PLEASE DON'T CLIMB ON PETE!…read more Charlotte has hosted its share of trolls over the years, but none quite like this one. None with feet that stretch a full 7 feet! Meet Big Pete with the Big Feet, a towering wooden figure who now watches over a stormwater catch basin in the heart of the River District's newest development. Unveiled in November 2025, Pete joins a growing family of Thomas Dambo trolls across North Carolina and around the world, including permanent installations in Raleigh's Dorothea Dix Park and High Point's creative corridor. Big Pete is part of Danish artist Thomas Dambo's worldwide series of giant trolls, each crafted from recycled and reclaimed wood. Pete's body is built entirely from scrap lumber, fallen branches, and salvaged materials, giving him a patchwork texture that feels both rustic and intentional. His posture is relaxed with one leg bent and one arm resting. His face carries a curious, slightly watchful expression. With wild wooden hair and a beard of tangled twigs, he looks like he might have just finished a hearty meal and settled in to observe the River District's transformation. There's a quiet wisdom to his gaze, as if he's seen many seasons and is waiting patiently for the next. Visiting Pete is easy and stroller friendly. The parking area leads to a stone and gravel path that winds gently toward his resting spot. You can climb the hill to get up close. His feet alone are longer than most benches. If you lean in, you'll catch the scent of freshly sawn wood. It's a sensory experience as much as a visual one, and the setting adds to the magic: trees rustling, birds overhead and the muffled roar of the airport not too far away. And here's Pete quietly keeping watch. If you're looking for whimsy, craftsmanship, and a touch of folklore in Charlotte's evolving landscape, Big Pete delivers. He's not just a sculpture--he's a story waiting to be discovered. It's worth noting that if Big Pete was wearing shoes, his seven foot long foot would be a US shoe size of around 252. [Review 1363 of 2025 - 4482 in North Carolina - 24915 overall]

Pete is another masterpiece by Thomas Dambo and we were so excited to visit him. He is definitely…read morethe largest of any sculptures I have seen by Dambo, with incredibly long legs and I imagine they were able to accomplish that only because he is laying down on the hill. His face is very well done with a coy confidence I think was intended. Unfortunately, my experience visiting him was very poor. There were hundreds of visitors and people were behaving terribly. I witnessed one little girl pull out one of his "hairs" and children were jumping and climbing all over him with absolutely zero respect. The parents were just as bad, either totally self absorbed and oblivious or encouraging to the behavior. There was even rock throwing. It was a horrible display. We didn't stay long. I hope the artist continues his valuable work and I hope Pete is able to endure despite all he is going through.

On a quiet Sunday morning, the Union-Market Passageway in Concord felt anything but spooky, which…read moreis always a pleasant surprise because some alleys can definitely give off that vibe. But here, the white painted brick and the bright artworks made it feel open and welcoming. The murals tell the story of Concord's industrial past and how those early mills and factories shaped the city. Knowing the installation was completed in 2013 by artist Sharon Dowell made me appreciate how intentional the space feels. One of the captions, "This image shows the original Cabarrus County Courthouse, built after the Town of Concord was laid out in 1796 on a 26 acre tract of land called 'Pea Ridge' near the old Indian Trading Path. It was a modest frame structure 30 feet wide and 30 feet long with a 15 foot hip roof. It was constructed in the intersection of Union and Corbin (now Corban) Streets." Walking through with no one else around, it was easy to slow down and take in the colors and the way the artwork is framed against the clean brick walls, and the passageway felt more like a small outdoor art gallery than a cut through. It is a simple spot but a charming one, and on a calm Sunday morning, it added a nice bit of character to my walk through downtown Concord. [Review 665 of 2026 - 4753 in North Carolina - 25846 overall]

Union-Market Passageway is not just another utilitarian alleyway in an historic downtown district…read more It's historical and artsy too! located between 48 and 46 South Union the pedestrian alley is currently adorned with works by Charlotte artist Sharon Dowell titled "Momentous- A Timeline of History Shaping Sites of Concord" it includes several large pieces installed on the wall depicting places and periods significant to life in the early days of the greater Concord metro. small plaques accompany the panels providing background and context for the illustrations.

Only visited 2 depts and staff was great, help me find what i needed no fuss.They are great people…read moreto deal with.

THey are VERY inconsistant. The infrastructure is outdated. The Managemet refuses to discuss…read morecomplaints and on going issues. Ive lived here for 13 months and EVERY SINGLE MONTH there is an issue that NEVER gets resolved. I did file a complaint with the State BUT the state says I have to file my complaint locally. HOWEVER, the managment does not return calls. The staff placates, patronizes you as though you should know how the water company works, and the service is at best? 3rd grade. I have had to pay fees for pipes that were laid before I was born while I live in an apt complex. NOT MY PROBLEM. But once again, they do what they want and no problems get solved. once again, I come home to find my water was shut off even AFTER they cashed my check today. Horriable experince and I do NOT recommend if you are not forced., WE are forced.

I've been meaning to stop by this outdoor gallery for quite some time now. I've been discouraged by…read morepeople saying it's so hard to find parking, so today I got up early and decided to go. I wanted to take some pictures of my son with a nice backdrop and this was the perfect spot for that! When we arrived we found parking right across the street, it had to have been about 9:30 am. The area was clean and really nicely kept. There happen to be only one other person there who seemed to have been filming a music video. But we were able to get some shots in while walking around admiring the art. And man, were there some creative pieces. I'm a lover of art and so is my son - He's also a really great artist. We spotted some hidden characters such as, the pink panther, super Mario characters, Winnie the pooh etc. This is a perfect place to have an impromptu photo shoot. And of course this place is nestled right in the heart of NoDa, only one of thee most eclectic neighborhoods in Charlotte! Which is a plus, you'll come across murals in the most random places in NoDa. Come here, get lost in the art and leave with a happy heart!

This is truly one of my happy places. A space where artists can exist, create, refine their art…read more There are always fun community events at this location and a really amazing vegan food cart. A lot of the events are free too. This space was created by local muralist in the area for the community and artists to have a central location to cube creative together.

If you've headed to the airport from Billy Graham Parkway, you've seen the large metal art…read morestructure at the turnoff for Josh Birmingham. It's called "Ascendus" and it has been here since 2012. Sixty feet tall and 25 feet wide, it is lit by 54 separate LED floodlights after dark. It's definitely a landmark. Shaped to emulate the spirit of flight looking like planes or a bird taking off. Amazingly, it only cost $381,000 and was paid for out of the city of Charlotte's arts budget. [Review 9951 overall, 1531 of 2018.]

I really enjoyed this unlike our sad experience in NODA. A block long with lots of interesting…read morelocal artwork, which most of was quite good. It was a great 20-30 minutes wandering throughout. Definitely worth strolling through. Don't waste your time ambling through NODA murals. I won't make that mistake again.

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

It's not a business but a great place to visit while in Charlotte NC…read moreIt's free!!!! There is a playground close by too

Big Pete is artwork created out of old wine barrels and other wood that's been recycled by the…read moreartist. There are 7 of these sculptures located in NC and 173 located around the country. The Artist, Thomas Dambo created these works of art for the Trail of a Thousand Trolls. Let's get out there and visit these wonderful creations.

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.