I've had quite the connection to Queen City throughout my life as several close relatives have made their homes in the area but visiting in 2020 I wanted to be explore some different areas where I could responsibly social distance as well as enjoy the great vibe of this beautiful city! First stop, Southend!
A short drive from the Charlotte, I spent Friday exploring Charlotte's Southend, a vibrant and historic neighborhood that is walkable and full of curated shopping, a variety of different food flavors, and scenic views of the city. Although the weather was hot and steamy, it was nice to stroll along the Rail Trail stopping to look at the Anthropologie's beautifully designed display windows and colorful sky high building murals. A casual dinner at Hawker's which serves Asian street fare allowing for trying several dishes at great prices. I ended the evening cooling off with a triple scoop cup of Jeni's Ice Cream (located in the same plaza as Hawker's).
Outfit here.
Saturday, I spent most of the day hanging out at Optimist Hall where I had some of best tacos at Velvet Taco, a cool drink from Spindle Bar, and an even more refreshing treat from Honeysuckle.
Outfit here.
If you want to see a phenomenal view of Charlotte, try hiking Crowder's Mountain. On Sunday, I hiked to the top and took the stunning morning view after a steep hike that got my heart pumping. To beat the heat, I recommend going in the morning and be prepared to wear your mask at the peak as it can get crowded as fellow hikers stay to awe at the view. After the hike I went for a light yet filling lunch at Viva Chicken.
Have you been to the Queen City? Let me know your favorite things to do and see below!