Located along the center of North Tryon, there's definitely some retail and strip malls here next…read moreto Tom Hunter Station. There is zero parking. The station is an island platform, so the doors of the train will open on the left. There are automated ticket vending kiosks on both ends of the platform as well as visual and audible announcements of the next train in either direction. Some benches for waiting have some overhead cover from rain but probably not much good if it's windy. Tom Hunter Station is between Old Concord Road (inbound towards Uptown) and University City Blvd (outbound towards University). [Review 10245 overall, 8 of 2019.]

On the surface it doesn't look like this station has a lot going on for it. There are not a ton of…read moreattractions around it like the CTC, JW Clay, 36th Street, or Bland St. The businesses around here are older than ones around other stations. For those in the local neighborhoods, this light rail is a lifeline. Beyond Tryon and Tom Hunter, there is a ton of urban-light residential within a couple of miles from the station. The crosswalks on either end of here are surface level and you can cross from either side of Tryon. I know quite a few people from this area that are very optimistic for the doors the Blue Line Extension is opening up for them. Better access to North End, better access to UNCC, and more time for their families with less bus routes to take. While this station doesn't do much for me personally, it's an important one that will continuously improve the community and the lives of local Charlotteans. I can dig it!

An excellent station on the new northern extension of Charlotte's Blue Line light rail that as of…read moremid-March now extends from University City at the north end and I-485 at the south end. This clean and modern station is quite large and features a decent covered waiting area on the platform where there are automated ticket vending machines and overhead announcements (both visual and audible) of the next train in either direction. There are two platforms with the two tracks between them. This is a surface station and easily handicap accessible. A big plus here is the very large five story parking deck (800 spaces!) that is connected to the station with a pedestrian bridge and stairs/elevator. At the moment, parking is free though you need a ticket in order to exit the deck on weekdays between 3pm and 6pm. There is a great stop for a number of CATS buses on the opposite side of the parking deck. Very close to the station is the Shoppes at University Place shopping center and a number of apartment/condo buildings. The station is between UNC Charlotte (the northern terminus) and McCullogh to the south.

While this station isn't as vibrant as the highlight 36th street station, I'd argue it's just as…read moreimportant. This long-awaited extension to the light rail links the University area to the rest of the network. For a mere $2.20, you can ride this all the way to the other side of the city, almost to Pineville. One of the 4 new Park & Rides is also at this station. While most locations are free to use, this one requires a day-pass or higher, otherwise it is $10. Odds are if you're dropping your car off, the $6.60 day pass will be worth it. The Shoppes at University Place is adjacent to the station and is probably the most pedestrian-friendly shopping centers in North Charlotte. I recently wrote a review of this shopping center as well so check it out! When I'm ready to hang out in Uptown, enjoy some local grub in NoDa, or have a beer in South End, this is easier and less stressful than driving (plus all three examples, parking is a nightmare anyway). Welcome to the Neighborhood LYNX!

I always think that a Station is only as good as what surrounds it. Bland Street Lynx Station is a…read moregood one since it has got a ton of restaurants and bars around it: Tavern on the Tracks, Amos', Gin Mill, All American Pub (used to be Jillians), Phat Burrito, Common Market, World of Beer. The Charlotte Trolley Museum is also located here. I'm sure the museum coupled with a lynx train ride would be an awesome kid day - heck, an awesome adult day too (well, maybe just for me). The station is hidden back behind the buildings so it's hard to see from South Blvd and you can't really access it if you want to drop someone off there (they will definitely have to hike about 1/2 a block or a full block to get to the station. The great thing is that the Park and Ride @ Scaleybark is only about 7min on the train from this station.

Yep. Greek Isles. Billiards…read more Finally getting around to reviewing the final station on my Lynx list. Yep, I added these businesses a while ago after I returned from London where they have "businesses" for each of their Underground stations. And since then, I've made my way from I-485 to Seventh Street Station with pictures and a review of each of them. Of course, I'll soon have to start looking at the Blue Line Expansion stations and the Gold Line trolley stations. Bland Street is at ground level with limited cover from the elements. There is no Lynx parking here at all. There are automated ticket vending machines on each end of the platforms, which are on opposite sides of the track. It is not an "island" platform. Every so often, there is an overhead announcement when a train is en route with an estimated time of arrival, i.e., "Train to uptown arriving in six minutes." A few restaurants and activities are nearby including a billiards parlor and the Greek Isles restaurant. World of Beer is a short walk. Mind the gap, y'all!

