Charlotte Districts: Charlotte, North Carolina - NC, USA

Charlotte is a charming mix of old and new, mixing the historical significance of the well-preserved buildings of Fourth Ward and Southend districts with modern conveniences and backdrops, such as the towering office towers of Uptown Charlotte.

After the sun goes down, Charlotte's Uptown district turns into a dining and entertainment Mecca, while the hip and fashion conscious crowd head for the cafés, art galleries and alternative shopping at NoDa and Plaza Midwood districts.

Fourth Ward District
A must-see location for those people wanting to experience the Charlotte of old, it is here that you will find no less than 18 historic places of interest. Architectural highlights in the Fourth Ward district include the Gothic-style First Presbyterian Church, McNinch House and Spirit Square, which is home to several art galleries, a performing arts center and the traditional Alexander Michael's bar.

Uptown District
The Uptown district is home to a profusion of gleaming office towers and towering skyscrapers, and newcomers will be forgiven for thinking this area is bland and full of suits. However, Uptown Charlotte is actually the city's main entertainment precinct, boasting a concentration of restaurants, bars and nightclubs that are open well into the night. Here you will also find a number of first-class cultural attractions, such as Discovery Place, the Mint Museum of Craft and Design and Hodges-Taylor Gallery.

NoDa District (North of Davidson)
This is an arty, bohemian hangout full of trendy galleries and cafés that is quickly turning into a yuppie heaven. Popular events in the NoDa district of Charlotte include the monthly Gallery Crawl, along with various world beat and bluegrass music festivals.

Plaza Midwood District
Oozing with historical significance, this is the hip and fashionable end of town. Popular for its restaurants and cafés, along with numerous galleries, bookshops, antique dealers, tattoo parlors, fashion boutiques and pubs and bars, Charlotte's Plaza Midwood district is the place to be seen.

Southend District
Southend is a historic neighborhood, founded back in the 1850s when the railway first made its way into Charlotte from Columbia and Charleston, South Carolina. For years this district supported a thriving textile industry before going into gradual decline. The last decade or so has seen restaurants, shops and design-related industries take over and renovate the old mills and warehouses, making it a charming spot to explore.