The Queen City Gift Guide
Where to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list.
by Arielle Patterson Nov 22, 2023
Charlotte is full of local shops and creative artisans whose goods will impress everyone in your life. When it comes to shopping for gifts or gifting one-of-a-kind experiences, look no further than the businesses right here in the Queen City.
For the Charlotte Supporter
Charlotte Visitor Info Center
Neighborhood: Uptown
Whether you’re buying for a Charlotte local or someone visiting the Queen City, find retail options at the Visitor Info Centers on Tryon Street and in the Charlotte Convention Center. These thoughtfully curated goods include apparel, packaged foods, art, accessories and more from local and regional vendors.
CLT Find
Neighborhood: Uptown, Dilworth
CLT Find connects shoppers with local makers at both brick-and-mortar locations. Find unique clothing, jewelry, beauty products, accessories and more from artisans and craft makers in the Charlotte area. The customizable gift boxes available for purchase make the ideal gift for an occasion.
Charlotte Attractions Pass
Neighborhood: Citywide
Give the gift of a curated Queen City experience with the Charlotte Attractions Pass. The one- and two-day passes allow recipients to experience several of the area’s most popular attractions, including the NASCAR Hall of Fame and The Mint Museum, at a discounted rate.
For the Foodie
Queen City Crunch
Neighborhood: Citywide
Queen City Crunch seasoned pretzels, made in Charlotte, make the perfect gift for the holiday season. This small-batch company offers unique and tasty products, along with corporate branding, that ship anywhere in the U.S. Let this local company do the work for you this holiday season.
Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen
Neighborhood: Lower South End
A cooking class at Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen makes the perfect gift for culinary-minded kids, teens and adults. These fun and approachable classes provide the instruction and guidance needed to create seasonal, flavorful meals. Classes are themed to a specific type of dish, ranging from doughnuts and pies to vegan fare, ramen and paella.
Honeybear Bake Shop
Neighborhood: Lower South End
Satisfy someone’s sweet tooth with a box of cookies from Honeybear Bake Shop. This boutique bakery specializes in themed cookie boxes and seasonal flavors, but also offers mainstays like the Brown Sugar Pop-Tart or a classic chocolate chip. Place your order online for pick up or find Honeybear’s pop-up at a local market.
For the Sports Fan
704 Shop
Neighborhood: South End
Help someone showcase their Queen City pride with a gift from 704 Shop. This local retailer boasts exclusive collections with Charlotte FC and the Charlotte 49ers. You can also find Panthers-inspired T-shirts and hats both online and at the brick-and-mortar location.
Glory Days Apparel
Neighborhood: South End
From Panthers, Hornets, Knights and Charlotte FC to golf- and racing-themed apparel, Glory Days has it all online and at the South End storefront. With flashy, unique designs, these high-quality T-shirts, polos, shorts and accessories are sure to wow whoever you give them to.
NASCAR Hall of Fame Gear Shop
Neighborhood: Uptown
For the racing fan in your life, pick up a souvenir from the Gear Shop at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Here you’ll find exclusive NASCAR Hall of Fame merchandise, along with NASCAR driver- and team-specific items, such as diecasts, hats, T-shirts and even gifts for your pet.
Don’t forget to visit the official team stores for the Hornets (Spectrum Center), Panthers and Charlotte FC (Bank of America Stadium), Checkers (Bojangles Coliseum) and Knights (Truist Field) for licensed merchandise.
For the Libationist
Assorted Table Wine & Shop
Neighborhood: Uptown
Located inside The Market at 7th Street, Assorted Table offers an eclectic selection of wine, along with craft beer and mixers. Buy a bottle of vino, ranging from $5 to $1,000, for the wine lover in your life. Or send them an e-gift card so they can pick out their own vintage.
Charlotte Brewery Pass
Neighborhood: Citywide
For your favorite beer aficionado, the Charlotte Brewery Pass provides an opportunity to receive discounts to several of the Queen City’s best breweries. Choose either the one-day pass to visit up to four breweries or the three-day pass for up to 12.
The Cocktailery
Neighborhood: South End
The Cocktailery, at Atherton Mill, is a one-stop shop for cocktail-making accessories. Find glassware, bar tools, accessories, bitters and syrups for someone to create the best cocktails at home. You can also gift the amateur mixologist in your life a cocktail class at The Cocktailery.
For the Fashion Icon
Capitol
Neighborhood: SouthPark
Capitol is one of Charlotte’s premier boutiques that carries clothing, shoes, handbags and fine jewelry from high-end brands like Balenciaga, Marc Jacobs, Celine and Saint Laurent. While Capitol does specialize in women’s fashion, owner Laura Vinroot Poole does offer men’s clothing at Tabor, a Southern gentlemen’s shop in Myers Park.
Girl Tribe Co.
Neighborhood: South End, SouthPark, Huntersville
Find unique pieces that any girly-girl will love at Girl Tribe. With Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Dolly Parton and Harry Styles inspired collections, the clothing and accessories from this boutique are perfect for concerts, brunches and every day.
Homewurk
Neighborhood: South End
The apparel collection at Homewurk features cool custom shirts and hats with humorous taglines or fun graphics plus unique, trendy pieces meant for everyday wear. Shoppers can also browse and order online.
