Regardless of our sometimes ambivalent feelings towards the great city of Charlotte, at the end of the day, it remains a world-class, cosmopolitan city with a thriving arts scene, which is always worth a visit. However, a weekend spent soaking up the cultural treasures and culinary highlights of Charlotte, NC is rarely a cheap affair, given that the city is by far and away one of the most expensive places in the entire state, especially when it comes to cultural activities and eating out.
No need to worry though, as a trip to Charlotte doesn’t have to break the bank. Here’s your guide to experiencing Charlotte on a budget.
Culture
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As well as being a modern centre of business, finance and education, Charlotte is steeped in art and history and holds a hugely important position in the history of the nation. While the big institutions like the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art and the Aviation Museum can often charge steep premiums for entry, knowing the right stuff and having the right guides will save you money every time. There are plenty of official guides showcasing when the best museums and galleries have free entry days, and when the best free cultural events are held.
All you need in life is a good guide to get you through, and these can be found across all industries. Charlotte itself has its own nifty public transportation guide which tells you how to save money getting around town. There also guides on how best to entertain yourself while benefitting from free bonuses, such as the now viral MoviePass guide that lets you get the cheapest cinema tickets and goodies in the country, or guides on how to find bonus download codes for the latest video games. Even within the online casino industry, the best slots and deals can be found with bonus guides that put money in your pocket, so that you get the best deal if you’re wanting to play some blackjack on the long drive from Ashville. Poor is the man who doesn’t come to anything in life with a comprehensive guide on how to not pay for stuff.
Food
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Charlotte has its fair share of overpriced, ritzy restaurants. Fortunately, the best of the city’s greatest culinary hits can be found on the cheap, as long as you know where to look. For a classic North Carolina slice of Southern comfort, head to Dish for a heaving plate of chicken and dumplings, topped off with a side of Mac n’ Cheese for less than $8. Revel in Charlotte’s famed diversity and head to local institution Le’s for an iconic Vietnamese sandwich that will only set you back $4.
If you only eat out once during your trip to Charlotte, then make sure it’s at the legendary Nana’s Porch food truck, where a hefty portion of Nana’s famous pimento grilled cheese sandwich, served up on fresh sourdough bread with a healthy dollop of bacon jam, will cost you a measly $8. While there’s no shortage of traditional Southern cooking to experience in Charlotte, a trip there isn’t complete if you don’t sample the city’s top-notch hipster food scene.
It’s hard to deny that Charlotte is clearly a city on the rise, and while this of course means rising prices, there are luckily plenty of ways to make sure that you don’t have to pay them. If you arrive armed with this guide, you’ll be able to finish your trip without fearing what your bank balance will look like at the end of it.