The first thing I noticed about Charlotte was just how many trees there were growing downtown. You get some skyscrapers, but they’re out there with so many trees. Charlotte, North Carolina, is a vibrant city that blends Southern charm with modern sophistication. In just three days, you can explore the best of what Charlotte has to offer, from its diverse culinary scene to its stylish shopping districts and luxurious hotels.
Whether you’re a foodie, a shopaholic, or simply seeking a memorable getaway, the Queen City promises an unforgettable experience packed into a delightful three-day trip Charlotte itinerary. When it comes to weekend getaways, you can’t beat this amazing city!
We put together our three day itinerary with the idea that you get to check in before dinner and then have a little time before heading out for your flight!
Check In
Breakfast at Milkbread
Milkbread is a local café famous for serving breakfast all day so it was really fun to experience it before checking in at the Grand Bohemian Hotel. Originating from Kindred, who introduced their signature milk bread—transformed into delectable donuts—the café is very popular.
Milk bread, a Japanese brioche-style dough, is milk-based, fluffy, and light, offering a better texture compared to traditional donuts. We enjoyed some homemade cinnamon rolls and glazed donuts. There are a bunch of savory options, such as avocado toast, smoked ham toast with gruyere, and a crispy chicken biscuit.
Milkbread also features a gluten-free, vegetarian Morning Bowl topped with labneh yogurt, blueberries, citrus, nut crunch, mint, and local honey which was very nice. We loved the warm Milkbread beignets and a hot dip chicken sandwich.
Arrival at the Grand Bohemian Hotel
We arrived at the Grand Bohemian Hotel on the Wednesday before our trip and it was the perfect place to stay. One of the best things about the hotel is the on-site amenities, including the Mico Restaurant, The Bohemian Garden private rooftop park and bar, and the Buho bar.
This is a gorgeous hotel in uptown that’s part of the Marriott autograph collection. It’s a colorful upscale hotel that looks like a palace with artwork everywhere. The furnishings are grand, but not sterile like some hotels can be. The rooms are cozy and comfortable, and also full of lovely colors. Everywhere you look there is unique decor, and I especially liked the horse sculpture by reception.
For more details about the hotel and how to book, you can visit this LINK.
Enjoy Craft Cocktails at Búho Bar at the Grand Bohemian
After checking in, we relaxed the best way by having drinks at Búho Bar which is a cocktail lounge 16 floors above the Charlotte skyline. We tried the La Puesta del Sol, containing Grey Goose Strawberry & Lemongrass Essences Vodka, Blood Orange, Lemon and Honey. They have a gorgeous interior with moody lighting, rich colorful walls, and artwork everywhere.
You can also opt to sit outside with the rooftop views and lots of bright light for a completely different ambiance.
Unforgettable Vibes at Middle C Jazz
If you’re looking for the premier jazz spot in Charlotte it’s here! Dark and moody with a full bar, you can enjoy a classy night out with 3 or 4 shows a night from some of the top jazz talent from around the world. It’s a New York-style upscale club with live jazz performances from regional and national acts.
Middle C Jazz is one of the best places to see live jazz up close and personal. The venue can seat up to 200 people. Enjoy cocktails, wine, small plates and desserts provided by Dressler’s Improv. Kitchen. Craft cocktails and small plates are served starting at 8:45 pm.
Day 1 in Charlotte NC
Breakfast at Mico Restaurant inside Grand Bohemian
For our first day in Charlotte we went to Mico, a restaurant with a globally inspired, seasonally driven Argentinean menu. Each dish takes you on a culinary adventure, blending diverse cultures and customs for an unparalleled dining experience in Uptown Charlotte.
I like hotel breakfasts like Mico for weekday breakfasts because it’s really nice upscale dining and most brunch places are only available on weekends. We went there for breakfast and had the delicious smoked salmon terrine as well as churro donuts (which I highly recommend because they were so soft and warm).
Coffee and Quick Bites at Coco and the Director
We also went to this cute spot inside the Marriott hotel just a few steps away from Grand Bohemian, known for their Cronuts. It’s a great place to go if you’re staying in the uptown area and want something sweet and quick, plus they have lots of seating. It’s one of those fun things you can do without having to spend a lot of time there.
Day Trip to Yadkin Valley
We took a day trip just a short one-hour drive outside of Charlotte to the Yadkin Valley! This place is famous for being North Carolina’s inaugural American Viticultural Area (AVA). Its moderate elevations and how close it is to the Yadkin River create an ideal environment for a diverse range of grape varieties, sparking the growth of many wineries there. North Carolina is a small but growing wine scene and Charlotte is really moving up in the wine scene. It used to be primarily known for sweet wines, but they’ve made such big steps forward for all wines now.
