Your family is coming to visit. Where should you take them in Charlotte?
It’s been a while since we’ve gotten to gather with friends and relatives. (Thanks, COVID-19.) But now, everyone’s vaccinated — some already triple vaccinated — and on their way to visit you in Charlotte for the holidays.
You’ve preordered your Thanksgiving meal. But what else do you do with the family when they get here? Where should you go?
Never fear — we put together a handy guide to the 10 best places take your holiday visitors in the Charlotte area. We’ve got ideas for places to eat and things to do to keep everyone happy and entertained, including you.
Brunch with the family
Location: multiple
Neighborhoods: multiple
CharlotteFive’s list of where to go for the best brunch can help you narrow down the stunning number of choices in Charlotte. Whether you’re looking to load up on pancakes or find vegetarian-friendly options, you’ll find the right spot. Pro tip: On that list you’ll find Cafe Monte, a French bistro in SouthPark that OpenTable named as one of the best neighborhood gems in America.
Camp North End
Location: 300 Camp Rd, Charlotte, NC 28206
Neighborhood: Druid Hills South
Camp North End is a great spot for food, shopping and people-watching. History buffs can admire the adaptive reuse of the buildings where Model Ts and missiles were once made, and others can pick up a plant at Grow or a book at That’s Novel Books. Don’t miss having a meal at Leah & Louise, which is on CharlotteFive’s list of the 10 best restaurants to take out-of-town guests. It’s owned by James Beard-nominated chef Greg Collier and his wife, Subrina. Esquire named the Memphis-inspired spot one of the best new restaurants in America in 2020. Camp North End’s Mistletoe Market begins Dec. 4.
Charlotte Christmas Village
Location: Truist Field, 324 S. Mint Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
Neighborhood: Uptown
Get in the holiday spirit with the Charlotte Christmas Market’s Christmas Village and Light the Knights from Nov. 26-Dec. 23. You can browse the market for gifts while eating a bratwurst or schnitzel, and warm up with Gluhwein or a hot cider. Check the schedule of events before you go — you could even catch live polka or bluegrass music.
Charlotte Motor Speedway
Location: 5555 Concord Pkwy. South, Concord
Neighborhood: Concord
Speedway Christmas kicks off Nov. 19, and always makes our annual list of top spots to enjoy holiday lights. You can pack everyone into mom’s minivan and enjoy a 4-mile course of displays with 4 million lights synchronized to Christmas-themed music.
Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens
Location: 6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont, NC 28012
Neighborhood: Belmont
Holidays at the Garden is an event where people can walk through the garden and admire the holiday lights and blossoming cherry trees. The event will also feature food trucks, marshmallow stations and warm beverages. There’s a members-only preview Nov. 30 from 5-9 p.m.
Merino Mill
Location: 500 South Main Street, Mooresville, North Carolina 28115
Neighborhood: Mooresville
Head north to Mooresville, where you and your guests can try what MSN.com deemed the best burger in North Carolina at Barcelona Burger & Beer garden. If beef isn’t your thing, you can pop over to Alino Pizzeria, named by Delish as “The Pizzeria Everyone is Obsessed With In Your State.”
While you’re there, you can explore Merino Mill, where you can grab a cup of coffee and browse art, or shop for antiques and home goods.
Optimist Hall
Location: 1115 N. Brevard St., Charlotte, NC 28206
Neighborhood: Optimist Park
Optimist Hall is a solid option to keep relatives and friends with diverse tastes and dietary concerns happy. There’s Indian street food at Botiwalla, fried chicken sandwiches at Boxcar Betty’s, empanadas at Felix Empanadas — and we could go on. You can spread out to explore the options and grab what you want, then meet back outside at a patio spot to enjoy the fresh air while you eat.
Ride a streetcar to see the Hornets
Location: 300 East Trade St., Charlotte, NC 28202
Neighborhood: Uptown
Check the Hornets schedule and get tickets online. Then you can hop on the light rail and head uptown. The streetcar is free through the end of the year, so there is no pass needed. Simply arrive at the station and wait for the rail vehicle behind the yellow textured warning strips. The Spectrum Center is just down the street, so get off at that stop.
U.S. National Whitewater Center
Location: 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway Charlotte, NC 28214
Neighborhood: Northwest Charlotte
Bundle up and set out to skate outdoors at the Whitewater Center. An Airstream trailer is set up rinkside to serve your guests hot and cold beverages when everyone is ready for a break.
Winterfest at Carowinds
Location: 14523 Carowinds Blvd, Fort Mill, SC 29708
Neighborhood: South Charlotte/Fort Mill
On select nights starting Nov. 13, Carowinds’ Winterfest can immerse your guests with holiday carolers and decorated displays while they wait to ride the Fury or snack on treats. Starting Nov. 22, the Wonderland Parade will march through the park with live music and Christmas-themed floats.
This story was originally published November 3, 2021 at 6:00 AM.