For the Culture Connoisseur
Blumenthal Performing Arts
Neighborhood: Uptown
Throughout the year, Blumenthal Performing Arts’ venues host touring productions, musical concerts, comedic acts and dance performances like the Charlotte Ballet. Blumenthal gift certificates can be applied toward any production.
Levine Center for the Arts
Neighborhood: Uptown
If you know a patron of the arts, gift them a Levine Center for the Arts Pass. This pass provides two-day access to the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture and The Mint Museum, both the Uptown and Randolph locations.
Middle C Jazz
Neighborhood: Uptown
Purchase tickets or a gift card to Middle C Jazz, a local jazz club that hosts regional and national acts. Your gift recipient will be able to enjoy a night of vibrant live performances, as well as small plates, beer, wine and cocktails from Dressler’s Improv Kitchen.
For the Home Décor Honcho
Moxie Mercantile
Neighborhood: Plaza Midwood, Matthews, Fort Mill
If you’re shopping for someone whose aesthetic is sophisticated and modern, find home décor that fits their style at Moxie Mercantile. This boutique features home accessories with local flair, including wine glasses etched with Charlotte streets, zip code tea towels and more.
Paper Skyscraper
Neighborhood: Dilworth
Paper Skyscraper is a popular local gift store filled with Charlotte- and North Carolina-themed goodies. Find tabletop books that showcase the Queen City’s skyline and history, uniquely shaped planters and even a line of soy candles named after local neighborhoods.
South End Exchange
Neighborhood: South End
For a gift that’s sure to be a statement piece in someone’s home, visit South End Exchange. This high-end consignment shop has everything from designer home furnishings and antiques to fine china, crystal and Turkish rugs.
For the Self-Care Lover
Brown Sugar Collab
Neighborhood: South End
Brown Sugar Collab is the ideal destination to buy gifts for anyone who appreciates and practices self-care. The products in this boutique are handcrafted by more than 20 BIPOC women-owned brands. Find high-quality, bath bombs and natural body butters, along with candles, incense and sage.
The Pauline Tea-Bar Apothecary
Area: West Charlotte
A gift card to The Pauline Tea-Bar Apothecary offers an opportunity to decompress in a cozy lounge, where visitors can sip herbal tea and breathe in the soothing aroma of essential oils. This local shop also sells a variety of loose-leaf teas that someone can enjoy from the comfort of their home.
Toccare Day Spa
Neighborhood: Myers Park, Dilworth
Grant the ultimate relaxation with a gift card to a spa in Charlotte. Toccare Day Spa provides customized spa services, using clean products, that fit a person’s unique skin needs. Treatments include microcurrent and gua sha facials, hot stone massages and more in a serene environment.
For the Plant Parent
Grow: A Plant Shop
Neighborhood: Camp North End
Give the plant parent in your life a new bundle of joy from Grow. This plant shop showcases the latest inventory on Instagram so you can get a sneak peek before you shop. In addition to plants, Grow also sells planters and other accessories that also make great gifts.
Paradiso Plant Shop
Neighborhood: Optimist Park
Located inside Optimist Hall, Paradiso Plant Shop is filled with verdant house plants, with low-maintenance options for people who are developing their green thumb. The terrariums, pots, books and other plant-centric home goods are also excellent gift ideas.
Twigs & Figs
Neighborhood: Ballantyne
A Twigs & Figs gift card can be used for plant-themed accessories, like hats, earrings and socks. Or you can gift an experience and book a terrarium workshop that allows the recipient to build their own terrarium, with the help of a hands-on instructor, while sipping craft beer, wine or kombucha.
For the Outdoor Enthusiast
Great Outdoor Provision Co.
Neighborhood: Montford
For the adventurer in your life, find all the products they’ll need for outdoor exploration at Great Outdoor Provision Co. Browse the wide selection of men’s and women’s clothing and accessories, along with paddling, camping, hiking, climbing and fishing gear.
Inner Peaks
Neighborhood: South End, Matthews
If you know someone who loves to climb, get them a gift certificate to Inner Peaks. This is an indoor climbing facility that offers the fun and thrill of rock climbing any time of year. Inner Peaks has programs for both kids and adults at any skill level.
U.S. National Whitewater Center
Area: West Charlotte
The ultimate outdoor experiences can be found at the U.S. National Whitewater Center. Gift an outdoor enthusiast a USNWC Adventure Card that can be used for on-site activities, like whitewater rafting, kayaking, ziplining, climbing and more, as well as food, beverages and retail purchases.
For the Whole Family
Carowinds
Area: South Charlotte
Carowinds is not just a treat for the kids, but the whole family. With more than 60 rides, a water park, live entertainment and more, children and adults alike can enjoy a full day of fun at this amusement park.
Frankie’s Fun Park
Area: Huntersville
Frankie’s Fun Park has no shortage of amusements and activities that all ages will enjoy. From mini golf, bowling and kart racing to high-flying rides and an arcade, your kids won’t want to leave. Frankie’s is open year-round, which makes a trip to the park perfect for any holiday or celebration.
Sea Life Charlotte-Concord Aquarium
Area: Concord
Give your kids some educational fun at Sea Life Charlotte-Concord Aquarium. Little ones will be able to get an up-close look at thousands of sea creatures, including sharks, stingrays, turtles and more. They’ll love discovering different species of aquatic life and you’ll love making these memories with them.
