While the international airport sees its share of fly-through traffic, Charlotte, North Carolina, is much more than a layover hub. With authentic neighborhoods, fab food, and an impressive cultural circuit, Charlotte offers a wealth of options for travelers with time to kill to fill their schedules.
Ale
Beer lovers will find lots to love in the Queen City. From brewery passes packed with vouchers and discounts to plenty of places to pick out your perfect pint, Charlotte’s beer bench is deep. One nice stop is Free Range Brewing. With an industrial aesthetic, fun flights, and even some zero-proof sipping options, it’s a neat place to hang out. I also like Bird Song Brewing. They have a great space, a pet-friendly venue where you’ll see everything from blue jeans to business suits, and a strong selection of styles and flavors, including a lovely jalapeño-flavored pale ale.Art
Those more interested in cultural amenities will find inspiration in Charlotte’s art scene. Wednesday nights in particular offer a powerful value in the form of weekly block parties. Not only are the Mint Museum Uptown, the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, and the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art free to enter during these events, the complimentary street party brings quite a bit to the table as well. Live performances of everything from modern dance to spoken word are regularly part of the fun. There’s also an afterparty with music, mingling, and general midweek merriment. Apparently in this town, hump day is a hopping good time.Appetites
If you’d like to extend your art exploration into the dinner hour, consider Gallery Restaurant at The Ballantyne. The large paintings displayed on the walls are for sale, making it a restaurant that’s actually a functioning art gallery. Their menu shifts seasonally, and includes a decent variety of items. If you happen to be staying at the hotel itself, swing by the surprisingly intimate lobby bar for a craft cocktail. The combined experience is a nice option for your first night in town, when jet lag may be an issue.As far as where else to go for great grub, your choices are abundant. Breakfast fans will want to check out Salted Melon. Their location in the South End has menu choices that are sure to satisfy. The brunch burger will fill up even the heartiest eater, with the sweet potato pancakes and breakfast burritos coming in strong as well. If you’re more of a lunch person, Roots Cafe has great wraps and gourmet potato chips. It’s a smaller, quiet venue with a vintage ‘90s vibe.
Another area for notable nibbles is Charlotte’s Plaza Midwood neighborhood. This funky, gritty-in-the-best-way district has a slab creamery, a pizza joint housed in a vintage gas station and numerous other places to grab a good meal. My top pick for value and food quality in this part of town? Midtown Smokehouse. Retro casual decor, friendly staff, and meats that will make your mouth water are all on the menu here.
For a dinner spot that will have you busting out of your stretchy pants, head to Mama Ricotta’s. Much loved by locals, this family-style eatery doesn’t just make their own pasta, they make their own fresh mozzarella too. With a menu of multigenerational recipes and entrees sized to feed two to three people, you’ll definitely be leaving with leftovers. My favorites include the short rib arancini and the house spaghetti with meatballs. Their cannoli is also above reproach.
With a strong restaurant repertoire, a myriad of museum venues, and a number of neighborhoods to explore, one thing is clear. Charlotte’s got a lot. Bottom line? The Queen City has a thriving indie tourism scene for those willing to dig a little deeper.
