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Vintage train rides are coming to Charlotte

The magenta train will preview in NoDa with a rooftop deck and bar this fall before rides launch in spring 2027.

Things to Do

Vintage train rides are coming to Charlotte and you&#x27;ll be able to preview the experience aboard a stationary train <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="this fall" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2023/09/08/fall-guide-in-around-charlotte-fall-activities" data-vars-content-id="2a9675b9-4954-47c1-8c87-71a5ed3ee833" data-vars-headline="Vintage train rides are coming to Charlotte" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2023/09/08/fall-guide-in-around-charlotte-fall-activities" target="_self">this fall</a>.Why it matters: Aberdeen Carolina &amp; Western Railway is bringing its popular Pinehurst train experience to NoDa, starting with its magenta locomotive bar, Engine Room 87.

Queens unveils new name amid Elon merger

The Myers Park school will be called Elon University | Queens College as the two universities move toward a merger.

Education

Queens University of Charlotte has a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new name" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/09/16/queens-university-elon-university-merge-charlotte" data-vars-content-id="61b09950-5309-49ca-b795-c6d2f06cbde2" data-vars-headline="Queens unveils new name amid Elon merger" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/09/16/queens-university-elon-university-merge-charlotte" target="_self">new name</a>: Elon University | Queens College. Why it matters: The new name is part of the Queens-Elon merger, which they announced in September 2025.

Breaking down the ballot: U.S. Senate

The must-watch race could help decide Senate control.

News

A staunch <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/03/04/north-carolina-senate-primary-election-cooper-whatley-win" data-vars-content-id="f7fc6e0b-19e5-4f67-a6a4-a3dbe8c7e5ba" data-vars-headline="Breaking down the ballot: U.S. Senate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/03/04/north-carolina-senate-primary-election-cooper-whatley-win" target="_self">Trump</a> ally and one of North Carolina&#x27;s most recognizable Democrats are battling for the state&#x27;s open U.S. Senate seat in a must-watch race nationally.Why it matters: Currently held by Republican <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sen. Thom Tillis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/24/trump-senate-republicans-save-act-cassidy" data-vars-content-id="f7fc6e0b-19e5-4f67-a6a4-a3dbe8c7e5ba" data-vars-headline="Breaking down the ballot: U.S. Senate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/24/trump-senate-republicans-save-act-cassidy" target="_self">Sen. Thom Tillis</a>, this seat could be crucial to determining whether Republicans maintain control of the Senate or the chamber flips to Democrats.

Ex-Charlotte City Council member sentenced to prison

Tiawana Brown sentenced to 10 months on federal wire fraud charge.

Former Charlotte City Council member <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tiawana Brown" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/05/22/charlotte-city-council-tiawana-brown-federal-charges" data-vars-content-id="99688f8c-433e-4187-a6b4-1e64c83431d4" data-vars-headline="Ex-Charlotte City Council member sentenced to prison" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/05/22/charlotte-city-council-tiawana-brown-federal-charges" target="_self">Tiawana Brown</a> was sentenced to 10 months in prison on Tuesday, months after she pleaded guilty to a federal wire fraud charge, reported <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="our news partners at WBTV." data-vars-click-url="https://www.wbtv.com/2026/09/22/ex-charlotte-city-councilmember-sentenced-prison-after-pleading-guilty-federal-charge/" data-vars-content-id="99688f8c-433e-4187-a6b4-1e64c83431d4" data-vars-headline="Ex-Charlotte City Council member sentenced to prison" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wbtv.com/2026/09/22/ex-charlotte-city-councilmember-sentenced-prison-after-pleading-guilty-federal-charge/" target="_blank">our news partners at WBTV.</a>Why it matters: Brown fraudulently obtained tens of thousands of dollars in COVID relief and other small business loan funds. Part of that money was spent on a $15,000 birthday party.

NoDa rug tufting studio offers a creative date night

Safe & Sound Studios offers beginner-friendly classes where you can make and take home your own rug.

Tucked behind a fresh juice bar on North Davidson Street, you&#x27;ll find art studio with rug tufting workshops that makes for a fun <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="date night" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2021/08/04/cheap-date-night-ideas-charlotte" data-vars-content-id="29ab9b17-ca01-4622-99e7-fb3abdfd4e73" data-vars-headline="NoDa rug tufting studio offers a creative date night" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2021/08/04/cheap-date-night-ideas-charlotte" target="_self">date night</a> activity.Why it matters: Safe &amp; Sound Rugs owner Christian Davis spent years hosting pop-ups before finding a permanent home for his rug-tufting workshops in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="NoDa" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2021/02/17/20-things-to-do-eat-and-drink-in-noda-247876" data-vars-content-id="29ab9b17-ca01-4622-99e7-fb3abdfd4e73" data-vars-headline="NoDa rug tufting studio offers a creative date night" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2021/02/17/20-things-to-do-eat-and-drink-in-noda-247876" target="_self">NoDa</a>.

Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to Charlotte

Meet fellow locals over dinner at a restaurant we hand-picked.

Axios Social Club is bringing readers together for dinner to Charlotte&#x27;s South End and SouthPark neighborhoods on Tuesday, Oct. 6. (South End is already sold out, but we still have a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="few seats left" data-vars-click-url="https://axiossocialclub.dnnr.io/" data-vars-content-id="2b085735-07da-4e97-bc4f-0b2adb3517e4" data-vars-headline="Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to Charlotte" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://axiossocialclub.dnnr.io/" target="_blank">few seats left</a> in SouthPark!)Why it matters: Your city is full of interesting people you haven&#x27;t met yet. We&#x27;re making it easier to change that.

