Discover local, urban favorites.
From grants to published accolades, to national and local awards, this is your chance to experience what puts Charlotte on the map for dining, shopping, public art and more. Test out some of the city’s best offerings as you cruise segments of the Charlotte Rail Trail, a 3.5-mile stretch of sidewalk along the LYNX Blue Line that’s bordered by economic development and colored with interactive art installations.
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Take a look at the trail details while you’re on the move.
Time/Distance Estimates
Route 1
Uptown Yolk - Sycamore Brewing - Folia
- 1.7 miles
- 39-min walk
- 9-min bike ride
- Easy intensity
Neighborhoods to Note
Southside Park, Brookhill, South End
Uptown Yolk
Craving a trendy brunch with a Southern twist? Uptown Yolk serves up everything from comforting classics like shrimp and grits to bold, elevated takes on traditional favorites like fluffy sweet potato waffles and the sweet, savory yolkwich.
Charlotte Beer Garden
After brunch, head to Charlotte Beer Garden for 400 beers on tap, treehouse-inspired greenery and a dog-friendly, multi-level space made as a social hub.
Camden Road Shops
With a curated mix of trendy boutiques, cozy cafes and local favorites, the shops on Camden Road are all just steps apart. It’s the perfect spot to shop, sip and soak in South End’s laid-back energy.
Girl Tribe Co.
Girl Tribe Co. champions women empowerment through their bold graphic prints and fearless style – a spirited blend of femininity and strength.
704 Shop
Ready to rep Charlotte with a streetwear edge? 704 Shop delivers high-quality, spirited street fashion for a fresh, cool look.
Two Scoops Creamery
Satisfy your sweet tooth at Two Scoops Creamery, where homemade ice cream confections and milkshakes get quirky names, like the Yabba Dabba Do made with Fruity Pebbles.
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Try their homemade seasonal flavors like Not Your Mama’s Pumpkin Pie or Black Raspberry to keep things fresh and fun.
Dilworth Artisan Station
This 100-year-old former textile mill now stands as a vibrant mecca for artists and enthusiasts, showcasing impressionism, abstract works and contemporary pieces that fuel South End’s creative pulse. It’s a featured stop on First Friday Gallery Crawl, a monthly celebration of local art held on the first Friday of each month.
Canopy Cocktails & Garden
Stop by for a cozy mix of speakeasy charm and twinkle-lit patio vibes complete with house-made syrups and fresh craft cocktails by the fireplace.
Salted Melon Market & Eatery
Salted Melon is your go-to for elevated, casual dining or grab-and-go market finds — all within one roof. Serving up breakfast, lunch, dinner and cocktails, it’s truly a well-round spot for any time of day. Salted Melon brings a refreshing twist to everyday bites, from a Blue Matcha Latte made with butterfly pea flowers to vegetarian-friendly favorites like the Pesto Harvest bowl.
Emmy Squared
Satisfy your Detroit-style pizza cravings at Emmy Squared, serving up signature square dough pizzas topped with crispy, caramelized cheese edges.
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Order a salad, pizza or cocktail from the limited-time menu, made with fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Hawker's Asian Street Food
Hawker’s dishes out shareable plates of classic Asian street food in a neon-lit, high-energy atmosphere that blends cultural roots with a trendy twist.
Jeni's Spelendid Ice Cream
Flavor boundaries are pushed at Jeni’s, with buttercream-rich scoops like Wildberry Lavender or bold, crave-worthy blends like Frosé Sorbet for sangria lovers.
Charlotte Rail Trail Mural
Encapsulating the essence of South End’s art scene, this mural walk fuses bold vibrance with community-driven flair. The Magic Carpet murals along the Rail Trail, designed by Jessie Unterhalter and Katey Truhn, bridge swanky creativity with the neighborhood’s effortlessly cool vibe.
Confetti Heart Wall
Strike a pose at South End’s iconic Confetti Heart Wall, painted by artist Evelyn Henson. This mural is bursting with color and made for your most Instagram-worthy shots!
