Places to go in Charlotte

Music venue · Music

Neighborhood Theatre

Live music venue in the former Astor Theatre, which was built in 1945 and became a concert venue in 1997. It has a main room for touring acts and a smaller room.

511 E 36th St · NoDa

Music venue · Music

The Evening Muse

Small venue that hosts musicians, comedians, poets and other performers, with an open mic every Monday.

3227 N Davidson St · NoDa

Music venue · Music

The Visulite Theatre

Music venue that hosts touring acts and tribute bands. Most shows have doors at 7 PM and start at 8 PM.

1615 Elizabeth Ave · Elizabeth

Concert venue · Music

The Fillmore Charlotte

Concert venue in a former textile mill, with two rooms: The Fillmore Charlotte and The Underground.

820 Hamilton St · AvidXchange Music Factory

Music venue · Music

Amos' Southend

Two-story live music venue with a tiered mezzanine, open since 1990. It books concerts and tribute acts, and age limits vary by show.

1423 S Tryon St · South End

Bar and music venue · Music

Petra's

Bar that hosts live music, dance parties and the Bill Hanna Legacy Jazz Session every Monday (music 7:30–10 PM). Karaoke runs Wednesdays from 7 to 9 PM.

1919 Commonwealth Ave · Plaza Midwood

Outdoor amphitheater · Music

TD Amp Ballantyne

Outdoor amphitheater with a covered stage and a tiered general-admission lawn. It hosts ticketed and free concerts, festivals, markets and fitness classes.

Grounds daily 7 AM–8 PM (closed to the public during events)

11115 Upper Ave · Ballantyne

Jazz club · Music

Middle C Jazz

Jazz club, open since November 1, 2019, presenting local, regional and national artists, with small plates and craft cocktails.

300 S Brevard St · Uptown

Country music venue · Music

Coyote Joe's

Country music nightclub and concert venue on Wilkinson Boulevard that books touring and regional country acts.

4621 Wilkinson Blvd · Wilkinson Blvd

Music venue · Music

The Milestone Club

Live music club with a bar that hosts ticketed shows, most starting at 8 or 9pm with the bar opening at 7pm. Shows are 18 and up with photo ID required.

3400 Tuckaseegee Rd. · Tuckaseegee Rd

Jazz lounge · Music

Eighty Eights

Coffee shop by day and jazz cocktail lounge in the evening, with live jazz Wednesday through Sunday. Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday shows have a $10 cover; Friday and Saturday have two ticketed shows a night with reservations offered.

Coffee Mon-Fri 8am-2pm, Sat-Sun 8am-5pm; lounge Wed-Thu 5pm-12am, Fri-Sat 5pm-1am, Sun 5pm-11pm

4237 Raleigh St., Suite 3 · The Pass

Music bar · Music

Goldie's

Live music bar in Lower South End serving food and drinks, with two dog-friendly patios. It advertises live music every day it is open.

Mon closed; Tue 4pm-10pm; Wed 4pm-11pm; Thu 4pm-12am; Fri-Sat 11am-2am; Sun 11am-9pm

3601 South Blvd. · LoSo

Outdoor music venue · Music

The Music Yard

Outdoor live music venue on South Boulevard hosting ticketed concerts, most starting at 6pm.

2433 South Blvd · South End

Arts and event venue · Music

Arts Factory

Arts venue in Charlotte's Historic West End that hosts visual art exhibitions, theatre, comedy and concerts, mostly produced by local artists and organizations.

1545 W. Trade Street · Historic West End

Historic theater · Music

Carolina Theatre

Not-for-profit historic theater in Uptown that presents concerts, stand-up comedy, live talks, holiday performances and films.

230 N. Tryon St. · Belk Place

Bourbon bar · Music

Bin 110

Bourbon bar with over 550 whiskies, craft cocktails, wine and small plates. It has live music Thursday through Saturday and a monthly comedy night.

Mon closed; Tue 4pm-10pm; Wed-Sat 4pm-1am; Sun 12pm-6pm

19712 One Norman Blvd, Suite #110 · Cornelius

Music venue · Music

BoatYard Lake Norman

Live music and event venue in Cornelius that hosts concerts and bingo nights.

18418 Statesville Rd · Cornelius

Lakeside bar · Music

The Cabin

Lakeside bar on Lake Norman with cocktails, wine and draft, bottled and canned beer, plus indoor seating and a patio over the water. Live music on Friday and Saturday nights, and music trivia on some dates.

Opens Mon-Fri 5 PM; Sat-Sun 12 PM

400 North Harbor Place Drive, Ste A · Davidson Landing

Live music and bourbon bar · Music

202 North Main

Live music, cocktail and bourbon bar in a restored Victorian building from around 1900, serving wine, craft beer and spirits. Line dance lessons on Wednesdays ($5) and live music Thursday through Saturday.

Live music Thu 7:30-10 PM; Fri-Sat from 8:30 PM

202 North Main St. · Downtown Mooresville

Cuban restaurant and bar · Music

Havana Carolina

Cuban restaurant and bar serving traditional Cuban dishes in downtown Concord. A local Latin band plays every Friday and Saturday evening with free admission.

11 Union Street South, Suite #108 · Downtown Concord

Neighborhood cocktail bar · Music

Stumptown Station

Neighborhood bar in downtown Matthews serving craft cocktails, beer and wine. Live music on Friday and Saturday nights.

Sun-Thu 4pm-12am; Fri-Sat 4pm-2am

107A North Trade Street · Downtown Matthews

Brewery · Food

NoDa Brewing Company

Craft brewery. This location has the main production facility, a taproom and a beer garden, and serves pizza.

Tue–Thu 11:30 AM–9 PM · Fri–Sat 11:30 AM–10 PM · Sun 11:30 AM–8 PM · Closed Mon

150 W 32nd St · North End

Brewery · Food

The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery

German-style brewery open since 2009, with a taproom, an outdoor biergarten, and a Brauhaus serving German and American food.

Mon–Thu 11 AM–10 PM · Fri–Sat 11 AM–11 PM · Sun 11 AM–9 PM

4150 Yancey Rd · LoSo

Food hall · Food

Optimist Hall

Food hall with more than 25 food stalls, dine-in restaurants, a bar, an on-site brewery and shops. It also hosts community events and live music.

1115 N Brevard St · Optimist Park

Food hall · Food

The Market at 7th Street

Nonprofit food hall and shop space, formerly 7th Street Public Market, that works as an incubator for locally owned food, drink and retail businesses.

Mon 8 AM–9 PM (some shops) · Tue–Thu 8 AM–9 PM · Fri–Sat 8 AM–10 PM · Sun 9 AM–6 PM

224 E 7th St · Uptown

Brewery · Food

Wooden Robot Brewery

Urban farmhouse brewery with general-knowledge trivia on Tuesdays at 7 PM and a run club on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM, with 1, 3 and 5 mile routes.

Mon 8 AM–4 PM · Tue–Thu 8 AM–10 PM · Fri–Sat 8 AM–11 PM · Sun 8 AM–8 PM

1440 S Tryon St #110 · South End

Brewery · Food

Resident Culture Brewing

Original brewery and taproom, where all of its beer is made, with a food truck Tuesday through Sunday. Weekly events include Nerd Night on Mondays at 7 PM, a run club on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM and trivia on Wednesdays from 7 to 9 PM.

Mon–Thu 3–10 PM · Fri 3–11 PM · Sat 12–11 PM · Sun 12–8 PM

2101 Central Ave · Plaza Midwood

Brewery · Food

Legion Brewing Plaza Midwood

Legion Brewing's first location, opened in 2015 in the former Brodt's Music building and recently renovated. It hosts weekly trivia and serves weekly chef features.

Mon–Thu 4–9 PM · Fri–Sat 12–10 PM · Sun 12–7 PM

1906 Commonwealth Ave · Plaza Midwood

Restaurant with live jazz · Food

Cajun Queen

Cajun restaurant in a 100-year-old building, open since 1985. Jazz plays seven nights a week in the upstairs dining room; downstairs is quieter.

Mon–Thu 5–8:30 PM · Fri 5–9:30 PM · Sat 4:30–9:30 PM · Sun 11 AM–8 PM

1800 E 7th St · Elizabeth

Brewery taproom · Food

Legion Brewing SouthPark

Taproom on the ground floor of the Capitol Towers development with an outdoor patio, private event spaces and weekly chef features.

Mon–Wed 11 AM–9 PM · Thu–Sat 11 AM–10 PM · Sun 10 AM–9 PM

5610 Carnegie Blvd · SouthPark

Brewery taproom · Food

Suffolk Punch SouthPark

Suffolk Punch Brewing taproom serving its beer along with coffee, cocktails, wine and a weekend brunch menu.

Mon–Thu 7:30 AM–9 PM · Fri 7:30 AM–10 PM · Sat 10 AM–10 PM · Sun 10 AM–9 PM

4400 Sharon Rd, Unit G23D · SouthPark

Dining and shopping district · Food

The Bowl at Ballantyne

Restaurants, shops and services around a central green east of The Ballantyne, next to TD Amp. It hosts food truck gatherings, a running club and seasonal festivals.

15119 Bowl St · Ballantyne

Brewery · Food

Armored Cow Brewing

Brewery taproom with regular and gluten-free beers. It hosts trivia on Thursdays at 7 PM and a run club on Tuesdays at 6:30 PM, and leashed dogs are welcome.

Tue 2–9 PM · Wed 2–9:30 PM · Thu 2–10:30 PM · Fri–Sat 12–11 PM · Sun 12–8 PM · Closed Mon

8821 JW Clay Blvd, Suite 1 · University City

Brewery · Food

Divine Barrel Brewing

Brewery with a weekly taproom schedule: trivia on Mondays at 7 PM, bring-your-own-vinyl on Tuesdays, game night on Wednesdays and a run club on Thursdays at 6:30 PM.

Mon–Wed 4–10 PM · Thu–Sat 12–10 PM · Sun 12–8 PM

3701 N Davidson St, Suite 203 · NoDa

Brewpub · Food

Heist Brewery

Brewpub that opened in 2012, serving its own beer with wood-fired flatbreads and dips.

Mon–Thu 11 AM–10 PM · Fri–Sat 11 AM–12 AM · Sun 10 AM–10 PM

2909 N Davidson St, Suite 200 · NoDa

Brewery · Food

Birdsong Brewing Co.

Neighborhood brewery founded in 2010 that makes American-style ales. The taproom has 20 taps and indoor and outdoor seating.

Mon-Thu 3-10pm; Fri-Sat 12-10pm; Sun 11am-8pm

1016 North Davidson Street · Optimist Park

Brewery · Food

Free Range Brewing

Brewery serving house-brewed beer, N/A drinks, cocktails and natural wine, made with mostly locally sourced ingredients. It hosts trivia nights, improv shows and other events on its calendar.

Mon-Thu 3-10pm; Fri 12-11pm; Sat 11am-11pm; Sun 11am-8pm

2320 N. Davidson St · Villa Heights

Brewery & pizza bar · Food

Salud Cerveceria

Neighborhood bar and pizza restaurant in NoDa with a beer shop. It serves beer, drinks and pizza, and hosts private parties.

Mon-Thu 11am-10pm; Fri-Sat 8am-12am; Sun 8am-9pm

3306-C North Davidson Street · NoDa

Brewery · Food

Town Brewing Co.

Wesley Heights brewery with a kitchen serving beer, wine, cider and food including vegan and gluten-free options. Weekly events include Monday open mic (sign-ups 6pm, show 6:30pm), a Wednesday 6:30pm run club and Wednesday trivia around 7:30pm.

Mon-Thu 4-10pm; Fri-Sat 11am-11pm; Sun 11am-10pm

800 Grandin Road · Wesley Heights

Brewery · Food

Protagonist Beer LoSo Brewery & Pizza Kitchen

Flagship location of Protagonist, a Charlotte brewery making modern takes on classic beer styles. It has a 15-barrel brewhouse, pizza kitchen, three bars, a barrel room and a heated outdoor patio.

Mon-Wed 4-10pm; Thu 11am-11pm; Fri-Sat 11am-12am; Sun 11am-8pm

227 Southside Dr, Unit A · LoSo

Brewery · Food

Sugar Creek Brewing Company

Veteran-owned independent brewery that makes Belgian-inspired ales.

Mon-Thu 3-10pm; Fri 1-11pm; Sat 11am-11pm; Sun 12-9pm

215 Southside Dr · LoSo

Brewery · Food

Pilot Brewing Company

Brewery in Plaza Midwood that hosts events and holiday parties and runs a rewards program for beer releases.

Mon-Wed 2-9pm; Thu-Fri 2-10pm; Sat 11am-10pm; Sun 11am-9pm

1331 Central Ave., Ste 104 · Plaza Midwood

Brewery · Food

Lenny Boy Brewing Co.

Brewery and taproom making organic kombucha, beer and sours, with White Duck Taco Shop on the same floor. It hosts trivia and yoga classes.

