250 things to do in Charlotte – an itinerary for every type of CLT weekend

This year, the Queen City turns 250.

In honor of the big 2-5-0, we joined up with Center City Partners and CLT250, presented by Atrium Health, to create a list of 250 things to do, aka 10 jam-packed itineraries for every type of CLT weekend you could want.

And pro tip – CLT250.com has the official event lineup so you can get involved in the celebration (you know, for when you’ve accomplished all 250 activities spelled out below).

(1) The laid-back weekend

You’re just trying to keep things chill this weekend. You want to grab some good food, maybe a fancy coffee and simply relax. Here’s what you should do:

Friday

• Wind down after the work day with patio drinks at one of these low key spots:
• Graham St. Pub & Patio
• Max and Lola Bodega
• Craft Tasting Room & Growler Shop
• Bring a blanket to Food Truck Friday for a foodie picnic dinner
• Go for an evening stroll down the Charlotte Rail Trail
• End the night with a scoop of Brambleberry Crisp at Jeni’s

Saturday

• Start your morning with a masterpiece from Owen’s Bagels
• Pick up a matcha latte or juice from Luna’s Living Kitchen
• Mosey through Atherton Market and check out the local vendors
• Looking for a primo lunch sandwich? Try these spots:
• Rhino Market & Deli
• Lincoln’s Haberdashery
• Common Market
• Head to Charlotte Yoga for a $10 flow class
• After class, refuel with a smoothie from Clean Juice
• Meet up with friends for dinner at one of these casual eateries
• Alexander Michael’s
• Seoul Food Meat Co.
• Superica

Sunday

• Grab croissants at Local Loaf
• Pick up a matcha latte from Not Just Coffee
• Hop on a B-Cycle outside of 7th Street Public Market
• Meander through Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s Main Library and check out a book
• Find a shady spot and start your new read in First Ward Park
• Get a salad from one of these nearby places:
• Crisp Foods
• Grabbagreen
• B. Good

(2) The rainy weekend

The forecast calls for rain every day but that’s not going to ruin your weekend. Break out your umbrella and get out of the house.

Friday

• Relax at Amelie’s with a magazine and a Café Crème
• Don’t leave without ordering a Salted Caramel Brownie
• Take the Overstreet Mall over to the EpiCentre
• Catch a movie at Studio Movie Grill

Saturday

• Order crepes for breakfast at Hazelnuts Creperie
• Do a little shopping at CLT Find
• Pick up a few bottles of wine at Assorted Table Wine Shoppe
• Hop over to Levine Museum of the New South for a stroll through their exhibits
• Get your southern comfort food fix at Mert’s Heart & Soul. Here’s your order:
• Soul Rolls
• A cup of Mert’s Homemade Chicken Soup
• The Low Country Shrimp Salad
• Head over to Mac Tabby Cat Cafe for some rainy afternoon kitty snuggles
• Meet up with friends for a painting class at Wine & Design
• Grab dinner at a cozy Dilworth spot:
• Kid Cashew
• Summit Room
• Bakersfield
• Have a night cap at The Queen & Glass

Sunday

• Get Sunday brunch at Tupelo Honey Cafe
• Spend the afternoon climbing walls at Inner Peaks
• Stop by Nékter Juice Bar to refuel and get one of these:
• Mango Delight
• Pink Flamingo
• Do your grocery shopping for the week at Whole Foods Uptown
• Pick up dinner from their hot bar

(3) The sports fan weekend

You live and breathe Charlotte sports. You never miss a Carolina game. This weekend is for you.

Friday

• Kick off the weekend with one of these Charlotte Athletic Club classes:
• TRX Bootcamp
• Boxing Fit
• CrossCycle
• Cool off with an ‘Energizer’ protein smoothie from Green Brothers Juice Co.

