I have officially been living in Charlotte, NC (The Queen City) for six years. Charlotte is the first place that has felt like “home,” and I don’t plan on going anywhere soon. I’ve lived in many states, cities, and places across the country, and Charlotte is by far my favorite. That’s saying a lot considering I once lived in Hawaii. If you type any of the places into my blog’s search box, you can read about my experience!
HERE IS THE ULTIMATE CHARLOTTE NORTH CAROLINA (QUEEN CITY) TRAVEL GUIDE! FILLED WITH THINGS TO DO IN CHARLOTTE NORTH CAROLINA! 🙂
Charlotte is growing unbelievably fast, and there are new restaurants, gyms, coffee shops, and fun events popping up constantly. I wanted to make a list with some of my favorite spots and places just in case you need some suggestions if you’re visiting, or even if you live here! I love to try new places all the time, and I will update this page as much as possible. I get asked at least once a day about Charlotte. A lot of my readers pass through, end up moving here, or want to plan a visit. I hope this list helps you plan your Charlotte adventures.
I’m always up for new experiences too, so please feel free to comment below with your Charlotte suggestions. I will also be including some of my favorite social media accounts because they always have great Charlotte suggestions.
It’s only fitting that I start with coffee shops because I spend 50% of my weekends at them. Here are some amazing spots for coffee that I love visiting.
I feel so blessed to be living in a city with so many beautiful trails. I still have a lot to try out. The Charlotte trails are incredibly gorgeous! My friends and I love spending our time walking, running, and biking them. We usually grab a coffee and walk for miles.
Read more about skydiving here…
Hey Tara!
I love this page! It’s such a wonderfully comprehensive guide to Charlotte. One quick suggestion – I know you’ve blogged about several of these places before. Is it possible to attach a link to the pictures so that we can easily read about your experience of the place?
Thanks,
Brittany
Hi, Brittany.
That’s a great idea, and I will eventually get around to that for sure. You can always type the restaurant into my search box if you need it right away 🙂 xo
Hi Taralynn!
Thank you so much for creating this post! I know it has been a lot of work to put together. It’s perfect though! I’m visiting in May to see if my husband and I want to relocate (he works for Chipotle and they are opening a ton of new stores there!) I’m from Colorado so I know it will be a huge change but I’m really excited. I’ve been following your blog for a while now and it will be great to experience some of the coffee and views. So thanks again! 🙂
WOW seeing all this makes me wanna move here it looks so amazing
Hi Taralynn!
I currently live a little bit outside of Charlotte, but I’m looking to move there once I graduate. I’m also a runner and will be living alone, so I was wondering if you have any pointers on areas of Charlotte that would be a good place to live for safety and that would also have good/safe running routes?
Thanks for all this info!!!
Hi, Elaine!
It all depends on where you will be working. I think traffic kind of plays a role in picking the right neighborhood. Luckily we have safe running routes all over Charlotte, so you won’t have a hard time finding somewhere to run. I think Southend is super safe and very popular right now. GREAT for young professionals. Dilworth and Southpark are also great options!
It’s kinda on the outskirts of charlotte in Huntersville but you should try Cafe 100 for breakfast! Cute little house that was renovated to a restaurant. Their So-cal omelette is amazinggg! I probably go 2-3 times a month for breakfast there.
I can’t wait to visit Charlotte!
You’ll love it!
Hi!
I was recently in Charlotte for a concert and stumbled across a great little place to eat right by the Fillmore. 802’s pizzeria has cauliflower crust pizza and it was amazing. Thought you might want to check it out. I was also super excited to see Zada Jane’s on your list. It’s been one of my favorite places to eat for YEARS.
Hi! I will be moving to Charlotte in a couple of weeks! I have already used your blog suggestions and loved them all …Crowder’s mtn, Freedom park, not just coffee and esp. Luna’s! I look forward to trying more. Do you have any suggestions on which salons are the best for hair cuts?? Thanks for the help!
