I’ve organized this post into two jam-packed days in Charlotte, beginning with breakfast and ending with a delicious dinner. Activities are centered around the outdoors and/or remaining active, so it’s an itinerary that will keep you movin’! Though the itinerary can be followed exactly, it’s meant more as a list of recommendations for you to pick and choose from according to what appeals to you when you find yourself in Charlotte. And I have some good news: A handful of the activities are totally free!
Note: I may do a follow-up post to this one with some just plain fun and/or indulgent Charlotte-area recommendations since I know travel to a new area often comes along with a desire to experience everything wonderful and often indulgently delicious a new place has to offer!
DAY ONE (Saturday)
Breakfast
Earl’s Grocery is located in the beautiful Elizabeth neighborhood of Charlotte, just south of the city. With a community feel, Earl’s Grocery is a popular spot for a casual bite to eat and offers everything from made-to-order meals to prepared foods and unique grocery items. Breakfast options include a small sampling of egg sandwiches, wraps and baked goods and you can also order coffee and a variety of fresh juices.
Location: 1609 Elizabeth Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28204
Workout
A seven-minute drive from Earl’s Grocery will take you to Burn Boot Camp where you can pop in for a sweaty Saturday morning workout! I’m pretty sure I’ve professed my love for BBC on this blog a bazillion times, so you HAVE to make this part of your Charlotte itinerary! The 45-minute workout will spike your heart rate and leave you dripping in sweat but is scalable for all fitness levels. An added bonus: Saturday morning Burn Boot Camp workouts in Charlotte are co-ed, free and open to the public.
Location: 1945 East 7th Street, Charlotte, NC 28204
Lunch
Formerly known as Luna’s Living Kitchen, this restaurant is a Charlotte-area must-try whether you follow a vegetarian diet or simply want deliciously fresh local food. It’s hard to decide what is more beautiful when you dine at Living Kitchen – the gorgeous dining space with exposed brick and plenty of natural daylight or the vibrant and colorful food, all 100 percent organic and plant-based.
Living Kitchen serves mostly raw, plant-based food and whether you opt for one of their specialties like the manicotti (thin slices of zucchini pasta stuffed with ricotta cashew cheese and topped with a tomato basil marinara) or a produce-packed salad (I recommend the Arugula Harvest), you cannot go wrong.
Location: Atherton Mill, 2000 South Blvd. Suite 300, Charlotte, NC 28203
Activity
Located just outside of the city is the U.S. National Whitewater Center, a wonderful place for those who love to get outside and stay active during a visit to Charlotte! (Note: You could easily spend a full day here, so keep that in mind if you’re looking for one place to go for plenty of fun and outdoor adventure.) With everything from paddle boarding and ropes courses to zip lines and miles of trails for biking, trail running or hiking, you’ll have no shortage of active, outdoorsy things to choose from when you visit! You can also frequently enjoy live music during the summer months or participate in one of the many races held at the Whitewater Center through their ongoing race series.
Location: 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28214
Dinner
Get ready for a fantastic evening filled with local and organic food prepared in the most delicious way by award-winning chefs. Good Food On Montford is incredibly popular in Charlotte for a very good reason. Their small plate menu is constantly changing but always wonderful. The décor is beautifully simple with exposed brick and wood beams and there is a reason the restaurant’s Yelp reviews continue to be so positive.
Tip: Good Food on Montford does not take reservations and is closed on Sundays so make sure to arrive early and do not plan to go out to dinner here on a Sunday night!
Location: 1701 Montford Drive, Charlotte, NC 28209
DAY TWO (Sunday)
Breakfast
A visit to 7th Street Public Market will take you into the heart of Uptown and you’ll have plenty of options to choose from if you’re looking for a healthy, local breakfast. 7th Street Public Market is always bursting with energy and offers everything from acai bowls and savory crepes to omelets and waffles.
For those looking for a caffeine fix, Not Just Coffee located inside the market is the place for you! Coffee-lovers cannot go wrong by ordering a a vanilla sugar latte and tea lovers will enjoy the subtle spice of ginger in Not Just Coffee’s deliciously creamy ginger chai latte.
Location: 224 East 7th Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
Activity
- Pick Your Hike: Crowders Mountain State Park or Lake Norman State Park
You have a decision to make for your next adventure! Do you want to climb to the top of a mountain to see a beautiful view of the city or would you prefer walking along a lakeside trail and taking in sights of beautiful Lake Norman? Either way you can’t go wrong! If distance helps make your decision, the drive to Crowders Mountain takes about 35 minutes from Charlotte (definitely the more popular hiking option for Charlotte locals!) while Lake Norman State Park is closer to an hour drive from the city.
