Almost passed right by it -- it looks like an unsuspecting alleyway but fear not! The murals were…read moreBEAUTIFUL and I so appreciate when cities make an effort to incorporate more art into its streets

Great to walk through and read about the installations! Beautiful and free street art. Awesome…read morephoto opportunities and lots of hidden treasures. :)

Located in one of the more upper crust neighborhoods of a town that's already upper crust itself,…read morethis sculpture is definitely political. The statue depicts a Jesus as a homeless vagrant sleeping on a park bench. Huddled under a blanket with his face and hands obscured, only the crucifixion wounds on his uncovered feet give him away. The bronze statue was purchased for $22,000 as a memorial for a parishioner, Kate McIntyre, who loved public art. The rector of this liberal, inclusive church is the Rev. David Buck, a 65-year-old Baptist-turned-Episcopalian who seems not at all averse to the controversy, the double takes and the discussion the statue has provoked. "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of my brothers, you did it to me." -Matthew 25:40 [Review 13405 overall, 724 of 2020.]

This is homeless Jesus I guess they have a lot of these because we have one of these in my city…read morethat I live in. So we were downtown exploring the area we came across another homeless Jesus. I guess the meaning of this is to love everyone and just respect people no matter who or what they are.

Shiny and glittering out of the corner of my eye, this large piece of public art is placed near the…read morefront of the Valerie C Woodward Center facility that houses a number of Charlotte-Mecklenburg city/county offices. From the artist's website, "Pillars of Dreams... makes a soft landing in a field of quiet moments and curious interactions. Open columns drop down from the floating canopy into a field of seating, open paths for wandering, and unbounded spaces for self-assembly. More than an idiosyncratic space for individual discovery, Pillars of Dreams establishes a public agora for visitors and employees at this important community interface between local government and Charlotte-Mecklenburg residents." The caption points out that the artist is Marc Fornes and it is powder-coated aluminum with stainless-steel rivets making up some 3564 parts and 54,000 rivets. Step into and under the center of this public art for a moment. The artist has put openings into the aluminum skin that let some light in. It reflects off the pieces and makes for a pretty sight. Shadows, projected and reflected light in the space below are lovely. Check it out when you're in the area. [Review 13437 overall, 756 of 2020.]

This is a very unique and pretty art installation. I wasn't sure exactly where to go and Apple Maps…read morearen't that helpful what you want to do is go to the front of the building and then turn right. It is on the right side of the building easily accessible if you are coming from the front. Make sure to go close up and look from underneath to see the wide array of colors.

Located on the south side of the building that contains a beer bar, restaurant, post office and…read moremore, this large mural welcomes you to Cramerton, "Khaki Town USA." The mural features three service members including one who is obviously the pilot of the plane in the background. A nice diverse look at the military, I suppose. It includes an image of a crate of "Genuine Cramerton Army Cloth." The caption at the right reads, "The award which you are to receive today, however, is one that cannot be won by management alone. It is won by the whole-hearted efforts of all of the employees in a factory. It is won only by a plant whose workers know that they are taking an active part in the business of supplying our soldiers with the equipment that they need to crush our enemies. But I do know this - you will not let our fighting men down. You have produced and delivered the goods. You will continue to produce and deliver the goods. I am glad to present you this flag. Major General Edmund B. Gregory" Cramerton is named for Stuart Cramer, one of the most extraordinary industrialists and inventors that North Carolina has ever produced. In a span of 15 years, he either built or designed more than 150 mills and published a four-volume handbook on the subject. During that period, he also found time to obtain 60 patents; work with James "Buck" Duke to create North Carolina's first electric power company; operate Cramer Chair manufacturing; and develop the earliest version of air-conditioning to control humidity and improve air quality in the mills. He even coined the term "air-conditioning." Cramerton Mill (later sold to Burlington) was where the lightweight "khaki" uniform cloth was designed and invented. [Review 114 of 2025 - 4083 in North Carolina - 23681 overall]

As someone who moved here from the Bay Area and is still finding my favorite outdoor spaces in…read moreCharlotte, I'm always on the lookout for places that offer a little peace and beauty in the middle of a busy day. The McGill Rose Garden absolutely delivered on that. This is truly a beautiful venue--lush flowers everywhere, winding walk paths, and plenty of places to sit quietly and just take it all in. It's the kind of space where you can slow down, clear your head, and quite literally stop and smell the roses. I found it to be a wonderful spot for reflection, a casual stroll, or simply enjoying nature without needing to leave the city. One of the things I especially appreciated is that you can enhance the experience with a visit to the wine bar onsite, Rosie's Wine Garden, where you can grab a coffee, cocktail, or glass of wine and then wander the grounds at your own pace. It adds a relaxed, almost European feel to the whole experience. A quick heads-up: parking can be a bit tricky, as the entrance is off a busy street, so just take your time and be patient when pulling in. Once you're there, though, it's well worth the effort. Bottom line: If you're looking for a small but charming botanical-style garden in Charlotte--a quiet place to reset, reflect, and enjoy the outdoors--this is a lovely little gem. For me, it checked all the boxes and has become a welcome respite in the middle of a busy day.

