Last Updated on March 7, 2025
There are many reasons to visit Uptown Charlotte in the spring. Not least among them is to join in the excitement of the T. Rowe Price 2025 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament!
But if you’re in town for five days, why not make the most of your time between games? Here are a dozen of the top attractions, sites, restaurants, and other things to do in Uptown Charlotte, NC.
Top attractions in Uptown Charlotte
Make a pitstop at the NASCAR Hall of Fame
North Carolina is home to many of NASCAR’s greatest names! Connected to the Charlotte Convention Center, the NASCAR Hall of Fame is an interactive entertainment attraction honoring the history and heritage of the sport. Hands-on exhibits honor the drivers, crew members, team owners, and more. The 5-acre site also features a 278-person state-of-the-art theater, Hall of Honor, Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant, NASCAR Hall of Fame Gear Shop, and NASCAR Productions-operated broadcast studio.
Root for the home team
Charlotte is honored to host the 2025 ACC tournament, but that’s not the only sport you can enjoy Uptown. The NBA Charlotte Hornets, NFL Carolina Panthers, and Triple-A affiliate Charlotte Knights all play at stadiums located Uptown. The AHL Charlotte Checkers also play nearby. Best of all, most sports venues in town serve local brews or locally inspired eats—so you’re sure to have an authentic Charlotte experience in each of them.
Get some fresh air
Uptown Charlotte is home to five lovely parks and green spaces. Closest to the Spectrum Center is First Ward Park, a new 4-acre park located just east of the light rail tracks. Another standout is Romare Bearden Park, next to BB&T Ballpark. It offers great events, waterfalls to cool off in, and fun areas designed for kids.
Treat yourself to some self care
After a full day in face paint to support your team, a little bit of self care is in order. Uptown supports a number of high-end salons, from barber shops to nails to dog salons. Men can enjoy some custom styling at City Barbers, Emerson Joseph, or No Grease! Exclusive Male Grooming. Ladies, take your pick from more than a half dozen hairstylists. New Creations Salon also offers brows and waxing services.
Top cultural sites in Uptown Charlotte
Visit a museum or gallery
Charlotte promotes itself as a city with “just as many art museums as dance floors”—offering cultural attractions for everyone in your group. For the arts lovers, the Levine Center for the Arts is a must. The center houses three of Uptown’s most revered art museums: the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, and the Mint Museum Uptown. Purchase of a $20 Access Ticket grants you 48-hour access to all three museums! There are a number of other small, independent galleries and fun museums throughout town, as well, including the Museum of Illusions.
See street art
You don’t need to pay a ticket charge to see local art in Uptown Charlotte—it’s all over the streets! Luminous Lane is a back alley that has been covered with murals, paste-ups, fiber art, and more. The project transformed a forgotten, unappealing space into a vibrant, contemporary arts destination. More than 40 local artists have contributed to the alleyway. There are several other art walks available through Uptown, including a couple murals-only walks and one with audio descriptions for persons with low-to-no vision.
Experience live music
Whether you’re looking for something high class, or you’re looking to get down, Uptown has live music options for you. The heart of the neighborhood music scene is the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. The Center is home to the Charlotte Symphony, stages everything from Broadway hits to outdoor singalongs, and even holds a summer concert series, Sounds on the Square. Local theaters also take part in the music scene. For one, Stage Door Theater holds monthly jazz sessions. And swanky cocktail lounges like The Imperial host regular jazz nights.
Unleash your inner kid at Discovery Place
Anyone who grew up within a few hours of Charlotte likely has great memories of Discovery Place Science Museum. For more than 75 years, Discovery Place has offered unforgettable experiences for visitors of all ages! Enjoy interactive exhibits, awe-inspiring experiments, and fascinating displays that bring science to life. Plus, their IMAX center screens both popular and educational features. And now, the museum offers adults-only events, including higher-level science, pop culture events, and interactive workshops.
Enjoy the night life
From theaters to piano bars, bowling alleys to dance clubs, the party in Uptown doesn’t stop at sundown. Enjoy a variety of low-key late-night options in the heart of Uptown and within a short walk from anywhere you are. Looking for laughs? Try the Comedy Zone in AvidXchange Music Factory.
Best restaurants in Uptown Charlotte
Visit local vendors
While you’re in Uptown, eat like the locals! Plenty of neighborhood restaurants serve locally made products. Nowhere is this more apparent than at 7th Street Public Market. This mixed-use space is chock full with local vendors offering the best in local shopping and food.
Celebrate St. Patty’s Day every day
Did you know that Uptown has a collection of Irish bars? Set up along 5th and Tryon streets, these adjacent spots are great places to share a pint with your pals and find some delicious grub. Established in 1997, Rí Rá Charlotte was built from an actual old pub in Ireland, giving it uniquely authentic vibes. Around the corner, Mortimer’s has become Uptown Charlotte’s neighborhood bar. After dark, Dandelion Market, Connolly’s on Fifth, and Rí Rá Charlotte keep the strip rocking into the wee hours.
Discover a speakeasy
The only thing more exciting for visitors than rooftop bars (of which Uptown has nearly a dozen) is a speakeasy. There are two not-so-secret locations we’re authorized to tell you about here. The Cotton Room at Belfast Mill is a cozy, laid-back bar with a speakeasy vibe. If you’re looking for the best classic and specialty cocktails, it’s your spot. The Cellar at Duckworth’s also serves up the vintage vibes. In addition to creative cocktails, they also maintain a menu of eclectic American dishes.
_______________________
Allen Tate is the Carolinas’ largest real estate company with more than 70 offices and 1,800 Realtors in the Charlotte, Triad, Triangle, High Country, Upstate SC, Highlands/Cashiers and Asheville/Mountain regions. Allen Tate is a partner of Howard Hanna Real Estate, the largest privately held real estate broker in the U.S., with 500 real estate, mortgage, insurance, title, and escrow service offices and 15,000 sales associates and staff across 13 states. For more information, visit www.allentate.com and www.howardhanna.com.