Hi Taralynn!
I am visiting Charlotte for the first time on Tuesday! Do you have any suggestions for vegan/vegetarian restaurants!?
Thank you 🙂
– an avid reader of yours for 6+ years
Hi!!
Def Lunas Living Kitchen or Fern!!
Hi Tara! I love your website!
I am an interior design student at Auburn University – a little far away from you. But our design project for this semester is to re-design the Aloft Hotel in the Epicenter downtown. When researching things about Charlotte your website popped up! It has been a great place to get more info about Charlotte.
I have a couple questions for you being a Charlotte local and I would love to do an email or phone interview with you to get more information about what young people in Charlotte are looking for in the hospitality industry.
If you could shoot me an email that would be great! Also feel free to check out my website attached.
Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you,
Rachael
Just FYI…I love Suarez Bakery, too but it is spelled Suarez not Saurez!
Hi Taralynn,
I am visiting Charlotte in a couple weekends – do you have any recommendations on things to do? We are looking to fill an afternoon of activities/sights that will give us a good representation of the city. We are also going to Asheville to see the Biltmore for a day so if you have any tips around that, let me know!
Thanks,
Shelby
Heya Taralynn!
Early on in December I think I’m going to do my first ever roadtrip by myself (Orlando to Charlotte) and am thinking about bringing my Vizsla Banjo! If you were free we’d love to meet up! I want to hike and get good eats 🙂
Happy Holidays!
I’m hoping to visit Charlotte sometime this year! Which neighborhood(s) would you recommend staying in for a long weekend? I’m open to a hotel or airbnb.
I’d go with Uptown! Center of it all 😀
Hi! What suburbs would you recommend for a family with two small children? Thinking of moving to Charlotte, and visiting this summer to check out some areas!
You’ll definitely want to visit them all to see which best fits your family’s lifestyle. Traffic can get pretty rough these days, so a commute will always affect where you live. Ballantyne, Fort Mill, Lake Norman, Dilworth, Southpark, and Matthews are all great spots to check out.
I’m moving to the Charlotte area in about 2 weeks! I can’t wait to try out some of the spots you recommended!
You’re going to LOVE LOVE LOVE it!
Thanks to the wonderful guide
I am currently in Charlotte and need to get out more and visit all of these amazing places! I have been to the other inner peaks rock gym in Charlotte but my absolute favorite is Cliff Hangers in Mooresville you need to check it out they even do ladies night and date nights!
Yes, that would be so fun!
Oh my gosh, I wasn’t hungry before I started this blog but wow! It looks so freaking amazing. I haven’t lived here for too long and now I have food places that I have to visit! Thank you so much for the post.
Hi! Late to the party here, but I’m a new follower and just found this post. Perfect timing because I’m headed to Charlotte tomorrow for the first time! Really excited to try some of your spots! We are staying in NoDa (I think?).
I love your blog and will be moving to Charlotte!
Hi! Do you have any suggestions on where to stay in Charlotte? I saw your post on the Duke Mansion but do you have other suggestions? My husband and I just got back from Napa and stayed at a Bed & Breakfast there and are def fans 🙂 Im hoping to visit Charlotte soon and this post is gold! PS: Big fan of your blog it’s the only one I consistently keep up with been a reader for years and years not sure why i never commented lol
Thank you!!!
Try the Ivy hotel, Kimpton, or Dunhill ♥️
This was a great guide! I gotta say, just move to Charlotte! But really, this was a helpful post for putting up relatives before our home was built.
This guide is helpful!! Thank you! Hubby and I are visiting Raleigh in a couple weeks for our 5 year anniversary. We stayed at the Ballantyne for our wedding night and are again! I’m excited! What are the best 3 restaurants you would recommend for a quick weekend trip?
I love Charlotte! Will you do an updated post soon?
I definitely need to!
This guide was very helpful in many ways. Thankyou for sharing!!