15 things to do in Huntersville — from street tacos to a social district

Get caffeinated at Main Street Craft Coffee.

Located in Huntersville’s downtown, Main Street Craft Coffee is a place to grab coffee to-go or knock out work in its co-working space. The coffee shop also has light bites, beer and wine, along with weekly events like trivia and game nights.

We tried: The cream brûlée cold brew with almond milk.

Location: 104 Main St. #A

Hours: Sunday-Wednesday 7am-6pm; Thursday-Saturday 6am-8pm

Explore the artwork at Foster’s Frame and Art Gallery.

After your morning brew, step across the street to Foster’s Frame and Art Gallery. A Black-owned business open since 2000, Foster’s offers a rotating display of artwork from both national and local artists, plus pottery, antiques and custom framing.

Location: 14620 South Old Statesville Road

Hours: Monday (appointment only), Tuesday – Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday 10am-3pm, closed on Sunday.

Grab brunch from The Neighborhood Cafe.

Located in a historic home, The Neighborhood Cafe (formerly Cafe 100) is a family-owned staple in downtown Huntersville. They’re known for brunch, but you’ll find a bit of everything on the menu — from breakfast and brunch options to desserts and cocktails.

We tried: The lox bagel with fruit on the side ($13).

Location: 100 Huntersville-Concord Road

Hours: Sunday-Wednesday 7am-2:30pm; Thursday-Saturday 7am-2:30pm and 5-9pm.

Keep the kids entertained at Discovery Place.

If you need kid-friendly options in Huntersville, look no further than Discovery Place Kids. Located near downtown, the children’s museum is filled with interactive exhibits and live shows.

Of note: Tickets must be purchased online ahead of time.

Location: 105 Gilead Road

Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10:30am-4:30pm. Closed on Monday.

Stroll through Birkdale Village.

It’s not an understatement to say Birkdale Village has something for almost everyone. A mixed-use community, Birkdale offers everything from shopping and dining to events like live music and movie nights.

• Location: 8712 Lindholm Dr. #202

You won’t be able to see everything in one trip, but here are a few ways to make the most of your time.

Grab a sweet treat from Kilwins.

The chocolate shop has everything from hand-paddled fudge to homemade ice cream.

We tried: A single scoop of the chocolate toasted coconut in a waffle cone.

Location: 16926 Birkdale Commons Pkwy. A

Hours: Monday-Thursday 11am-9pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-10pm and Sunday 1-9pm.

Shop ’til you drop with Birkdale’s 40+ retailers

From major retailers and boutiques to a bookstore and a nail bar, Birkdale has no shortage of shopping options.

Visit the Instagram-worthy Girl Supply store.

Girl Supply is a collaborative project from the team at Girl Tribe and artistic visionary, Studio Cultivate. The 10,000 square-foot, all-pink storefront focuses on women-led fashion and interactive shopping.

Location: 8805 Townley Road

Hours: Monday-Thursday 10am-6pm, Friday-Saturday 10am-7pm and Sunday 12-5pm.

[Related Axios article: Scoop: Girl Tribe’s opening an experiential retail store in Birkdale]

Take advantage of Birkdale’s social district.

Full disclosure: I didn’t know Birkdale had a social district until I saw a “take your drink to-go” sign outside of Red Rocks Cafe (8712 Lindholm Dr.). The bartender informed me that for $1, I could get a to-go cup to take my cocktail out of the restaurant — immediately, yes.

Why it matters: Huntersville approved a social district for Birkdale Village in June 2022, meaning you can sip your favorite beer, wine or cocktail while strolling the grounds. You can find the boundaries on the social district here.

• The social district operates Monday-Sunday from 11am-10pm.

Context: Social districts are defined as outdoor common areas in which a person may consume alcoholic beverages sold by permitted establishments (e.g., bars, breweries, restaurants) in designated containers, according to Huntersville’s website.

Become a plant parent at PlantHouse Huntersville.

Buy a new houseplant, build your own terrarium, or attend a workshop at PlantHouse Huntersville. You’ll also get a complimentary potting service with your purchase. 

Location: 16641 Birkdale Commons Pkwy. Suite 210

Hours: Monday-Wednesday 11am-6pm, Thursday-Friday 11am-8pm, Saturday 10am-8pm, Sunday 11am-6pm

Grab authentic street tacos from Las Meras Tortas.

Drive by too fast and you’ll miss it. The authentic Mexican spot is located inside a gas station off Statesville Road. You’ll find tortas, burritos, street tacos and other dishes for a reasonable price.

We tried: One pollo taco and one al pastor taco for $2.39 each.

Location: 14601 Statesville Road

Hours: 7 days a week, 6am-11pm

Sip on an afternoon pint at Primal Brewery.

Because it’s just a right of passage to make a brewery pitstop when you’re in the 704. Primal Brewery’s menu includes craft beer, wine and seltzers, plus rotating food trucks and weekly events like bingo and live music.

Location: 16432 Old Statesville Road

Hours: Monday-Thursday 3-10pm, Friday-Saturday 12-11pm and Sunday 12-8pm.

Get in some movement at North Mecklenburg Park.

I opted for a sunset stroll (it’s just a short, 2-minute drive from Primal Brewery). The park is open from dawn to dusk, so plan accordingly.

• If a walk or run isn’t your thing, the recreational space offers four basketball courts, a biking trail, tennis courts and playgrounds, among other facilities.

Location: 16131 Old Statesville Road

Eat Cuban food for dinner at Azucar.

Expect authentic Cuban cuisine inside a modern, vibrant and picture-worthy space at Azucar. The menu spans from brunch to dinner, plus appetizers, cocktails and desserts. You can walk in or book a reservation through Resy.

We tried: The cauliflower wings ($10), Ropa Vieja (braised short rib) ($22), Branzino (mediterranean sea bass) ($23) and the mango mojito ($11).

Location: 15906 Old Statesville Road

Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11am-9pm; Friday-Saturday 11am-10pm

Save room for dessert at Duckworth’s.

Or a nightcap, if that’s your vibe (the Huntersville location has over 100 beers on tap). A locally-owned grill and taphouse, Duckworth’s has six locations in and around Charlotte. It’s a go-to option for casual eats and drinks in an unpretentious environment.

We tried: The chocolate cake layered with chocolate mousse, frosted with chocolate buttercream ($8.99).

Location: 16609 Statesville Road

Hours: Sunday-Wednesday 11am-11pm; Thursday-Saturday 11am-midnight.

Editor’s note: We first published this guide in 2021. We updated it in February 2023.