Our guide to the Charlotte area starts at the center. Uptown sits inside the I-277 loop, and Trade and Tryon streets split it into four historic wards. Here’s what’s in each one. We’ll add more neighborhoods and nearby towns over time.
How Uptown is laid out
Charlotte split into four political wards in the 19th century, divided at the crossing of Trade and Tryon streets. That intersection is now called Independence Square. The wards are no longer election districts, but people still use the names to describe Uptown.
First Ward (Northeast)
North of East Trade Street and east of North Tryon. Anchored by First Ward Park, ImaginOn, the main library and UNC Charlotte's Center City campus, with the LYNX Blue Line running along its eastern edge.
Highlights: First Ward Park, UNC Charlotte Center City, ImaginOn
Second Ward (Southeast)
South of East Trade and east of South Tryon. Home to the government center, the Charlotte Convention Center and the NASCAR Hall of Fame. This was once Brooklyn, a thriving Black neighborhood cleared by urban renewal in the 1960s.
Highlights: Charlotte Convention Center, NASCAR Hall of Fame, Government Center
Third Ward (Southwest)
South of West Trade and west of South Tryon. Game-day territory: Bank of America Stadium, Truist Field and Romare Bearden Park, plus the museums of the Levine Center for the Arts.
Highlights: Romare Bearden Park, Truist Field, Bank of America Stadium
Fourth Ward (Northwest)
North of West Trade and west of North Tryon. Uptown's historic district, where restored late-1800s Victorian homes and Old Settlers' Cemetery sit beneath the high-rises.
Highlights: Historic Victorian homes, Old Settlers' Cemetery, Fourth Ward Park
Landmarks: parks, venues & getting around
Landmark facts are general and evergreen. Check hours, schedules and events with each venue or agency.
Romare Bearden Park
Park · Third Ward. A 5.4-acre park at 300 S. Church Street that opened in 2013. It's named for Charlotte-born artist Romare Bearden, with gardens, an event lawn and a waterfall. Across the street from Truist Field. Source
First Ward Park
Park · First Ward. A 4.6-acre park at 7th and Brevard streets that opened in December 2015, next to ImaginOn and the LYNX tracks. Its opening meant each of Uptown's four wards had a major park. Source
Spectrum Center
Arena · East Trade Street. Uptown's indoor arena and the home of the NBA's Charlotte Hornets. It also hosts major concerts and touring shows. Source
Bank of America Stadium
Stadium · Third Ward. Home of the NFL's Carolina Panthers and MLS club Charlotte FC, on Uptown's southwest edge. Source
Truist Field
Ballpark · Third Ward. Home of the Triple-A Charlotte Knights. It opened in 2014 as BB&T Ballpark, and its outfield faces the Uptown skyline across from Romare Bearden Park. Source
LYNX Blue Line
Transit · Runs through Uptown. CATS light rail, connecting South End and South Charlotte with Uptown and north to UNC Charlotte's main campus. In Uptown, the CityLYNX Gold Line streetcar runs along Trade Street. Source
Independence Square
Landmark · Trade & Tryon. The intersection of Trade and Tryon streets, where Uptown's four wards meet. Four large sculptures stand on its corners. Source
Levine Center for the Arts
Arts · Third Ward. A South Tryon cultural campus with the Mint Museum Uptown, the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, and the Knight Theater. Source
Venues to know
Spectrum Center (Arena, Uptown (East Trade St.)). Home arena of the NBA's Charlotte Hornets, and Uptown's largest indoor venue for touring concerts and shows. Official site
Blumenthal Performing Arts — Belk Theater (Theater, Uptown (North Tryon St.)). Blumenthal Performing Arts operates several Uptown stages, including the Belk Theater, which hosts touring Broadway productions, concerts and comedy. Official site
Romare Bearden Park (Outdoor, Third Ward). The park's open lawn is a regular gathering spot for outdoor programming. Check the official calendar for current events. Official site
Sources consulted: Wikipedia, Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation, Charlotte Observer, UNC Charlotte library guides. Re-verify before launch.