Mon-Sat 11am-9pm; Sun 11am-8pm

3000 S. Tryon Street · LoSo

Brewery · Food

Triple C Brewing Company

Brewery and taproom in historic South End serving beers from blonde ales and lagers to barrel-aged stouts, with Izzy's pizza and wings on site. It hosts live music, Candlelight concerts and mahjong nights.

Mon-Thu 4-10pm; Fri-Sat 12-10pm; Sun 12-8pm

2900 Griffith Street · South End

Brewery · Food

Lower Left Brewing Co.

Craft brewery in Lower South End that opened in 2019, with a patio and occasional live music and food trucks. Its run club meets Wednesdays at 6pm.

Mon-Thu 4-9pm; Fri 2-10pm; Sat 12-10pm; Sun 1-7pm

4528 Nations Crossing Road · LoSo

Brewery · Food

Petty Thieves Brewing Co.

Craft brewery and taproom in Charlotte's Lower North End with small-batch beers and an outdoor beer garden. Tuesday is trivia night and Wednesday hosts a stitching and knitting meetup.

Tue-Thu 4-10pm; Fri-Sat 12-10pm; Sun 12-8pm; closed Mon

413 Dalton Avenue · North End

Brewery · Food

Heist Barrel Arts

Heist Brewery's second location, with a barrel program and Livy's Neapolitan Pizzeria. Weekly events include Tuesday trivia at 7pm and Thursday music bingo at 7pm.

Mon 3-8pm; Tue-Thu 3-10pm; Fri 3-11pm; Sat 11am-11pm; Sun 12-8pm

1030 Woodward Ave · Optimist Park

Distillery · Food

GWR Distilling (Great Wagon Road) NoDa

Distillery, bar and event space in NoDa, formerly known as Great Wagon Road Distilling. Distillery tours can be booked online.

Mon 5-10pm; Tue-Fri 4-11pm; Sat 12-11pm; Sun 12-8pm

610 Anderson Street · NoDa

Brewery & food hall · Food

Trolley Barn Fermentory & Food Hall

Legion Brewing's small-batch brewery and food hall in an 1890s trolley car maintenance garage, serving experimental beers, cocktails and food.

Mon-Thu 11am-9pm; Fri-Sat 11am-11pm; Sun 10am-9pm

2104 South Boulevard · Atherton Mill

Brewery · Food

Legion Brewing West Morehead

Legion's production brewery and taproom in a former Mitchum Potato Chip factory, where guests can watch brewing up close. It has a biergarten with evening events and brick oven pizza; brewhouse tours run Saturdays by appointment.

2013 W Morehead St, Suite 200 · West Morehead

Taproom · Food

The Chamber by Wooden Robot

Wooden Robot Brewery's NoDa taproom, with a food truck schedule, run clubs and taproom events.

Tue-Thu 4-10pm; Fri 3-11pm; Sat 12-11pm; Sun 12-8pm; closed Mon

416 E 36th St #100 · NoDa

Brewery · Food

Suffolk Punch South End

Suffolk Punch Brewing's South End taproom, serving beer, cocktails, wine, weekday breakfast and coffee, and weekend brunch, with a heated patio tent.

Mon-Thu 11am-10pm; Fri 11am-12am; Sat 10am-12am; Sun 10am-9pm

2911 Griffith St. · South End

Brewery · Food

The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery Ballantyne

Ballantyne location of The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery with a restaurant and biergarten serving German fare such as pretzels and sausages alongside American dishes. It hosts a run club and live music.

Mon-Thu 11am-10pm; Fri-Sat 11am-11pm; Sun 11am-9pm

15025 Bowl Street · Ballantyne

Taproom · Food

Lost Worlds Charlotte Taproom at Metropolitan

Charlotte taproom of Cornelius-based Lost Worlds Brewing at Metropolitan, with food from restaurant partners and private event space.

Mon-Thu 12-10pm; Fri-Sat 12-11pm; Sun 12-9pm

1100 Metropolitan Avenue, Suite 165 · Midtown

Wine bar · Food

Foxcroft Food & Wine Dilworth

Local restaurant and wine bar with 35+ wines by the glass, flights, and bottles to drink in or take home, plus pastas, cheese boards and burgers. It holds monthly wine dinners, tastings and pop-up events.

Mon-Thu 12-9pm; Fri-Sat 12-10pm; closed Sun

1235 East Blvd, Suite I · Kenilworth Commons

Wine bar · Food

The Bohemian: A Wine Bar

Wine bar offering bottles, wines by the glass, and cheese and charcuterie boards, with a patio.

Tue 4-10pm; Wed-Thu 12-10pm; Fri-Sat 12-11pm; Sun 12-8pm; closed Mon

1319 Pecan Ave. · Plaza Midwood

Wine shop & bar · Food

Vintner Wine Market

Wine, spirits and beer shop with a kitchen menu that hosts tastings, music and other events.

Mon 3-8pm; Tue 3-8:30pm; Wed-Thu 12-9pm; Fri-Sat 12-10pm; Sun 2-7pm

8128 Providence Road #500 · Arboretum

Wine bar · Food

The Wine Loft

Wine bar serving wine by the glass and bottle, whiskey, cocktails, local beer and tapas, with live music on Friday and Saturday evenings. Wednesdays feature curated wine flights and Tuesdays half-off bottles.

Tue-Thu 4-11pm; Fri 3-11pm; Sat 2-11pm; Sun-Mon private events only

2201 South Boulevard · South End

Food hall · Food

Monarch Market

An 18,000 sq. ft. food hall in One Independence Center at Trade and Tryon. Weekly events include trivia Tuesdays at 6pm, Survey Says Wednesdays 5:30-7:30pm and Thirst Thursday cocktail specials.

Sun-Thu 11am-9pm; Fri-Sat 11am-10pm

101 North Tryon Street · Uptown

Coffee, beer & wine bar · Food

The Hobbyist

Neighborhood coffee, beer, wine and cocktail shop with a bottle shop for drinking in or taking home. It hosts free live music shows, usually 7-10pm.

Mon-Thu 7:30am-9pm; Fri 7:30am-10pm; Sat 8am-10pm; Sun 8:30am-6pm

2100 N Davidson St, Suite D · Villa Heights

Restaurant & wine bar · Food

The Artisan's Palate

Restaurant, craft cocktail and wine bar, and art gallery in NoDa with a globally inspired menu and monthly featured local artists. Brunch is served Sundays 10:30am-4pm.

Tue-Thu 8am-10pm; Fri 8am-11pm; Sat 9am-11pm; Sun 10:30am-4pm

1218 East 36th Street, Suite A · NoDa

Bar & deli · Food

Common Market Plaza Midwood

Neighborhood restaurant, bar, deli and coffee shop.

Store daily 8am-12am; deli daily 8am-4pm

2007 Commonwealth Ave · Plaza Midwood

Bar & deli · Food

Common Market South End

Neighborhood store, deli and bar selling sandwiches, coffee, wine and beer, with a dog-friendly patio. It hosts trivia, open mic comedy and monthly vendor markets.

Store Sun-Mon 8am-8pm, Tue-Thu 8am-10pm, Fri-Sat 8am-11pm

235 W Tremont Ave · South End

Wine garden · Food

Rosie's Coffee & Wine Garden

Coffee and wine garden at The McGill Rose Garden with local snacks and pastries; guests can bring a picnic and food trucks visit often. It hosts First Friday Markets and classes.

Sun-Thu 8am-10pm; Fri-Sat 8am-11pm (closed most Saturdays during wedding season)

940 N Davidson Street · McGill Rose Garden

Beer garden · Food

VBGB Beer Hall & Garden

Beer hall and garden with a large patio, over 30 beers on tap and bar food. Free team trivia is held Thursdays at 8pm, and sand volleyball leagues play Monday-Thursday evenings.

Tue-Wed 4-10pm; Thu-Fri 4pm-12am; Sat 12pm-12am; Sun 12-10pm; closed Mon

920 Hamilton St. · Uptown

Tapas & wine restaurant · Food

Tap and Vine Quail Hollow

Tapas and cocktail restaurant serving small plates, wine and craft cocktails, with weekend brunch, wine tastings and local artist performances on its events calendar.

Mon-Thu 11:30am-10pm; Fri 11:30am-11pm; Sat 11:30am-12am; Sun 10am-9pm

8426 Park Rd · Quail Hollow

Restaurant & cocktail bar · Food

Haberdish

Southern milltown kitchen and craft cocktail bar in NoDa known for fried chicken. Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday 11am-3pm.

Lunch Tue-Fri 11am-3pm; dinner Tue-Thu 5-10pm, Fri 5-11pm, Sat 3-11pm, Sun 3-10pm; brunch Sat-Sun 11am-3pm

3106 N Davidson St. · NoDa

Restaurant · Food

Leroy Fox Cotswold

Southern-inspired restaurant and cocktail bar known for fried chicken. Its site lists weekend brunch Saturday and Sunday 10am-2:30pm.

705 S Sharon Amity Rd · Cotswold

Restaurant · Food

Leroy Fox South End

South End location of the Southern-inspired restaurant and cocktail bar known for fried chicken. Its site lists weekend brunch Saturday and Sunday 10am-2:30pm.

1616 Camden Rd, Suite 150 · South End

Southern restaurant · Food

The Asbury

Modern Southern restaurant in The Dunhill Hotel. Breakfast is served Monday through Friday 7-10 AM and brunch Saturday and Sunday 8 AM-2 PM.

Breakfast Mon-Fri 7-10 AM; lunch Mon-Fri 11 AM-2 PM; brunch Sat-Sun 8 AM-2 PM; dinner Mon-Thu 5-9 PM, Fri-Sat 5-10 PM

235 North Tryon Street · Uptown

American restaurant · Food

Eddie's Place

Neighborhood American restaurant whose menu has a Breakfast Anytime section with benedicts, breakfast burritos, waffles and egg plates alongside lunch and dinner.

617 S Sharon Amity Rd · Cotswold

Southern comfort food restaurant · Food

Dish

Southern comfort food restaurant in Plaza Midwood for about 20 years, with a brunch menu and a lunch and dinner menu. It opens at 10 AM on weekends.

Sun 10 AM-2 AM; Mon-Thu 11 AM-midnight; Fri 11 AM-2 AM; Sat 10 AM-2 AM

1220 Thomas Avenue · Plaza Midwood

Açaí bowl café · Brunch

Palm Berries

Family-run açaí bowl shop with specialty and build-your-own açaí and pitaya bowls plus smoothies it calls Blends. Dine-in, takeout and delivery.

Daily 8 AM–9 PM

9325 JW Clay Blvd Ste 211 · University City

Bakery & cafe · Brunch

Sunflour Baking Company (Elizabeth)

Local, family-owned bakery that makes everything from scratch in small batches. Breakfast is served all day.

Daily 7am-4pm

2001 E 7th Street · Elizabeth

Bakery & cafe · Brunch

Sunflour Baking Company (Dilworth)

Local, family-owned bakery that makes everything from scratch in small batches. Breakfast is served all day.

Daily 7am-4pm

220 East Boulevard · Dilworth

Bakery & cafe · Brunch

Sunflour Baking Company (NoDa)

Local, family-owned bakery that makes everything from scratch in small batches. Breakfast is served all day.

Daily 7am-4pm

515 Jordan Pl · NoDa

Bakery & cafe · Brunch

Sunflour Baking Company (Ballantyne)

Local, family-owned bakery that makes everything from scratch in small batches. Breakfast is served all day.

Daily 7am-4pm

14021 Conlan Circle · Ballantyne

Bakery & cafe · Brunch

Amélie's French Bakery & Café (NoDa)

The original Amélie's, a French bakery and café serving croissants and other pastries, soups, macarons and coffee drinks.

Sun-Thu 7 AM-10 PM; Fri-Sat 7 AM-midnight

136 E 36th Street · NoDa

Bakery & cafe · Brunch

Amélie's French Bakery & Café (Uptown)

Uptown location of the local French bakery and café, serving pastries, savory items, macarons and coffee, with dedicated pick-up lines and seating.

Sun-Thu 7 AM-8 PM; Fri-Sat 7 AM-10 PM

380 South College Street · Uptown

Bakery & cafe · Brunch

Amélie's French Bakery & Café (Park Road)

Park Road Shopping Center location of the local French bakery and café, serving pastries, savory items, macarons and coffee drinks.

Mon-Thu 8 AM-9 PM; Fri-Sat 8 AM-11 PM; Sun 8 AM-8 PM

524 Brandywine Road-E · Park Road Shopping Center

Bakery & cafe · Brunch

Amélie's French Bakery & Café (Carmel Commons)

Carmel Commons Shopping Center location of the local French bakery and café, serving pastries, savory items, macarons and coffee drinks.

Sun-Thu 7 AM-9 PM; Fri-Sat 7 AM-10 PM

7715 Pineville Matthews Rd, Unit 34B · Carmel Commons

Bakery & cafe · Brunch

Amélie's French Bakery & Café (Plaza Midwood)

Plaza Midwood location of the local French bakery and café, with classic French pastries, bread made daily and coffee drinks.

