Every city has its quirks, and here in Charlotte, North Carolina, we definitely have a few of our own. Don't get us wrong, we are proud of our city. Living in Charlotte, NC is the best, and the small peculiarities that make us unique are the things that make people from Charlotte, North Carolina, the best. Visitors from other cities may think we are weird when we do these eight things, but our Charlotte neighbors completely understand why and do them too!
1. Refer to the Downtown as Uptown.
When people move to Charlotte, North Carolina, they quickly realize it's a faux pas to call the city "downtown." Charlotte locals have been referring to the Center City area as Uptown since the 1980s, when city officials decided the name Uptown might make the city more hip and trendy to those looking to move here. Since then, the name has stuck, and while visitors might scratch their heads when someone points them in the direction of Uptown, true Charlotteans know exactly where they are going.
2. Tailgate all day (or even longer) to see only a few hours of NASCAR.
Charlotte is the home of NASCAR, and you can bet that any local you ask has probably been to a race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Charlotteans love the sound of a loud motor and feeling the breeze in the air as cars whip by on the long oval track. We love the smell of auto fuel and burning rubber and feed on the adrenaline rush we feel right before the cars get ready to "go racin".
Although most NASCAR races only last a few hours, Charlotte natives know how to make NASCAR a full weekend event. On a race weekend, thousands of people will flock to the Speedway to camp out and tailgate until the race. Even with the hot sun and humid conditions, you can't stop a true NASCAR fan from getting to the track early to enjoy the excitement.
3. Go drinking with our dogs.
Charlotte is a pet-friendly city, and many residents couldn't imagine leaving their four-legged friends at home while they go out for a night on the town. This is why Charlotte has at least 3 bars that are specifically built for dogs and their owners, and numerous other restaurants and establishments allow pets on their patio.
Lucky Dog Bark & Brew has locations in both Charlotte and Cornelius. It's a great place to head out with your pup for a drink and some fun. Dogs are allowed off-leash and there are tons of areas for them to run, play, and climb with other dogs.
NoDa Dog Bar on N. Davidson St. was Charlotte's first dog bar and is a great spot to be if you want to enjoy a cold beer and do some people (and dog) watching. It's getting to the point where you might see as many dogs as you do people when you are out on one of Charlotte's popular restaurant patios. Locals have just come to expect it and dog lovers can't get enough of it!
4. Watch planes take-off at the Charlotte Douglas Airport.
The Charlotte Douglas Airport has actually found a way to bring people to the airport even when they are not traveling! Many Charlotte locals have been to the Charlotte Douglas International Airport Overlook to watch planes landing and taking off at any point during the day. The Overlook, which offers a great view of the main runway, offers visitors picnic tables and park benches where they can sit to observe the planes going in and out. The art of watching planes has become a huge pastime in Charlotte and people young and old make a point to see what it is all about.
5. Order the most ridiculous Bloody Marys you can imagine.
Have you ever had a Bloody Mary with a burger on it? You will if you decide to stay for a while in Charlotte. One thing Charlotte residents do well is brunch, which has made the local restaurants in the area very creative and competitive in their Bloody Mary offerings. You can find a Bloody Mary Bar at almost every restaurant on Sundays. Build your own drink with all traditional garnishes, like celery and olives, or unique add-ons like bacon, pickled okra and more.
6. Refer to Charlotte as "Buzz City" during basketball season.
Living in Charlotte, NC means you probably love basketball... and by the time basketball season comes around, you will have heard locals refer to the city as "Buzz City" a time or two. The Charlotte Hornets have been our beloved NBA basketball team since 1988. The "original" Hornets played here from 1988 to 2002 and had a major role in growing support for pro sports teams in the city. In 2002, the team was relocated to New Orleans, and in 2004, the Charlotte Bobcats took their place. The Bobcats carried on the NBA-loving tradition and Charlotte residents always enjoy getting out to a ball game. In 2014, when it was announced that the Hornets would move back to Charlotte, the city went crazy and has been "Buzz City" ever since. Even the Charlotte police force shows their love with a hornets nest logo appearing on the side of their cars!
7. Insist on seeing the McAdenville lights every Christmas.
McAdenville is a small town just 20 miles south of Charlotte, and it's well known as "Christmas Town USA." McAdenville has become famous for the spectacular Christmas lights and displays you can see during the holiday season. Christmas Town USA kicks off the weekend following Thanksgiving with a tree lighting ceremony on the main plaza. The whole town comes out for this tree lighting and visitors flock to McAdenville to drive down the sparkling streets. Residents go all-out in this town, and the amount of lights and decorations on each structure is outstanding. More than half a million Christmas lights are on display each year, and Charlotte locals and other visitors - about 600,000 in total - make it a tradition to pile into their cars and see the lights each Christmas season.
8. Eat pimento cheese on everything.
If you're from Charlotte, you know we eat pimento cheese on everything. Burgers, dogs, nachos, fries, as a dip, on a sandwich, on crackers, and with a spoon. This spread is one of our favorites and there's a good reason why: Charlotte is the pimento cheese capital of the world and it ranks as one of the biggest markets in the nation for homemade and store bought pimento cheese.
What weird things about people from Charlotte, North Carolina, have you noticed? Let us know what we might've missed about life in Charlotte, NC in the comments!
Want to show off your North Carolina pride everywhere you go? Check out the great Tar Heel State gear available at Wear Your Roots!
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get the latest updates and news
Thank you for subscribing!
