SOCIABLE, SMART, ENERGETIC
Welcome to Charlotte, where the city’s downtown area is actually known as “Uptown,” where traditional industry blends with innovation and creativity. As you zoom in on the iconic Charlotte skyline to the city’s center, at the intersection of Trade and Tryon Streets, you’ll find a bustling metropolis divided into four wards.
In the mornings, here in the heart of Uptown, bankers and businesspeople make their way to work alongside the city’s creatives, coders and more. In the evening, upscale cocktail bars and rooftop patios fill up steadily with both locals and visitors, buzzing with an energy not unlike that of the city streets below.
Explore the Skyline Trail in Uptown
Uptown
By Morning
Begin your day with breakfast at Coco and the Director, a trendy Uptown spot known for its locally roasted coffee, freshly baked pastries and daily rotating sandwich selection.
Next, go history hunting with a self-guided walking tour of notable Charlottean landmarks: the city’s namesake Queen Charlotte sculpture at the corner of N. College Street and E. 5th Street, the Four Corners Statues representing Transportation, Commerce, Industry and The Future at the intersection of Trade and Tryon Streets, and the mosaic mirrored Firebird installation outside of the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art.
Things to do
Uptown
By Afternoon
Since you’ve already arrived at the Levine Center for the Arts, it’s time for a little museum hopping. You can purchase a $20 pass to gain 48-hour access to the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture and the Mint Museum.
Once you’re finished, walk a few blocks or catch the LYNX Blue Line light rail to The Market at 7th Street, where you can decide whether you’re in the mood for sushi, pizza, crepes, salads, grilled cheese sandwiches or any of the other culinary offerings available from a dozen on-site vendors.
EXPLORE MORE OF UPTOWN
Uptown
By Night
There’s no shortage of sporting events in Queen City. Get tickets to a Panthers game or Charlotte FC match at Bank of America Stadium, a Hornets game at Spectrum Center or a Knights game at Truist Field. Charlotte’s buzzing rooftop bars, such as Merchant & Trade and Nuvolé Rooftop TwentyTwo, are also great locales to spend the evening against the dazzling backdrop of the city’s skyline.
If you’re looking for a more low-key place to end your night, consider Alexander Michael’s, a quintessential Charlotte restaurant in Fourth Ward. The cozy 32-year-old tavern is beloved by locals.