Sun-Thu 8 AM-10 PM; Fri-Sat 8 AM-midnight

1511 Central Ave · Plaza Midwood

Brunch restaurant · Brunch

Uptown Yolk

Southern brunch and dinner restaurant in the Vantage complex on South Tryon Street, serving breakfast and brunch dishes.

Mon, Wed, Thu 8 AM-3 PM; Fri-Sun 8 AM-5 PM (last seating 4:30 PM); closed Tue

1220 South Tryon Street · South End

Brunch restaurant · Brunch

Local Loaf

Chef Adam Spears' restaurant, open since 2013, serving gourmet sandwiches, brunch and entrees.

Wed-Fri 8 AM-9 PM; Sat 8 AM-4 PM; Sun 8 AM-3 PM

800 E 35th St · NoDa

Bakery & cafe · Brunch

Milkbread (Plaza Midwood)

Fast-casual bakery and café from Kindred owners Joe and Katy Kindred, serving made-to-order doughnuts and crispy fried chicken built around their milk bread recipe.

1431 Central Ave · Plaza Midwood

Bakery & cafe · Brunch

Milkbread (Uptown)

Uptown location of the Kindred family's fast-casual bakery and café, serving made-to-order doughnuts and crispy fried chicken.

525 S Tryon St #100 · Uptown

Brunch restaurant · Brunch

Mimosa Grill

Uptown restaurant serving Southern regional dishes with lunch, dinner and brunch menus.

Mon-Fri 11 AM-9 PM; Sat 11 AM-2 PM and 5-9 PM; Sun 11 AM-2 PM

327 S. Tryon St. · Uptown

Diner · Brunch

Midnight Diner

Round-the-clock diner on East Trade Street serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night food.

Open 24 hours, daily

420 East Trade St. · Uptown

French bakery & bistro · Brunch

Café Monte French Bakery and Bistro

French bakery and bistro in SouthPark, founded in 2007, that cooks with French culinary traditions and is open from 9 AM.

Tue-Sat 9 AM-9 PM; Sun 9 AM-3 PM; closed Mon

6700 Fairview Road, Suite 108 · SouthPark

Breakfast & lunch cafe · Brunch

Community Matters Café

Mission-driven café serving breakfast and lunch, coffee roasted on site, and pastries and desserts made in-house daily.

Mon-Fri 7 AM-2 PM; closed Sat-Sun

821 W 1st Street · Uptown (Third Ward)

Brunch restaurant · Brunch

Supperland

Plaza Midwood restaurant with a main dining room, bar and speakeasy. Its brunch buffet runs Saturday and Sunday with seatings from 10 AM to 2 PM; prepaid reservations are encouraged.

Dining room Tue-Thu 5-10 PM; Fri 5-11 PM; Sat 10 AM-2 PM and 5-11 PM; Sun 10 AM-2 PM and 5-10 PM

1212 The Plaza · Plaza Midwood

Diner · Brunch

Pike's Old Fashioned Soda Shop

Soda shop with a menu inspired by classic American diners, plus milkshakes and sundaes. Brunch is served on Sundays from 8 AM to 2 PM.

Mon-Thu 11 AM-9 PM; Fri-Sat 11 AM-10 PM; Sun brunch 8 AM-2 PM

1930 Camden Road · South End

Brunch restaurant · Brunch

The Goodyear House

NoDa restaurant with a seasonal menu sourced from local farmers. Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday and lunch on weekdays from 11 AM.

3032 N Davidson St · NoDa

Restaurant with weekend brunch · Brunch

Rooster's Wood-Fired Kitchen (Uptown)

Wood-fired restaurant near the Spectrum Center with an open hearth, chef's counter and full bar; it serves weekend brunch.

Mon-Sat 11 AM-10 PM; Sun 11 AM-9 PM

150 N College St · Uptown

Restaurant with weekend brunch · Brunch

Rooster's Wood-Fired Kitchen (SouthPark)

The original Charlotte Rooster's, a wood-fired restaurant with four private rooms and a full bar; it serves weekend brunch.

Sun-Thu 11 AM-9 PM; Fri-Sat 11 AM-10 PM

6601 Carnegie Blvd · SouthPark

Restaurant with weekend brunch · Brunch

Rooster's Wood-Fired Kitchen (Ballantyne)

Wood-fired restaurant at The Bowl at Ballantyne with patio seating and a weekend brunch built around Copain Bakery breads and Carolina produce.

15110 Bowl St, Suite 101 · Ballantyne

Brunch restaurant · Brunch

Lincoln Street Kitchen & Cocktails

South End American restaurant and cocktail bar with dinner and brunch menus. It opens at 10:30 AM on Saturday and Sunday.

Tue-Thu 5-10 PM; Fri 5-11 PM; Sat 10:30 AM-11 PM; Sun 10:30 AM-4 PM

1320 South Church Street Unit 400 · South End

Bakery & cafe · Brunch

Copain Bakery & Provisions (SouthPark)

French-inspired bakery café and provisions shop from the Noble Food & Pursuits family, with pastries, breads, an espresso bar and charcuterie and cheese boards.

Daily 8 AM-6 PM

6601 Carnegie Blvd · SouthPark

Bakery & brasserie · Brunch

Copain Bakery & Provisions (Ballantyne)

Copain's brasserie, café and provisions location, serving pastries, breads and espresso from 7 AM and brasserie dishes at dinner.

Sun-Thu 7 AM-9 PM; Fri-Sat 7 AM-10 PM

14020 Stream Way, Suite 118 · Ballantyne

Brewery taproom · Food

King Canary Brewing Co. (Davidson)

Davidson taproom of King Canary Brewing Co., which also has a taproom in Mooresville.

Mon–Thu 4–10 PM · Fri–Sat 11 AM–11 PM · Sun 11 AM–8 PM

121 Depot St · Davidson

Brewery · Food

Eleven Lakes Brewing

Independent craft brewery with a dog-friendly taproom pouring small-batch IPAs, lagers, wheat beers and seasonal beers. It hosts local music, trivia nights and food trucks.

Tue–Thu 4–10 PM · Fri 2–11 PM · Sat 12–11 PM · Sun 12–8 PM · Closed Mon

10228 Bailey Rd, Suite 201 · Cornelius

Brewery and wine bar · Food

Seaboard Brewing, Taproom & Wine Bar

Downtown brewery with a 5-barrel brewhouse, guest taps, a wine room of more than 400 wines and a pizza shop on the patio.

Mon 4–11pm; Tue–Thu 11:30am–11pm; Fri–Sat 11:30am–midnight; Sun 11:30am–10pm

213 N Trade St · Matthews

Brewery and pizzeria · Food

Ghostface Brewing

Downtown brewery and pizzeria with up to 20 rotating taps, an arcade and private party space.

Mon–Thu 11:30am–9pm; Fri 11:30am–2am; Sat 11:30am–midnight; Sun 11:30am–8pm

215 S Broad St · Mooresville

Brewery and taproom · Food

Primal Brewery Belmont

Brewery opened in 2020 with a 10-barrel brewhouse, taproom and beer garden; pizza and sliders come from in-house partner Tapside Pizza.

Tue–Wed 3–10pm; Thu–Sat 12–10pm; Sun 12–8pm; closed Mon

52 Ervin St · Belmont

Brewery and taproom · Food

Amor Artis Brewing

Family-owned brewery in historic downtown Fort Mill pouring its own beers, with a monthly calendar of events such as yoga, cook-offs and open mics.

Mon–Wed 12–9pm; Thu–Sat 12–10pm; Sun 12–8pm

204 Main St · Fort Mill

Brewery taproom · Food

Suffolk Punch Birkdale

Suffolk Punch Brewing taproom at Birkdale Village with an indoor space and an open-air rooftop, a chef-driven menu and craft cocktails.

Mon-Wed 11am-9pm; Thu 11am-10pm; Fri-Sat 11am-12am; Sun 11am-9pm

16912 Birkdale Commons Pkwy · Birkdale Village

Brewery · Food

Lost Worlds Brewing (Cornelius)

Brewery and taproom with an on-site coffee shop, offering weekly, monthly and seasonal events and private event space.

Mon-Thu 12-10pm; Fri-Sat 12-11pm; Sun 12-9pm

19700-D One Norman Blvd · Cornelius

Brewery · Food

760 Craft Works

Brewery and taproom that brews on site, with an outdoor beer garden, lawn games and green space. On Fridays and Saturdays at 8:30pm the taproom turns 21+ for Night Swim with cocktails, late-night bites and vinyl sessions.

Mon 4-9pm; Tue-Thu 3-10pm; Fri 2-10pm; Sat 12-10pm; Sun 12-8pm

100 Gilead Road · Downtown Huntersville

Brewery · Food

Primal Brewery Huntersville

Primal Brewery's flagship location, opened in December 2014 with the 1BBL brewhouse where the brewery started.

Mon-Thu 3-10pm; Fri-Sat 12-11pm; Sun 12-8pm

16432 Old Statesville Rd · Huntersville

Brewery · Food

Ass Clown Brewing Company

Craft brewery in Cornelius with 31 rotating taps drawn from more than 200 beer recipes.

Tue-Fri 2-9pm; Sat 1-9pm; closed Sun-Mon

10620 Bailey Rd E · Cornelius

Brewery · Food

Hoptown Brewing Co.

Craft brewery serving its own beers and snacks including locally produced charcuterie boards, with food trucks on rotation. The patio and backyard are dog-friendly.

Mon 4-9pm; Tue-Thu 4-10pm; Fri-Sat 12-11pm; Sun 12-9pm

107 Plantation Ridge Dr. · Mooresville

Brewery · Food

Jolly Roger Brewery

Veteran-owned, pirate-themed brewery near Lake Norman with rotating and seasonal taps and outdoor seating. Weekly events include Tuesday music bingo, a Wednesday run club and live music most Friday and Saturday nights.

Tue-Thu 4-9pm; Fri 2-9pm; Sat 12-10pm; Sun 12-8pm; closed Mon

239 Singleton Rd, Suite 1 · Mooresville

Brewery · Food

High Branch Brewing Co. (Concord)

Family-friendly brewery and tap room at Gibson Mill in Concord, with the Norway Hill Room available for private events.

Mon-Thu 3-9pm; Fri-Sat 12-10pm; Sun 12-8pm

305 McGill Ave NW #100 · Gibson Mill

Taproom · Food

High Branch Brewing Mooresville Tap Room

Downtown Mooresville tap room of Concord's High Branch Brewing.

Wed-Thu 5-9pm; Fri-Sat 12-10pm; Sun 12-8pm; closed Mon-Tue

252 N Main St · Downtown Mooresville

Brewpub · Food

Cabarrus Brewing Co.

Local brewery and brewpub at Gibson Mill that brews its core beers on site and serves pub food from its kitchen. It hosts public events listed on its calendar.

329 McGill Ave NW · Gibson Mill

Brewery · Food

Southern Strain Brewing Co. (Concord)

Brewery with a large taproom, indoor and outdoor seating, onsite food, draft cocktails and an event space. It holds a Sunday jazz brunch.

Tue-Thu 11am-9pm; Fri-Sat 11am-10pm; Sun 11am-8pm; closed Mon

165 Brumley Avenue Northeast · Downtown Concord

Food hall · Food

Gibson Mill Market Food Hall

Food hall with multiple vendors and a craft beer bar inside a redeveloped historic mill that also holds The Depot antique mall and two breweries. A free kids' craft is held at the Food Hall every Friday.

Property open daily 10am-7pm; vendor hours vary

325 McGill Ave. NW · Gibson Mill

Brewery · Food

Replay Brewing

Craft brewery and bar in Kingsley with pinball machines, food and private event space. Weekly events include Wednesday themed trivia, and free pinball on Mondays.

Mon-Thu 3-10pm; Fri-Sat 12pm-12am; Sun 12-8pm

1317 Broadcloth St. · Kingsley

Urban winery & wine bar · Food

Illumination Wines

Urban winery and wine bar founded by a mother-and-daughter team, serving wine, flights, beer and wine elixirs with charcuterie and small plates. Seating is first come, first served.

Tue 4-8pm; Wed-Fri 3-9pm; Sat 2-9pm; Sun 12-5pm; closed Mon

201 Springs St. · Downtown Fort Mill

Brewpub · Food

Jekyll & Hyde Taphouse & Grill Belmont

A 12,000 sq. ft. brewery and restaurant in a historic downtown Belmont building, home to Jekyll & Hyde Brewing Co. beers and chef-driven food.

Mon-Thu 11am-10pm; Fri-Sat 11am-11pm; Sun 10am-9pm

10 Catawba St · Downtown Belmont

Gastropub · Food

Jekyll & Hyde Taphouse & Grill Matthews

The first Jekyll & Hyde location, serving crafted cocktails and chef-inspired dishes in downtown Matthews. The Hyde Room is available for private events.

Mon-Thu 11am-10pm; Fri-Sat 11am-11pm; Sun 10am-9pm

316 N Trade St · Downtown Matthews

Gastropub & rooftop bar · Food

Jekyll & Hyde Fort Mill and Ivy 1886 Rooftop

Four-story Jekyll & Hyde location in Baxter Village, including the Ivy 1886 rooftop bar.

