A Rundown of the Best Neighborhoods in Charlotte

The mid-winter blues are in full swing. Spring is just on the horizon, but the cold isn’t finished with us quite yet. Sometimes, the best solution to seasonal mood swings is a good old-fashioned adventure. Charlotte is only an hour and a half south on I-85, making for the perfect getaway. There is plenty to explore, a sprawling city with plenty of picturesque parks, obscure fashion gems, and foodie favorites.

NoDa

Appropriately dubbed “the city’s epicenter for inspiration,” NoDa is an eclectic art and entertainment district that sits just a short drive north of the city center. Recognizable by its vibrant murals, expansive art galleries, and countless tattoo parlors, NoDa is brimming with fun things to do.

Be sure to step into Pura Vida Worldly Art, a locally owned gift store specializing in handmade, ethically sourced products worldwide. The experience of shopping at Pura Vida is akin to stepping into a temple of cultural diversity, as the owner, Teresa Hernandez, has cultivated an environment bursting with color and international industry. If her store is a must-see, Teresa is a must-meet. She can often be found chatting with customers or explaining the cultural origins of her various products.

You must also stop by Amelie’s French Bakery and Cafe for authentic French pastries, soups, and savories. This eccentric (and delicious) cafe features plenty of photo opportunities and is full of funky sofas and iconic symbols of French culture. For a more filling meal, check out Benny Pennello’s pizzeria, where you can get an enormous (and we mean ENORMOUS) slice of pizza on the cheap. NoDa is also home to various bars and breweries for the bar-hopping veterans in our audience. Some of the most popular include Birdsong Brewing Co., The Chamber by Wooden Robot, and Free Range Brewing.

South End

This lively, urban neighborhood is just a short, light rail ride down South Boulevard. South End is home to trendy young professionals, picturesque coffee shops, and booming nightlife. Playful murals can be found throughout the South End neighborhood, making it a perfect spot for impromptu photoshoots.

South End has too many bars and breweries to count, making it a hotspot for younger crowds. Sycamore Brewing is one fan-favorite featuring a cozy taproom and an enormous beer garden. The beer garden often features live music and a variety of food trucks and quite a few dogs. Another popular spot is The Suffolk Punch, which offers delicious drinks and mouthwatering food, a perfect pitstop for the weary traveler.

South End is also the perfect spot for anybody with a sweet tooth. Stop in Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams and choose from a wide variety of unique flavors, including pineapple upside-down cake and wild berry lavender.

South End is also the perfect place for health nuts, as it has a variety of local gyms and fitness studios. Sweat out your stress and anxiety at Arrichion Hot Yoga + Circuit Training, which promotes a system that permits a more holistic health journey. Another popular spot is Inner Peaks Climbing, an expansive indoor rock climbing complex that offers plenty of fun fitness opportunities.

Photo Courtesy of Pinterest

South Park

South Park is by far the most boujee neighborhood in all of Charlotte. Characterized by neat lanes lined with beautiful homes, high-end eateries, and luxury boutiques, the South Park neighborhood is the definition of class. This posh community is known for its eponymous shopping mall, South Park, which will satisfy even the most voracious of shopaholics.

Home to a plethora of delicious restaurants, some of the most popular include Cafe Monte French Bakery and Bistro, known for its delicious specialty crepes and beignets. If you are craving Japanese, be sure to stop by Baku or The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar. In the mood for traditional Spanish tapas? Check out the Bulla Gastrobar! South Park has a restaurant to satisfy every craving, no matter how obscure.

Walk off your meal at the expansive South Park Mall, which offers a variety of luxury retailers. Some prominent brands include Burberry, Tiffany & Co., and Louis Vuitton. South Park also has an enormous Urban Outfitters store that is a must-visit for any college student.

Be sure to visit Restoration Hardware for the opportunity to take trendy pictures in incredibly posh and ridiculously expensive interior design layouts. The building is several stories high and has an enormous grand staircase leading all the way up to the top floor. Both sides of the stairs are lined with massive mirrors perfect for an impromptu photo-op. The roof level doubles as a high-end restaurant. The eating area is perhaps the most beautiful part of the entire building, making it the perfect spot to snap some sunset pictures.

Keep exploring and tag us @theedgemag to share some of your favorite spots in Charlotte!