10 ways to fit in like a true Charlottean in North Carolina

Charlotte, North Carolina, is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country — but it hasn't always been like that.

"For the longest time, Charlotte was known sort of as a banking city, and it didn't have that entertainment value," according to Abigail Hines Miller, a real estate agent and managing partner at The Agency Charlotte. "But it's becoming much more family oriented ... they're really trying to revamp the uptown area to entice younger people to come back."

Here's how to fit in like a Queen City native:

One of the best ways to meet people in the city is by joining a club, according to Allie Temple, a Charlotte native and social media content creator who shares local activities, restaurants and more in the city under the handle @allietrox.

"There's either trivia, run club, music bingo, or hiking club every night of the week," she said, noting that organized non-alcohol-focused social activities in the city are nearly endless. "There's something to do for anyone new to the city."

Those clubs are a good way to get a taste of Southern hospitality, too, according to Temple, who noted that existing members in various groups immediately welcomed her.

In Charlotte, the city is "uptown," not downtown. It's a point of confusion for newcomers, according to Charlotte Magazine, but the wording dates to the 1800s and has the city's official stamp of approval.

That said, both Temple and Hines Miller said uptown is the place to be these days. It offers access to sporting events, theater productions and restaurants.

"Uptown is starting to get a little revived," Temple said. "You can go to dinner uptown and then go right to the theater."

Though it was once known as a banking city, Charlotte's preferred attire is athleisure—bonus points if it's matching and from Lululemon.

"I don't know anyone who wears heels here," Temple said. "It's a matching set and the latest sneakers."

Similarly, Hines Miller added, "jokingly, I feel like everyone here owns at least a piece of Lululemon."

Otherwise, Temple joked that the style is "Southern-esque," with lots of "puffy sleeves," colorful skirts and polo shirts.

Charlotteans love to be outside.

Temple said she regularly walks along the Rail Trail — an 11-mile path that runs parallel to one of the city's train lines — and is regularly joined by a crowd of other walkers, runners and bikers.

"It's hard to find a quiet spot along the Rail Trail on the weekends," Temple, who also uses the path to walk to work every day, said.

For a more immersive experience in nature, though, Hines Miller suggested the U.S. National Whitewater Center, home to the world's largest manmade whitewater rapids, among other outdoor activities.

"There's just so much to do and so many trails," Hines Miller said. "I know so many people who just go there to bike or do whitewater rafting or whatever it may be on the weekends."

The center also hosts River Jam on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from May to September, incorporating another of Charlotte's favorite activities: live music.

As much as Charlotteans love their home, they also take time to visit their surroundings.

The city is nestled between the Blue Ridge Mountains and a coastline of beaches, so locals are often making trips, according to Hines Miller.

She said most people visit mountain towns such as Blowing Rock, Boone and Banner Elk. For the beach, check out Wilmington, North Carolina, or the South Carolina beaches, such as Charleston or Hilton Head.

"They're very easy to get to and from. It's kind of a straight shot," Hines Miller said.

The Queen City offers a variety of professional sports, but there's a favorite among residents: Charlotte FC, the city's Major League Soccer team.

"It's like another whole energy that was brought to Charlotte," Hines Miller said. "People just got excited to go watch a winning team."

If soccer isn't your jam, there is a variety of other sporting events in the city, too: the NFL's Carolina Panthers, the NBA's Charlotte Hornets, minor league baseball's Charlotte Knights, the American Hockey League's Charlotte Checkers and even regular NASCAR and PGA Tour events.

"Even if you're not at the stadium, going out, all the bars are full," Temple said.

Temple said Charlotte is "very, very dog friendly."

Locals bring their dogs outdoors with them, whether it's on the Rail Trail or to the Whitewater Center, or even to a social event.

"There's actually a dog bar," Temple said. "You bring your dog, and you can get coffee or whatever you want to drink."

If you live and work in the city, take public transportation, Temple said.

Most locals use the city's train, colloquially known as "the light rail," to get to and from uptown or move about within the city.

The train has one line, the Blue Line, that runs roughly 20 miles.

If you're outside the city, though, you'll want a car, according to Hines Miller, especially because Charlotte is growing outside its city limits.

As for what kind of car to drive, make it something big.

"It's all the mom cars," she joked, noting that she drives an SUV, too. "It's like a Tahoe or a GMC Yukon."

Charlotte is filled with good food, according to Hines Miller and Temple, and the best of those restaurants are family-owned.

Check out neighborhoods like NoDa (North Davidson), Southend or Uptown to find those spots. Or, if you want to get ahead of the curve, Temple suggests visiting the Wesley Heights neighborhood.

"It's the next place to blow up," she said. "It's the spot where you can go find really cool local restaurants."