Mon-Thu 4-10pm; Fri 4-11pm; Sat 11am-11pm; Sun 10am-9pm

993 Market St · Baxter Village

Restaurant · Food

Kindred

Restaurant and event space on Main Street in Davidson. Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday 11am-2pm.

Tue-Sat 5-10pm; Sun 5-9pm; brunch Sat-Sun 11am-2pm

131 N Main St. · Downtown Davidson

Craft beer bar and bottle shop · Food

Carolina Beer Temple

Craft beer bar and retail store in downtown Matthews with rotating drafts, wine by the glass, live music and recurring events, sharing space with the Ames St. Marketplace. El Jarocho food truck serves food on site.

Mon–Wed 2–10 PM; Thu–Sat 12–11 PM; Sun 12–8 PM

215 N Ames St, Suite 1000 · Downtown Matthews

Comfort food restaurant · Food

Village Corner Comfort Kitchen & Bar

Southern-inspired comfort food restaurant that serves breakfast all day, along with dishes such as chicken and waffles and shrimp and grits.

Mon-Fri 9 AM-9 PM; Sat 8 AM-9 PM; Sun 10 AM-3 PM

360 Exchange St NW, Suite 102 · Concord

Southern restaurant · Food

Nellie's Southern Kitchen

Jonas family restaurant serving classic Southern dishes built on Nellie's recipes, with dinner and brunch menus. It opens at 10 AM on Sundays.

Mon-Thu 11 AM-9 PM; Fri-Sat 11 AM-10 PM; Sun 10 AM-8 PM

36 N Main St · Belmont

Tavern · Food

Brickhouse Tavern

Tavern in Davidson that has been in business since 2000, with a dining room and a separate bar area. Online pickup ordering is available.

Daily 11:30 AM-10 PM; bar area open to 11 PM Thu-Sat

209 Delburg Street, Suite 210 · Davidson

Restaurant and taphouse · Food

Flatiron Kitchen + Taphouse

Main Street restaurant led by Chef Bill Schutz with a seasonal, wood-fired menu paired with wines, bourbons and craft beers. Takes reservations and hosts private events.

Mon-Thu 11 AM-3 PM, 5-9 PM; Fri 11 AM-3 PM, 5-10 PM; Sat 10 AM-3 PM, 5-10 PM; Sun 10 AM-2 PM, 5-8 PM

215 S Main Street · Downtown Davidson

Coffee shop · Food

77 Grounds Coffee

Owner-run coffee shop in Davidson serving espresso drinks, cold brew, nitro cold brew, tea and drip coffee. It also books a mobile coffee cart for events.

Mon-Fri 6:30 AM-6 PM; Sat 8 AM-5 PM; Sun 9 AM-5 PM

605 Jetton Street, Suite B · Davidson

Restaurant · Food

North Harbor Club

Restaurant in Davidson with a large sailboat by the entrance and historic watercraft hanging from the ceiling. It also hosts private events and holiday parties.

Mon-Thu 11 AM-8 PM; Fri-Sat 11 AM-9 PM; Sun 11 AM-8 PM

100 N Harbor Place · Davidson

English and Irish pub · Food

The Harp & Crown Pub and Kitchen

English and Irish pub established in 2017 with a dining room, a patio bar and space for watching football matches. Weekend brunch is served, and the pub posts a live music lineup.

Mon, Wed, Thu 11 AM-10 PM; Fri 11 AM-11 PM; Sat 10 AM-11 PM; Sun 10 AM-10 PM; closed Tue

19930 West Catawba Avenue, Suite 130 · Cornelius

Restaurant and bourbon bar · Food

Barrel & Fork

Restaurant and bar in a historic house built around 1906, focused on bourbon, wine and cocktails. The menu is low-country and coastal-inspired.

Tue-Thu 4:30-9:30 PM; Fri-Sat 4:30-10:30 PM; Sun 4-9:30 PM; closed Mon

20517 N. Main Street · Downtown Cornelius

Waterfront wine bar and grill · Food

Lakehouse Wine Bar & Grill

Waterfront wine bar and grill on Lake Norman serving small bites, steak, seafood, house-made pasta and desserts. It has indoor dining, seasonal patio seating and 22 boat docks.

Daily 11:30 AM-9 PM; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas

18665 Harborside Drive · Cornelius

Cuban restaurant · Food

Azucar Cuban Restaurant

Cuban restaurant with locations in Huntersville and Ballantyne. The site posts a monthly events page.

Sun-Thu 11 AM-9 PM; Fri-Sat 11 AM-10 PM

15906 Old Statesville Road · Huntersville

Lakeside restaurant · Food

Eddie's on Lake Norman

Lakeside restaurant serving seafood, American and Italian food with lake-view dining. Sunday brunch runs 11 AM-2 PM, and the events calendar lists evening performers.

Sunday brunch 11 AM-2 PM (except major holidays)

643 Williamson Rd · Williamson Road

Restaurant · Food

Pump Social

Restaurant in a former downtown service station serving sandwiches, salads and grain bowls with beer and wine. It has a patio.

Mon 11 AM-3 PM; Thu 11 AM-3 PM; Fri 11 AM-9 PM; Sat 10 AM-9 PM; Sun 10 AM-2 PM; closed Tue-Wed

24 Church St. NE · Downtown Concord

Coffee shop · Food

Crane Coffee Co.

Specialty coffee shop inside The District Exchange serving espresso drinks, pour-overs with rotating single-origin beans and seasonal drinks. Beans are locally roasted.

Mon 8 AM-4 PM; Tue-Thu 8 AM-6 PM; Fri-Sat 8 AM-7 PM; Sun 8 AM-4 PM

22 Union Street North · Downtown Concord

Italian restaurant · Food

Gianni's Trattoria

Italian restaurant established in 2008 with a wine list of more than 200 labels and private dining rooms for groups.

Mon, Wed, Thu 5-9 PM; Fri-Sat 5-10 PM; Sun 4-9 PM; closed Tue

325 McGill Avenue NW · Gibson Mill

Scratch kitchen restaurant · Food

2 Gals Kitchen

Downtown scratch-kitchen restaurant that began as a catering company, serving burgers, sandwiches, salads, pasta and soup.

Tue-Wed 11 AM-2 PM; Thu-Fri 11 AM-2 PM, 5-8 PM; Sat 11 AM-3 PM; closed Sun-Mon

80 Union St S · Downtown Concord

Coffee shop · Food

Brakeman's Coffee & Supply

Downtown Matthews coffee shop serving a house Brakeman's Blend roasted by Haerfest Coffee of Davidson, plus rotating coffees from other roasters. Hosts private events.

Mon-Fri 6 AM-7 PM; Sat 7 AM-7 PM; closed Sun

225 N. Trade Street · Downtown Matthews

French-American fine dining · Food

Santé

French-influenced fine dining restaurant led by Chef Adam Reed, using ingredients from the Matthews Farmers' Market.

Tue-Thu 5-9 PM; Fri-Sat 5-10 PM

165 N. Trade St. · Downtown Matthews

Restaurant, wine shop and market · Food

The Speckled Pear

Husband-and-wife-owned restaurant, wine shop and curated market that hosts regular food events. It has a brunch menu.

Tue-Thu 11 AM-3 PM, 5-8 PM; Fri 11 AM-3 PM, 5-9 PM; Sat 10 AM-3 PM, 5-9 PM; closed Sun-Mon

110 Clebourne Street, Unit 102 · Downtown Fort Mill

Southern restaurant and market · Food

The String Bean

Downtown Belmont restaurant and market serving Southern food, including burgers made from beef ground in-house, with a large wine and beer selection. Its patio is open year-round with heated tables.

Restaurant Tue-Thu 11 AM-9 PM; Fri 11 AM-10 PM; Sat 11 AM-9 PM

106 North Main Street · Downtown Belmont

Gastropub · Food

Link & Pin (NorthCross)

Gastropub serving steaks, chops, seafood and cocktails in a rustic setting, with private dining rooms. A brunch menu is offered.

9723 Sam Furr Rd · NorthCross

Seafood restaurant · Food

Fin & Fino Birkdale

Seafood house in Birkdale Village serving frequently changing small plates, fresh fish, scratch-made pasta and raw bar items. Has a cocktail program and staff-selected wine list.

Mon-Thu 5-9pm; Fri 5-10pm; Sat 4-10pm; Sun 12-8pm

8630 Lindholm Drive · Birkdale Village

Italian restaurant · Food

Antico Italian Restaurant

Italian restaurant in Huntersville that also caters birthdays, holiday parties, corporate events and weddings.

Mon-Thu 4-9pm; Fri-Sat 11am-10pm

9719 Sam Furr Road · Huntersville

Pizzeria · Food

Slice House Pizza

Locally owned pizzeria that makes its own dough, sauce and house dressing and serves Italian food. It sources from local farmers and vendors.

Mon-Sat 11am-9pm; closed Sun

101 S Old Statesville Rd · Downtown Huntersville

Burger & grill restaurant · Food

Pinky's Westside Grill (Huntersville)

Huntersville location of the grill featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, known for Greg's Pickles, the Triple G burger and corn dog shrimp.

9818 Gilead Road, Suite 101B · Huntersville

American restaurant · Food

Red Rocks Cafe Birkdale Village

Locally owned American restaurant founded in 1992, serving steaks, pasta and seafood. It has two locations, one in SouthPark and one in Birkdale Village.

8712 Lindholm Drive · Birkdale Village

Latin American restaurant · Food

Verde Latin

Latin American restaurant with an open kitchen, full bar and fountain-side patio, run by the team behind The Prickly Pear. Brunch is served Saturdays and Sundays.

Mon-Thu 11am-9pm; Fri-Sat 11am-10pm; Sun 11am-9pm; brunch Sat-Sun

9818 Gilead Rd, Suite B-107 · Huntersville

Cheese and charcuterie restaurant and market · Food

The Loyalist Market

Cut-to-order cheese and charcuterie restaurant featuring local and regional cheesemakers, operating as a sandwich shop by day and a cheese bar by night. Includes a retail market.

Tue-Sat 11am-9pm; Sun 11am-4pm; closed Mon

435 North Trade Street #102 · Downtown Matthews

Steak and seafood restaurant · Food

Peninsula Prime Seafood & Steakhouse

Locally owned steak and seafood restaurant at Lake Norman serving prime steaks, seafood, wine, cocktails and bourbon. It hosts live music and special events.

Mon-Thu 4-9pm; Fri-Sat 4-10pm; closed Sun

19918 N Cove Rd · The Peninsula

Restaurant · Food

Seaboy

Small, chef-driven restaurant with a beach-house feel that focuses on fresh, local ingredients. Offers private dining and full-restaurant buyouts.

20822 N Main Street · Downtown Cornelius

Bar and restaurant · Food

Torrence and Knox

Owner-run bar and restaurant serving upscale American fare, a curated wine list and draft and bottled beers, with about a dozen TVs for sports. Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday 11am-3pm.

Kitchen: Mon 5-9pm; Tue-Thu 12-9pm; Fri 12-10pm; Sat 11am-10pm; brunch Sat-Sun 11am-3pm

20936 Torrence Chapel Rd · Cornelius

Beer, wine and small-plates restaurant · Food

Town Hall Provisions

Beer, wine and restaurant spot serving small, shareable plates. Offers private events.

Tue-Thu 4-10pm; Fri-Sat 4-11pm; Sun 4-9pm; closed Mon

9624 Bailey Road, Suite F · Cornelius

Restaurant, cafe and market · Food

The Pickled Peach

Restaurant, cafe and market making hand-crafted sandwiches, salads and baked goods.

11am-7pm; closed Mon

202 S Main St · Downtown Davidson

Mexican restaurant · Food

Mestizo Modern Mexican Cuisine

Family-run restaurant serving regional Mexican dishes from Mexico City natives, with a mixology menu. Reservations are taken.

Tue-Thu 11am-2:30pm and 5-9:30pm; Fri-Sat 11am-10pm; Sun 11am-3pm; closed Mon

121 N Main St · Downtown Davidson

Bakery & cafe · Brunch

Milkbread (Davidson)

Davidson location of the Kindred family's fast-casual bakery and café, serving made-to-order doughnuts and crispy fried chicken.

624 Jetton Street #110 · Davidson

Breakfast & lunch cafe · Brunch

Rise Cafe (Huntersville)

Breakfast and lunch cafe near Birkdale Village with dine-in, carry-out and delivery; many ingredients are sourced locally.

Daily 7 AM-2:30 PM

9525 Birkdale Crossing Dr #101 · Huntersville

Breakfast & lunch cafe · Brunch

Rise Cafe (Mooresville)

Downtown Mooresville location of the Lake Norman breakfast and lunch cafe, with dine-in, carry-out and delivery.

Fri-Mon 7 AM-2:30 PM; Tue-Thu 7 AM-2 PM

233 S Broad St · Mooresville

Bakery & cafe · Brunch

Cocotte French Bakery

Artisan French bakery and gourmet market that bakes croissants, breads and pastries on site daily, with lunch options and espresso drinks. Items often sell out, so earlier visits get the full selection.