Talk about a hidden gem! This was a great place to get coffee, wine and/or a snack and hang out for…read morea while. Rosie's Coffee and Wine is adjacent and service there was super friendly and fast. There is indoor seating there, but the gardens have little twists and turns and different areas to sit, too. When we visited it wasn't too busy, so we had our choice of tables. There was a birthday or bachelorette type of party in another part of the garden.

This was my first time visiting Daniel Stowe Conservancy after their rebranding and it was a great…read moreexperience! It's been at least 5 years since I last visited and I was impressed by the extensive trail network. The children's garden, Lost Hollow, was delightful even for adults! The castle playground was a big hit! You can get a solid walk/hike on the trails and they are well-maintained. Even in the winter, the gardens are nice and relaxing. The orchid conservatory is warm, vibrant, and thriving year-round! I was impressed with the size of their tropical plants - very impressive. It was a nice respite on a chilly December day. We were hoping to grab food at the cafe, but options were limited. Perhaps there are more food options during busier times. Overall, this is a great Charlotte-area day trip and a great place to take out-of-town visitors.

What a beautiful venue! Went to jazz show and was able to check out their Christmas lights in the…read moregarden afterwards. It was absolutely stunning and the gets you right into the Christmas spirit. The jazz music was amazing as well. They have a cafe you can get coffee, wine or beer and grab and go snacks to enjoy during the show.

Though the bridge itself is simply a means of foregoing the need of an intersection on the west…read moreside of NoDa, the beautiful mural makes it stand out and a more memorable part of Charlotte's art flavor. Brainchild of local artist Will Puckett, this gorgeous mural tells a wonderful story of Mecklenburg history. There's a brilliant explanation of this at the listed website. Though you may not find yourself walking down North Davidson Street most days, take the time to walk by and take in this gorgeous story/work of art. It's quite remarkable and more memorable up front rather than from your car window.

Hooray for public art! This used to be one of the ugliest bridges in a city that prided itself on…read moreutilitarian industrial infrastructure. But a few NoDa artists have, with the help of many grants, painted the columns with the major contributors to the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. For those of you who took history classes in the real world, the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence probably isn't a familiar document. All true Charlotte citizens know that Mecklenburg declared independence from the British years before the Continental Congress. But then they lost the document and all proof of its existence so just take our word for it okay? This is especially convenient for southern gentlemen who are ferociously proud of the revolution but uncomfortable giving any credit to those damned Yankees. In the project's later stages the mural will extend beyond the bridge's columns to decorate the embankments on either side with images of the Mecklenburg Resolves, another document of unclear purpose and dubious existence. Basically, I'm saying that they could have picked some better subject matter. Like, something that actually happened. Or, if you are happy with imaginary events, why not choose something truly heroic like the day America beat back the Martian menace? But regardless, I think it is fitting that this bridge, spanning one of two routes into NoDa's arts district, be covered in an enormous, colorful mural.

Located at the main entrance to the Charlotte Douglas International Airport, this Crown sculpture…read moreis the eye-catching front door to one of the busiest airports in the world. That said, Charlotte is busy because it's a connecting airport. The greater majority of the passengers being served here are coming from somewhere else and going somewhere else. There aren't a whole lot of originating passengers at CLT that are going to drive past this sculpture. Still, it's pretty darned neat. Installed in 2020, the points of the crown are sharp and slick. They speak to the sleek and polished updates - $2.5 billion - that have recently been spent on airport improvements including a redesigned arrivals pick up and departures drop off lanes with a lovely scooped roof, the new concourses in Terminal A and the construction of a new airport control tower that is the second tallest in the southeast (after ATL). So yeah, this crown for the city we call the Queen City is appropriate and worth checking out. There is a sidewalk but it's not really a space for pedestrians so use caution. [Review 1738 of 2024 - 3668 in North Carolina - 22761 overall]

This venue starts off strong as a stylish and comfortable lounge type area which was great for…read morewinding down with friends or easing into a night out. The ambiance early in the evening is relaxed outdoor seating needs to update the benches they're not comfortable and the woods starting to warp but, decent music, and a solid cocktail menu. It's the kind of place where you can actually hear your conversation and enjoy the atmosphere without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. However, as the night progresses and the vibe shifts into more of a "clubby" scene which ended up being a perfect combo but let's talk charges.. feels steep for what's essentially a modest venue without standout features. Drink prices were high like the cover but not in a way that reflects upgraded quality or service. For the area, there are other spots offering more for the same price or even less but with cozy comforts and inside seating, nicer facilities so it's easy to find things not to love if you come here to support a DJ friend like I did than pay the cover and mingle. It's not a bad place by any means, and the early lounge experience is definitely a highlight followed up with the banging DJ club scene after...it's just the paying premium rates for a relatively average experience for me.

It was the last day of a 4 day conference and the company known to host the best party had a battle…read moreof band event at the Music Yard. Great vibe. Service was excellent. You knew everyone was invited. A perfect closing party.