About Charlotte, North Carolina

The location of this year’s conference venue is right in the middle of Uptown, Charlotte’s busy and historic business district, which is divided into four wards. Because of its location, you will be within walking distance to great cafes, restaurants, bars, and of course cultural sites to see and museums to visit. This is one of the few sections of the city where you can still find relics of its rich colonial heritage and echoes of the city’s iconic Queen Anne architecture.  

Uptown is a dense grid of walkable streets, so during your leisure time, be sure to step out and take advantage of your proximity to the cultural richness of Charlotte.

Must-sees include visiting the NASCAR Hall of Fame and exploring and shopping in the 7th Street Public Market.  Do you have time for a museum, or three? For $20 you can buy a 48-hour pass to access three of Charlotte’s choice art museums, all located within Uptown on South Tryon Street: The Bechtler Museum of Modern ArtHarvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, and the Mint Museum Uptown.

Need some fresh air? Take a one-block walk to the restored Old Settler’s Cemetery just north of the hotel. Here you will walk on brick pathways for a peaceful, beautiful, and historic walk through the city’s oldest cemetery. If you have more time, head north one more block to the charming Fourth Ward Park, or head east to the 4.6 acre First Ward Park.

For nightlife, Uptown has a vibrant restaurant and rooftop bar scene. See our list of suggested food and drinks nearby the conference venue.

Other Activities:

Catch a show at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center

For a highly-reviewed comedy venue, check out the Comedy Zone

Charlotte’s Happening Disc Golf Scene

To Get Around:

While city center is situated in a close-knit, walkable grid, there are still options beyond taxi services to help you get to where you want to go.

Trolleys:

There are two trolley systems within Uptown—Gold Rush Trolleys and Charlotte Trolleys. The former is designed to resemble historic street cars while the latter is an electric streetcar to transport riders from north to south uptown, leaving every hour at a fare of $1.30 per ride.

Pedicabs:

Pedicabs have recently begun to appear in the Uptown scene.

Public Transport:

The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) connects all neighborhoods of Charlotte together.