Mon 7 AM-3 PM; Tue closed; Wed-Fri 7 AM-3 PM; Sat-Sun 8 AM-3 PM

9623 Bailey Rd, Suite 110 · Cornelius

Diner · Brunch

Crack of Dawn Diner

Breakfast and lunch diner in Concord with online ordering for pickup or delivery.

Mon-Fri 6 AM-3 PM; Sat-Sun 7 AM-3 PM

156 Green Street SW · Concord

Brunch restaurant · Brunch

44 Mills Kitchen & Tap

Modern Southern restaurant named for Cabarrus County's 44 textile mills. It serves brunch daily from 10 AM.

Daily 10 AM-9 PM

6189 Bayfield Pkwy · Concord (Afton Ridge)

Breakfast restaurant · Brunch

The Sweet Spot

Concord breakfast restaurant that serves breakfast seven days a week and offers catering and private events.

Mon-Sat 8 AM-1 PM; Sun 8 AM-2 PM

10050 Edison Square Dr NW · Concord

Breakfast & lunch restaurant · Brunch

Stacks Kitchen

Family-owned restaurant serving made-from-scratch pancakes, breakfast platters and homestyle lunches.

Daily 6 AM-3 PM

11100 Monroe Road · Matthews

Brunch restaurant · Brunch

The Flipside Cafe

Fort Mill cafe with brunch, all-day, dessert and cocktail menus. Brunch runs every day, with brunch-only service on Monday and Sunday.

Mon 7 AM-2 PM (brunch only); Tue-Fri brunch 7-11 AM, lunch 11 AM-4 PM, dinner 4-8 PM; Sat brunch 9 AM-1 PM, lunch 1-4 PM, dinner 4-8 PM; Sun 9 AM-2 PM (brunch only)

3150 Highway 21 North · Fort Mill

Restaurant with weekend brunch · Brunch

FM Eatery

Main Street Fort Mill restaurant from the Flipside group with lunch, dinner and brunch menus. Brunch is served Saturday 9 AM-2 PM and Sunday 9 AM-1 PM.

Mon-Thu 11 AM-9 PM; Fri 11 AM-10 PM; Sat brunch 9 AM-2 PM, dinner 2-10 PM; Sun brunch 9 AM-1 PM

217 Main St · Fort Mill

Breakfast & lunch restaurant · Brunch

Poppyseed Kitchen

Daytime restaurant opened in November 2022 by the Smith and Pantano families. It does not take reservations for parties under 10 but offers a same-day call-ahead wait list.

Wed-Sun 7 AM-3 PM; closed Mon-Tue

485 Tom Hall St. #103 · Fort Mill

Breakfast & brunch cafe · Brunch

Honeycomb Cafe

Main Street cafe in downtown Belmont serving breakfast, brunch and lunch.

Tue-Fri 9 AM-2 PM; Sat-Sun 8 AM-2 PM; closed Mon

31 N Main St · Belmont

Restaurant with weekend brunch · Brunch

Drift

Lakefront chophouse on Lake Wylie serving steak and seafood made with local ingredients. Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday 10:30 AM-3 PM.

Brunch Sat-Sun 10:30 AM-3 PM; dinner Mon-Thu 4-9:30 PM, Fri-Sat 4-10 PM, Sun 4-9 PM

315-M Lanyard Ln. · Belmont (Lake Wylie)

Outdoor recreation center · Outdoors

Whitewater Center

Outdoor recreation center. Entry is free; activities like rafting, kayaking, climbing, ziplines and mountain biking need an Activity Pass, and parking costs $13 a day. Hours change daily and some activities are seasonal.

5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy · West Charlotte

Public park · Outdoors

Romare Bearden Park

Public park of just over five acres with waterfalls, a large lawn and space for events held through the year.

300 S Church St · Uptown

Greenway · Outdoors

Little Sugar Creek Greenway

Mecklenburg County greenway with more than 17 miles of trail from Brevard Street in NoDa to the South Carolina state line. It is part of the Cross Charlotte Trail.

Many access points from Brevard St southward · NoDa to the South Carolina line

Public park · Outdoors

Independence Park

Charlotte's first public park, designed by John Nolen and split in two by Hawthorne Lane. The 34-acre county park has a perennial garden, nature playground, trails, athletic fields, a greenway link to Little Sugar Creek and the 300-seat Independence Park Stadium.

300 Hawthorne Ln · Elizabeth

Gardens and bird sanctuary · Outdoors

Wing Haven

Three public gardens on one ticket: Wing Haven Garden & Bird Sanctuary, SEED Wildlife & Children's Garden and the Elizabeth Lawrence House & Garden. Check in at the Clarkson House, 248 Ridgewood Ave; it holds more than 40 programs and events a year.

Wed–Sat 10 AM–5 PM

260 Ridgewood Ave · Myers Park

Botanical garden · Outdoors

UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens

Three garden sites on the UNC Charlotte campus, McMillan Greenhouse, Susie Harwood Garden and Van Landingham Glen, with sixteen collections. Admission is free; workshops and events need registration.

Gardens daily dawn–dusk · McMillan Greenhouse Mon–Fri 9 AM–4 PM

9090 Craver Rd · University City

Nature preserve · Outdoors

McDowell Nature Center and Preserve

Mecklenburg County nature preserve on Lake Wylie with a nature center featuring live native animals, a discovery hall and a gift shop. Visitors can bring their own canoe, kayak or paddleboard, and guided programs provide boats.

Preserve: daily, sunup to sundown · Nature center: Mon–Sat 9 AM–5 PM, Sun 1–5 PM · Closed Nov 9–10 and Nov 23–24 for wildlife management

15222 York Road · Steele Creek

Nature preserve · Outdoors

Reedy Creek Nature Center and Preserve

Mecklenburg County nature preserve whose nature center has live native animals, an exhibit hall, a classroom, a gift shop and the Dr. James F. Matthews Center for Biodiversity Studies. The center offers educational programs for all ages.

Preserve: daily, sunup to sundown · Nature center: Mon–Sat 9 AM–5 PM, Sun 1–5 PM

2986 Rocky River Road · East Charlotte

Lake access park · Outdoors

Copperhead Island Park

Mecklenburg County park on Lake Wylie listed by the county as a boating and paddling access point.

15200 Soldier Road · Lake Wylie

County park · Outdoors

Hornets Nest Park

Mecklenburg County park listed by the county for mountain biking and fishing, with 12 tennis courts and an indoor pavilion and picnic barn.

6301 Beatties Ford Road · Beatties Ford Road

County park · Outdoors

Freedom Park

Mecklenburg County park with tennis and pickleball courts (some reservable, some for open play) and fishing. It is home to the Mahlon Adams Indoor Pavilion.

2435 Cumberland Ave. · Dilworth

County park · Outdoors

Park Road Park

Mecklenburg County park with a lake listed for fishing and 12 tennis courts, four of them for open play. Its indoor pavilion has lakeside views.

6220 Park Road · Park Road

Outdoor outfitter · Outdoors

Jesse Brown's Outdoors

Charlotte outdoor retailer selling gear and apparel in store and online. It also offers guided fly fishing trips on North Carolina trout streams.

4732 Sharon Rd #2m · SouthPark

County park · Outdoors

Frank Liske Park

Cabarrus County park with a 10-acre lake for fishing and paddle boats, an 18-hole mini golf course, playgrounds, lighted pickleball courts, walking and nature trails, and soccer and softball complexes.

Nov–Feb 8 AM–5 PM · Mar–May and Oct 8 AM–9 PM · Jun–Sep 7 AM–9 PM · Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day

4001 Stough Rd · Concord

Nature preserve · Outdoors

Latta Nature Preserve

Mecklenburg County's largest nature preserve, 1,460 acres on Mountain Island Lake with 16 miles of trails for hiking and horseback riding and two canoe and kayak launches. The Quest nature center has live native animals and a 6,000-gallon aquarium.

Trails daily sunrise–sunset · Quest nature center Mon–Sat 9 AM–5 PM, Sun 1–5 PM

6345 Sample Rd · Huntersville

Lake park and boat launch · Outdoors

Blythe Landing Park

Mecklenburg County park on Lake Norman with six boat ramps and 218 parking spaces for boat trailers. Lake Norman Community Sailing also operates here.

15901 NC Highway 73 · Huntersville

Town park · Outdoors

Fisher Farm Park

A 200-acre town park in the early stages of development, with four miles of beginner-to-advanced mountain bike trails, an archery range and access from the West Branch Greenway.

21215 Shearer Rd · Davidson

Town park · Outdoors

Roosevelt Wilson Park

Town park around a large pond with a fountain, with boardwalks, paved walking trails, a playground, a picnic shelter, fitness stations and public restrooms.

420 Griffith St · Davidson

Lake park · Outdoors

Ramsey Creek Park

A 43-acre Mecklenburg County park on Lake Norman with a seasonal swimming beach, four boat ramps and docks, a fishing pier, an enclosed dog park, nature trails, a playground and picnic shelters.

Daily 7 AM–sunset

18441 Nantz Rd · Cornelius

Lake park · Outdoors

Jetton Park

Mecklenburg County park on Lake Norman that the county lists as a fishing spot. Its Waterfront Hall is a lakeside event space available to rent.

19000 Jetton Rd · Cornelius

Town park · Outdoors

Squirrel Lake Park

36-acre town park with a fishing pond and pier, playground, 12-hole disc golf course, walking trails and a connector trail to the Four Mile Creek Greenway.

Daily dawn to dusk

1631 Pleasant Plains Rd · Matthews

Town park and trails · Outdoors

Mazeppa Park

163-acre town park with about 2 miles of walking trails, 7 miles of mountain bike trails, ballfields, picnic shelters and a playground.

645 Mazeppa Rd · Mooresville

Botanical garden · Outdoors

Daniel Stowe Conservancy

Botanical garden and nature property; The Gardens at Stowe require paid admission, while the trails, dog park, Trailhead Store and Farmhouse Garden Center are free.

Gardens Wed–Sun 10am–4pm (last entry 3:30pm), closed Mon–Tue; trails daily 7am–7pm

6500 S New Hope Rd · Belmont

Trail park · Outdoors

Rocky Branch Park

City trail park with beginner, intermediate and advanced features for mountain biking, running and hiking; the system extends into Cramerton and the Sacco Street trailhead is about a mile from Main Street.

103 Sacco St · Belmont

Riverfront park · Outdoors

Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park

City park on the Catawba River with a dock and swings, kayak launch ramp, walking path, picnic shelters, a play unit and an amphitheatre.

1400 Catawba St · Belmont

Nature preserve and trails · Outdoors

Anne Springs Close Greenway

2,100-acre preserve with about 40 miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding, plus Lake Haigler for kayaking and fishing, a children's farm and the 1947 Founders Dairy Barn.

Daily 7am–sunset (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas)

2573 Lake Haigler Dr · Fort Mill

Town park · Outdoors

Walter Y. Elisha Park

12-acre town park with a 0.6-mile walking trail, playground, eight arbor swings and an amphitheater; its lawn hosts the South Carolina Strawberry Festival.

Daily 6:30am–9:30pm

345 N White St · Fort Mill

Town park · Outdoors

Robbins Park

Town park with two stocked fishing ponds with piers, a 9-hole disc golf course, a nature preserve, tennis and pickleball courts, a playground and 4.2 miles of trails connecting to McDowell Creek Greenway. A North Carolina fishing license is required to fish.

Dawn to dusk

17738 W Catawba Ave · Cornelius

Town park · Outdoors

Bailey Road Park

Cornelius town park with 12 tennis courts, 10 pickleball courts, an 18-hole disc golf course, a running track, synthetic turf fields, playgrounds, a bandshell and 1.14 miles of paved walking trails.

Dawn to dusk; lighted facilities to 11 PM

11536 Bailey Rd · Cornelius

Nature preserve and lake access · Outdoors

Lake Davidson Nature Preserve

Town nature preserve behind Davidson Day School with the 0.5-mile Sterling Martin Trail loop, picnic tables, a gazebo and public lake access for personal watercraft. Watercraft rentals and guided tours are offered through Davidson Parks & Recreation; there are no restrooms on site.

750 Jetton St · Davidson

Town park · Outdoors

Abersham/Allison Park

About 240 acres of passive recreation land with a large picnic shelter and a paved greenway that continues into Fisher Farm Park. Together with Fisher Farm and the Allison property it forms a little over 600 acres of contiguous parkland.

3540 Pleasant Garden Dr · Davidson

Public golf course · Outdoors

Mooresville Golf Club

Town of Mooresville public golf course with a redesigned 18-hole layout, a practice facility, an 18,000-square-foot clubhouse and On The Nines Bistro. Public tee times can be booked one week in advance.

205 Golf Course Dr · Mooresville

City park · Outdoors

Dorton Park

24-acre Concord community park with three playgrounds, a walking trail, a 9-hole disc golf course, tennis courts, soccer fields and reservable picnic shelters.

