Less than three hours from Charlotte is a roughly 5-mile hike with stunning views of the mountains in North Carolina and Tennessee.

Why it matters: If high flight prices have you rethinking your summer travel plans, there's plenty to do in and around North Carolina.

Context: The Roan Highlands trails take you along part of the Appalachian Trail, which stretches 2,197.9 miles from Georgia to Maine.

If you go: The Carvers Gap trailhead is a little over 2 and a half hours from Charlotte. You'll want to park at Carvers Gap (TN-143, Roan Mountain, TN 37687), but keep in mind the parking lot fills up quickly on the weekends.

• Parking is free, and there is a restroom with a pit toilet at the trailhead. After that, you won't find a bathroom on the trail, and the sign at the trailhead asks visitors to "dig a cat hole at least 200 feet from water, trails and camp" if you need to take care of business on your hike.

Go deeper: Trail options once you're there

Plans are in motion to convert 200 North College into 290 apartments, according to a city filing from Philadelphia-based Belgravia Management.

Why it matters: It's yet another largely empty tower being flipped to a potentially more profitable use, as Uptown's offices sit at 25% vacancy.

• Other prominent towers being converted include Brooklyn & Church, The Johnston Building, the former Two Wells Fargo Center and 400 South Tryon.

Flashback: 200 North College has been mostly vacant since Bank of America moved workers to Bank of America Tower years ago.

• In 2024, A H Real Estate Holdings got a bargain to purchase the five-story building: Half the price it sold in the 2010s, the Ledger reported.
• The property was sold again last year to an LLC tied to Belgravia Management for $3.5 million, property records show.

Drive-thru coffee shop Burr & Berry is opening a fourth location in east Charlotte this summer.

Why it matters: The local coffee chain has built a loyal following through its walk-up and drive-thru model, viral TikToks and large menu of specialty coffee and customizable drink options.

If you go: The new shop will be between Tipsy Burro and Smokey Joe's Cafe at 2905 Monroe Road, near the edge of Elizabeth.

• It's targeting a late summer opening, owner Jason Cowan tells Axios.

Zoom out: Burr & Berry's existing locations are at 4209 South Blvd. in LoSo, 9605 Monroe Road near Matthews and 1221 Transformation Lane in Indian Land, S.C.

"Charlotte Squawks" is old enough to grab a pint at a Charlotte brewery.

Context: The annual parody play is described as Broadway meets SNL. Next month, it's back for its 21st year.

• Expect musical parodies and plenty of satire about the place we call home.

Zoom in: The longstanding show was created by Mike Collins, of "Charlotte Talks," and attorney Brian Kahn.

If you go: "Charlotte Squawks: Hold My Beer!" runs June 4—28 at Booth Playhouse. Tickets start at $39.76.

📅 See what's going on around the city.

• Chance the Rapper w/ TiaCorine at TD Amp Ballantyne May 22: Chance the Rapper last performed in North Carolina nearly a decade ago. On May 22, he'll return for a one-night-only homecoming concert event you won't want to miss!
• Charlotte Homebuying 101: From Renter to Owner May 27: Buying your first home in CLT doesn't have to be stressful. Get a step-by-step plan from a local expert. It will cover mortgages, offers, the due diligence process, and much more. Sign up free!
• Charlotte Bach Festival at various locations May 27-Jun 7: Fifteen events over 11 days – Vivaldi's Gloria, Handel's Theodora, Purcell's Dido & Aeneas, free community events, and more. Charlotte Bach Festival, May 27–June 7. Tickets from $15.

Want more things to do? Check out our Event Board.

Hosting? Purchase an Event Listing.

☕️ Night Swim will open its new location at Queensbridge Collective on May 30. Hours for the grand opening will be 8am-4pm, per a release.

🥩 James Beard Award–winning chef Tyson Cole will host two exclusive dinners at Uchi in Plaza Midwood June 4—5 at 7pm. Tickets cost $150.

🏊 Carolina Harbor Waterpark, Carowinds' swim-up bar, opens May 23, per a release.

🏗️ Charlotte City Council approved plans for a mixed-use redevelopment behind the former Manor Theatre site on Providence Road. (Queen City Nerve)

🍦 Crispy Cones, the "Shark Tank"-featured dessert shop known for cinnamon-sugar pastry cones stuffed with soft serve and toppings, has officially opened its first Charlotte-area location in Steele Creek. (Charlotte Five 🔐)

⚽️ In World Cup news: Scotland has named their World Cup roster. The team will train in Charlotte during the tournament. (Axios)

• Norway will hold a free, open training session Wednesday, June 10, at UNC Greensboro. (UNCG)

🗣 Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden says he will reopen Jail North in early August because of what he calls "the growing capacity crisis" at the Uptown detention center.

• The population has exceeded 2,000 and is rising "dramatically" following 74 arrests on Sunday and only 40 releases on Monday, according to a press release. 288 people are currently housed in overflow areas.

For the seventh year in a row, Liam and Olivia were the country's top baby names, according to Social Security card applications submitted at birth.

Yes, but: North Carolina has slightly different tastes, with Noah and Amelia coming in at No. 1 for the Tar Heel state. Here are the rest of the top five for North Carolina:

For the boys:

1. Noah
2. Liam
3. Oliver
4. William
5. James

For the girls:

1. Amelia
2. Charlotte
3. Olivia
4. Sophia
5. Emma

Full list