Moved from New York to Charlotte? Explore these Queen City must-dos that’ll remind you of home
New Yorkers are attracted to Charlotte.
We know that because according to the most recent metro-to-metro migration data from the United States Census Bureau, the city welcomed nearly 9,000 former New York transplants from 2015 to 2019. Of course, that figure was collected before COVID-19 forced almost 111,000 people to flee the Big Apple since 2020. There’s no telling how many more Northerners have migrated since then.
Nonetheless, it would make sense for that number to have grown even without the pandemic. There are plenty of reasons for New Yorkers to flock to the Queen City the way they have been. That doesn’t mean there won’t be a few things they’ll miss about the “concrete jungle where dreams are made of.”
Here is a guide to Charlotte for those who miss the food, entertainment, and nightlife of New York — compiled by a native New Yorker:
Charlotte eats
There are two kinds of food in particular that New Yorkers swear taste better in NYC: pizza and bagels. For authentic New York-style pizza, I recommend Luigi’s in Steele Creek or Olde Whitehall or Tony’s Pizza, which has a few Charlotte locations.
As far as bagels go, I cannot in good conscience recommend any place other than Poppy’s Bagels. There are two locations, one in the Providence Park area and another in South End. Whether you’re seeking a simple everything bagel with plain cream cheese, lox with all the fixings, or a classic BEC (bacon, egg and cheese sandwich), Poppy’s is the go-to.
Make sure to check out CharlotteFive’s guide to Buffalo-style bites in the Queen City as well: Writer Jess Swannie (who is also from New York) has a guide to her native city’s cuisine, including Buffalo wings, beef on weck and Western New York pizza.
Bonus Tip: If you find yourself craving Empanada Mama, check out Los Paisas (Colombian) or A Piece of Havana (Cuban) for traditional and authentic Latin-American cuisine.
Charlotte entertainment
Nothing beats world-renowned museums like The Metropolitan Museum of Art or MoMa, but the Mint Museum in Uptown Charlotte sure does give them a run for their money, albeit much smaller in size compared to them both. Spread out across the five-story, 145,000 square-foot building is a variety of contemporary and traditional art.
More than that, the museum is just one of the many arts institutions located along Uptown’s South Tryon Street, where you’ll find the Levine Center for the Arts, a “cultural campus” that includes the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, the Knight Theater and the Duke Energy Theater.
Although Charlotte has yet to establish its own Fifth Avenue, a shopaholic’s paradise can be found at SouthPark Mall, an upscale shopping center featuring the stores of major fashion houses like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent and other luxury brands.
Charlotte nightlife
If you live in Charlotte, it’s probably because you grew tired of “the city that never sleeps.” But just in case you’re still feeling restless on a weekend night, the Queen City has its fair share of nightlife options.
For fun bars, live music and an artsy scene, I recommend the NoDa neighborhood, which could rightfully be considered the “Brooklyn” of Charlotte. Or, if you’re looking for a sleeker, more refined night out on the town, I recommend Sophia’s Lounge at The Ivey’s Hotel for a quiet and intimate experience. Also, QC Social Lounge is where you can dance the night away to a set by both local and international DJs. Both establishments can be found Uptown.
What the Queen City has that NYC doesn’t
As many who have moved from New York to Charlotte already expected, there is a lot you’ll be leaving behind. On the other hand, there are a few unique experiences that Charlotte offers.
Located just 20 minutes away from the heart of Uptown is Carowinds. The amusement park is no Coney Island, it features almost 60 thrilling rides for visitors of all ages, a water park, and live entertainment. During the fall, the park transforms into “SCarowinds” – a playground of horrors and haunts that attracts adrenaline junkies from across the nation.
There aren’t many cities in the Carolinas that value day-drinking culture as much as Charlotte does. As the days get longer and warmer, you’ll notice that some of the most popular breweries in Charlotte, like Hoppin’, Sycamore and Charlotte Beer Garden will be at maximum capacity.
In Charlotte, a dog bar, brewery or rooftop lounge are always just a stone’s throw away, making it the perfect city for bar-hopping.
With an abundance of similarities and some very noticeable differences, you’ll find that there’s a lot this city has to offer. Although it’s not every tourist’s dream destination, there are still plenty of opportunities for native New Yorkers to find pieces of home here, too.
This story was originally published April 12, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