Crowders Mountain State Park: The Pinnacle Trail and the Crowders Trail / Backside Trail are very popular trails at Crowders Mountain State Park because they take you to the summit of King’s Pinnacle and Crowders Mountain, respectively. The hikes are moderate to strenuous, so get ready to work for the beautiful views you will see at the top of either summit! Weekends at Crowders Mountain State Park can be very busy, so I highly recommend arriving as early as possible to avoid crowds or opting for Lake Norman State Park if you want a more secluded hiking experience.
Personal Recap: Crowders Mountain State Park
Lake Norman State Park: If you make your way up to Lake Norman State Park, you must check out the Lake Shore Trail for your hike! You can choose a three-mile or a six-mile loop but both will take you along the shores of Lake Norman where you’ll likely see plenty of boats, jet skis and wake boarders if you visit during the summer months! The Lake Side Trail is also dog-friendly, so feel free to bring your favorite furry friend on this adventure.
Personal Recap: Lake Norman State Park
Lunch
After your hike and plenty of time in the car, a casual lunch is on the menu at Sunflour Baking Company! Grab a panini prepared on one of Sunflour’s freshly hearth-baked breads, free of any artificial flavorings, preservatives, bleached or bromated flour. The avocado melt toasted sandwich and the fig & brie panini are two of my personal favorites. Sunflour is also great about custom orders, so if you don’t see the perfect lunch option for you, let them know and they’ll try their best to make it happen!
Tip #1: If you need a little caffeine pick-me-up, grab a dirty chai or a dirty mocha latte to go!
Tip #2: If you have a sweet tooth, grab a baked treat from Sunflour to enjoy when a craving strikes. You won’t regret it! I have yet to order something sweet from Sunflour that didn’t taste amazing.
Location: 2001 East 7th Street, Charlotte, NC 28204 (Elizabeth)
Activity
- Visit Freedom Park
After an active morning of hiking, shake your legs out with an easy stroll around the lake at Freedom Park. If you simply feel like relaxing until dinner, Freedom Park is a great place to lounge, read a book or magazine and people watch. The park is also home to a handful of festivals (we had a great time at The Festival in the Park last year!) and you’ll frequently see groups of people practicing yoga or Tai Chi and running around the lake with their dogs.
Location: 1900 East Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28203
Dinner
The Fig Tree is known around Charlotte as a wonderful “special occasion” restaurant. Consistently ranked as one of the top restaurants in Charlotte, The Fig Tree is not cheap but you simply cannot beat the incredibly fresh, seasonal food and the intimate, cozy atmosphere. The executive chef of the restaurant dubs his style “country European” and every dish we’ve tried has a wonderfully upscale (but somehow still homecooked) feel. The restaurant is located in a 1913 bungalow-style home in Charlotte’s Elizabeth neighborhood and offers delicious vegetarian options and frequently features wild game on the menu as well.
Location: 1601 East 7th Street, Charlotte, NC 28204
Question of the Day
- Do you prefer an active or relaxing vacation… or a bit of both?
- Charlotte-area friends, what is one thing you would tell someone visiting Charlotte they must do if they told you they prefer healthy food and active activities?
Christina @ montessoriishmom.com says
I want to do literally everything on this list, what a fun city! I definitely prefer active vacations, but love a little relaxation thrown in there – like a week of hiking with a day or two of wine tasting – that would probably be my ideal trip.
Julie says
Agreed!! I gravitate toward active vacations but definitely want some relaxation peppered in there!
Patricia @Sweet And Strong says
I’ve never been but always wanted to go to Charolette. My husband actually mentioned the other day he might have a work trip there that I could tag along with for this summer, so maybe a visit soon. I prefer a mix of activities on vacation, some relaxing, some active. And all about the healthy AND indulgent eats so I’ll look forward to that second post 😉
Jess says
I’m actually going to be in Charlotte in a month so thanks for sharing and I’m looking forward to your other recap of recs as well. I’d love to hear more about the Whitewater Center… did you have a recap from when you went that I could check out?? Thanks!
Heather says
Awesome and informative post! Definitely do a recap of fun and indulgent things to do. I am the complete opposite LOL. When I am traveling somewhere, I like to eat and drink all the bad things! We are in Charlotte from time to time, so I would love some ideas of where to visit.
Julie says
I definitely like a mix! I love to be active but do not shy away from all the indulgent food I can eat either! Haha!
Annie says
What an amazing and healthy place you live!! How nice having so much locally. We live halfway between Boston and the other large city in Massachusetts, Worcester, so we have a lot of great options and things to do just not that close!
