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All Aboard: The Ultimate Guide To The Uptown Light Rail Stations

By Emma Goldfarb

The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) Lynx Blue Line light rail has five stations within Uptown: Brooklyn Village Station, 3rd Street/Convention Center Station, Charlotte Transportation Center Station, 7th Street Station, and 9th Street Station. Here’s where to eat, drink, and some fun activities to explore near each of these five stops in Uptown! 

Brooklyn Village Station: Located above The Westin and connected to the Charlotte Convention Center and Whole Foods, Brooklyn Village is the southernmost light rail station in Uptown. Brooklyn village is just a short walk to Bank of America Stadium (home of the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC), the Mint Museum, and the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art.  

Food and Drinks: Coquette, Aura Rooftop, Caroline’s Oyster Bar, Famous Toastery, Chex Grill & Wings, Dean’s Italian Steakhouse, Fin & Fino, Sandwich Club, Mariposa, Golden Cow Creamery, Hasaki Grill & Sushi, Nightswim Coffee, Rhino Market 

Things to Do:  

  • Watch a Panthers or Charlotte FC game at Bank of America Stadium. 
  • Check out an exhibit at the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. 
  • Have a picnic or breath in some fresh air at The Green, a one-and-a-half-acre park that lies in between the Mint, the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, and the Charlotte Convention Center. 
  • Check out an exhibit at the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture (named after Harvey Gantt, the city’s first African-American mayor and the first African American student at Clemson University).  
  • Watch a music or dance show at the Knight Theater. 
  • Check out an exhibit at the Mint Museum, North Carolina’s First Art Museum. 
  • Challenge your senses and bend your perspective at the Museum of Illusions 

3rd Street/ Convention Center Station: Just under a half mile away from Brooklyn Village station is 3rd Street/ Convention Center Station. If you’re coming in from South End, you’ll get to ride the light rail in through the Charlotte Convention Center building!  

Food and Drinks: Angeline’s, Fahrenheit, Bernadin’s, Haymaker, La Belle Helene, Ink n Ivy, Merchant and Trade, Mimosa Grill, Johnny Burrito, Pie in the Sky Pizza, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Gotcha Matcha and Espresso, Valhalla Pub & Eatery, French Quarter Restaurant, The Alley at Latta Arcade, Brevard Court, Red Eye Diner 

Things to Do:  

  • Lean more about what to do in Charlotte and pick up a map at the Charlotte Visitor Info Center. 
  • Grab some fresh air and enjoy a beautiful skyline view at Marshall Park, a 5.5 acre park in the Second ward named after James B Marshall, Sr., City Manager of Charlotte from 1935-1940.  
  • Go for a swim or a workout at the Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center, a world-class natatorium featuring a 50-meter pool, 25-yard therapeutic pool, fitness center, and hot tub.  
  • Listen to regional and national jazz acts ranging from mainstream, smooth, contemporary, R&B, and funk at Middle C Jazz, a “New York style” jazz club offering an eclectic cocktail menu, tapas, and desserts.  
  • Learn about the history and heritage of NASCAR at the NASCAR Hall of Fame, a high-tech venue designed to educate and entertain both race fans and non-race fans.  
  • Check out the gardens, waterfall, and sculptures in Romare Bearden park, a 5.4 acre public park located across the street from Truist field and named after Charlotte born artist Romare Bearden.  
  • Watch a baseball game at Truist Field, the home of the Charlotte Knights, a Triple-A Minor League Baseball team in the International League.  
  • Stop by the Uptown Farmers Market Saturdays from 8am-12:30pm. This local farmers’ market offers organic produce, meat, eggs, baked goods, flowers, and more.   

CTC/ Arena Station: Just two blocks away from Trade and Tryon streets, Charlotte Transportation station gives riders easy access to restaurants, bars, hotels, and the Spectrum Center (home of the NBA Charlotte Hornets and the largest indoor concert venue in the Queen City.  