• Get a ‘Full Court Press’ wellness shot on the side
• Meet up with friends at Flight Beer Garden & Music Hall to catch any Friday night games
• If you’re a soccer fan, you’ll want to be at Courtyard Hooligans in Latta Arcade

Saturday

• Start the day with a hearty biscuit from Holler & Dash. Order one of these:
• Chicken Holler
• Kickback Chicken
• Chicken. Set. Go.
• Hop on the LYNX Light Rail at New Bern Station and get off at Stonewall Station
• Spend the morning at the NASCAR Hall of Fame
• Walk over to Fuel Pizza for a quick lunch
• Hit up an afternoon tee time at Revolution Park’s Dr. Charles L. Sifford Golf Course
• Catch all the primetime college football games at All American Pub
• Watch overtime at Tavern on the Tracks
• Finish the night with an order of Tavern’s Loaded Fries

Sunday

• Put on the jersey you bought from the team store at the stadium or break out that fresh 2018 Game Day Girl Tribe Co. apparel
• Drive thru Bojangles’ Famous Chicken ‘n Biscuits for a Jumbo Tailgate Box
• Pull up to your bomb tailgate spot that you reserved with Preferred Parking
• Stop by the Coca-Cola Doghouse to party with some fellow fans
• Cheer on all your favorite players at Bank of America Stadium
• Grab post-game grub at Valhalla Pub & Eatery

(4) The outdoorsy weekend

Outside is where you thrive. You’re always looking for ways to fill your weekend that include sun and fresh air.

Friday 

• Meet up with friends after work at VBGB Beer Hall & Garden for a few games of beach volleyball
• Order either the Totchos or the Gourmet Grilled Cheese (it’s served on a pretzel roll)
• Destroy everyone in a game of giant Jenga
• Catch an outdoor concert at the Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre

Saturday

• Get a Morning Glory Muffin and iced coffee at Sunflour Baking Co.
• Head to Freedom Park
• Finish your iced coffee while you people watch near the pond
• Rent a B-Cycle and go for a ride along Sugar Creek Greenway
• Head to Earl’s Grocery in Elizabeth
• Order the Bahn Mi Sandwich or the Harvest Salad
• Take the LYNX Gold Line to Uptown
• Take an afternoon walking tour of the city’s parks. Here are a few:
• Marshall Park
• The Green
• Romare Bearden Park
• Fourth Ward Park
• Meet up with friends at Sycamore Brewing for a few cold ones on the patio
• Catch a Saturday night Charlotte Knight’s game at BB&T Ballpark

Sunday

• Venture out to the U.S. National Whitewater Center
• Stop at Rhino Market & Deli on the way for a breakfast sandwich
• At USNWC, start slow with some flatwater kayaking
• Pick things up with a mountain bike trail ride
• Go full adrenaline with some Rodeo Rafting
• Relax by the rapids with some grub from the Pump House Biergarten
• End the day with an exhilarating ride on the zip line

(5) The craft beer lover’s weekend

The QC is known for our craft beer scene. If you are craft brew obsessed, you’ll love this weekend.

Friday 

• Celebrate the end of the week with brews on the roof patio at Unknown Brewing Co.
• Take a free tour of the brewery (they offer these every Friday at 6:30 p.m.)
• Play a couple rounds of ping pong downstairs
• Order one of these pies from Passport Dough & Co:
• Italian
• Thai
• Vietnamese
• End the night with some self-serve beers at Hoppin’

Saturday

• Order the Pecan French Toast at Suffolk Punch for brunch
• Get your morning caffeine fix with one of their specialty coffee drinks
• Head across the street to Triple C Brewing Co. for a Golden Boy on their patio
• Play a round of shuffleboard inside
• Lyft over to Olde Mecklenberg Brewery
• Take a brewery tour to see how they make their authentic German-style beer
• Saturday tour times are 2p, 2:30p, 3p, 3:30p, 4p & 4:30p
• Enjoy a soft pretzel or German-style Würste in the Biergarten
• Walk across the street to Sugar Creek Brewing Co. and try a flight of their Belgian-style beer
• Hop over to Queen Park Social for a bowling and air hockey break
• End your crawl at Brewers at 4001 Yancey
• Sample beers from both Southern Tier Brewing Co. & Victory Brewing Co.
• Lyft over to Bang Bang Burgers for a Pimento Burger and some H2O
• Once you’re home, order Insomnia Cookies because yum

Sunday

• Grab a hearty breakfast sandwich at The People’s Market
• Sweat out yesterday’s beers at the Dowd YMCA
• Meet up with friends at Wooden Robot for a Good Morning Vietnam
• Grab lunch at Duckworth’s Grill & Taphouse in Uptown
• Cheer on the Panthers to chase away the Sunday scaries

(6) The over-the-top treat yourself weekend

You’ve been working hard and you deserve a luxury weekend just for you. Time to go big.

