Top Places to Stop on the Charlotte Light Rail
Whether you’re a light rail regular or newbie, here's what to eat, drink and do at each of the 26 stations along the LYNX Blue Line.
by Sallie Funderburk
Per a COVID-19-related Mecklenburg County health directive issued Jan. 12, 2021, please note that some businesses may have modified their hours of operation and changed procedures in order to comply with CDC and Mecklenburg County Health Department guidelines. Please wear a mask, limit any non-essential activities and refrain from gathering with anyone outside of your household.
The LYNX Blue Line light rail has been a game-changer to Charlotteans since its operations began in 2007. The 9.6-mile route had 15 total stations linking South End to Uptown. In 2018, the Charlotte Area Transit System added a 9.3-mile light rail extension, connecting Uptown to UNC Charlotte, bringing in an additional 11 stops.
So, what is there to do exactly at each of the 26 stations? There’s plenty. Whether you’re a light rail regular or newbie, your $4.40 round-trip ticket just got a whole lot more exciting. From sipping on a cold, local brew to treating yourself to new finds at a boutique, there’s a variety of activities to enjoy at each stop.
But first, we’ve got a few tips on how to navigate the light rail. You’ll want to download the CATS Pass mobile app to easily purchase your LYNX ticket ($2.20 each way), along with the Ride CATS mobile to get real-time information on all of Charlotte’s bus and rail services. If you need help figuring out which station to hop off, consult the LYNX stations and parking map. If you need to review boarding and arrival times, check out the official LYNX schedule.
Get your eat, drink and shop on.
South Charlotte
I-485/South Boulevard Station
Address: 9508 South Blvd.
Shop: Carolina Pavilion, Nordstrom Rack, Target, DSW
Do: AMC Carolina Pavilion 22
Station Amenities: Covered waiting area, public art, bike racks, elevators in the parking deck, 1120 park and ride spaces
Sharon Road West Station
Address: 8815 Crump Road
Must-See Stop: Snyder’s-Lance Factory
Did you know? The Snyder’s-Lance business began in Charlotte after a local businessman converted a raw peanut deal that had gone awry into a prolific snack brand.
Station Amenities: Water fountain, public art, bike lockers, 188 park and ride spaces
Arrowood Station
Address: 7717 England St.
Eat/Drink: Mi Tierra Restaurant, Taqueria Mexico
Station Amenities: Lighted station, covered waiting area, 289 park and ride spaces
Archdale Station
Address: 6230 South Blvd.
Eat/Drink: The Burrito Factory, 500 Degrees Pizzeria, Lempira Restaurant
Station Amenities: Platform is on the bridge and is accessible by stairs and an elevator, ticket vending machines with passenger assist, 432 park and ride spaces
Tyvola Station
Address: 5703 Olde Pineville Road
Shop: ALDI
Eat/Drink: Vietnam Grille, Lupitas Carniceria & Tortilleria
Hotels Nearby: Crowne Plaza Charlotte Executive Park
Station Amenities: Platform is on the bridge and is accessible by stairs and elevators, water fountain, 465 park and ride spaces
Montclaire South/Lower South End
Woodlawn Station
Address: 4756 Old Pineville Road
Shop: Sleepy Poet Antique Mall
Eat/Drink: Arepas Grill, Beef ‘N Bottle Steakhouse, Azteca Mexican Restaurant
See: Rountree Plantation
Hotels Nearby: Best Western Plus
Station Amenities: 382 park and ride spaces, bike lockers, wheelchair accessible platform
Scaleybark Station
Address: 3750 South Blvd.
Eat/Drink: Zack’s Hamburgers, Seoul Poke Bowl, Brewers at 4001 Yancey, The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, Queen Park Social, Sugar Creek Brewing Co., GoodRoad CiderWorks, Red Clay Ciderworks
Hotels Nearby: Four Points by Sheraton Charlotte, Quality Inn
Station Amenities: Covered waiting area, 315 park and ride spaces, emergency call box
South End
New Bern Station
Address: 129 New Bern St.