Dawn to dusk

5790 Poplar Tent Rd · Concord

City park · Outdoors

McGee Park

14-acre neighborhood park near downtown Concord with a playground, swings, a reservable shelter and parking for the McEachern Greenway and Downtown Loop.

Dawn to dusk

219 Corban Ave SE · Downtown Concord

City park · Outdoors

Les Myers Park

21-acre Concord community park that is home to the Frank Dusch Amphitheater, the C.T. Sherrill Community Building, gazebos and picnic shelters.

Dawn to dusk

338 Lawndale Ave · Concord

Golf course · Outdoors

Fort Mill Golf Club

Historic Fort Mill golf course run by Leroy Springs & Company's Springs Golf, with online tee time booking, instruction, a snack bar and memberships.

101 Country Club Dr · Fort Mill

Golf course · Outdoors

Springfield Golf Club

Par-72, 6,906-yard Clyde Johnston-designed golf course on a wooded, hilly site in Fort Mill, with four holes along Sugar Creek. It opened in 2001 and is part of Leroy Springs & Company's Springs Golf.

639 Hambley House Ln · Fort Mill

City park · Outdoors

Davis Park

City of Belmont park with two play units, picnic tables, tennis and pickleball courts and a baseball field. Tennis and pickleball courts can be reserved online.

204 Park Dr · Belmont

County park · Outdoors

Colonel Francis J. Beatty Park

Mecklenburg County park with a lake listed for fishing, plus tennis and pickleball courts. It is home to Lake Pointe Hall, an event space with lakeside views.

4330 Weddington Road · Matthews

Town park · Outdoors

Purser-Hulsey Park

Town of Matthews park with 4.4 miles of biking and walking trails built with the Tarheel Trailblazers, a community garden and a dog park. Trails close for 24–48 hours after rain.

Dawn to dusk · Dog park closed Wednesday mornings until 12 PM

13201 Phillips Road · Matthews

Town park · Outdoors

Stumptown Park

Two-acre downtown Matthews park used year round for concerts and special events, with a performance stage, dance floor, playground, picnic area and a first-come, first-served sand volleyball court.

Dawn to dusk

120 S. Trade · Matthews

County park · Outdoors

Camp T.N. Spencer Park

Cabarrus County park with a 1.5-mile walking trail, three fishing ponds, cabins and tent sites, a playground, volleyball court and picnic shelters.

Nov–Feb 8 AM–5 PM · Mar–May and Oct 8 AM–8 PM · Jun–Sep 7 AM–8 PM · Closed New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

3155 Foxford Road · Concord

County park · Outdoors

Vietnam Veterans Park

Cabarrus County park with a nine-hole disc golf course, a 1.2-mile walking trail, a wetlands trail and boardwalk, bocce, basketball and volleyball courts, and picnic shelters. It sits on the Carolina Thread Trail route between Kannapolis and Concord.

Nov–Feb 8 AM–5 PM · Mar–May and Oct 8 AM–8 PM · Jun–Sep 7 AM–8 PM · Closed New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

760 Orphanage Road · Concord

City park · Outdoors

Caldwell Park

24-acre City of Concord community park with a walking trail, two playgrounds, a skating circle, tennis and basketball courts, lit ball fields and the Robert Mathis Amphitheater.

Dawn to dusk

362 Georgia Avenue, SW · Concord

Greenway · Outdoors

Hector H. Henry II Greenway – Riverwalk

A 2.75-mile section of Concord's Rocky River greenway running from the Weddington Road Bark Park to the Embassy Suites and the Riverwalk neighborhood, with public art panels depicting local birds. The greenway is part of the Carolina Thread Trail.

Dawn to dusk (Weddington Road Bark Park trailhead)

8955 Weddington Road · Concord

Town park · Outdoors

Cornelius Road Park

79-acre Mooresville park with disc golf, tennis and pickleball courts, a dog park, a playground and a one-mile walking trail.

247 Cornelius Road · Mooresville

Town park · Outdoors

Bellingham Park

46-acre Mooresville park with tennis and pickleball courts, bocce, picnic shelters, a playground, a book trail and a one-mile walking trail.

1600 Bellingham Drive · Mooresville

Disc golf park · Outdoors

Reed Creek Park

Eight-acre Mooresville park with a disc golf course, green space, picnic tables and soccer goals.

116 Romany Lane · Mooresville

Town park · Outdoors

Beaty Park

About 20 acres of Davidson parkland with a stocked one-acre fishing pond and ADA fishing pier, trails and footbridges, a natural-wood playground, and a pollinator garden designed by the Davidson Garden Club.

832 Beaty Street · Davidson

Community sailing center · Outdoors

Lake Norman Community Sailing

Nonprofit sailing center operating out of Blythe Landing Park that teaches sailing and paddleboard classes to the public. Members can use Flying Scot, Sunfish and Capri 22 sailboats as well as paddleboards and kayaks.

Office Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM; center hours vary, call ahead

Blythe Landing Park, 15901 NC Hwy 73 · Huntersville

Town park · Outdoors

Legion Park

Town park with a pond, a playground, a baseball/softball field, a picnic shelter with grill and a paved walking trail of about half a mile.

Dawn to dusk; lighted facilities until 11 PM

21214 Legion Street · Downtown Cornelius

Greenway · Outdoors

McDowell Creek Greenway (Cornelius)

Town greenway of about 3.1 miles running from Birkdale Village through Robbins Park and over Westmoreland Road to near Magnolia Plaza on West Catawba. The town notes a section is closed for construction with a posted detour.

9019 Westmoreland Road · Cornelius

Greenway · Outdoors

Caldwell Station Creek Greenway

Greenway of about 2.6 miles connecting Bailey Road Park and Glen Oak Green Park, then running south into Huntersville.

10000 Bailey Road · Cornelius

Greenway · Outdoors

Four Mile Creek Greenway (Matthews)

Two miles of paved walking trail connecting the Matthews Community Center, Fountain Rock Park, Squirrel Lake Park, the Matthews Heritage Trail and the Matthews Sportsplex. Parking is at the Matthews Community Center, Squirrel Lake Park and Council Place Drive/John Street.

Open at all times except during flooding or repairs

100 McDowell Street · Matthews

Town park · Outdoors

Fountain Rock Park

Town park on South Trade Street with a connection to the Four Mile Creek Greenway.

Dawn to dusk

311 S. Trade St. · Matthews

Regional sports park · Outdoors

Mecklenburg County Sportsplex at Matthews

Regional park with eleven lighted multiuse fields and a 5,000-capacity stadium, plus playgrounds and 2 miles of paved trail. Managed by Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation.

2425 Sports Pkwy · Matthews

Pocket park · Outdoors

KP Park

Pocket park near Town Hall and the public library with a pergola and seating. It is a Certified Wildlife Habitat.

Dawn to dusk

320 E. Matthews St. · Downtown Matthews

Town green · Outdoors

Town Green Park

Town green in front of Matthews Town Hall and the public library with a gazebo, benches and open grass areas.

Dawn to dusk

232 Matthews Station Street · Downtown Matthews

Pocket park and pollinator garden · Outdoors

Country Place Park

Small park at the South Trade Street entrance to the Four Mile Creek Greenway with a pollinator garden, a pollinator mural and bee sculpture by local artists, and tables with checkerboard tops.

Dawn to dusk

557 South Trade Street · Matthews

Heritage walking trail · Outdoors

Matthews Heritage Trail: Historic Crestdale

A 1.5-mile trail that begins behind Matthews Town Hall, runs through the historic Crestdale community and connects to the Four Mile Creek Greenway at John Street. Signs along the route share the history of Crestdale, one of the oldest African American communities in North Carolina.

232 Matthews Station Street (trailhead behind Town Hall) · Downtown Matthews

Urban town park · Outdoors

Cain Park

Half-acre urban park in downtown Cornelius between Cain Center for the Arts and the police department, with green space, a performance pad and a picnic area.

Dawn to dusk

21336 Catawba Avenue · Downtown Cornelius

Town park · Outdoors

James Hoyt Wilhelm Park

Town park with four baseball and softball fields, a basketball court, multipurpose field, playground and a quarter-mile paved walking track. It is closed during school hours.

Dawn to dusk; lighted facilities until 11pm

19018 Smith Circle · Cornelius

Town park · Outdoors

Torrence Chapel Park

Town park with two ball fields, a batting cage, basketball court, two tennis and six pickleball courts, a picnic shelter with grill, playground and a 0.6-mile paved walking trail.

Dawn to dusk; lighted facilities until 11pm

21309 Torrence Chapel Road · Cornelius

Town park · Outdoors

Jetton Road Neighborhood Park

Neighborhood park with a multipurpose field, picnic area and a 0.4-mile unpaved walking trail.

Dawn to dusk

16000 Jetton Road · Cornelius

Town park with lake access · Outdoors

Parham Park

Five-acre park on Lake Cornelius with a natural surface trail, 14 exercise stations, a small lawn, playground, picnic areas and public lake access for personal watercraft. There are no restrooms on site.

805 Lake Park Dr. · Davidson

Garden square park · Outdoors

Faulkner Square Park

Formal garden square in the St. Alban's neighborhood with planting beds, a decorative trellis, bench seating and turf play areas. There are no restrooms on site.

222 South Faulkner Way · St. Alban's

Museum · Family

NASCAR Hall of Fame

Museum of NASCAR history with exhibits including Glory Road and the Hall of Honor. It stays open during renovations expected to finish in summer 2027, using a temporary entrance off S Caldwell St.

Wed–Mon 10 AM–5 PM · Closed Tue

400 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd · Uptown

Youth library and theatre · Family

ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center

Youth center run by Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and Children's Theatre of Charlotte, with two theatres, a library for kids 11 and under, a teen-only library and a media production studio.

Mon–Thu 9 AM–8 PM · Fri–Sat 9 AM–5 PM · Sun 1–5 PM

300 E 7th St · Uptown

Science museum · Family

Discovery Place Science

Nonprofit hands-on science museum with interactive exhibits, an IMAX Dome theatre, live experiments and animal encounters.

Mon-Fri 9am-4pm; Sat-Sun 10am-4:30pm

168 W 6th St · Uptown

Indoor water park · Family

Ray's Splash Planet

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation indoor water park on the Irwin Creek Academic Center campus, with a three-story slide and lazy river, plus swim lessons and birthday parties.

Fri 4pm-8pm; Sat 10am-6pm; Sun 1pm-6pm; closed Mon-Thu (special holiday hours posted)

215 N. Sycamore St. · Uptown

Indoor go-kart track · Family

Victory Lane Karting

Indoor go-kart racing facility that also has Gasoline Alley Bowling and the Pit Road Bar & Grill.

Mon-Thu 11am-10pm; Fri 11am-11pm; Sat 10am-11pm; Sun 10am-7pm

2330 Tipton Dr. Ste. 100 · North End

Indoor play center · Family

The KiddieCade

Indoor play space where children play at purposeful-play stations while parents relax in a seating area.

Mon-Fri 10am-3pm; Sat 9am-1pm; closed Sun

4841 Shopton Rd, Suite 108 · Steele Creek

Kids play cafe · Family

Grow Cafe

Play cafe where children have Montessori-inspired open play while parents use a full cafe menu.

Mon-Thu 9am-3pm; Fri-Sat 9am-5pm; Sun 10am-3pm

5342 Docia Crossing Road, Suite B · Mallard Creek

Escape room · Family

Escape Tactic

Escape room company with seven themed 60-minute games for players ages 10 and up, also hosting team-building events and birthday parties.

130 Southside Dr · LoSo

Escape room · Family

The Box Escape Room

Escape experience with three 60-minute rooms using real locks and props, with a host monitoring each game.

6604 East W.T. Harris Blvd · East Charlotte

Escape room · Family

The Keepers of Balance

Adventure-style escape rooms, including Quest for the Temple of Light, Defenders of the Sunken Realm and System Overlord, with an outdoor lounge and private events.

125 W. Woodlawn Rd · Woodlawn

Bowling and games venue · Family

Queen Park Social

Bowling lanes, arcade games and a restaurant and bar; guests must be 21 and up after 8pm Thursday through Saturday.

Sun 11am-10pm; Mon-Thu 4pm-12am; Fri 4pm-1am; Sat 11am-1am

4125 Yancey Road · LoSo

Card and game shop with play space · Family

Get Some Game

Card shop carrying Magic, Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh! and Lorcana with a play space that has no table fees. Runs weekly tournaments, learn-to-play nights and open tables during business hours.

Mon-Thu 3-10 PM; Fri 3-11 PM; Sat 3-10 PM; Sun 3-8 PM

1224 Commercial Ave · Belmont

Cooking school · Family

Chef Alyssa's Kitchen

Cooking school with hands-on adult classes for ages 21 and up, monthly adult-and-child and adult-and-teen classes, and kids' drop-off classes. Also hosts private and team-building events.

4001-C Yancey Rd #100 · Lower South End

Paint-your-own pottery studio · Family

Dish It Out

Walk-in pottery painting studio for all ages that has operated for 25 years. Groups smaller than six do not need a reservation; the studio fee covers paints, glazing and firing.