Friday

• Wind down from the busy week with a pedicure at The Daily Details
• Add on a full foot and leg massage for max pampering
• Finish things off with a fresh blowout and you’re ready for the evening
• Head to Stoke for one or two of their craft cocktails
• Have a decadent Italian meal at Angeline’s
• Top your meal with the Black Swan after-dinner cocktail

Saturday

• Have mimosas with a skyline view at Fahrenheit
• Order the King Crab Benedict
• Head over to the Ritz-Carlton Charlotte for a relaxing day at the spa
• Splurge for the Honey & Chocolate Detox Ritual
• Chill in the sauna for a little extra detox
• Take a dip to cool down in the indoor pool
• Grab lunch at the Ritz’s own BLT Steak and get the Lobster Salad
• Pair your meal with a ‘Peppered Rose’ cocktail
• Spend the afternoon shopping at these spots:
• Girl Tribe Southend
• Vestique
• Anthropologie
• Have an over-the-top seafood dinner at Eddie V’s Prime Seafood
• Splurge on a Champagne & Oyster Pairing
• Order the 8 oz. filet mignon and top it with a South African lobster tail
• Finish the night with their Hot Chocolate Godiva Cake

Sunday 

• Meet friends for a classy brunch at La Belle Helene
• Order their ultra fancy Avocado Toast and a Bellini
• Go for an Uptown stroll
• Stop for gelato at Coffee Up Cafe

(7) The artsy weekend

You are all about music, arts and culture. Sample everything the Queen City has to offer in just one weekend.

Friday

• Sip on a glass of vino at The Wooden Vine
• Split a Caprese Salad and Crab Cakes

• If it’s the first Friday of the month, do one of these activities:
• See live musicians at Jazz at the Bechtler for only $16
• Go on the South End Gallery Crawl
• If it’s the third Friday of the month, check out Bechtler by Night for free

Saturday

• Chow down on a Brunch Grain Bowl at Roots Cafe
• Order an iced Dirty Chai latte to-go
• Spend the morning exploring The Mint Museum Uptown
• Make sure you stop by their super cool Craft + Design collection
• Pop into the gift shop to snag a few souvenirs
• Enjoy a farm-to-table lunch at Halcyon, Flavors from the Earth
• Next, head over to the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
• If you visit before 10/28, check out the Wrestling the Angel exhibit
• Take a pic in front of the Firebird statue outside
• Head to the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts+Culture
• Spend some time in the Hank Willis Thomas: What We Ask Is Simple exhibit
• Reserve a date night dinner at The Asbury
• Take a peek inside the historic Dunhill Hotel lobby
• Head across the street to The Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
• Spend the evening listening to the Charlotte Symphony
• Grab craft cocktail at Sophia’s Lounge after the show

Sunday

• Enjoy a steaming Flat White at Coco and the Director
• Find a cozy spot by the window and read a book
• Walk over to The Green to check out some of the statue art
• Catch a Sunday matinee at Theatre Charlotte

(8) The celebration weekend

Planning a birthday or bachelor/bachelorette party? Take cues from this itinerary.

