A Baseball Fan’s Guide to Charlotte
Take me out to the ball game. Take me out with the crowd. Here's your guide to baseball in the Queen City.
by Corey Inscoe Mar 28, 2023
The Charlotte Knights just might have the best minor league baseball stadium in all the land. Nestled in Uptown’s Third Ward, Truist Field offers gorgeous views of the towering skyscrapers in the city’s skyline. For the full effect, grab a seat along the third baseline. Fans seem to agree. Since opening in 2014, the stadium has been one of the most visited in all of minor league baseball. Whether you’re a baseball junkie excited to see the AAA affiliate of the Chicago White Sox or just enjoy sitting outside with a hot dog and cold drink, a Knights game is a Charlotte must do in the spring and summer.
Get in the Game
You’re here for a baseball game, so let’s make the most of it. Some tips:
● Grab your tickets here and look here to see if the Knights have any fun promotions or giveaways at the game, such as post-game fireworks almost every Friday night.
● Give yourself plenty of time to get to the stadium and consult this map for directions there. Or avoid traffic altogether and take the LYNX Blue Line light rail. The 3rd Street/Convention Center Station is just four blocks from the field.
● Take a lap around the ballpark concourse. Truist Field has a wide variety of food and drink offerings sprinkled around the stadium, so explore. That cart a few sections over might have the local craft beer you’ve been looking for. Or head to the area behind centerfield for kid-friendly games and activities. You might even run into beloved mascot Homer the Dragon!
● Prepare for battle at the Armor Shoppe, where you can stock up on Knights hats, jerseys, shirts and more.
● Keep your eyes on the dragon in centerfield if the Knights hit a home run.
Where to Stay
This is the easy part – there are plenty of great options within just a few blocks of Truist Field.
You can’t get any closer than Residence Inn by Marriott Charlotte Uptown, which sits directly across the street from the stadium. Just a short stroll across Romare Bearden Park is the chic Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel. You also can’t go wrong with The Westin Charlotte, Charlotte Marriott City Center and Courtyard by Marriott Charlotte City Center, all just a few blocks from the Knights’ home plate.
Where to Eat & Drink
Looking for a pregame meal? Try one of these nearby restaurants. But don’t fill up too much or else you won’t be able to enjoy all of the delicious offerings inside the stadium, including the new Paper Mill Pub set to open summer 2023. A heads up before heading out, some restaurants in the area are only open during lunch or on weekdays, so check the hours beforehand.
For a quick bite, head to historic Latta Arcade and Brevard Court, just across the park from the stadium. French Quarter Restaurant serves up comfort food with tasty Cajun influences, Queen City Bites & Crafts pairs burgers and chili with cold craft beers, and Valhalla Pub & Eatery serves up pub fare with a Viking flair. Also nearby, Rhino Market & Deli offers unique takes on classic deli sandwiches.
For good food with a good mission, grab a salad or fried chicken sandwich from Community Matters Cafe, a nonprofit coffee shop and restaurant focused on offering an on-site job and life-skills program for people overcoming addiction. Feeling fancy? Try farm-fresh fare at Haymaker or fresh-caught seafood at Fin & Fino.
Charlotte has an array of restaurants and bars with outdoor seating. Graham St. Pub & Patio sits in the shadow of Truist Field and features a rooftop patio, if you still can’t get enough of these skyline views.
If you're in the mood for cocktails, head up 19 floors to Merchant & Trade, a rooftop bar and lounge specializing in classic cocktails made with North Carolina spirits.
What to Do
In town for the weekend? Mix some culture in with your sports fun.
Get started by exploring the Levine Center for the Arts, home to the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, Mint Museum Uptown and Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture. Discovery Place Science on Tryon Street will wow and delight kids and adults alike. When the sun is shining, spend some time enjoying Uptown’s parks, from Romare Bearden Park right beside the stadium (named for the famous Charlotte-born artist) to First Ward Park with its splash pad and sweeping views of the skyline to the literary-themed The Green.
Article originally written by Corey Inscoe. Updates by Arielle Patterson in March 2023.