Kelly @ Kelly Runs For Food says
I visit Charlotte every year once or twice for work and I love it! I always hit up Freedom Park and Living Kitchen. I also love going for a run from Freedom park up the Little Sugar Creek Greenway, which takes you through all kinds of cool parts of the city right into uptown.
Sara @ Oats & Rows says
So many amazing Charlotte places listed in this post! Sunflour is my all-time favorite place. I’ve been to Crowders, but haven’t been to Lake Norman State Park. I need to make my way up there!
Traci says
I love reading travel recommendation posts like this so definitely keep ’em coming! I have yet to go to Charlotte/North Carolina area, but every time you post about it everything looks incredible. I’m from the Northeast (currently live in Connecticut) and it looks like a great place to live. My husband and I actually have it in the back of our minds!
Julie says
NC was in the back of our minds for years when we lived in Florida. We have been so happy with our move! Definitely reach out if you have any questions in the future!
Traci says
Thanks, Julie! I definitely will!
Heather @ Polyglot Jot says
Yay this is great! I always like a mix of relaxing and active for trips! I definitely have Charlotte high on my must-visit list. This sounds do-able with a baby too….:D
Brynn says
A mix of activity and relaxation is my favorite type of vacation. I love your itinerary and would also love a kid-friendly one (or a few options if you have a family).
Julie says
Oooh love that idea!! Thanks for the suggestion! Stay tuned!
Carrie this fit chick says
Defintely a relaxing vacationer here! Im going to Charlotte for 2 nights in may, never been and so excited!
Sarah @ BucketListTummy says
Great list! I have many recommendations for the more indulgent list 😉
Lauren M Chemplavil says
Love, love, love this list! Fig Tree and Good Food are two of my favorite places to eat! As a fan of Good Food, I’d recommend Stagioni as well – it’s the same restaurant group and is a delicious Italian menu that changes seasonally.
Also – yay for the BBC Elizabeth shout out! That’s the Burn I go to and Kyle, Chris, and Lindsay are the BEST!!
Julie says
Oooh I’ll have to try Stagioni!!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
Great picks! I’ve hit up most of these in my visits to my Brother. Sunflower Bakery is a must stop for me. They have the BEST Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie ever.
Allison says
Well you just made me want to come to Charlotte. This sounds like my perfect getaway weekend! I love the mix of great food, healthy activities, and exploring a new city from the perspective of a local. I prefer a mix of an active and relaxing vacation. As much as I think I would love to spend an entire week laying in a pool, reading a book, and drinking margaritas, I just know how much better I feel when I get up and move and use exploring as a workout.
Kristin S says
And stop by Yafo for dinner. Oh my word.
Crystal says
This is such a great list! Thanks for putting it together! I’ve only been to Charlotte once, but hope to return. It’s a beautiful city with so many lovely neighborhoods. We went to the 7th Street Public Market (I think I may have heard about it from your blog actually!) and we loved the Front Porch ice cream they served there. We also went to some breweries, got BBQ at Midwood Smokehouse, and got pastries from Amelie’s (amazing!). Pinning this article for a future trip!
Stacey says
What a great list! I have always wanted to visit, but this makes me want to visit even more!
Fiona @ Get Fit Fiona says
The Living Kitchen sounds like a delicious spot!
I have family in North Carolina (my maternal grandmother’s side), but I haven’t been to visit them since I was a kid. Maybe I’ll make it back one day.
Natalie says
This has brought back so many memories of a 2 week road trip we did about 6 years ago! I remember Freedom Park was the first place we visited in Charlotte, followed by the huge mall. I think it was September time, the mall was freezing and outside was boiling! We spent a fun filled day at the US National Whitewater centre (the mountain biking trails were fun!). Next up were a few days in the Smokey Mountains (total culture shock coming from Europe) before Nashville for a night, Rayleigh for another night before spending a few days I think in Turtle Bay South Carolina. A great jam packed road trip and adventure!
Bethany Thompson @Luluruns says
This is awesome, Julie! Thanks for sharing! My family and I wanting to go on a trip this summer and I love guides like these. Maybe I’ll have to add Charlotte to our options. Have a great day!
Vanessa | THE REAL LIFE blog says
I used to live in Charlotte, so I recognize some of these spots! Great post! You’ve inspired me to do something similar on my blog for Denver. 🙂
Laura says
Love this post! Great information and write ups! 🙂 Adding a few new spots to my list! Thanks!