Food and Drinks: Aria Tuscan Grill, Eddie V’s Prime Seafood, The Fifth Fork, Cicchetti. Monarch Market. Nuvole Rooftop TwentyTwo, Rooster’s Wood-fired Kitchen, Tupelo Honey, STK Steakhouse, Flemings Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar, Mortimer’s Cafe and Pub, Coco and the Director, Room 112, Chima Steakhouse, Clean Juice, Uncle Maddio’s Pizza, McCormick and Schmick’s, The Bella Ciao, Amélie's Uptown | French Bakery & Café, Morton’s The Steakhouse, MOA Korean Barbeque 

To Do:  

  • Try out Axe Throwing at Bad Axe Throwing, an axe throwing bar located near the Spectrum Center.  
  • See a show at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, a multi-venue performing arts complex with 4 theatres on 2 campuses.  
  • Go bowling with friends at Bowlero. 
  • Catch a Hornets game or a concert at the Spectrum Center 

7th Street Station: Conveniently located right next to The Market at 7th Street, Charlotte’s first urban food hall and retail space, 7th Street Station places riders within walking distance for a variety of food and drink options and things to do! 

Food and Drinks: 204 North Kitchen & Cocktails, The Cellar at Duckworth’s, The Capital Grille, Church and Union, Cowbell Burger and Whiskey Bar, The Market at 7th Street, Mert’s Heart & Soul, Sea Level NC, Sophia’s Lounge, Soho Bistro, Fitzgerald’s, Rooster’s Wood-fired Kitchen Uptown, Connolly’s On Fifth, Luce, Rí Rá Irish Pub, The Asbury, Basil Thai Cuisine 

To Do: 

  • Explore three floors of learning and fun for all ages at Discovery Place Science, a hands-on science Museum in Uptown Charlotte featuring exciting interactive exhibitions, a larger-than-life IMAX Dome Theatre and educational programs. 
  • Stop by ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center, a one-of-a-kind youth destination in the heart of the cultural arts district. This collaborative venture of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte features two state-of-the-art theatres, a dedicated library space for kids 11 and under, four multi-use classrooms, a teen-only library, a multimedia production studio, and interactive exhibit space.  
  • Walk across the street from the Market at 7th Street to Victoria Yards, A versatile and trendy hangout spot Uptown, where you’ll find live music, vibrant murals, food trucks and more! As one of Uptown's outdoor, ground-level spaces, you'll find a versatile and trendy hangout spot - perfect for casual evening outings and family-friendly activities.  

9th Street Station: The northmost light rail stop before the train crosses I-277 to NoDa, 9th Street Station is located near First Ward Park and UNC Charlotte Center City. This Station is located near several restaurants and arts and culture attractions in the First and Fourth Wards.  

Food and Drink: Alexander Micheal’s, McNinch House Restaurant, Pizzeria Sapienza CLT, Queen City Grounds 

To Do: 

  • Take a class at Aerial Dance, a fitness studio offering beginner friendly aerial classes. Learn to fly on aerial silks, hammock or lyra in their supportive, non-intimidating, beginner friendly fitness and dance classes or try their fantastic ground based classes such as hand balancing and cyr wheel.  
  • Stop by First Ward Park, a 4.6 acre urban park located between East 7th, 9th, and Brevard streets and just east of the light rail tracks!  
  • Watch a dance show at Charlotte Ballet, a ballet company known for its strong dancers and versatile repertoire, ranging from classical ballet like the Nutcracker, to bold, contemporary works. The company of 27 professional dancers, who make Charlotte their home, annually present five performance series in Charlotte typically spanning from October to May 
  • Check out an exhibit at the MccColl Center for Art + Innovation, a nationally acclaimed artist residency and contemporary art space that houses nine individual artist studios and more than 5,000 square feet of exhibition space.  
  • Take part in a class or a workshop at the VAPA Center, a collective of art organizations providing affordable work and office spaces for local artists and arts organizations.                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Whether you're a foodie, a coffee enthusiast, or an adventure seeker, use this guide to help you navigate the Blue Line with ease. Start planning your urban adventure now—jump on board and let the Blue Line lead the way!