Yadkin Valley is laid back with some gorgeous vineyards, and if you want to have these places almost all to yourself, be sure to visit on weekdays. At the vineyards, you will find mostly old-world, rustic, earthy wines. It’s important to know that there isn’t much food there and most vineyards don’t have food besides some charcuterie boards (there may be food trucks on the weekends but this is not guaranteed). Your best bet is to bring food on your trip or stop at the Shiloh General Store for food. (Luckily NC Wine Gals provides charcuterie and lunch).
Our Experience with NC Wine Gals
We took a private wine tour at NC Wine Gals because unlike some vineyards, they focus on actually teaching you about wine and you can try all the different tastes. The vineyard is female-owned and female-led. We met Harry the Wine Dorkie – a cute little dog who is a mix of Dachshund and Yorkie who you can request to join your tour. Score for a person like me who loves dogs but travels too much to have a dog.
The guided tour took us to three places, Raffaldini Vineyards, Castello Barone Piccione, and because we were fast we managed to squeeze in Dyanims Estate (it’s typically three wineries).
Before the start of the tour, there is also a breakfast and wine pairing, and you get to keep a cute keepsake glass. They provide a charcuterie board, lunch, and plenty of snacks as well as water. For the wine tastings, they give you a wine aroma kit to try if you really want to get into it.
Booking a tour with NC Wine Gals really helps you get a deep understanding of the wine scene of NC that you might not get on your own. If you truly want to understand wine and become knowledgeable about it versus just being driven somewhere and getting tipsy, this is the place to be.
This place is popular for bachelorette trips (but I like it more for getting an elevated wine education). During our tour, we sampled Chamberson (a French American hybrid), Merlot, Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon, Viognier, and Sauvignon Blanc and had a great time.
Vineyards We Visited in Yadkin Valley
We explored Yadkin Valley with over 80 vineyards as well as Swan Creek which is within Yadkin because it has a different microclimate.
- Raffaldini Vineyards: This vineyard was like visiting Tuscany and is more on the higher end. They were the first vineyard to plant Vermentino and Sagrantino grapes and they have the biggest Sagrantino grapes in the USA.
- Castello Barone: Castello Barone is an Italian & French style vineyard that may not be the prettiest but has some of the best local wine. Scott Barone is the owner and is all about family-style ambiance. This might not be as Instagram worthy as some of the others, but what you’re getting here is the owner running the farm everyday and a family owned business you’re supporting.
- Piccione: This vineyard is Italian-owned and includes a new tasting room, event hall, library, courtyard, underground barrel room, bridal suite, and more. The courtyard overlooks the estate vines and is a perfect space for wedding ceremonies. Bacchus is their most popular wine and Petit Manseng has a lovely, unique taste, while La Lana is an off-dry wine.
- Dynamis Estate Wines: Dynamis Estate Wines have the most expensive wine bottle in North Carolina. In general, the wines are at a higher price point but they are also worth the price. The ambience is more laid back with a shaded patio overlooking their vineyard. It’s not as picturesque as say Raffaldini or Piccione and it is pricey, but as soon as you take a sip of that (yes $40 glass of wine), you know you went to the right spot.
Dinner at Mariposa
Mariposa is an upscale restaurant and lounge in the Mint Museum, featuring carefully curated small plates, crafted cocktails, and unique wines and spirits from around the globe. Enjoy uptown views, velvet couches, elegant black and white decor, and artwork by Charlotte muralist Owl. Located in the Mint Museum, they offer a dynamic world-to-table culinary and cocktail experience.
Their menu, which changes frequently, features culturally influenced dishes and drinks, including several shareable mezze inspired by North African and Mediterranean traditions. Partnering with Sam Fleming at 100 Gardens, Mariposa sources fresh lettuces and greens from their aquaponics garden project at The Innovation Barn.
We wanted to order the Moroccan Mezze Board but they were out, so we had Seared Scallops, Tuna Crudo, Turkish Kofta, and Lemon Whipped Ricotta. To drink, we enjoyed a Blueberry Bourbon Sour and Dulce de leche martini. For dessert, we shared a Flaming Sticky Toffee Pudding.
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Day 2 in Charlotte
Breakfast at La Belle Helene
La Belle Helene is like you’ve walked into an elegant French cafe with fresh flowers greeting you, black and white tiles lining the floor, cozy green semi-circle tables and a high ceiling with large windows reflecting all the light. It’s named after the famous opéra bouffe by Jacques Offenbach that was set in Ancient Greece. Your receipt even comes in an old Iliad book.
