Charlotte magazine

22/11/2024

Montréal is an island city, positioned in the middle of the St. Lawrence River, which contributes to its insularity. More significantly, it’s a border city: at the edge of urban and rural, industry and nature, French and British, summer and winter.

Should you visit the province of Francophones, poutine, tart wines, and “sirop d’erable,” don’t overlook the Eastern Townships

22/11/2024

Terri White is a 2024 Charlottean of the Year. The Charlotte Museum of History’s president and CEO has been hard at work refreshing an overlooked institution since she was hired two years ago.

Since White, 41, has been in charge, the museum’s attendance, membership, donations, grant revenue, staff, volunteers, and partnerships with businesses and nonprofits have all risen. White inherited 20 years of debt, but she says the museum is on pace to pay it off by the end of 2025. She’s also worked hard to diversify the museum’s income streams, the groups and time periods it covers, the partnerships it forms, and the variety of exhibitions and events it hosts.

“We’ve spent the last two years rebuilding our place in the community, because we’re the second-oldest museum in Charlotte and yet probably the least known,” White says.

“…we just kind of existed, hoping that, you know, a savior would come along and rescue us. But that’s just not my MO. You’re gonna know I’m here!”

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22/11/2024

Another one of our 2024 Charlotteans of the Year: Lovin’ Life Music Fest.

There was a music festival in Charlotte. Given that this city punches way below its weight in booking touring acts, that felt like a small miracle and a chance to catch up on a bunch of acts in one blowout weekend. Here’s the better news: The festival was really well-run.

And announced today: will be held again, May 2 - 4, 2025 with Gwen Stefani, Dave Matthews Band, and Benson Boone signed on to perform.

21/11/2024

Grab tickets now for our 2024 Charlotteans of the Year Luncheon on Wednesday, Dec. 11! Join us for a luncheon emceed by past Charlottean of the Year Molly Grantham () to honor and hear from some of the city’s most influential figures across industries and interests. Tickets include lunch, coffee, entertainment, the awards presentation, and a couple surprises. Table sponsorships are also available and include 10 seats, a sign with your business name/logo on your table, priority placement, and recognition during the event. Find tickets at the link in our bio!

Thank you to event sponsor Duke Energy and table sponsors that include Charlotte Sports Foundation, Duke Energy, Edward Jones: Dan Hollins, Financial Advisor, Toll Brothers, and The William B. McGuire, Jr. Family Foundation.

Interested in learning more about event sponsorships? Reach out to us at [email protected].

21/11/2024

The 78th-annual Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade arrives on Wednesday, Nov. 27. This year’s event steps off at 5:30 p.m. in Uptown, and it airs live on WCCB Charlotte’s CW at 6 p.m. The procession brings performances, floats, celebrities, marching bands, balloons, and a few surprises to the streets of Charlotte, with the route moving down Tryon Street through the course of the evening. Here, you’ll find more tidbits you need to know about attending this year’s parade, from the route to the Santa’s Winter Wonderland event before the parade:

Patrick SchneiderIn Partnership with Charlotte Center City Partners The 78th-annual Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade arrives on Wednesday, Nov. 27. This year’s event steps off at 5:30 p.m. in Uptown, and it airs live on WCCB Charlotte’s CW at 6 p.m. The procession brings performances, float...

21/11/2024

The first season of Netflix’s Love is Blind aired in the early days of the pandemic, which granted the series automatic viewership. But in the seasons that followed, the show made few waves in the pop-culture zeitgeist.

Then came Season 6. It was the most-watched of the series and the most-watched show across all streaming platforms in March, period. Kim Kardashian told her 360 million followers she couldn’t stop watching. Travis Kelce ranted on his podcast about Chelsea’s neediness (does this mean Taylor was watching?!). Gwyneth Paltrow and Bradley Cooper confessed their viewership. Megan Fox said people stopped her at Oscar parties to ask about the Chelsea comparison.

All those eyes on the show meant Charlotte shared in the big-girl spotlight. The cameras followed the cast to Margaux’s, Queen Park Social, The Goodyear House, Rosie’s Wine Garden, Carowinds, Fahrenheit, Camp North End, the Whitewater Center, The Royal Tot, and Queen City Grounds. And though it was never filmed, Lost & Found was referenced a few dozen times when Laura went full Judge Judy on Jeramey, skewering him over his night out at the now-rebranded South End hot spot.

You might argue that Amy and Johnny, the only couple to marry, came out on top. But let’s be real. Charlotte was the winner here. Now, let’s get to work on a Real Housewives franchise.

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21/11/2024

Danny Morrison is a 2024 Charlottean of the Year. In five years as the executive director of the Charlotte Sports Foundation, the former Panthers president has boosted the city’s stature in college sports.

Under Morrison’s leadership, the CSF organized an annual early-season game, the Duke’s Mayo Classic. In just its second year, 2021, the Classic hosted Georgia and Clemson, by far the weekend’s biggest game, and set a single-day record for hotel demand in Mecklenburg County. In 2022, the CSF joined forces with Michael Jordan’s Jordan Brand to create a December basketball tournament, that draws ranked teams and huge crowds to the arena.