Sarah @ Sweet Miles says
Such a fun weekend! I need to do something like this for Little Rock – people are always so curious what there is to do! One time I had a friend act surprised that we had a nice mall, because #Arkansas. Hilarious, but such a true stereotype! I have only flown into Charlotte on a connecting flight, but from the looks of it, the hills and woods looked so inviting and pretty!
Amanda F says
The hubby and I definitely prefer an active vacation. I love squeezing in a hike wherever we go (Denver, Hawaii, Asheville). Those are some of favorite memories. I live just south of Charlotte (Greenville, SC) and the Whitewater Center has been on our list. Maybe we’ll make it happen this year.
Rachel @ Health My Lifestyle says
That all looks like so much fun! I wish there was a Living Kitchen here in Denver–that place looks so good!
I definitely like a balance of activities on vacation. I don’t want to come back feeling like a pig and lazy but I also want to have time to relax. Indulging in local eateries, seeing historical sites, and hiking/adventures are a nice mix and a perfect vacation for me!
Julia @ Drops of Jules says
The boyfriend and I are looking to move over to South Carolina! When we are in need of a quick this might come in handy for us one day! Thank you for such a comprehensive resource. 🙂
jordan @ dancing for donuts says
north carolina is one of my favorites states, but i have yet to visit charlotte! these recommendations all sound incredible – a bit of relaxing, a lot of exercise, and a ton of good food!! that collard wrap sounds amazing and i’m all for big markets like that where you can pick from a few different vendors at once.
i definitely prefer a vacation with a mix of activity and relaxation. i think it’s important to recharge, but part of recharging means treating your body well too, i think!
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West says
I love to tell people where to go with they visit my city (San Francisco)! And this looks like a stupendous weekend in Charlotte — a place I haven’t been, but would love to see one day. It looks so bright and cheery heheheh!
Holly says
I’ve always wanted to visit Charlotte. These look like some great recomendations! Although I’ll admit I’m not one for exercising on a vacation – unless you count all the walking around while exploring. 🙂 You should def do the follow up post on indulging in Charlotte. I’d love to see your top picks for indulgent restaurants!
Brittany says
Thank you for this! We are moving to Charlotte in July and so looking forward to it. I’m paying close attention to all your Charlotte adventures because I need all the ideas for my 10 month old son and 5 year old vizsla!! We’ve been following your blog for years, so we love that you’re in Charlotte and know we’ll always have a reference for great things to do!!
Kim from MN says
Thanks for this great list! Me and my husband have plans to drive around touring various cities along the east coast, so this is a great list. (I’ve been to Asheville, but haven’t been near the Charlotte area to actually visit it in a long while.) (Side note: the sound of that fig and brie panini is AMAZING. I’ve been to NYC multiple times, and weirdly, one of the best things I’ve had there is a panini from the basement of Grand Central station. Had it 3 times (on different trips) because I like it so much!)
And I know you didn’t mention it in this post, but I have yet to have that amazing milk bread you keep talking about. You made me think of it just now, writing up all the restaurants above . Gotta get my hands on some of that!
I’m also really really looking forward to your indulgent Charlotte post! I LOVE to go on vacation with my husband, and we do a combo of active + rest. We have a loose outline for every trip (like: “we want to hit these various places and do these various things”) but we choose activities based on mood, spontaneously. That means sleeping in and hitting a special hiking trail in the afternoon, and then dinner. And then deciding the next time that we’re in the mood to get up early and go on that sight seeing train ride we read about. Anyhow, he’s my perfect companion while traveling. Thanks for these tips, and looking forward to more! 🙂
Katie @ Live Half Full says
This sounds like a perfect agenda for me! I like to plan 1-2 things per day and leave room to explore and wander.
Alicia @Bridges Through Life says
I love active vacations and hearing about your hikes. I definitely want to visit Charlotte someday.
Savannah says
Thanks for the post, I have 3 kids and staying active isn’t too hard, but being cooped up in the house with sick kids has put a damper in my activities, I am looking forward to going on one of those hikes!
viktoria altman says
I definitely missed out on some of these restaurants during my last visit! Now i need to go back 🙂
Stan Williams says
I love the way you combined healthy and fun activities with healthy foods. Ever since we have settled into our Express Homes home we have wanted to get out and see what this great city has to offer. The pictures and pics were a wonderful portrayal of both the activities and food. I will most definitely be planning a days food and fun based on these suggestions. Thank you!
Julie Saldana says
I feel true in your article. It makes me feel like I’m going to Charlotte really. If I have the opportunity, I will go there according to your instructions. also I really like the Manicotti you suggested
Arielle says
You’ll for sure have to include Amelie’s in your indulgent posts if it doesn’t make it int part two!