Charlie’s guidebook

Charlie
Charlie’s guidebook

Parks & Rec

These are basics - best, closest, and for the pups. Also, make sure to note the greenways (bike rentals are available at most of the parks, and you can see a lot of the City by riding the various interconnected greenways) Check this link for all local parks (there are many): https://www.mecknc.gov/ParkandRec/Pages/Home.aspx
This is the "Central Park" of Charlotte - not walkable, but you could get there on a bike. Pro tip - park near the south end of the park on Princeton Ave or on a side-street. This is particularly clutch if there is an event at the park, of which there are many throughout the year. Check out link for more info: https://www.visitnc.com/listing/tqpN/freedom-park
338 locals recommend
Freedom Park
1908 East Blvd
338 locals recommend
This is the "Central Park" of Charlotte - not walkable, but you could get there on a bike. Pro tip - park near the south end of the park on Princeton Ave or on a side-street. This is particularly clutch if there is an event at the park, of which there are many throughout the year. Check out link for more info: https://www.visitnc.com/listing/tqpN/freedom-park
This park is slightly less glamorous than Freedom Park, but it is conveniently located just a short walk from the house and has a nice playground, basketball court and plenty of open space to let the dog or whomever run (officially, I believe dogs are required to be leashed, but I have seen many people playing fetch with their pups and they weren't doing any running...)
Carmel Road Neighborhood Park
2365 Carmel Rd
This park is slightly less glamorous than Freedom Park, but it is conveniently located just a short walk from the house and has a nice playground, basketball court and plenty of open space to let the dog or whomever run (officially, I believe dogs are required to be leashed, but I have seen many people playing fetch with their pups and they weren't doing any running...)
This is officially a dog park - short drive, worth it for the social pup.
William R. Davie Regional Dog Park
4635 Pineville-Matthews Rd
This is officially a dog park - short drive, worth it for the social pup.

Grocery Stores

Quick run through the closest and best, and all in between...
This is the closest and has all the basics...
20 locals recommend
Harris Teeter
7852 Rea Rd
20 locals recommend
This is the closest and has all the basics...
Really not necessarily Whole Paycheck anymore. But, still pricey. Great store! Local tip: patio offers quiet place to grab lunch or dinner, or just enjoy a drink - quiet and nice views (good weather only)
65 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
400 E Stonewall St
65 locals recommend
Really not necessarily Whole Paycheck anymore. But, still pricey. Great store! Local tip: patio offers quiet place to grab lunch or dinner, or just enjoy a drink - quiet and nice views (good weather only)
New...small, but awesome!
22 locals recommend
The Fresh Market
4207 Providence Rd
22 locals recommend
New...small, but awesome!
Also ran compared to Whole Foods and Fresh Market, but they did just renovate and it has a funky little bar/dine-in area. Insider trick: they have take and bake pizzas that are amazing - just grab your own fresh toppings.
22 locals recommend
Earth Fare
12235 N Community House Rd
22 locals recommend
Also ran compared to Whole Foods and Fresh Market, but they did just renovate and it has a funky little bar/dine-in area. Insider trick: they have take and bake pizzas that are amazing - just grab your own fresh toppings.
Not that close for a store, but worth the extra mile(s) if you are also a TJs junky! If not, try the corn salsa and mini ice cream cones...then you will be!
20 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
6418 Rea Rd
20 locals recommend
Not that close for a store, but worth the extra mile(s) if you are also a TJs junky! If not, try the corn salsa and mini ice cream cones...then you will be!
This is the least offensive Walmart in Charlotte, maybe ever. But, it is Walmart still. This is not really the grocery store kind... so this is for anything else (or just really cheap water, etc) You can always find (almost) anything you need at Southpark Mall...
Walmart @ Arboretum station
This is the least offensive Walmart in Charlotte, maybe ever. But, it is Walmart still. This is not really the grocery store kind... so this is for anything else (or just really cheap water, etc) You can always find (almost) anything you need at Southpark Mall...

Coffee

Closest Starbucks is one mile south on Carmel Road in the Harris Teeter shopping center - this is closest. There are at least six other locations within a couple miles!
9 locals recommend
Starbucks
7823 Colony Rd
9 locals recommend
Closest Starbucks is one mile south on Carmel Road in the Harris Teeter shopping center - this is closest. There are at least six other locations within a couple miles!
22 locals recommend
Dunkin'
231 N Graham St
22 locals recommend

