19 things to eat, see and do in Pineville, from an international food hall to year-round ice skating
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Pineville's historic downtown. Photo: McKenzie Rankin/Axios
Drive 20 minutes south of Uptown and you'll find Pineville, a flourishing Charlotte suburb named for its abundance of pine trees.
Why it matters: Pineville has seen significant growth in recent years, characterized by new greenways and a growing international population.
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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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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