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.
Charlotte Artist Picks Up Her Grandfather’s Paintbrush
CLT Creatives, Creative News, Exploring Charlotte | September 20, 2019
Long before the renaissance of the mural movement hit the Queen City, a hand-painted mural of a Coca-Cola bottle has graced the corner of 6th and Graham. It’s been in need of a touch-up. Coca-Cola Bottling Company Consolidated hired Amber Thompson, a… read more »
Grandma’s Recipe Wins the Day at the CCCP Chili Cook-Off
Exploring Charlotte, Happenings | September 17, 2019
What’s Matt Olin doing on a typical Wednesday in September? If you guessed, “Judging a chili cookoff alongside a Beard Award-winning baker and a city councilmember,” damn that was a good guess. After pushing through the meat sweats, the winner of Cha… read more »
Chefs for Change: Project 658 Shares the Versatility of Rice
Exploring Charlotte, Happenings | September 17, 2019
The Rice Meal Team from left to right: Efrain Barri, Hector Gonzalez, Kim Hollifield, Yury Carmona, John Timmons If ever a food spans the globe and connects people across many cultures, rice has culinary ubiquity. Rice is one of the most widely eaten… read more »
VIEWFINDER: World Lit Food Festival by @CLT.Remedy
CLT Avengers, Exploring Charlotte | September 12, 2019
Our pals (and #CLTAvengers), Kriska and Manny of @CLT.Remedy, took on the World Lit Street Food Festival at Camp North End on September 7. And, while we can’t “Willy Wonka” your phone to share the actual tastes and aromas of this event, we can share… read more »
Old Pals, New Pals & Super Secret Salons
CLT Creatives, Exploring Charlotte, For Newcomers | September 11, 2019
Mary Taylor At the September CreativeMornings featuring John Tosco, we heard how everything can be our muse. I agree and as I explore my new city, I am meeting fascinating creatives practically every day. I’ve met people who inspire me and challenge… read more »
Viewfinder: Yard Art Day 2019 by Deborah Triplett
Exploring Charlotte | September 5, 2019
Labor Day 2019 has come and gone … and, sadly, so has another colorful year of Yard Art Day. Luckily, event organizer and amazing photographer, Deborah Triplett, has shared her photos with us so we can relive the incredible installations and dream… read more »
@CLT.Remedy’s Five Faves for International Bacon Day
CLT Avengers, Exploring Charlotte | August 29, 2019
Yeah, we know everyone has their eyes on Monday, but SATURDAY is International Bacon Day. We turned to our foodie friends, Kriska and Manny of @CLT.Remedy, to share their top five ways to celebrate this hallowed holiday in Charlotte.
Ode to a Cajun Filet Biscuit
Editorials, Exploring Charlotte | August 28, 2019
The nation seems a bit obsessed with determining which chicken sandwich reigns supreme, Popeye’s or Chick-Fil-A? We emphatically endorse a third option … the regal culinary creation of the Queen City … Bojangles’ Cajun Filet biscuit. Matt Olin and Ti… read more »
Interesting Events In Which We’re Interested: August 22
Exploring Charlotte, For Newcomers | August 23, 2019
The Queen City is a town of highly energetic and creative go-getters. That means there’s always something cool or thought-provoking to do. The difficult part is deciding WHICH events to attend. Let us lend some grey matter on that. Here are some of o… read more »
Charlotte Pride Parade 2019 by Bethany Otten
Exploring Charlotte | August 20, 2019
It may have been blazing hot this Sunday, but nothing could deter the incredible spirit coursing through Uptown as Charlotte Pride’s 2019 celebration hit its high note with the annual Pride Parade. Whether you were there or not, we have a gallery of… read more »
Queen’s Feast Recap: Digging Into Four “O.G. CLT” Restaurants
CLT Avengers, CLT Creatives, Exploring Charlotte | August 9, 2019
Daydeaming about where to eat this weekend? We won’t tell your boss, but we WILL give you some recommendations. During Queen’s Feast, we dispatched the #CLTAvengers, Charlotte’s mightiest Instagrammers, to check out a few “O.G. CLT” restaurants. We f… read more »
Savona Mill Trolleys
Exploring Charlotte | July 30, 2019
Where are we in CLT? While you’re waiting in construction traffic for the new streetcars near Johnson & Wales and Johnson C. Smith University, take a quick detour down South Turner Street in the Seversville community. There, across from Savona Mill,… read more »
The RailYard
Exploring Charlotte | July 30, 2019
Stumbling upon a new work from muralist Osiris Rain never gets old. Here is his newest piece, to be found in the lobby of the new RailYard building in South End. (Photo from The Biscuit staff)
HUG Life: Love Blossoms on the Streets of Charlotte
CLT Creatives, Exploring Charlotte | July 24, 2019
After moving to a new city, it’s a challenge to establish your bearings and make connections. For artist and recent HUG micro-grant recipient, KHEM, diving into the creative community here has eased that transition – an instrumental pipeline for meet… read more »
How a Battalion of Army Men Defeated My Perfectionism
CLT Creatives, Exploring Charlotte | July 22, 2019
Perfection is one of the killers of creativity. One antidote for perfectionism is to play, and if I was to strengthen my creativity and quiet the perfectionist in me, I needed to practice spontaneous play. So I decided to do something silly and trust… read more »
Queen Charlotte on College Street
Exploring Charlotte | July 18, 2019
WHERE ARE WE IN CLT? The Queen Charlotte statue at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport may be more famous, but our dear queen deserves more than just one statue … especially one with her beloved dogs. Watching over 200 North College Street… read more »
The 3 Ballantyne Bulls
Exploring Charlotte | July 17, 2019
WHERE ARE WE IN CLT? Okay, okay. We know we’ve done our fair share at poking a little fun at our South Charlotte brothers and sisters in Ballantyne, but we have to admit, when you’re headed to a doctor’s appointment or to see a lawyer about estate pl… read more »
Four to Follow: Nicole Copsis SHAREs Insta Faves
Exploring Charlotte | July 17, 2019
Nicole Copsis has her finger on the pulse of the Queen City. And, she uses that finger to scroll through and find the Instagram accounts of the most inspiring, creative people and places at work in Charlotte. Here are four of her faves.
Ask An Avenger: Where to Celebrate National Ice Cream Day
CLT Avengers, Exploring Charlotte | July 17, 2019
National Ice Cream Day is Sunday, July 21. Where should you go to find the perfect scoop to indulge your palate before it runs down your arm? We ask an Avenger … a #CLTAvenger expert, that is — Jeanna of @CLTDesserts.
FOUR TO FOLLOW: Fo’ from Cole Monroe
Exploring Charlotte | July 11, 2019
Charlotte is home to thousands of Instagram accounts from Charlotte creatives sharing their work and their thoughts about the Queen City community. Each week, one of our guest experts will share four local Instagram accounts they think are worth your… read more »