10 Charlotte art events to catch this fall

From the ballet to exhibits, there are several ways to celebrate the arts this season.

Fall has finally arrived. Here are 10 ways to celebrate the arts this season.

Weekender: 26 things to do in Charlotte this weekend including Breakaway Carolina

Events happening Sept. 25-27 include Breakaway Carolina, Festival in the Park, Potters Market, Charlotte FC and Boileryard Brunch.

Charlotte is in full festival mode this weekend, with everything from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="big-name music" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/07/08/breakaway-carolina-2026-lineup-guide" data-vars-content-id="e73ded3c-d7be-4dfb-9bc1-a7a22afc4040" data-vars-headline="Weekender: 26 things to do in Charlotte this weekend including Breakaway Carolina" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/07/08/breakaway-carolina-2026-lineup-guide" target="_self">big-name music</a> and art to wine, food and margaritas.

Charlotte BookPalooza enters its biggest chapter yet

More than 85 authors and 60 vendors will fill Truist Field for a massive book festival.

Charlotte BookPalooza returns on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Oct. 10 in Uptown" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/charlottebookpalooza/" data-vars-content-id="2165768a-52f8-4599-9470-64cfc765faaa" data-vars-headline="Charlotte BookPalooza enters its biggest chapter yet" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/charlottebookpalooza/" target="_blank">Oct. 10 in Uptown</a>. Why it matters: The third annual book festival is expected to be its largest yet, Kat Varner, festival organizer and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Books on the House" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/07/22/nonprofit-charlotte-bookmobile-makes-reading-accessible" data-vars-content-id="2165768a-52f8-4599-9470-64cfc765faaa" data-vars-headline="Charlotte BookPalooza enters its biggest chapter yet" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/07/22/nonprofit-charlotte-bookmobile-makes-reading-accessible" target="_self">Books on the House</a> executive director, tells Axios.

2 major Charlotte Marathon course changes for 2026

The race will include an East Boulevard section this year.

Runners can expect course changes to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Charlotte Marathon in November" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/01/20/charlotte-marathon-growth-csf-novant-health-running-boom" data-vars-content-id="a1e3d526-0de0-44a7-b9ab-3e527bde3150" data-vars-headline="2 major Charlotte Marathon course changes for 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/01/20/charlotte-marathon-growth-csf-novant-health-running-boom" target="_self">Charlotte Marathon in November</a>. Why it matters: This will be the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first year of the race under new ownership" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/01/20/charlotte-marathon-growth-csf-novant-health-running-boom" data-vars-content-id="a1e3d526-0de0-44a7-b9ab-3e527bde3150" data-vars-headline="2 major Charlotte Marathon course changes for 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/01/20/charlotte-marathon-growth-csf-novant-health-running-boom" target="_self">first year of the race under new ownership</a>. Organizers tell Axios they expect more than 13,000 people, a record number, to participate across the marathon, half-marathon and 5K.

5 things to do in Charlotte Sept. 21–25, 2026 

From hockey romance trivia to the Edit Sale, here are your plans for the week.

Culture

From hockey romance trivia to Charlotte&#x27;s favorite fashion pop-up, there&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="so much to do" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2023/09/08/fall-guide-in-around-charlotte-fall-activities" data-vars-content-id="73eff9e4-e702-4639-951b-0b3c645cd6d7" data-vars-headline="5 things to do in Charlotte Sept. 21–25, 2026 " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2023/09/08/fall-guide-in-around-charlotte-fall-activities" target="_self">so much to do</a> this week.

11 corn mazes to visit in and around Charlotte

Bring along your sense of adventure (and direction).

Fall means it’s time to do fun seasonal things, like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="apple-picking" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2023/08/16/apple-orchards-near-charlotte-nc-15183" data-vars-content-id="21c5ce60-6cd6-470c-bc41-1011a36a6e10" data-vars-headline="11 corn mazes to visit in and around Charlotte" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2023/08/16/apple-orchards-near-charlotte-nc-15183" target="_self">apple-picking</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="flower-picking" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/08/26/flower-picking-farms-near-charlotte-nc" data-vars-content-id="21c5ce60-6cd6-470c-bc41-1011a36a6e10" data-vars-headline="11 corn mazes to visit in and around Charlotte" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/08/26/flower-picking-farms-near-charlotte-nc" target="_self">flower-picking</a>, visiting <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pumpkin patches " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2023/09/06/pumpkin-patches-to-visit-charlotte-nc" data-vars-content-id="21c5ce60-6cd6-470c-bc41-1011a36a6e10" data-vars-headline="11 corn mazes to visit in and around Charlotte" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2023/09/06/pumpkin-patches-to-visit-charlotte-nc" target="_self">pumpkin patches </a>and exploring corn mazes.

What to expect at the Charlotte Film Festival

The festival runs Sept. 22–27 at Independent Picture House.

The Charlotte Film <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/09/25/charlotte-roofman-movie-filming-locations-channing-tatum" data-vars-content-id="cf6b4c4a-5adb-492e-a07a-88e9dfd64d88" data-vars-headline="What to expect at the Charlotte Film Festival" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/09/25/charlotte-roofman-movie-filming-locations-channing-tatum" target="_self">Festival</a> returns Sept. 22–27. Why it matters: This will be the 18th festival, celebrating local, regional, national and international films.

Things to Do 🗓

NoDa rug tufting studio offers a creative date night

Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to Charlotte

10 Charlotte art events to catch this fall

Weekender: 26 things to do in Charlotte this weekend including Breakaway Carolina

Charlotte BookPalooza enters its biggest chapter yet