Your Instagram-worthy weekend plans, with help from Charlotte influencers
I’ve lived in Charlotte for most of my life, and never thought the city was all that exciting until recently. Turns out, all that doomscrolling on social media has finally done me some good: appreciating my hometown in a new light.
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There’s a lot you can pack into a weekend in the Queen City if you know where to look and how to romanticize it, whether it’s a trip to a local coffee shop or a glimpse of uptown’s skyline at sunset. And who does that better than local content creators?
That’s why we talked with four Charlotte influencers to get their recommendations and curate a mostly-walkable weekend guide that balances aesthetics, quality time and local business support.
“I have found that there’s actually a lot more in Charlotte to do and a lot more that it offers than what people think,” said Eleesha Cephas, a lifestyle and fashion content creator on Instagram and TikTok.
“I feel like a lot of people are like, ‘Oh Charlotte’s so boring.’ But when you start creating content, you get invited to events or you’re digging into what’s going on. You actually find that there’s so much stuff.”
The weekend starts when the workday ends, which means we’re kicking things off Friday night. And where better to start than in uptown, the heart of the Queen City?
Check out Fahrenheit Charlotte, whose menu includes a wide array of appetizers, entrees, drinks and nonalcoholic beverages, offering something for everyone, said Priya Tran, a lifestyle and fitness influencer.
The best part? A rooftop patio that highlights the city’s skyline. Its website boasts that it’s become “the most Instagram-able patio in Charlotte,” so make sure to snap a few pictures while you’re up there.
If you can’t get enough of the Queen City’s views, don’t worry. Uptown offers no shortage of them. Head over to Merchant and Trade for an indoor-outdoor set up with colorful furniture and look out over Truist Field.
Or make your way over the city’s highest establishment 22 floors up: Nuvole Rooftop TwentyTwo, which operates on a first-come, first-served basis. It’s become a sentimental spot for lifestyle content creator Taryn Rose, who went there to celebrate her move to Charlotte in 2024 and has been going back ever since.
If something more artsy is your vibe, check out Búho Bar at the Grand Bohemian Charlotte (Cephas’ recommendation for not only a good drink, but a good DJ) or Gallery House, with its “eclectic and funky” atmosphere. (And $10 martinis!)
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Head over to Charlotte’s arguably trendiest area for a Saturday morning stroll. Grab a coffee or matcha and set out along the rail trail.
On your walk, be on the lookout for pop up markets. The South End Farmers Market, which runs on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Atherton Mill, draws a weekly crowd. Although it’s on a break for September, the Market on Camden also runs once a month on Saturdays, with stands offering everything from vintage t-shirts to fresh squeezed lemonade.
Cross the rail trail bridge into uptown and spend some time with beautiful works of art. (Or take one of those Pinterest-y shots of yourself admiring them.)
Cephas recommends the Mint Museum, the state’s first art museum, and the Harvey B. Gantt Center just across the street — an exhibit on display through this summer features abstract work by Black artists.
When dinner rolls around, head back to where the day started and check out any of the following:
To end the night, there’s no shortage of excitement in South End. Check out any of these recommended bars: Canopy, Folia or Vinyl.
Get some fresh air to kick off your Sunday morning by heading over to the U.S. National Whitewater Center. Whether you are looking for an action-packed day or some relaxing time on the trails, this recreational area has a lot to offer. It’s free to enter, but parking and activity passes carry a price. When you’re done, stick around for a bite to eat.
Looking for something that’s less of a drive? Part of what makes Charlotte so beautiful is its outdoor spaces, the influencers said.
Mid-day, visit Charlotte staple Optimist Hall for a variety of food vendors. Rose recommends The Dumpling Lady and Bao and Broth. In the afternoon, take some time to scope out the nearby east Charlotte neighborhoods: Plaza Midwood and NoDa. Explore their vintage shopping, local businesses and eclectic energy.
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Wrap up the weekend with a local dinner.