Shop: South End Exchange
Eat/Drink: Triple C Brewing Co., Lenny Boy Brewing Co., The Suffolk Punch, The Waterman, Mac’s Speed Shop, SouthBound, Eight + Sand
Hotels Nearby: Super 8 by Wyndham, Quality Inn
Station Amenities: Seating, automatic audio announcements, bike racks and lockers
East/West Blvd. Station
Address: 1821 Camden Road
Shop: Atherton Mill and Market, Girl Tribe Co., The Golden Carrot, BOEM, Bonobos
Eat/Drink: The Manchester, Price’s Chicken Coop, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, Hawkers Asian Street Fare, Barcelona Wine Bar, Sycamore Brewing, Mr. K’s Soft Ice Cream, Dilworth Tasting Room, Tyber Creek Pub, Sunflour Baking Company, Bonterra Restaurant & Wine Room, 300 East, Fuel Pizza, Rosemont, Bulgogi Box, Leroy Fox, Bang Bang Burgers, Thai Taste, Roots Café
Do: Paddlywax Candle Bar, Campbell's Greenhouses and Nursery
See: Latta Park
Station Amenities: Bike racks, public art, emergency call box, covered waiting area
Bland Street Station
Address: 1511 Camden Road
Eat/Drink: The Union, Crispy Crepe, Futo Buta, Wooden Robot Brewery, The Brass Tap, Golden Cow Creamery, Gin Mill, The Brickyard, Tavern on the Tracks, Oak Room, All American Pub, Hot Taco, Slate Billiards, Bulldog Beer & Wine, Hoppin, STIR Charlotte, Vana
Do: Elder Gallery of Contemporary Art
Hotels Nearby: Holiday Inn Express
Station Amenities: Automatic radio announcements, seating, ticket vending machines with passenger assist
Carson Station
Address: 218 E. Carson Blvd.
Eat/Drink: Midnight Diner, The Unknown Brewing Co., Hoppin’, Seoul Food Meat Company, Let’s Meat, Craft Tasting Room & Growler Shop, Nikko Japanese Restaurant, Lincoln’s Haberdashery, Capishe Real Italian Kitchen, Lincoln Street Kitchen & Cocktails, Ruby Sunshine
Do: Charlotte Cigar Club
Station Amenities: Lighted station, seating, bike racks, public art
Uptown
Stonewall Station
Address: 260 E. Stonewall St.
Eat/Drink: Whole Foods, Sandwich Club, Rico’s Acai, Matt’s Chicago Dog, Merchant & Trade, La Belle Helene, Famous Toastery, Rhino Market & Deli, Angeline’s, Ink N Ivy
Do: The Mint Museum Uptown, The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, Knight Theater
See: Bank of America Stadium
Hotels Nearby: The Westin Charlotte, Hilton Charlotte Center City, Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel, Home2 Suites by Hilton
Station Amenities: Station is located on top of the Westin Hotel parking deck, elevators in Westin parking deck, wheelchair accessible platform
3rd Street Station
Address: 305 E. 3rd St.
Eat/Drink: Mimosa Grill, Stoke Charlotte, Amélie’s French Bakery & Café, Red Ginger, Cloud Bar by David Burke, Chima Brazilian Steakhouse, Fahrenheit, Carolina Ale House
Do: Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center, Spectrum Center, Epicentre, NASCAR Hall of Fame, Wells Fargo History Museum
See: Charlotte Convention Center, The Green, Marshall Park
Hotels Nearby: Hilton Charlotte Center City, Omni Charlotte, Hyatt House Charlotte Center City, Aloft Charlotte Uptown at the Epicentre, Residence Inn by Marriott Charlotte Uptown, Le Méridian Charlotte
Station Amenities: Covered waiting area, ticket vending machines with passenger assist, automatic audio announcements
Charlotte Transportation Center/Arena Station
Address: 303 E. Trade St.
Eat/Drink: BLT Steak, Rooster’s Uptown, Eddie V’s Prime Seafood, Fitzgerald’s, The Capital Grille, 5Church, Sophia’s Lounge, Loft & Cellar, Mert’s Heart & Soul, Dandelion Market, 204 North Kitchen & Cocktails, Sea Level NC
Do: Epicentre, Spectrum Center, Sozo Gallery, Blumenthal Performing Arts, Discovery Place Science
Hotels Nearby: AC Hotel Charlotte City Center, The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte, Aloft Charlotte Uptown at the Epicentre, Dunhill Hotel
Station Amenities: Water fountain, emergency call box, ticket vending machines with passenger assist
7th Street Station
Address: 260 E. 7th St.
Eat/Drink: 7th Street Public Market, The Cellar at Duckworth’s, Lucky’s Bar & Arcade
Do: Discovery Place Science, ImaginON, The Joe & Joan Martin Center, Levine Museum of the New South, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, Carolina Theatre (currently being restored), McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square
See: First Ward Park
Hotels Nearby: The Holiday Inn, SpringHill Suites by Marriott Charlotte Uptown, Holiday Inn Charlotte-Center City, The Dunhill Hotel, The Ivey’s Hotel, Charlotte Marriott City Center
Station Amenities: Bike racks, public art, covered waiting area
9th Street Station
Address: 237 E. 9th St.
