt like a treat, with my mock-tuna sandwich, Michael’s raw quesadilla, and raw brownie (not pictured). I wish we had a place like this at home!

Edit: Sadly, Living Kitchen has closed since this guide was published.

→Living Kitchen // now closed

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Two Scoops Creamery

This photo almost didn’t happen, as the ice cream threatened to melt immediately in the summer sunshine, but the camera still managed to eat first.

Two Scoops Creamery is a small local chain with multiple locations in the area churning out over one hundred flavors of the good stuff every year. The selection rotates pretty frequently, so if something catches your eye, order it today because it may not be there tomorrow! If you need a pointer, a good old-fashioned cookies and cream scoop never disappoints.

→Two Scoops Creamery // Multiple Locations

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Euro Grill & Cafe and Bosna Market

We were too full from lunch when we arrived at Bosna Market so we didn’t sit down for a meal. As a consolation, we explored the shelves of the tiny shop, picking up some candies from the Bosnian grocer to bring back home with us. Next time, we’d save room and enjoy a bite at one of their few tables.

Edit: I’ve since returned for lunch and the Ćevapi were worth the wait! Don’t forget the ajvar…

→Euro Grill & Cafe and Bosna Market // 2719 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205

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Enat Ethiopian Restaurant

To thank our friends for generously hosting us, we visited Enat Ethiopian Restaurant for an unforgettable final meal. Like all of the best hole-in-the-wall restaurants, this one is located in a strip mall (update: they now have a second location at Optimist Hall).

We appreciated the approachable menu with descriptions and helpful staff, who steered us toward the Passport Plate to give us a tour of the menu. Everything was warm and flavorful, and we left with full and happy bellies. If you need more convincing, our friends had not visited before, and were already in the process of making plans to return as we were leaving!

→Enat Ethiopian Restaurant // Multiple Locations

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Amélie’s French Bakery and Café

Amélie’s French Bakery and Café is sort of an institution in Charlotte, with several locations in town (including one open 24 hours!). It was late when we visited and a little empty, but we were still amazed at the sheer quantity of items available.

Were our treats as good as pastries we’ve had in France? Admittedly they were not. But still, if you’re going to track down a meal in the middle of the night, you could do a lot worse than a French-inspired cafe don’t you think?

→Amélie's French Bakery and Café // Multiple Locations

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Price’s Chicken Coop

Price’s Chicken Coop has been around since the 1960s and shows no signs of going anywhere despite the rapidly gentrifying neighborhood surrounding it (note: Welp. Price’s Chicken Coop shuttered in 2021). Visiting is a bit overwhelming: the sole menu hangs over the counter, and there are several registers with lines forming in blobs.

Sharing a half chicken dinner made the most sense, and we swapped the cole slaw for potato salad (solid choice!). Next time we’d probably ask them to hold the fries; everything else is so good that they kind of feel like an afterthought.

→Price's Chicken Coop // Now Closed

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Poppy’s Bagels & More

Poppy’s Bagels & More is a favorite hangout spot for our friends and our final stop before departing Charlotte. No, as any New Yorker would probably tell you, the bagels are not NYC-worthy, but the variety of sandwich options is staggering. Neither of us could finish our bagel sandwiches – sharing is the way to go!

→Poppy's Bagels & More // Multiple Locations

WHERE TO DRINK IN CHARLOTTE

Wooden Robot & Chamber by Wooden Robot

We visited both Wooden Robot and the Chamber by Wooden Robot while in Charlotte, and liked the vibe and drinks at both just about equally. Wooden Robot serves food but also allows outside food (~~so it’s a great place to bring your fried chicken from Price’s~~! edit: Wooden Robot no longer allows outside food), and the Chamber is located right on the Light Rail in NoDa, making it a great brewery to incorporate on a crawl, if you’re so inclined.

→Wooden Robot // 1440 S Tryon St #110, Charlotte, NC 28203
→Chamber by Wooden Robot // 416 E 36th St STE 100, Charlotte, NC 28205

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Town Brewing

Town Brewing is a popular craft brewery with plenty of outdoor seating over on Charlotte’s westside. We didn’t have time to stay for a drink but just popped in to fill our growler with a beer called My Apologies, You’re Welcome (and okay, sample a few others…). It ended up being a crowd favorite back at our friends’ place, and I’d definitely return with more time.

→Town Brewing // 800 Grandin Rd, Charlotte, NC 28208

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Legion Brewing Plaza Midwood

It poured one night in Charlotte (I guess Florida’s summer storms can also be found in the Carolinas), but the music and atmosphere at Legion Brewing’s Plaza Midwood location kept us cozy.

While we all sipped on pints of the brewery’s cult classic Juicy Jay, a fun dude-duo played a medley of romantic songs and energized the crowd to sing along.

→Legion Brewing Plaza Midwood // 1906 Commonwealth Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205

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The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery

The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery is the oldest and probably the best-known brewery in Charlotte, and their biergarten is the perfect place to hang with a big group on a Sunday afternoon. While their German-style beers admittedly aren’t my favorite, the atmosphere more than made up for it.

→The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery // 4150 Yancey Rd, Charlotte, NC 28217

WHERE TO FIND GREAT COFFEE IN CHARLOTTE

Stable Hand

~~HEX Espresso Bar~~ Edit: now called Stable Hand made my favorite cup of coffee during my Charlotte visit (I should have returned, but wanted to give other places a try – forever a conundrum!). I wish we’d had time to visit their roastery in Camp North End, but we just couldn’t make it work with their limited hours. Next time!

→Stable Hand // 125 Remount Rd B, Charlotte, NC 28203

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Mugshots Coffee and Tea

Mugshots Coffee and Tea is located inside a gym, which isn’t clear from Google Maps, and it makes for a… different coffee shop experience. Despite slow service and having to listen to the instructor shouting instructions in a spin class, the coffee was solid. (Update: Mugshots is now closed).

→Mugshots Coffee and Tea // now closed

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Not Just Coffee

While Not Just Coffee and I got off to a rocky start (they botched my order the first time around and the second time were pretty hostile toward laptop users), I gave them another chance after moving to Charlotte and they’re now a go-to. My favorite location is the Jay Street one, which opened after this trip.

→Not Just Coffee // Multiple Locations

FINAL THOUGHTS ON VISITING CHARLOTTE

Less than six months after publishing this post, Michael and I upped and moved from Florida to Charlotte – so I guess you could say the city really left a great impression! I’m honored to be a Charlottean now, and thrilled to have the chance to dive in deeper to share more of what makes this city so great.

As you explore the city, thank you for considering visiting our mom-and-pop and locally-owned establishments. We’re so lucky to have them in our community and want to make sure they can stick around to continue welcoming future visitors.

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Questions for you

Have you spent time in Charlotte?

If not, how long has the Queen City been on your radar?

Planning a trip to the Queen City? You may also enjoy these other Charlotte area posts:

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Summer Reign in the Queen City: The Ultimate Summer Weekend Travel Guide for Charlotte, North Carolina