Exploring Charlotte
Maybe you’re new to Charlotte. Or maybe you’ve been here for a while, but are still eager to get plugged in. We’re your guide to the surging creative energy of our city – the diverse neighborhoods, the colorful details, the must-see projects, the must-attend events, and all the ways to get involved. (After all, you become a true Charlottean the moment you get your uniform dirty.)
In addition to covering the newest Queen City creators, offerings and trends, we’re equally passionate about making sure you know the trailblazing people, businesses and organizations that have been keeping the creative pilot light burning in Charlotte for decades. (After all, they laid the foundation for the rest of us.) And in our ongoing series #WhereAreWeInCLT, you can always count on us to capture the vibrant details and delights hiding in plain sight, around every corner of the city.
Our team always has our eyes peeled, searching for the next surprise to share. Our goal is to inspire you to explore Charlotte and discover fascinating areas of Crown Town that just might become your new favorite spot.
Charlottean Queen: What’s In A Name?
Editorials, Exploring Charlotte | March 23, 2021I am that rare, practically mythical creature known as a Charlotte native. I was born in Presbyterian Hospital, received my education in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and have lived my entire life here. I’ve never found a compelling reason to move aw… read more »
Sharon Dowell on “Transit” & Her Creative Process
CLT Creatives, Exploring Charlotte, Where Are We in CLT? | March 23, 2021Charlotte artist Sharon Dowell is at it again. Over the past 16 years, she’s created her distinctive murals, which often feature a complex design of bright colors and intersecting lines, across the Queen City — from Camp North End to South End to Ea… read more »
I’m a Sandwich: El Molino Deli & Bakery
CLT Creatives, Exploring Charlotte, Videos | March 16, 2021Charlotte’s Central Avenue Corridor is a food mecca, unlike any other around the Queen City. All along Central Avenue, strip malls and non-descript buildings house some of the best eats around town. Even if you don’t consider yourself adventurous, we… read more »
Where Are We In CLT? Bree Stallings Mural at Time Out Youth
Exploring Charlotte, Where Are We in CLT? | March 16, 2021Artist Bree Stallings rarely slows down. In the past two months, the artist who led the way on the “We Are Hip Hop” mural at Camp North End has painted new murals in Gastonia and Hope Haven in Charlotte … and now at Time Out Youth, a nonprofit that s… read more »
A Big Vision for North of NoDa
Creative News, Exploring Charlotte | March 11, 2021This article was written by Tony Mecia, editor of The Charlotte Ledger, as part of a special report on Flywheel Group’s new development on Raleigh St., north of NoDa. If you spend a few minutes driving around Sugar Creek Road near the light rail stop… read more »
Delilah, a New Series on Oprah’s OWN Network, Was Filmed – And Set In – Charlotte
Creative News, Exploring Charlotte | March 2, 2021In TV and movies, Charlotte has stood in for Washington, D.C. and its Virginia suburbs (Homeland), Chicago (Leatherheads) and even a bleak, post-apocalyptic wasteland (The Hunger Games). But beginning next week, Charlotte will – finally – not be cast… read more »
A Newcomer Reacts to Charlotte
Exploring Charlotte, For Newcomers | March 2, 2021Moving across the country to a city in which you know no one, have zero ties to and in the middle of a global pandemic sounds crazy, right? Those were exactly my thoughts as I began packing everything I owned to move out of my apartment in Boise, Ida… read more »
Where Are We In CLT? “Being”/“Man Mold”
Exploring Charlotte, Where Are We in CLT? | March 2, 2021Public art is everywhere in Charlotte. And, not even COVID-19 seems to be slowing it down. In fact, nine new pieces of public art have been unveiled since July 2020 with much more underway. It’s not hard to learn about recent entries into the public… read more »
Where Are We In CLT? Canine Café Charlotte
Exploring Charlotte, Where Are We in CLT? | February 23, 2021Sit. Stay. Now, run. This Tuesday, Feb. 23 was International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day. (But, you dog lovers probably already knew that.) One of our favorite spots to gather provisions for the occasion is Canine Café Charlotte, a fixture in South… read more »