Eat/Drink: Waterbean Coffee, Duckworth’s Grill & Taphouse, McNinch House Restaurant, Queen City Grounds, Pizzeria Sapienza, Alexander Michael’s
Do: McColl Center for Art + Innovation, Charlotte Ballet
See: UNC Charlotte Center City Campus, First Ward Park
Hotels Nearby: Holiday Inn Charlotte-Center City, SpringHill Suites by Marriott Charlotte Uptown
Station Amenities: Four ticket vending machines with passenger assist, CCTVs (cameras), ADA accessible, variable message signs
NoDa/Optimist Park/Plaza-Shamrock
Parkwood Station
Address: 327 Parkwood Ave.
Eat/Drink: Optimist Hall, Birdsong Brewing, The Degenerate, The Hobbyist
Do: Mac Tabby Cat Café
See: Cordelia Park
Station Amenities: Two ticket vending machines with passenger assist, lighted station, emergency call box
25th Street Station
Address: 2227 N. Brevard St.
Eat/Drink: Free Range Brewing, Amélie’s French Bakery & Café, Heist Brewery, Brooks’ Sandwich House, Benny Pennello’s
Do: Bartique
Station Amenities: Variable message signs, CCTVs (cameras), two ticket vending machines with passenger assist
36th Street Station
Address: 434 E. 36th St.
Eat/Drink: Crêpe Cellar Kitchen & Pub, Haberdish, Growlers Pourhouse, Reigning Doughnuts, Idlewild, Cabo Fish Taco, JackBeagle’s, Popbar, Salud Cerveceria, Salud Beer Shop, Trade & Lore, Stu’s Barrel House, Smelly Cat Coffee, NoDa Company Store, The Dog Bar, The Blind Pig, Boudreaux’s Louisiana Kitchen, The Goodyear House, Oh My Soul
Do: Evening Muse, Neighborhood Theatre, Hart Witzen Gallery
Station Amenities: Covered waiting area, three ticket vending machines with passenger assist, ADA accessible
Sugar Creek Station
Address: 644 E. Sugar Creek Road
Eat/Drink: Deejai Thai, Divine Barrel Brewing, Crown Station Coffeehouse & Pub, Zoewee’s
Do: Charlotte Art League
Hotels Nearby: Continental Inn Charlotte
Station Amenities: Five ticket vending machines with passenger assist (three in station, two in garage), parking deck with 632 park spaces, eight short-term/21 long-term bike racks
Eastway/Hidden Valley/University City
Old Concord Road Station
Address: 5442 N. Tryon St.
Eat/Drink: Tryon House Restaurant, American Deli, La Zima Bar Mexicano, Lempira Restaurant
See: Eastway Park
Station Amenities: 332 park and ride spaces, ADA accessible, bike racks, two ticket vending machines with passenger assist
Tom Hunter Station
Address: 6505 N. Tryon St.
Shop: Around the World Market
Eat/Drink: Prime at 6538, South 21 Jr., El Taco Veloz
Hotels Nearby: Relax Inn Charlotte
Station Amenities: Two ticket vending machines with passenger assist, variable message signs, public art, lighted station
University City Boulevard Station
Address: 7205 N. Tryon St.
Shop: IKEA, Belgate Shopping Center, Camino Thrift Store
Do: Topgolf (early stages of permitting)
Hotels Nearby: Comfort Suites by Choice Hotels, InTown Suites Extended Stay
Station Amenities: Parking deck with 1,513 parking spaces, elevators in the parking deck, five ticket vending machines with passenger assist (two in station, three in garage), nine short-term/32 long-term bike racks
McCullough Station
Address: 8312 N. Tryon St.
Eat/Drink: McCullough Commons, Banh Mi Brothers, Le Kebab Mediterranean Grill, Thai House University, Tea Fusion Café, Crackin’ Crawfish
Hotels Nearby: Residence Inn by Marriott, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Holiday Inn Charlotte University Place, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson
Station Amenities: Two ticket vending machines with passenger assist, CCTVs (cameras) covered waiting area, public art
JW Clay Station
Address: 9048 N. Tryon St.
Shop: The Shoppes at University Place
Eat/Drink: CAVA, Famous Toastery, Ninety’s Ice Cream & Sandwiches, Firewater Restaurant & Bar
Do: Paradise Valley Par 3
Hotels Nearby: Hilton Charlotte University Place, Residence Inn Charlotte
Station Amenities: Parking deck with 800 parking spaces, pedestrian bridge, five ticket vending machines with passenger assist (three in station, two in garage), 10 short-term/18 long-term bike racks, emergency call box
UNC Charlotte - Main Station
Address: 9025 Cameron Blvd.
See: UNC Charlotte
Hotels Nearby: Hilton Charlotte University Place, Courtyard by Marriott Charlotte University Research Park, Sleep Inn University Place
Station Amenities: Two ticket vending machines with passenger assist, variable message signs, public art, lighted station