Food scene

The original - convenient (best for take out)
Sushi Guru - South Park
6601 Carnegie Boulevard
The original - convenient (best for take out)
The new one - one cool option in super-cool Plaza Midwood...can get an Uber over there all times of day...and night!
7 locals recommend
Sushi Guru - 1217 The Plaza
1217 The Plaza
7 locals recommend
The new one - one cool option in super-cool Plaza Midwood...can get an Uber over there all times of day...and night!
Fine Dining - just checking a box. But really, this place is amazing! Don't forget to make a reservation (Opentable)
11 locals recommend
Barrington's
7822 Fairview Rd
11 locals recommend
Fine Dining - just checking a box. But really, this place is amazing! Don't forget to make a reservation (Opentable)
Great takeout place
Thai Orchid Restaurant
4223 Providence Rd
Great takeout place
Nearby, convenient, down the middle. Good for the whole family and more than just pizza
Hawthorne's New York Pizza and Bar Carmel Road
4100 Carmel Rd
Nearby, convenient, down the middle. Good for the whole family and more than just pizza
This is the fancy pizza place. Not really for kids, or at least not mine.
6 locals recommend
Inizio Pizza Napoletana
10620 Providence Rd
6 locals recommend
This is the fancy pizza place. Not really for kids, or at least not mine.
So popular that this local spot keeps popping up all over Charlotte. Get the empanadas and queso.
40 locals recommend
Sabor Latin Street Grill
415 Hawthorne Ln
40 locals recommend
So popular that this local spot keeps popping up all over Charlotte. Get the empanadas and queso.
The hot spot that fish eaters and meat eaters can all agree on. Trendy so expect a wait.
64 locals recommend
The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar
4310 Sharon Rd
64 locals recommend
The hot spot that fish eaters and meat eaters can all agree on. Trendy so expect a wait.
local ice cream spot
Golden Cow Creamery Southpark
720 Gov Morrison St
local ice cream spot
Sports bar with good food and lots of beer options
8 locals recommend
Duckworth's Kitchen & Taphouse
4435 Park Rd
8 locals recommend
Sports bar with good food and lots of beer options
If you get a hankering for chinese food
Baoding Restaurant
4722 Sharon Rd
If you get a hankering for chinese food
get the pork belly tacos. That is all
159 locals recommend
Soul Gastrolounge
1500 B Central Ave
159 locals recommend
get the pork belly tacos. That is all

Sightseeing

Our favorite movie theater. A little further than others but worth it. Food, booze and reclining seats.
21 locals recommend
Cinemark Movie Bistro
9630 Monroe Rd
21 locals recommend
Our favorite movie theater. A little further than others but worth it. Food, booze and reclining seats.
Our favorite local beers come from this brewery
123 locals recommend
NoDa Brewing Company
150 West 32nd Street
123 locals recommend
Our favorite local beers come from this brewery
HUGE brewery that is great for families or groups. Dog friendly, kid friendly and close to a ton of other fun options.
165 locals recommend
Old Mecklenburg Brewery
4150 Yancey Rd
165 locals recommend
HUGE brewery that is great for families or groups. Dog friendly, kid friendly and close to a ton of other fun options.
The cool kids love this brewery (and shhh so do we!). Try a Prosecco Pop and check out the food trucks out back.
111 locals recommend
Sycamore Brewing
2151 Hawkins St
111 locals recommend
The cool kids love this brewery (and shhh so do we!). Try a Prosecco Pop and check out the food trucks out back.
Closest brewery that's a new addition in Southpark.
23 locals recommend
Legion Brewing South Park
5610 Carnegie Blvd
23 locals recommend
Closest brewery that's a new addition in Southpark.
Amusement park right across the boarder into SC. Fun for all ages!!
484 locals recommend
Carowinds
300 Carowinds Blvd
484 locals recommend
Amusement park right across the boarder into SC. Fun for all ages!!
Adult playground I would describe this as. Play old school games in a really fun atmosphere.
35 locals recommend
Queen Park Social
4125 Yancey Rd
35 locals recommend
Adult playground I would describe this as. Play old school games in a really fun atmosphere.
Bowling is a fun option for rainy days. This alley has been renovated and is right on Montford Rd offering a ton of options to hop to after a game.
27 locals recommend
10 Park Lanes
1700 Montford Dr
27 locals recommend
Bowling is a fun option for rainy days. This alley has been renovated and is right on Montford Rd offering a ton of options to hop to after a game.
For all you racing fans
409 locals recommend
NASCAR Hall of Fame
400 E M.L.K. Jr Blvd
409 locals recommend
For all you racing fans
Great place to explore, activities, take the dogs, etc .
405 locals recommend
U.S. National Whitewater Center
5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy
405 locals recommend
Great place to explore, activities, take the dogs, etc .
Checkout a Charlotte Knights Baseball game.
137 locals recommend
BB&T Ballpark
324 S Mint St
137 locals recommend
Checkout a Charlotte Knights Baseball game.
great views of the city
162 locals recommend
Romare Bearden Park
300 S Church St
162 locals recommend
great views of the city
laid back vibe. Play ping pong out back and chill
48 locals recommend
Thomas Street Tavern
1218 Thomas Ave
48 locals recommend
laid back vibe. Play ping pong out back and chill
Rooftop bar uptown Charlotte
66 locals recommend
Merchant & Trade
303 S Church St
66 locals recommend
Rooftop bar uptown Charlotte