Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, NC
Places to go in Charlotte
28 scouted venues — the coffee shops, restaurants, parks, and hidden corners we think are worth your time.
Outdoors
Big Rock Nature Preserve
This unassuming wooded area & wildlife habitat features 22 acres & large granite formations.
6500 Elmstone Dr, Charlotte, NC 28277, USA
Outdoors
Clarks Creek Greenway
This 7-mile trail with a wooded creekside setting attracts bikers, runners & skateboarders.
9729 Mallard Creek Rd, Charlotte, NC 28267, USA
Outdoors
Clarks Creek Park
5435 Hucks Rd, Charlotte, NC 28269, USA
Outdoors
Colonel Francis J. Beatty Park
This rental wedding venue also has walking trails, athletic fields & picnic areas for visitors.
4330 Weddington Road, Matthews, NC 28105, USA
Outdoors
Crowders Mountain State Park
Valleys, foothills, sheer vertical cliffs for hiking, bird-watching, camping, rock climbing & more.
522 Park Office Ln, Kings Mountain, NC 28086, USA
Outdoors
Evergreen Nature Preserve
Unspoilt 77-acre urban hardwood forest preserve with a stream & trails & haven for migratory birds.
1336 Norland Rd, Charlotte, NC 28205, USA
Outdoors
First Ward Park
Urban 4.6-acre park with fountains around university buildings known for summer music festivals.
301 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28202, USA
Outdoors
Four Mile Creek Greenway
Boardwalk & paved trail through natural forest & wetlands, for hiking, cycling & wildlife viewing.
5803 Bevington Pl, Charlotte, NC 28277, USA
Outdoors
Fourth Ward Park
3-acre community park featuring walking paths, decorative fountains & a kids' play structure.
301 N Poplar St, Charlotte, NC 28202, USA
Outdoors
Frazier Park
16-acre park with ballfields, greenway paths & a playground, plus community-garden plots for rent.
1201 W 4th Street Ext, Charlotte, NC 28202, USA
Outdoors
Freedom Park
A lakeside bandshell anchors this large park, which also has sports fields, a playground & trails.
1908 East Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203, USA
Outdoors
Freedom Park Lakeside
1415 Princeton Ave, Charlotte, NC 28209, USA
Outdoors
Hornets Nest Park
Roomy day park featuring disc golf & a fishing lake, plus a BMX track hosting competitions.
6301 Beatties Ford Rd, Charlotte, NC 28216, USA
Outdoors
Lake Norman State Park
State park next to NC's largest man-made lake, with fishing, boating, camping, hiking & more.
759 State Park Rd, Troutman, NC 28166, USA
Outdoors
Latta Nature Preserve
Latta Plantation Preserve's interpretive center, with native animals, a habitat garden & gift shop.
5226 Sample Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078, USA
Outdoors
Latta Park
32-acre county park with sports facilities, hiking/biking trails, a playground & a picnic shelter.
601 E Park Ave, Charlotte, NC 28203, USA
Outdoors
Little Sugar Creek Greenway
19 miles of paved hiking & biking paths along Little Sugar Creek, with views & connections to parks.
1133 Metropolitan Ave, Charlotte, NC 28204, USA
Outdoors
McAlpine Creek Park
114-acre county park with a lake & fishing pier, soccer fields, hiking & bike trails, & a dog park.
8711 Monroe Rd, Charlotte, NC 28212, USA
Outdoors
McDowell Nature Preserve
This mostly undeveloped preserve with a lake has a nature center, campground, trails & play areas.
15222 York Rd, Charlotte, NC 28278, USA
Outdoors
Nevin Park
Expansive area features 7 athletic fields, 3 playgrounds, a seasonal sprayground & disc golf course.
6000 Statesville Rd, Charlotte, NC 28269, USA
Outdoors
Park Road Park
This recreational park provides basketball & tennis courts, baseball fields, a playground & paths.
6220 Park Rd, Charlotte, NC 28210, USA
Outdoors
Reedy Creek Nature Preserve
Creekside walks & fishing spots in woodland with picnic shelters & ruins of pioneer-era cabins.
2900 Rocky River Rd, Charlotte, NC 28215, USA
Outdoors
Ribbonwalk Nature Preserve
Scenic park featuring a large beech tree grove, trails & several species of birds & butterflies.
4601 Nevin Rd, Charlotte, NC 28269, USA
Outdoors
Romare Bearden Park
This public green space is often host to fitness & cultural arts programs, including live music.
300 S Church St, Charlotte, NC 28202, USA