Friday

• Head to Ink N Ivy to kick things off on their massive patio
• Walk over to Merchant & Trade for sunset drinks on the rooftop
• Lyft over to 8.2.0 in the AvidXchange Music Factory
• Order a Moscow Mule on tap and hang out in the secret library
• Sing your heart out in the Karaoke Lounge
• Finish the night with slushies at Wet Willies

Saturday

• Head to 5Church for a Brunch Steak Burger
• Order a Mimosa Flight for some Vitamin C
• Head to J’Adore Nail Boutique for manicures
• For dudes, head to Emerson Joseph for some manly pampering
• Find the nearest B-Cycles and go for an Uptown ride
• Ride down the Charlotte Rail Trail to East West Station
• Head over to Rosemont for a round of adult Capri Suns
• Try the Sheet Pan Nachos
• Catch a Lyft to Top Golf and hit golf balls from your swanky bay
• Start your evening celebration with drinks at The Punch Room
• Enjoy a leisurely dinner at The Cellar at Duckworth’s
• Chow down on Candied Jalapeño Bacon and Truffle Mac & Cheese
• Cheers with Mai Tais and Queen Charlotte Mojitos
• Head to City Lights Rooftop for glittery cityscape views
• Dance the night away at one of these spots
• Roxbury
• SIP
• Dandelion Market
• Prohibition

Sunday

• Spend the morning/early afternoon on a Sunday Brunch Trolley Pub Tour

(9) The foodie weekend

You love trying new restaurants and you’ve got a pretty impressive palate. There’s a lot in store, including James Beard nominated chefs.

Friday

• Hit up Fin & Fino for after work drinks
• Share a few plates:
• Angel Oysters
• Salmon & Tuna Poke
• Roasted Shishito Peppers
• Take an evening stroll through Romare Bearden Park
• Grab a heaver bite to eat at Haymaker
• Start with the Crispy Pork Belly or Heirloom Tomato Salad
• Dine on the Wild Caught NC Grouper
• End with the Almond Plum Cake
• Take a Friday date night cooking class at Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen

Saturday

• Start the day with a refined Uptown brunch at Halcyon, Flavors from the Earth
• Go with the Tuna & Asparagus
• Order a side of Squash Blossoms
• Drive up to Lake Norman
• Rent a paddle board at Aloha Paddle Sports
• If you’ve never done stand up paddleboarding, book a group lesson
• Head over to Hello, Sailor for a lakeside lunch
• Start with the hushpuppies (the Yuzu Kosho-Honey Butter is amazing)
• Order either the Citrus Crab Louie Salad or the Pink Snapper
• Get a side of Grandfather’s Pickles
• After lunch, walk out to the Tiki Bar for a tropical drink
• Take in Lake Norman views while you sip and relax
• Back in Charlotte, stop by Orrman’s Cheese Shop at the 7th Street Public Market
• Get some bomb cheese recommendations

Sunday

• Have brunch at The Stanley, owned by a James Beard nominated chef
• Start with a mimosa or craft cocktail
• Try the Doughnut of the Day
• Order the Shrimp and Grits or Duke’s Brioche French Toast

(10) The kid-friendly weekend

Need to entertain the kids all weekend? No problem. They’ll be passed out asleep by Sunday night.

Friday

• Have a casual Italian dinner at Vapiano
• Head to Strike City for a few rounds of bowling
• Order classic Coke Floats for dessert
• End the (early) evening with some classic arcade games

Saturday

• Wake up bright and early for breakfast at Famous Toastery
• Walk over to Romare Bearden Park to check out the fountain
• Stop by RUSH by Rush Espresso for more caffeine (for the adults)
• Next, take the group to Discovery Place Science
• Spy some on some critters in the World Alive Exhibit
• Catch a flick in the IMAX Dome Theatre
• Take a break and grab lunch in Curio City Kitchen
• Ride on a vacuum-powered air chair in the Cool Stuff Exhibit
• Head over to ImaginOn for the afternoon
• Read a few books in the Spangler Library for Children
• See a musical or play at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte
• Get some post show grub at Queen City Q
• Stop at Golden Cow Creamery for some Dunkaroo ice cream on the way home

Sunday

• Enjoy Sunday morning donuts at Duck Donuts
• Hang out at Freedom Park’s playground
• Feed the ducks at the pond
• Have a leisurely picnic lunch under a big tree
• Spend the afternoon exploring the Discovery Place Nature Museum

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This paid content was created in partnership with Charlotte Center City Partners.