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Tag @charlottesgotalot on Instagram for a chance to be featured.
ArtWalks South End
ArtWalks CLT’s trails in South End offer self-guided journey through the neighborhood’s creative DNA. Exploring murals, sculptures and hidden gems, from Tremont Avenue by Common Market to Hawkins Street by Atherton Mill.
Atherton Mill
Once one of Charlotte’s first textile mills in 1892, Atherton Mill now thrives as a lively hub of local shops, boutiques and eateries. Don’t miss the South End Farmers Market every Saturday, showcasing curated goods from regional farmers and artisans.
Front Porch Sundays
South End’s biggest shop-local extravaganza comes in the form of Front Porch Sundays. Every first Sunday of the month, hundreds of local vendors, food trucks, artists and musicians line the Rail Trail near East/West Boulevard for a community-powered market.
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Find free parking at Atherton Mill or take the Light Rail to East/West Boulevard Station.
Indaco
Indaco elevates South End’s culinary scene with all scratch-made ingredients, handmade pastas, wood-fired pizzas and top-notch wines, all served in a cozy-meets-contemporary space perfect for lunch or dinner.
Free People
Free People is a retailer that blends free-spirited style with adventurous flair, staying true to its roots in individuality — and it shows!
Anthropologie
If your vibe leans eclectic and boho-chic with a feminine twist, Anthropologie is your one-stop haven. From flowy fashion and statement shoes to dreamy home décor, curated beauty finds and charming gifts, their collection is as whimsical as it is wide.
Sycamore Brewing
Family-owned Sycamore Brewing has won awards in the New York International Beer Competition for North Carolina America Style Ale Brewery of the Year and bronze for Sun Grown Fresh Craft Lager in two categories at the Great American Beer Festival. The brewery is known for its festive, outdoor beer garden, live music and Food Truck Friday events, plus apparel boasting their “Drink Carolina Proud” tagline. Expect a beer list and 40 taps emphasizing freshness, variety and flavor.
Puttery
Head to South End’s upscale mini-golf spot, Puttery, where craft cocktails and refreshing bites meet two immersive nine-hole courses. Tee up on courses like the moody Library or lush Conservatory for a playful, adults-only thrill.
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Reserve your tee time in advance on Puttery’s website to guarantee your spot, especially on weekends.
Skiptown
Calling all pet lovers. Where pups play and people sip, Skiptown blends an off-leash dog park with a full-service bar for a space that everyone can enjoy.
Pins Mechanical Co.
Your one-stop entertainment spot offers duckpin bowling, classic retro arcade games and playful, refreshing cocktails like the Hulk Hogan or Smurfberry.
Monday Night Brewing
True to its name — because weekends are overrated — Monday Night Brewing serves up award-winning experimental beers with balanced flavors and a twinkle-lit outdoor patio made for laid-back hangs.
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Check out live bands every Saturday for Soundwave Saturdays at the Garden.
Trolley Barn Fermentory
Housed in a former trolley car maintenance garage, this industrial-chic hub now pours daring, ever-rotating, small-batch beers and serves up mix-and-match bites from eclectic food stalls.
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Superica
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Barcelona Wine Bar
Trail Complete
KEEP MOVING
Not ready to call it a day?
Keep your South End adventure alive with these honorable mentions, perfect for shopping sprees or late-night cravings for a craft cocktail (or beer) to wind down.
Wooden Robot Brewery
Neighborhoods to Note
Southside Park, Brookhill, South End
Southside Park
Just south of South End, this neighborhood is home to multiple luxury apartment complexes and popular breweries.
Brookhill
Historically an African-American community, Brookhill is a small neighborhood of multi-generational families.
South End
The location of America’s first gold rush in 1825, Historic South End is known for its longtime entrepreneurial spirit and, now, its vibrant culture and nightlife. Everything from rooftop bars, to chic shopping, to hip coffee shops, to casual and high-end restaurants can be found here.
South End