19 things to eat, see and do in Pineville, from an international food hall to year-round ice skating

Here are 19 things to check out during your next visit.

Stock up on international foods at Super G Mart

What to expect: A massive international supermarket with groceries, produce and household items from all over the world, plus an onsite international food hall called Alley 51.

Stop by: 10500 Centrum Pkwy

Go deeper: International food hall Alley 51 opening inside Super G Mart in Pineville

Pick up a baker’s dozen from MJ Donuts

The vibe: This hole-in-the-wall donut shop serves traditional homemade donuts and cake donuts, plus other pastries like cinnamon rolls and muffins.

Pro tip: It's best to go early — the shop closes every day at noon.

Stop by: 325 South Polk St., in Pineville Towne Market

Wake up with coffee from Waterbean

The vibe: A quickly growing local coffee chain, known for its specialty coffee drinks and espresso flights. You can find the Pineville cafe on Main Street in downtown.

Dig in: Their most popular drink is the signature Paradise Iced Latte, made with lavender, brown sugar and ube cold foam.

Stop by: 333 Main St.

Grab a cup, cone, or shake from Carolina Scoops

The vibe: This family-owned ice cream shop downtown offers 16 different ice cream flavors, sundaes, milkshakes and floats.

Stop by: 105 Dover St., around the corner from Waterbean Coffee.

Go shopping at Carolina Place Mall

What to expect: An indoor shopping mall with a mix of department stores (Belk, Dillard's), local retailers (Southern Lion) and brand names (H&M, Pandora, REI), plus a food court (Chipotle, Chic-fil-A, McAlister's) and entertainment venues like Dave and Buster's and Breakout Games Escape Room.

• View the full directory here.

Stop by: 11025 Carolina Place Pkwy.

Visit the President James K. Polk State Historic Site

Context: Pineville is the birthplace of the 11th President of the United States, James K. Polk.

• The President James K. Polk State Historic Site sits on 21 of the original 150 acres owned by his father, Samuel Polk.
• Inside, there's a free museum on the life of Polk and his presidency. You can also take guided tours of the historic cabins on the ground.

Fun fact: A new stretch of the Little Sugar Creek Greenway runs from the site grounds to Gilroy Drive in Lancaster County, S.C.

Stop by: 12031 Lancaster Hwy.

Go ice skating at Pineville Ice House

What to expect: An NHL-size ice skating rink with hockey and skating lessons, and public skating year-round. There's also a bar and grill onsite if you want somewhere to chill off the ice.

If you go: Admission is $15, and skates are included.

Stop by: 400 Towne Centre Blvd., in Pineville Town Market

• Public skating hours vary, check the schedule here.

Defy gravity with a class at AIR Aerial Fitness

What to expect: AIR is an "aerial fitness training program fusing elements of conditioning, Pilates, ballet and HIIT (high-intensity interval training) on aerial hammocks," according to its website.

• Check out the studio's schedule and all class offerings here.

Stop by: 605 N Polk St.

Get a taste of the local beer scene

Pineville may not be the brewery mecca Charlotte is, but there are still plenty of breweries to try. A couple include:

• Kit’s Trackside Crafts: A craft beer taproom and bottle shop specializing in local, regional and national craft beers.
• Middle James Brewing Company: Pineville's first brewery serving small-batch craft brews and a food menu of brats, burgers and handhelds.

Get your Wienerschnitzel fix at the Waldhorn Restaurant

The vibe: This family-run restaurant has been serving traditional German food since 1999 with dishes from passed-down family recipes.

Dig in: Try the Waldhorn Sampler with pork, which comes with a pork wiener schnitzel, bratwurst and tafelspitz, served with spätzle, red cabbage, brown sauce and horseradish cream sauce ($20.95).

Stop by: 12101 Lancaster Hwy, near the President James K. Polk State Historic Site.

Enjoy a diner-style meal at The Dive N

The vibe: An old-school diner serving breakfast and lunch classics like biscuits & gravy, egg plates, pancakes, hamburgers and hot dogs.

Dig in: Try Jimmy’s Special — a double cheeseburger topped with mustard, pickles, special sauce and a massive onion ring ($10.95).

Stop by: 109 North Polk St.

Try the wings from d.d. Peckers

Charlotte wing lovers know d.d. Peckers. The neighborhood joint is widely regarded as one of the best wing spots in the city.

Dig in: Expect over 25 wing flavors, all made in-house (we recommend the hot and honey hot sauces).

• Not a wing fan? Other menu options include wraps, salads, burgers and snacks like fries, nachos and dips.

Stop by: 10403 Park Road

Los Paisas Colombian Restaurant

The vibe: Authentic Colombian restaurant with $9.24 lunch specials Monday-Friday.

Dig in: Expect traditional Colombian dishes like the Bandeja tipica Colombiana, served with grilled beef, beans, red sausage, pork crackling, rice, egg, sweet plantains, avocado and white corn tortilla ($18).

Stop by: 8318 Pineville-Matthews Road, in the McMullen Creek Market.

Try authentic Peruvian cuisine at MachuPicchu

The vibe: A menu is packed with more than 50 Peruvian dishes, from rotisserie chicken to Peruvian-style fried rice to spaghetti with beef.

Dig in: We recommend the fish ceviche ($21.99) and the chicken fried rice ($15.99)

Stop by: 315 South Polk St., in Pineville Towne Market

Let the good times roll at Spare Time

The vibe: A massive entertainment facility with bowling lanes, an arcade, laser tag and escape rooms. Plus, there's a restaurant and bar inside.

Stop by: 9600 Pineville-Matthews Road

Sip your favorite cocktail at The Garrison

The vibe: Located in historic downtown, The Garrison opened in 2022 as Pineville's first cocktail bar.

The vibe: A two-story restaurant and cocktail bar specializing in American classics like filets, rib eyes, chicken wings and seafood, plus brunch on Sundays.

Stop by: 314 Main St.

Share a pizza at Margaux’s Wine, Pizza & Market

The vibe: Located next door, Margaux's is The Garrison's (older) sister restaurant that's known for its St. Louis-style pizza, large wine selection and for making an appearance on Charlotte's season of "Love Is Blind."

What to expect: Speciality 'zas like the Sicilian, with Italian sausage, pepperoni, black olives, green peppers, red onions ($16.50), wines by the glass or bottle, charcuterie, soups/salads, plus some prepped food items to take home.

Stop by: 316 Main St.

Walk, jog or bike on one of the numerous nearby greenways

Little Sugar Creek Greenway and McMullen Creek are two greenways in Pineville.

• Several others running through the south Charlotte area include Lower McAlpine Creek, Four Mile Creek Greenway and Six Mile Creek Greenway.

Details: See all nearby trails (and where to park) on the Mecklenburg County Park Explorer here.

Go deeper: 10 Charlotte-area greenway projects to watch in 2024

Play pool and drink cheap beer at Two Buck Saloon

The beloved Plaza Midwood dive bar, known for its live music, numerous pool tables and $2 beer, recently opened a location on Pineville's downtown strip.

Stop by: 329 Main St.

Editor's note: This guide was originally published in 2021 and last updated July 23, 2024.

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