Sun-Wed 10 AM-6 PM; Thu-Sat 10 AM-8 PM

7828 Rea Rd · Ballantyne

Splatter painting studio · Family

Splatter Charlotte

Paint-splatter studio where guests mix colors and throw paint at a canvas, with no experience needed. Finished pieces are delivered once they dry.

715 North Carolina Music Factory Boulevard · AvidXchange Music Factory

Challenge rooms and laser tag · Family

District 57

Entertainment venue with The Grid, a 30-room challenge arena, and Bordertown tactical laser tag. AllSorts serves homemade pizza and self-pour beer, wine and cider.

1526-B Alleghany St · Ashley Park

Laser tag arena · Family

Mission Laser Charlotte

Laser tag venue with a 7,000-square-foot arena and game modes including team, free-for-all and zombies. Also has an arcade and offers birthday and group packages.

10403 Park Rd · Park Road (South Charlotte)

Immersive escape room · Family

Doors of Divergence

Narrative puzzle experiences that combine immersive theatre, escape room puzzles and interactive storytelling. Players' choices carry across its Paradox Cycle shows and branch the story.

933 Louise Ave, Unit 103 · Belmont (Sugar Mill)

Public library · Family

Plaza Midwood Library

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library branch with storytime and branch events, computer access, free Wi-Fi and technology tutors.

Mon-Thu 9 AM-8 PM; Fri-Sat 9 AM-5 PM; closed Sun

1623 Central Avenue · Plaza Midwood

Public library · Family

SouthPark Regional Library

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library regional branch with storytime and branch events, private study areas, meeting rooms and outdoor seating.

Mon-Thu 9 AM-8 PM; Fri-Sat 9 AM-5 PM; Sun 1-5 PM

7015 Carnegie Boulevard · SouthPark

Public library · Family

University City Regional Library

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library regional branch with storytime, technology tutoring, branch events and reservable study rooms.

Mon-Thu 9 AM-8 PM; Fri-Sat 9 AM-5 PM; Sun 1-5 PM

5528 Waters Edge Village Drive · University City

Public library · Family

Myers Park Library

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library branch on Queens Road with storytime, technology tutoring, research help and outdoor seating.

Mon-Thu 9 AM-8 PM; Fri-Sat 9 AM-5 PM; closed Sun

1361 Queens Road · Myers Park

Public library · Family

South County Regional Library

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library regional branch with storytime and branch events, private study areas and outdoor seating.

Mon-Thu 9 AM-8 PM; Fri-Sat 9 AM-5 PM; Sun 1-5 PM

5801 Rea Road · Rea Road (South Charlotte)

Public library · Family

Independence Regional Library

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library regional branch with storytime, technology tutors, reservable rooms and computer access.

Mon-Thu 9 AM-8 PM; Fri-Sat 9 AM-5 PM; Sun 1-5 PM

6000 Conference Drive · East Charlotte

Public library · Family

Allegra Westbrooks Regional Library

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library regional branch with storytime, technology tutors, private study areas and reservable rooms.

Mon-Thu 9 AM-8 PM; Fri-Sat 9 AM-5 PM; Sun 1-5 PM

2412 Beatties Ford Road · Beatties Ford Road

Public library · Family

South Boulevard Library

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library branch with storytime and branch events, computer access, free Wi-Fi and reservable study rooms.

Mon-Thu 9 AM-8 PM; Fri-Sat 9 AM-5 PM; closed Sun

4429 South Boulevard · South Boulevard

Motorsports complex · Family

Charlotte Motor Speedway

A 1.5-mile superspeedway with 24-degree banked turns that opened in 1960 and hosts NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600. Van tours of the track leave from the second floor of Smith Tower and are booked through the tour desk.

5555 Concord Pkwy S · Concord

Aquarium · Family

SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord Aquarium

Indoor aquarium inside Concord Mills mall at Entrance 7, behind the Speed Park, with a touch pool. Tickets are sold online.

8111 Concord Mills Blvd · Concord

Raptor center · Family

Carolina Raptor Center

Bird-of-prey center whose Raptor Trail is a zoo with more than 30 resident birds and daily educational programs. Adult admission is $16; parking is free.

Daily 10 AM–4 PM

6000 Sample Rd · Huntersville

Racing museum · Family

North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame

Museum, art gallery and visitor center in Lakeside Park showing stock cars, drag racers and memorabilia from North Carolina racing and NASCAR history.

Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 10am–5pm; Sat 10am–3pm; closed Wed and Sun

119 Knob Hill Rd · Mooresville

Drive-through animal park · Family

Lazy 5 Ranch

Drive-through animal park on a 3½-mile route where visitors can feed animals from their cars, plus a walk-through petting zoo and playground. Cash or NC check only; no pets.

Mon–Sat 9am–5pm; Sun 12–5pm (arrive at least an hour before closing)

15100 Mooresville Rd · Mooresville

Downtown park · Family

Stowe Park

Downtown park on Main Street with a large fountain, two play units, a pavilion, picnic shelter, walking path and restrooms.

24 S Main St · Belmont

Children's museum · Family

Discovery Place Kids-Huntersville

Nonprofit children's museum with hands-on exhibits for young children and daily live shows such as puppet shows, science shows and storytime, included with admission.

Tue-Sun 9:30am-4:30pm; closed Mon

105 Gilead Road · Huntersville

Indoor play cafe · Family

Playhouse Play Cafe

Indoor play cafe with a play structure and imaginative playrooms for young children, plus bakery items and complimentary coffee and wifi for parents. Reservations are recommended.

Open play Wed and Fri 9am-1pm; weekends vary with party bookings

3463 U.S. 21 · Fort Mill

Bowling alley · Family

New Victory Lanes

Family-operated bowling center with an arcade, billiards, the Wobbly Butt Tap Room and the 18-hole Wobbly Putt outdoor mini golf course.

Mon-Wed 3pm-10pm; Thu-Fri 3pm-11pm; Sat 12pm-11pm; Sun 12pm-9pm

125 Morlake Dr · Mooresville

Mini golf and driving range · Family

Mooresville Golf Range & Mini Golf

Lighted facility with an 18-hole mini golf course, a driving range, a four-hole par 3 course and a golf pro shop.

Daily 10am-7pm, weather permitting

174 West Plaza Drive · Mooresville

Town park · Family

Smithville Park

Cornelius town park with a playground, a splash pad (LKN Kiwanis Splashville), two baseball/softball fields, a batting cage and a picnic shelter with grill.

Dawn to dusk; lighted facilities to 11 PM

19710 S Ferry St · Cornelius

Race shop viewing area and team store · Family

Team Penske Race Shop and Fan Store

Team Penske's fan store displays trophies and racing memorabilia, and visitors can view the working NASCAR race shop through windows and from a 432-foot upstairs fan walk. The shop crew breaks for lunch from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM.

Fan store Mon–Fri 10 AM–4 PM

200 Penske Way · Mooresville

Car and racing museum · Family

Memory Lane Museum

Classic car and NASCAR museum with more than 100 vehicles, from early Model Ts and Model As to race cars, plus pedal cars, antique toys, motorcycles and racing memorabilia. Group visits on other days are available by advance appointment.

Thu–Fri 10 AM–4:30 PM

769 River Hwy · Mooresville

Arena and events center · Family

Cabarrus Arena & Events Center

Concord arena and events center that hosts shows, markets and the Cabarrus County Fair. Upcoming listings include The Geekery Market on November 21 and the Christmas Extravaganza November 27–29, 2026.

4751 NC Highway 49 · Concord

Outdoor go-kart track · Family

Trackhouse Motorplex

Outdoor karting facility with a 0.7-mile, 11-turn track and arrive-and-drive rental karts, open to the public seven days a week. It also runs kid kart sessions and hosts group and corporate events.

Rental hours vary by day; see the posted track hours calendar

130 Motorplex Dr · Mooresville

Indoor karting and entertainment center · Family

The Pit Indoor Kart Racing

Family entertainment center of about 140,000 square feet with indoor go-kart racing, laser tag, mini-golf, bumper cars, axe throwing, escape rooms, virtual reality and more than 65 arcade games.

346 East Plaza Drive · Mooresville

Coffee and ice cream shop · Family

The Percantile and Creamery

1920s-themed coffee, ice cream and pastry shop serving espresso drinks, scratch-made ice cream and brownies. A second location, The Nook, is at 363 Church Street N.

Daily 7 AM-8 PM

8635 Concord Mills Blvd · Concord Mills area

State historic site · Family

Reed Gold Mine State Historic Site

State historic site at the first documented gold find in the United States. Admission is free; guided mine tours ($5 adults) and gold panning ($5) cost extra.

Tue-Sat 9 AM-5 PM; closed Sun-Mon

9621 Reed Mine Rd. · Midland (Cabarrus County)

Sandwich and ice cream shop · Family

Two Chicks Sandwiches and Scoops

Sandwich and ice cream shop with indoor seating and a covered outdoor patio with fans and games. It takes birthday party reservations.

Mon-Thu 11 AM-7 PM; Fri-Sun 11 AM-8 PM

102 S Main St. · Downtown Belmont

Drive-in movie theater · Family

Belmont Drive-In

Outdoor drive-in theater showing double features, with sound broadcast on FM radio. Cash only; admission is $25 per carload and outside food and drink are not allowed.

Gates open 6 PM; first movie about 7:30 PM on scheduled nights

314 McAdenville Rd · Belmont

Town park · Family

Windsor Park

A 5.24-acre town park with a picnic shelter, large grill, walking trail and open play area. Its playgrounds include swings, slides, climbing structures and a zip line.

Dawn to dusk

10140 Northeast Parkway · Matthews

Town park · Family

Matthews-Sardis Park

A 2.8-acre park with a gazebo picnic shelter, playground and swings for ages 2-12, paved walking trail and open grassy play area. The gazebo is first come, first served.

Dawn to dusk

9650 Sardis Rd. · Matthews

Town park · Family

Rice Park

A 9.5-acre park with a playground for ages 5-12, swings including an all-abilities swing, covered picnic tables and a 0.2-mile gravel walking loop.

Dawn to dusk

2540 Rice Road · Matthews

Town park · Family

Baucom Park

A 1-acre neighborhood park with a gazebo with picnic tables, small grill, playground, swings, open play field and walking trail.

Dawn to dusk

601 Sadie · Matthews

Town park · Family

Walter Henderson Park

Neighborhood park with a gazebo with grill, playground and a 0.3-mile unpaved walking trail.

Dawn to dusk

20214 Tailwind Lane · Cornelius

Neighborhood park and playground · Family

Forest Park Playground

Neighborhood park with a playground, swings, wooded paths, shaded picnic tables and an improved wetland area. There are no restrooms or drinking fountains on site.

421 North Faulkner Way · St. Alban's

Art museum · Arts

Mint Museum Uptown

Art museum at Levine Center for the Arts that holds The Mint Museum's craft and design collection. Admission is free for everyone on Wednesdays from 5 to 9 PM.

Tue, Thu, Sat 11 AM–6 PM · Wed, Fri 11 AM–9 PM · Sun 1–5 PM · Closed Mon

500 S Tryon St · Uptown

Art museum · Arts

Bechtler Museum of Modern Art

Modern art museum at Levine Center for the Arts with exhibitions, concerts and public programs, including Jazz at the Bechtler on the first Friday of each month.

420 S Tryon St · Uptown

Arts and culture center · Arts

Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture

Arts and culture center at Levine Center for the Arts presenting the art, history and culture of African-Americans and people of African descent through exhibitions and education programs.

Tue, Thu, Fri, Sun 12–6 PM · Wed 12–9 PM · Sat 10 AM–6 PM · Closed Mon

551 S Tryon St · Uptown

Artist studios · Arts

Dilworth Artisan Station

Three-story former factory building beside the light rail that houses artist studios. It holds an art crawl on the first Friday of each month from 5:30 to 8:30 PM.

Mon–Fri 10 AM–5 PM (individual studios vary)

118 E Kingston Ave · South End

Theatre company · Arts

Theatre Charlotte

Volunteer-based theatre company in its 99th season, with youth programs including TCjr, the Student Theatre Guild and the Penguin Project.

501 Queens Rd · Myers Park

Art museum · Arts

Mint Museum Randolph

Art museum in the building of the first U.S. branch mint, which opened in Eastover as North Carolina's first art museum. Admission is free on Wednesdays from 5 to 9 PM.

Tue, Thu–Sat 11 AM–6 PM · Wed 11 AM–9 PM · Sun 1–5 PM · Closed Mon

2730 Randolph Rd · Eastover

Contemporary art center · Arts

McColl Center

Artist residency and contemporary art space in a 30,000-square-foot Gothic Revival building that was once a church. Admission is free, with a $10 suggested donation.

Fri 12–6 PM · Sat 10 AM–6 PM · Sun–Thu by appointment

721 N Tryon St · Uptown

History museum · Arts

The Charlotte Museum of History

History museum on an eight-acre campus with four indoor galleries on the region's history. The grounds include Revolutionary-era buildings on the 1774 Homesite.

