Charlotte Neighborhoods

Uptown is the heart and soul of Charlotte. It's the primary business and cultural district, and where visitors spend most of their time. What were once American Indian trading paths now mark the skyscraper-filled center of Uptown: Trade and Tryon streets. From there, Charlotte's neighborhoods branch out in all directions. To the east and southwest of Uptown are the main arts and entertainment districts. NoDa, short for North Davidson, lies in the east and is the heart of Charlotte's art scene. The South End, which is more urban, features the cities best nightlife and entertainment. The city becomes more residential further south, towards Myers Park and South Park.

Myers Park/South Park

On the outer perimeter of Charlotte, Myers Park and South Park are two of the more affluent neighborhoods in Charlotte. The region is home to some of the oldest and most historical areas of Charlotte. Though there aren't big-name restaurants or attractions in this area, we still like driving through these historic neighborhoods because many of the homes feature distinct Southern architecture dating back several decades.

NoDa

NoDa is by far the most eclectic part of Charlotte, featuring a diverse and expressive ambiance that isn’t seen and felt in other neighborhoods. Popular with artists, NoDa is populated by historic brick buildings, textile factories and mill houses that have been renovated to house art galleries and boutique shops. Visitors should note that this neighborhood has fewer restaurants and bars than other Charlotte neighborhoods, and plan accordingly.

University City

On the very north end of Charlotte, right on the outer perimeter, is the aptly-named University City. Named for the University of North Carolina at Charlotte located there, this district is bustling with young college students. Apart from the university, the neighborhood is primarily a residential family area. The Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, which is one of the largest concert venues in the South, is also located in this part of town.

Uptown

In Charlotte, downtown is called…wait for it… Uptown! It's also known as Center City. But no matter what you call it, Uptown is where it all goes down in Charlotte. It’s the central part of everything that happens here, including Charlotte travel amenities. Though in decades past it was best known as a business district, Uptown has evolved to feature a vibrant character of restaurants, nightclubs, the best Charlotte hotels and boutique shopping. The construction cranes that dominated the skyline over the last few years are gone, and have been replaced with new hotels (The Ritz-Carlton Charlotte and Hotel Sierra), must-see cultural attractions (Bechtler Museum of Modern Art and Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture) and the popular NASCAR Hall of Fame. The biggest Uptown draw for families is kid-friendly Discovery Place. Though it has a lively urban scene, Uptown Charlotte is still a focal point of business activities, with several Fortune 500 companies in the district. The area is even starting to grow residentially, as many condominiums have cropped up in the area.

South End

The South End is, quite logically, south of the Uptown District. Similar to NoDa, the South End was an old mill district that has since been revitalized. Contrary to NoDa, however, Charlotte’s South End is much more urban, featuring a contemporary ambiance with exciting attractions and nightlife. It also essentially family-friendly Charlotte, as it is home to many attractions geared toward children.