Where Are We In CLT? 7th Street Station Interactive Art
Exploring Charlotte, Where Are We in CLT? | February 16, 2021When you head uptown, you expect the skyscrapers to impress you. But, you don’t expect them to sing to you. Yet, that’s exactly what the 7th Street Station parking garage does. When the deck opened in 1998, the team behind it wanted to add a little w… read more »
I’m A Sandwich: Sub One
CLT Creatives, Exploring Charlotte, Videos | February 16, 2021As you can tell from our Instagram feed – @CLT.Remedy – we know food. But, we’re no sandwich experts. We grew up in an Asian household where most meals were served with a side of rice. It wasn’t until we immigrated to the U.S. from Guam in 1998 that… read more »
An Art Walk You Can Sink Your Heart Into
CLT Creatives, Exploring Charlotte, Happenings | February 9, 2021Overcome the winter rut with a stroll along the Lovers Art Trail collection of love-themed murals scattered throughout some of Charlotte’s coolest neighborhoods compiled by Art Walks CLT. To make some special memories while socially distancing, the t… read more »
Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff
Exploring Charlotte, Where Are We in CLT? | February 9, 2021Both professional artists and weekend painters following Bob Ross’ step-by-step instructions on TV love Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff with equal fervor. Professionals have known about the Remount Road resource since it came to town in 2007. A lot of beginner… read more »
Say Cheese! Orrman’s Cheese Shop is Our New Best Friend
Exploring Charlotte, Our New Best Friend | January 20, 2021Orrman’s Cheese Shop opened in 2012 and has been a go-to source for cheese lovers ever since. Orrman’s specializes in local and regional cheeses as well as the incredible artisanal additions you want on your charcuterie boards. We asked owner Rachel… read more »
Where Are We In CLT? Ballantyne Bulls
Exploring Charlotte, Where Are We in CLT? | January 20, 2021It’s been said that Ballantyne is boring. Okay, okay. We’ve said it. But, that was harsh and a load of bulls … well, wait. We’re getting ahead of ourselves. Ballantyne is home to some of Charlotte’s most playful examples of public art — the three Ba… read more »
Where Are We In CLT? Ovens Auditorium
Exploring Charlotte, Where Are We in CLT? | January 6, 2021“Charlotte will grow with these buildings, and grow into them.” Charlottean David Ovens led the committee that built the original Charlotte Coliseum and the auditorium that still bears his name on Independence Blvd. He shared the words above with t… read more »
New Mural on W. Trade Street is a Tribute to NC Music Legends
Creative News, Exploring Charlotte, Murals | December 30, 2020Queen City visual artist Abel Jackson is at it again, painting a third historic mural along West Trade Street, just a few blocks from Johnson C. Smith University and in full view of the Gold Line. (And, we have lovely photos from photographer and CLT… read more »
Dear Frontline Gives Artistic Props to Essential Workers
Exploring Charlotte | December 22, 2020Last week, the Oakland, California artist Kate Deciccio and her team painted a new, temporary mural on the back of the Mecklenburg Investment Company Building 229 S. Brevard Street. This new mural was funded by Dear Frontline, a community art initiat… read more »
PODCAST: A Quick Chat with Jody Mace of Charlotte on the Cheap
CLT Creatives, Exploring Charlotte, Happenings, Podcasts | December 22, 2020Since the onset of COVID-19, we’ve been able to count of a few things every morning: The sun would still rise. We’d be able to work in PJ pants … again. And, a brand new email from Charlotte on the Cheap was waiting in our inbox. For more than a deca… read more »
Our New Best Friend: @_CharlotteEAST
Exploring Charlotte, Our New Best Friend | December 17, 2020We’re not going to lie. The post below got us a little misty about holiday shopping in old Eastland Mall. That’s why we love our new best Instagram friend, @_CharlotteEAST. As the official account for the East Charlotte Advocacy Board (managed by Bo… read more »
