College students around Charlotte are enjoying spring break this week and while some opt for the warmer temperatures and party atmosphere of Florida or the Caribbean, Charlotte has a lot to offer for anyone hoping to save money on travel expenses.
We swapped South Beach for South End, finding options that eliminate the costs of plane tickets and hotels and provide a relaxed and more affordable staycation this year in the Queen City.
Start the day at Not Just Coffee
Begin your morning by stopping in at Not Just Coffee, located in the Market at 7th Street in uptown Charlotte. Adjacent to the Seventh Street Light Rail Station, your first stop has plenty of parking, making it convenient for people wanting to utilize the city’s Lynx Blue Line for the day. Don’t forget to ask for parking validation when you get your coffee. 7th Street Station Parking Garage offers the first two hours free with a purchase at the Market.
Hang Le is a barista at Not Just Coffee. He says the lavender mocha is a popular order this year, and the classic iced vanilla latte is always a favorite. The place offers a variety of beverage options including their very own batch brews, cold brews and specialty teas. Le’s favorite is the iced matcha with oat milk and honey.
Known by some as Charlotte’s local coffee shop, Not Just Coffee is loved throughout the city with five convenient locations.
Take a morning stroll along the Rail Trail
You can hop on the Blue Line for a quicker trip to South End, but we suggest enjoying the 3.5-mile Charlotte Rail Trail, an urban walkway that connects neighborhoods from Uptown to Sedgefield.
The Rail Trail offers a scenic and beautiful way to enjoy fresh air this time of year with friends, pets or even solo on your spring break journey. Along the way, you will also find plenty of photo opportunities like by the Color Forest, an installation by local artist Ivan Depeña. Steel poles of various heights and colors work together to create a beautiful forest.
Feeling inspired? Add your own artwork with the Rail Trail Chalkboard at 115 E. Kinston Ave., an interactive and creative outlet for you to share your goals and endeavors with the world.
A floral bite to eat
Now that you’ve made your way to South End, stop in at Flower Child, near Camden and W. Park Ave. The restaurant offers plenty of delicious lunch options with fresh ingredients and great flavors. Flower Child offers gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options as well.
Try the Avocado Caesar salad with your choice of protein (tofu, chicken, salmon, steak or shrimp) or the hardier Carolina BBQ chicken wrap. Both options are under 750 calories and less than $18 (even with the priciest protein).
Time to Shop
Whether you want to spend that money you’ve saved or just browse, Atherton Mill offers an abundance of shops and boutiques. This lively shopping center is just a short walk from Flower Child and is home to popular stores like Free People, Lululemon, and Sephora in addition to a number of local boutiques like Boem and Uniquities.
Put a little love in your heart
If you haven’t had your photo taken in front of Charlotte’s Confetti Hearts Wall mural, it’s time to join the thousands of other Instagramers who’ve used this wall to memorialize their love. This 40-foot wall is located at 1930 Camden Road and covered with colored hearts of every color. To date, there have been over 5,300 posts on Instagram with the #confettiheartswall tag.
It is the perfect place to snap some photos of you and your friends, with a loved one or just a selfie.
Time for a sweet treat
Head further south to Renaissance Patisserie for a sweet treat and an espresso. This award-winning bistro cafe in South Park will require an Uber or Lyft, but offers a variety of beautiful pastries, breads, cakes and a full espresso bar. Jessica Rivet, the owner’s daughter, says that the Chocolate Brownie Bomb is the cafe’s top menu item and the mixed berry tartlet comes in a close second. She suggests adding any latte or espresso to your order and once the weather warms, try out some of Renaissance Patisserie’s specialty iced coffee drinks.
A good laugh to end the evening
To end the night, head back past the center of the city for a show at The Comedy Zone in the AvidXChange Music Factory. As Charlotte’s only full time comedy club, you can see the nation’s top touring comedians and celebrity comics. Upcoming shows include Michael Palascak (March 5), Bill Bellamy (March 6-8), ScreenCrush Live (March 9), Prince T-Dub (March 12) and Charlotte native Ryan Davis (March 13-15). The Comedy Zone has a full menu and is open Wednesday through Sunday. Ticket prices and showtimes vary.
Queens University News Service