The Mint Street stop on Charlotte's Gold Line is a compact, street-level station that serves as a…read moreconvenient entry point to the western edge of Uptown. The platform is slightly elevated for easier boarding and includes ramps for wheelchair access. Shelter is minimal - just a small canopy that offers limited protection from the elements. Its location is practical for reaching nearby civic buildings, sports venues, and local eateries, but the station itself is fairly barebones. It's functional and accessible, but not a place to linger. Think of it as a straightforward landing for exploring the surrounding blocks. Nearby are Romare Bearden Park and the Mint Museum Uptown. The station is between Charlotte Gateway Station (towards French Street) and Tryon Street (towards Sunnyside). It is an island platform in the middle of Trade Street making for a convenient switching point. Doors will open on the left. There are no automated signs indicating how long until the next train and there are no audible announcements. Like I said, barebones. [Round number review 4500 in North Carolina - 1429 of 2025 - 24980 overall]

Continuing north towards the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, this station is just south…read moreof the intersection of North Tryon Street and University City Blvd. Technically, the cross street is Periwinkle Avenue. The tracks are raised for going over the University City and the I-85 Connector but are back down at street level for this station. Like others, this station has minimal cover from the elements and is open for full visibility to passing traffic on both sides of the road. It is an island platform so the doors of the train will open on the left. There is an automated ticket vending machine on the platform. You must purchase a ticket or have a pass before boarding the train. The station is close to the Belgate Shopping Center https://www.yelp.com/biz/belgate-shopping-center-charlotte-2?hrid=T3U4MMPerzEr6hs3oKddWQ, IKEA https://www.yelp.com/biz/ikea-charlotte-2?hrid=_vXQFxHZTxiqjqvvkirC9w, Waffle House https://www.yelp.com/biz/waffle-house-charlotte-11?hrid=wuWjnhOYc1v8Ijae_9tbhA and an apartment complex https://www.yelp.com/biz/8-metro-station-charlotte?hrid=HPRj1vymcKceIhYzzW72qg. There is also a large parking deck with a pedestrian bridge to the platform. It is paid parking. The station is between Tom Hunter (towards I-485/South Boulevard) and McCullough (towards UNC Charlotte-Main). [Review 16931 overall - 3253 in North Carolina - 447 of 2022.]

For the time being, this stations main draw will be the Park & Ride Garage. While the east side of…read moreTryon Street has a ton of space for new development, the west side is pretty much set the way they're going to be. Its a bit of a trek but you could walk from this station to IKEA, Outback Steakhouse, the Burling Coat Factory, or any of the Furniture Row stores. I doubt IKEA will get a lot of customers though because who is going to lug a 200lb box back here. All that being said, they are building new yet affordable apartment at the corner of University City Blvd and Tryon Street wich will probably be scooped up by college kids in the blink of an eye. With ease of transportation like this, I don't blame 'em! It's not quite as integrated at the Novel Apts in NoDa, but just a short walk and you have a ton of Charlotte goodness at your disposal. This park and ride is one of only two that you must pay for. It's $10 daily to park. If you have a LYNX Day pass or higher (like a weekly, monthly, or Student pass) the fee is waived. Ill be waiting with baited breath on the changes the east side of this station is sure to bring!

Gateway Station, named as such to symbolize the station's function as a major hub for regional and…read moreintercity travel. It is located at the intersection of West Trade and Graham Streets in uptown Charlotte, the station is designed to serve as a comprehensive multi-modal facility, linking Amtrak rail service, local and express buses, the CityLynx Gold Line streetcar, and future commuter and light rail lines. Those other things aren't here yet, just the Gold Line which was my station today. Gateway's platforms are an island in the center of Trade Street, so the doors will open on the left. It is located between Johnson & Wales University Station (towards French Street) and Mint Street (towards Sunnyside). Look out for the massive crack in the platform that could be a concern. There are no signs here indicating how long until the next train. There are also no audible announcements. However, there's a pretty good view in each direction so you'll have a bit of warning to get ready. [Review 1434 of 2025 - 4505 in North Carolina - 24985 overall]

With the Blue line extension so that it now runs from 485 near Pineville to UNCC in the north,…read moreCharlotte needs an east-west line through the city. The Gold Line does it, currently running from French Street through Uptown (crossing the Blue Line at CTC/Arena) and out to Sunnyside Avenue. Elizabeth & Hawthorne is a surface-level stop adjacent to the Novant Presbyterian Medical Center (though Hawthorne & 5th might be easier). There is a small shelter on each side of the street with benches. There are loops for locking bikes. There is also a parking lot but you don't want to leave your car here as it is only for customers of the local restaurants. Several restaurants are right here and coffee. It's a good spot to catch the tram. There is no ticket kiosk at the station as the Gold Line is still fare free (as of December 2022). When they eventually start charging, it's supposed to be $2.20 for a one-way trip. You can buy a ticket with the app or on board. [Review 18759 overall - 3345 in North Carolina - 2282 of 2022.]

36th Street is the closest LYNX station to the NoDa neighborhood. This is awesome because you can…read moreget a Lyft to a station closer to you, ride the LYNX here and back, then Lyft back to home. And there's no worries about your blood alcohol percentage. How awesome is that? This is an island platform with the tracks on both sides. It is elevated above the street level (36th street goes below) so it could perhaps be a little exposed to the weather. The station is handicapped accessible and there are audible/visual announcements of the next train in either direction. There are also automated ticketing kiosks at both end of the platform. There is no parking here but there is a large vacant space. So maybe there will be parking later? 36th Street Station is between 25th Street Station (towards Uptown) and Sugar Creek Station (toward University). [Review 10241 overall, 4 of 2019.] Link: Previous:

It's a great station perfect for a Italian neighborhood! The…read morered looks very nice for a light rail station