Last season, the CSF launched a women’s college basketball tournament, the Ally Tipoff, which included the Iowa Hawkeyes and their star, Caitlin Clark. Next month, the organization will host its first tennis event, the Charlotte Invitational, with stars Carlos Alcaraz, Madison Keys, Sloane Stephens, and Frances Tiafoe.

He’s spoken earlier about how placing Charlotte on a national stage for college sports carries some financial and reputational risk. What if the crowds don’t show up, or the weather’s terrible, and your big event turns out to be a dud? So far, it hasn’t happened, but it’s always possible. You show up anyway, Morrison says: “We’d like to never have a negative, but, you know, you can’t play scared.”

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21/11/2024

With each passing year, Charlotte is less likely to give us a snow day. So, pack a down parka and a proper pair of snow boots and head to the Twin Cities.
Think we're insane? As our Tess Allen says, "It’s a Thomas Kincade landscape, not the ninth circle of hell." You'll get your snow fix while also enjoying top-tier food, beverages, music, arts, retail, and sports scenes.

Miss the snow? Minneapolis-St. Paul offers a long winter of outdoor adventure and indoor hygge

20/11/2024

Our 2024 Charlotteans of the Year include Trey and Caroline Winslett.

In October 2020, the couple lost their infant son, Ward, to a rare genetic disease. Shortly thereafter, the Winsletts started to support families affected by rare diseases.

“We had every advantage known to man,” Trey says. “We had all the social capital, the connections, the financial ability, everything, and it was still an extremely difficult journey.” They couldn’t imagine the process for families with fewer resources, and they felt obligated to leverage their advantages to help.

In 2022, the organization raised $1 million to establish the Ward Winslett Center for Complex and Rare Diseases at Levine Children’s Hospital. But even though the center provided a critical resource, it didn’t have the capacity to serve everyone who needed it.

Caroline, a fourth-generation Charlottean, and Trey, who’s lived here for 25 years, have set a goal is to end that backlog. “We care a lot about the city and about it being as good as it can be,” Trey says. “And no one should have to leave Charlotte for medical care.”

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20/11/2024

Next up in our 2024 Charlotteans of the Year - Bird Pizzeria. On June 25, the included the Optimist Park pizzeria in their 22 Best Pizza Places in the U.S.

Soon, their walk-up window was slammed with customers from all over the Carolinas who wanted to try their 16-inch pies.

“We came to Charlotte for that reason, to assert ourselves in this community and grow around the things we believe in,” said co-owner Kerrel Thompson. “Food is such a great medium to do that.”

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19/11/2024

Among our eight honorees for 2024 Charlotteans of the Year: Duke Energy Line Workers.

When Hurricane Helene arrived, it brought a disaster of a magnitude unseen in western North Carolina for decades: widespread floods that washed away homes, businesses, and lives, and left behind rubble and mud. Tens of thousands struggled to acquire basic needs like food, water, and shelter. Rebuilding would require power.

In the weeks that followed, the Charlotte-based company dispatched 21,000 field personnel to repair and rebuild damaged infrastructure throughout the Carolinas.

Let us acknowledge the people who, while merely doing their jobs, show us what and who “essential personnel” are.

18/11/2024

It’s the 10th anniversary of our annual awards honoring those who made Charlotte better. This year, we’ve got a range of people, businesses, nonprofits, athletes, and even reality stars.

It’s the 10th anniversary of our Charlotteans of the Year, and they encompass a range of people, businesses, nonprofits, athletes, and

18/11/2024

Charlotte has plenty of long lines awaiting openings, but the line I see today isn’t for a hot, new restaurant. It’s for something simpler: a hot shower.

At Project Outpour, support begins with a shower and flows from there

16/11/2024

Immersion in wintry Montana for three days made me feel like I was in the middle of an AI-generated image. Had I done nothing but stare at the surroundings of Paws Up Montana, it still would have been one of the most meaningful travel experiences of my life.

Where nature and wildlife live harmoniously and encourage you to do the same

15/11/2024

The ski season in Banff lasts from early November to late May. It’s not the easiest destination to reach from North Carolina, but unlike Colorado or Utah, you’re practically guaranteed to have snow, even early or late in the season.

Shred the slopes and après-ski in the Canadian Rockies

14/11/2024

Cheat day? Hungover? Got the munchies? Or just want a drool-worthy, handheld meal? We’ve got a list of where to get the burgers, pizza, hot dogs, and tacos that pack the flavor and the creativity. Up on our site, linked in the comments.
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14/11/2024

As the first-ever bottled bourbon, Old Forester has brought people together for more than 150 years. That’s why the brand is a natural fit for any Friendsgiving or festive celebration. Old Forester’s Whiskey Row series, in particular, offers the chance to explore both the company’s history and the rich, sprawling possibilities of its products when paired with your favorite foods. Each flavor profile contained within the line’s premium bourbon expressions represents a distinct moment in Old Forester’s history, from its 1870 origins to the 1920s, when Old Forester acquired barrels from closed distillers with different mash bills during prohibition. Here, we dip our toes into the possibilities when you pair those historic tastes with holiday fare, starting with its oldest flavor profile:

In Partnership With Old Forester

14/11/2024

Burgers, pizza, hot dogs, tacos. They’re all hand-held feasts. In addition to practicality, they’ve got flavor and creativity. Here are some favorites from throughout the city.

Head to these spots for yummy hand-held eats that will let you forgo the utensils