Tue-Sat 11am-5pm; closed Sun-Mon

3500 Shamrock Drive · East Charlotte

Aviation museum · Arts

Sullenberger Aviation Museum

Aviation museum on the CLT Airport campus with more than 40 aircraft and exhibits on aviation in the Carolinas, including the Miracle on the Hudson Experience.

4108 Minuteman Way · CLT Airport

Historic site · Arts

Historic Rosedale

Historic Rosedale Foundation preserves the 1815 house and grounds and interprets the Frew, Caldwell and Davidson families and the enslaved and free African Americans who lived and worked on the land. The house is seen by guided tour only.

Grounds Wed-Sat 10am-3pm; house tours Wed-Sat at 11:30am and 1:30pm

3427 N. Tryon Street · North Tryon

Historic house and gardens · Arts

Duke Mansion

Early 20th-century estate listed on the National Register of Historic Places, now operating as an inn and event venue. Its 4.5-acre Mary D.B.T. Semans Gardens are free and open for strolling.

Gardens open during daylight hours

400 Hermitage Road · Myers Park

Theater · Arts

Belk Theater

Blumenthal Arts' largest theater, built in a European horseshoe layout, hosting touring Broadway musicals, Charlotte Symphony concerts, Charlotte Ballet's Nutcracker, comedy and talks.

Box office Tue-Sat 12pm-6pm

130 North Tryon Street · Uptown

Theater · Arts

Booth Playhouse

434-seat theater in Founders Hall at the Blumenthal Arts Center that hosts plays, dance, choral and other musical performances.

130 North Tryon Street · Uptown

Theater · Arts

Knight Theater

1,192-seat Blumenthal Arts theater at the Levine Center for the Arts, sharing a lobby with the Bechtler Museum. It hosts Charlotte Ballet, Charlotte Symphony, touring shows, music and comedy.

430 South Tryon Street · Uptown

Theater · Arts

Stage Door Theater

Small, flexible Blumenthal Arts theater on North College Street that mainly presents concerts, jazz, comedy and magic shows.

155 North College Street · Uptown

Performing arts auditorium · Arts

Ovens Auditorium

Auditorium operating since 1955 that hosts Broadway shows, comedy and concerts.

Box office Wed and Fri 10am-5pm, and two hours before events

2700 East Independence Blvd · East Independence

Ballet company and dance academy · Arts

Charlotte Ballet

Professional dance company presenting classic ballet through contemporary dance. Its Charlotte Ballet Academy offers classes for children and adults.

701 N. Tryon St. · Uptown

Improv theater · Arts

Charlotte Comedy Theater

Improv theater at the VAPA Center offering live unscripted comedy shows, improv classes and team-building workshops.

731 North College Street · Uptown (VAPA Center)

Arts center · Arts

The VAPA Center

Nonprofit visual and performing arts center founded in 2021 by a group of Charlotte arts organizations, with artist studios, galleries, performance spaces, and classes and workshops.

Mon-Thu 9am-10pm; Fri-Sat 9am-11pm; Sun 12pm-9pm

731 N. College Street · Uptown

Photography center and gallery · Arts

The Light Factory Photo Arts Center

Photography center at the VAPA Center with a gallery, darkroom, lighting studio and print lab, offering courses, workshops and photo walks.

700 N Tryon St · Uptown (VAPA Center)

Artist-run art space · Arts

Goodyear Arts

Artist-run space at Camp North End that hosts art residencies and events.

301 Camp Rd #200 · Camp North End

Art gallery and classes · Arts

Queen City Art

Visual arts organization in the NoDa arts district, operating since 1965 as the Charlotte Art League, with a shared gallery of rotating exhibits, resident artist wall spaces, and free and paid classes.

4237 Raleigh Street, Suite 5 · NoDa

Art gallery · Arts

Hidell Brooks Gallery

Gallery showing established and emerging painters and sculptors working in a contemporary narrative and figurative style, with solo and group exhibitions that rotate monthly.

1910 South Blvd, Suite 130 · South End

Art gallery · Arts

SE CLT Gallery

South End art gallery presenting current and upcoming exhibitions by its roster of artists; visits are scheduled by appointment.

By appointment

2137 South Blvd., Suite 350 · South End

Art gallery · Arts

Shain Gallery

Contemporary art gallery founded in 1998 that represents more than forty regional and national artists and holds an annual exhibition schedule.

Mon-Sat 10am-5pm; Sun by appointment

2823 Selwyn Avenue, Suite K · Myers Park

Art gallery · Arts

Jerald Melberg Gallery

Gallery founded in 1983 that exhibits and sells mid- to late-20th-century American paintings, drawings, sculpture and editioned prints.

Mon-Fri 10am-5pm; Sat 11am-4pm

625 South Sharon Amity Road · Cotswold

Art gallery and bookshop · Arts

SOCO Gallery

Contemporary art space and bookshop that produces exhibitions and represents artists working locally, nationally and internationally.

421 Providence Road · Myers Park

Art gallery and frame shop · Arts

Providence Gallery

Fine art gallery and custom framing shop on the Myers Park Mile since 1978, showing paintings in oil, acrylic, mixed media and collage.

601-A Providence Road · Myers Park

University art gallery · Arts

Projective Eye Gallery at UNC Charlotte Center City

UNC Charlotte College of Arts + Architecture gallery in The Dubois Center that presents exhibitions and installations by national and international artists.

320 E 9th St · Uptown

University art gallery · Arts

Rowe Galleries at UNC Charlotte

Three exhibition spaces in the Rowe Arts building on the UNC Charlotte campus showing regional, national and international visiting artists along with students, alumni and faculty.

9201 University City Blvd · University City

College art gallery · Arts

Gorelick Gallery at Central Piedmont (Central Campus)

Central Piedmont Community College art gallery on the first floor of the North Classroom building, one of the college's Bill and Patty Gorelick galleries.

Open during regular college hours

1320 Sam Ryburn Walk · Elizabeth

Pottery studio with classes · Arts

Pottery Central

Independently owned pottery studio, open since 1999, offering beginner-friendly potter's wheel workshops with clay, tools and instruction provided, plus private workshops by appointment.

4843 Monroe Road · Monroe Road

Ceramics studio with classes · Arts

The Little Studio

Neighborhood ceramics studio near NoDa and Plaza Midwood offering public pottery events, intro mini sessions, 8-week wheel classes and youth programs.

Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; Sat 10am-2pm; closed Sun

3432 The Plaza · The Plaza

Music and art school · Arts

Arts+ Uptown Studios

Nonprofit arts education organization offering group music and art classes, private music lessons and summer camps for all ages; its main studios are in the Ascend Nonprofit Solutions building.

601 E. 5th St. Ste. 230 · Uptown

Literary arts center · Arts

Charlotte Lit

Nonprofit literary arts center offering writing classes and workshops in person and online, along with free literary events.

601 E. 5th Street, Suite 160 · Uptown

Used bookstore · Arts

That's Novel Books

Used bookstore at Camp North End with a small selection of new books by local Charlotte authors. Hosts ticketed author talks, workshops and craft classes.

Mon-Thu 12-7 PM; Fri 12-8 PM; Sat 11 AM-7 PM; Sun 11 AM-6 PM

330 Camp Rd · Camp North End

Independent bookstore · Arts

Park Road Books

Independently owned and operated bookstore in Park Road Shopping Center since 1977. Hosts in-store author talks and signings, a children's story time and several monthly book clubs.

4139 Park Road · Park Road Shopping Center

Romance bookstore · Arts

Trope Bookshop

Female-owned, romance-only bookstore carrying indie authors and hard-to-find titles. Runs a monthly book club and other store events.

1516 Lyon Ct · Plaza Midwood

Comic book shop · Arts

Heroes Aren't Hard to Find

Comics shop founded in 1980 selling new comics, graphic novels, manga, back issues and collecting supplies. The store also runs HeroesCon and the CLT Mini-Con.

417 Pecan Avenue · Elizabeth

Nonprofit arthouse cinema · Arts

Independent Picture House

Community arthouse cinema run by the nonprofit Charlotte Film Society, showing independent, foreign and arthouse films. The Film Society also runs the Charlotte Film Festival.

4237 Raleigh St. · NoDa / Sugar Creek

Nonprofit ceramics studio · Arts

Clayworks

Nonprofit ceramics studio offering multi-week wheel, handbuilding, sculpture and raku classes, weekend workshops and two-hour private lessons. Kids' and youth clay classes run during the school year.

4506 Monroe Road · Monroe Road

Glassblowing studio and gallery · Arts

Hot Glass Alley

Glassblowing studio and gallery that offers make-your-own glass classes, fusing classes, free tours and public events. The shop sells handmade glass drinkware, jewelry and decor.

438 Atando Ave · Atando Ave (North End)

Makerspace · Arts

MakerSpace Charlotte

47,000-square-foot makerspace with pottery, woodworking, laser, welding, sewing, 3D printing, bike and blacksmith shops. Memberships include 24/7 access, and pottery and laser classes are offered.

Open 24/7 for members; open house Wednesdays at 7 PM

1003 Louise Ave · Belmont

Sip-and-paint studio · Arts

City Art Room

Painting studio established in 2015 that offers public sip-and-paint sessions, private paint parties and team-building events. The studio is appointment only.

By appointment

9009-9 JM Keynes Drive · The Boardwalk at University City

Youth choir school · Arts

Charlotte Choir School

Nonprofit choral school for choristers ages 7 to 18, in residence at St. Peter's Episcopal Church. Presents three concerts a year at St. Peter's, including Christmas concerts, plus performances around the region.

115 West Seventh Street · Uptown (St. Peter's Episcopal Church)

Immersive entertainment venue · Arts

Blume Studios

Blumenthal Arts venue in a converted warehouse with two spaces for immersive theater, games, art installations and social events. Recent programming includes a murder-mystery dinner and an immersive art exhibition.

904 Post St. · Iron District

University arts center · Arts

Sarah Belk Gambrell Center

Arts and civic engagement center at Queens University of Charlotte that presents a season of performances and art exhibits. Its Spotlight Series brings visiting performers each year.

Box office Tue-Fri 11 AM-4 PM

2319 Wellesley Ave · Queens University

College performing arts theater · Arts

Halton Theater at Central Piedmont

Theater on Central Piedmont's Central Campus that hosts opera, concerts, dance and holiday shows, including Charlotte Youth Ballet's Nutcracker. Parking is free for Central Piedmont events.

1201 Elizabeth Avenue · Central Piedmont Central Campus

University performing arts hall · Arts

Robinson Hall for the Performing Arts (UNC Charlotte)

Performance hall of UNC Charlotte's College of Arts + Architecture, which hosts public theatre, dance and music performances on the main campus. Free assisted-listening headsets are available at the box office.

9201 University City Blvd · UNC Charlotte main campus

Art gallery · Arts

The Galleries at the Cabarrus Arts Council

Free art galleries run by the Cabarrus Arts Council inside the 1876 Historic Cabarrus County Courthouse in downtown Concord.

Tue–Fri 10 AM–5 PM · Sat 11 AM–4 PM · Closed Sun–Mon

65 Union St S · Concord

Historic farm and event grounds · Arts

Historic Rural Hill

A 265-acre working farm owned by Mecklenburg County and run by a nonprofit, with the Davidson family homestead site, one-room schoolhouses and nature trails. It hosts seasonal events including a fall corn maze, sheepdog trials and the Loch Norman Highland Games.

4431 Neck Rd · Huntersville

Art gallery · Arts

Van Every/Smith Galleries at Davidson College

Davidson College's art galleries in the Katherine and Tom Belk Visual Arts Center, at the corner of Griffith and Main streets. The college says its galleries are free and open to the community.

Mon–Tue and Thu–Fri 10 AM–5 PM · Wed 10 AM–7 PM · Sat–Sun 12–4 PM

315 N Main St · Davidson

Performing arts center · Arts

Cain Center for the Arts

Nonprofit arts center with a performance series of concerts, tribute shows and comedy, plus visual art exhibitions and classes. It also runs the Puckett Pottery House ceramics studio on Catawba Avenue.

21348 Catawba Ave · Cornelius

History museum · Arts

Matthews Heritage Museum

Local history museum run by the Matthews Historical Foundation in the 1879 Massey-Clark House downtown, with exhibits, docent-led tours and school programs.

Thu–Sat 10am–4:30pm

232 N Trade St · Matthews

Community theatre · Arts

Matthews Playhouse

Nonprofit community theatre; upcoming shows include The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Dec 10–20, 2026) and Little Women, The Broadway Musical (Jan 21–Feb 7, 2027).

100 E McDowell St · Matthews

Art gallery · Arts

Mooresville Arts at the Depot

Nonprofit arts group's gallery in the downtown train depot, rebuilt in brick after a 1925 fire; its former warehouse section is now the Center Gallery.

Tue–Thu 12–4pm; Fri 2–8pm; Sat 10am–4pm; closed Sun–Mon

103 W Center Ave · Mooresville