UNC Charlotte is nestled northeast of the city center, convenient to some of the city’s artsy hot spots. From eclectic tattoo parlors to creative dining experiences, the city is a canvas of culture pulsating with diversity, education and excitement.
Mural at Uptown Charlotte
NoDa (short for North Davidson) is Charlotte’s art district and features a collection of galleries, creative dining, colorful murals, vendors and more. Venture into the neighborhood to check out the street art or participate in an art crawl. Gallery crawls occur twice a month, every first and third Friday from 6 to 9:30 p.m.
Location: On and around North Davidson Street and 36th Avenue
Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Art & Culture
Harvey B. Gantt Center is devoted to celebrating the contributions of African and African Americans to American culture. The Gantt Center is a museum in the center of Uptown Charlotte that provides unique experiences to explore African heritage. It features experiences ranging from Cultural Cuisine, a part of “Southern Culture on a Plate,” curated dining to a creative Vinyasa Yoga flow on the rooftop.
Location: 551 South Tryon St., Charlotte, N.C.
Picture Project CLT Selfie Museum
Project CLT Selfie Museum is an interactive selfie museum with 4,000 square feet and 30 photo opportunities. This space features themed backdrops (some of which change seasonally) that are accessible with the purchase of a ticket or package. The pictures are D-I-Y (do-it-yourself), so bringing a friend is recommended.
Location: 5648 East Independence Blvd., Charlotte, N.C.
Canvas Tattoo has been voted the Best Tattoo Shop in Charlotte by Expertise.com and featured at the top of Yelp’s 10 Best Tattoo Shops list. Canvas Tattoo is located in the heart of NoDa Art District and features some of the best tattoo artists in Charlotte, according to Axios Charlotte’s best tattoo artists list.
Location: 3012 North Davidson St., Charlotte, N.C.
Deluxe Fun Dining has been recommended by Restaurant Guru four years in a row. The Charlotte Observer voted Deluxe Fun Best Fine Dining 2023, earning it a silver award. What sets Deluxe Dining apart is not just the culinary mastery but its elaborate artistic displays and props served with each dish. “Art is food, and food is art,” as their website describes the experience.
For those seeking more insights into Charlotte’s vibrant cultural scene, local publications such as Creative Loafing and Charlotte Culture Guide are resources to stay connected when venturing off campus.
Location: 305 West 4th St., Charlotte, N.C.