What is it?

The Charlotte Rail Trail is described as “a vibrant public park that winds through the very heart of our city.” Specifically, it’s a 4.5-mile urban trail located alongside the Blue Line from 7th Street Station in Uptown to New Bern Station in Sedgefield.

Here’s a look at some of the stops along the trail south of Morehead Street*.

All American Pub

Address: 200 E. Bland Street
You should know: Appetizers are half off Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. Round it out with drink specials 7 days a week like 1/2 off wine on Wednesdays or $2 mimosas on Saturdays and Sundays.

Hot Taco

Address: 200 E. Bland Street
You should know: $5 margaritas every Wednesday (and more drink specials all week). $2 tacos every Tuesday. They’ve got everything from traditional carne asada to a cheeseburger taco with lettuce, tomato and ketchup.

Oak Room

Address: 200 E. Bland Street
You should know: Strict dress code does not allow Timberland work boots, athletic gear, excessively baggy clothes, baseball caps or sunglasses. Only open Saturdays from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. (or for special events as scheduled).

Slate Billiards

Address: 200 E. Bland Street
You should know: Thursday is wine & grilled cheese night (half off bottles and glasses). Grilled cheese isn’t on the regular menu so this is a special night.

Futo Buta

Address: 222 E. Bland Street
You should know: This is a small restaurant and it’s usually packed. Sit at the bar and watch the kitchen if they’re slammed.

Charlotte Trolley Museum

Address: 1507 Camden Road
You should know: Only open Tuesday through Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. The facility is also available for event rental and is sometimes used as a wedding reception venue.

Phat Burrito

Address: 1537 Camden Road
You should know: They’ve got an underrated breakfast menu (with vegan and vegetarian options) available 7 days a week and everything is under $8.75.

The ‘Before I Die’ Wall

Address: on the side of a building at 100 E. Park Avenue
You should know: Grab a piece of chalk and leave your mark.

Big Ben Pub

Address: 2000 South Boulevard
You should know: This is the place to be for traditional British pub entrees and desserts. They’ve got fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, cornish pasty, sticky pudding, spotted dick and more. Triva is every Tuesday night at 7 p.m.

Vin Master

Address: 2000 South Boulevard
You should know: This is a retail wine store and wine bar. Wednesday is 1/2 off wine by the glass. It’s also an official wine cork recycling collection station so you can drop off your old corks.

Luna’s Living Kitchen

Address: 2000 South Boulevard
You should know: This is an organic, mostly raw restaurant so when they say “lasagna” it’s definitely not the lasagna you’re thinking of. Everything is excellent so just come in with an open mind. The Volcano juice is my favorite.

Atherton Market

Address: 2000 South Boulevard
You should know: Open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Most vendors accept cards with Square but there’s also an ATM on site. Not Just Coffee is located inside the market and is open Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. an Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sycamore Brewing

Address: 2161 Hawkins Street
You should know: This is the future home of Food Truck Friday South End. They serve their own pressed sandwiches on locally made focaccia bread Monday through Thursday, and the Gyro Twins Greek food truck is there on Saturdays. A special Sycamore Breakfast is served the third Saturday of every month. (They’re undergoing a massive renovation. See the plans here.)

Canine Cafe

Address: 125 Remount Road
You should know: Dogs are welcome inside so you can bring them in to pick out their own treat from the case.

Good Bottle Co.

Address: 125 Remount Road
You should know: Keep an eye on their social channels for the next #goodmorning breakfast event, which features beermosas, coffee and food.

ITINERARIES

Personally, I think you should just walk the whole length of the trail and stop at what interests you. But if you prefer a little more structure to your stroll, here are some sample itineraries with stops along the way.

The Weekend Brunch Crawl

Stop 1: Coffee at Not Just Coffee at Atherton Market

Stop 2: Breakfast burritos at Phat Burrito OR hit breakfast at Sycamore if it happens to be the 3rd Saturday of the month

Stop 3: $2 mimosas and $4 Bloody Marys at All American Pub (Saturday & Sunday)

The Wednesday Beer Crawl

Stop 1: Good Bottle Co.

Stop 2: Sycamore Brewing

Stop 3: $3 local bottles at Slate Billiards (Wednesdays)

The Fitness Crawl

Stop 1: Run, walk or bike the trail to…

Stop 2: … a fitness class at MADabolic (next to Good Bottle) or Pure Body Fitness (next to Atherton Market)

Stop 3: Fuel up after your workout with a healthy meal at Luna’s Living Kitchen and a stroll through Atherton Market

*Question: What about nearby Pike’s Soda Shop, Lenny Boy, Triple C, and every single business on South Boulevard? Answer: There are countless additional stops located within walking distance of the trail that are worth the trek. I kept this list to those directly adjacent to the Rail Trail and excluded the Uptown stretch north of Morehead. There’s plenty more to explore.