Flesh and Blood US Nationals comes to Charlotte, North Carolina next weekend. Here’s a quick guide on what’s going on in the most populous city in the state packed with food and recreational options.
US Nationals plays out over September 23-25, leaving players plenty of time to get to see the Queen City if they arrive on Thursday night or can only play an event on Sunday. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing walk, museum visit, concert, sporting event, or just a good meal after a day of slinging cardboard, Charlotte has it all.
Recreation
If you arrive early or a finish an event faster than expected, check out a park or museum to unwind. There’s a plethora of options within a short drive from the Charlotte Convention Center, including the 98-acre Freedom Park and the NASCAR Hall of Fame, which is located just a block away. If want something a little more active, there are plenty of golf courses, disc golf, and even an amusement park.
Outdoors
- Freedom Park, 1908 East Blvd
- US National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy
- Sugar Creek Park Disc Golf Course, 939 W Sugar Creek Rd
- Ribbonwalk Nature Preserve, 4601 Nevin Rd
- Little Sugar Creek Greenway, 1133 Metropolitan Ave
- McDowell Nature Preserve and Center, 15222 York Rd
- Sunset Hills Public Golf Course, 800 Radio Rd
- Carolina Golf Club, 2415 Old Steele Creek Rd
- Carowinds Amusement Park, 300 Carowinds Blvd
Museums
- NASCAR Hall of Fame, 400 E M.L.K. Jr Blvd
- Discovery Place Science, 301 N Tryon St
- Discovery Place Nature, 1658 Sterling Rd
- Mint Museum, 500 South Tryon St
- Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, 420 S Tryon St
- Levine Museum of the New South, 401 S Tryon St Suite 100
- Charlotte Museum of History, 3500 Shamrock Dr
- Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts and Culture, 551 S Tryon St
Sports
Sports fans are also covered next weekend. Professional golf, drag racing, soccer, and football will be on display around the area.
- Presidents Cup, September 20-25, at Quail Hollow Club
- Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals, September 23-25, at Charlotte Motor Speedway
- Charlotte Independence vs. North Carolina FC, 7:00 PM, September 24, at American Legion Memorial Stadium
- Carolina Panthers vs New Orleans Saints, 1:00 PM, September 25, at Bank of America Stadium
Music
Catch a live concert in one of many music venues in the city.
- Gryffin – Alive Tour, 7:30 PM, September 23, at Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheater
- Conway the Machine, 8:00 PM, September 23, at The Underground
- Zac Brown Band: Out in the Middle Tour, 7:00 PM, September 24, at PNC Music Pavilion
- Movements, 7:30 PM, September 24, at The Underground
- One OK Rock – North America Tour, 8:00 PM, September 25, at The Underground
Food
Within a couple of blocks of the convention center, Charlotte has more than enough food offerings to satisfy any craving. Gamers that need a little boost in the morning have a handful of coffee or breakfast options. If you need a quick bite to eat in between rounds, you shouldn’t have any issues getting lunch. Then sit down for a nice meal with friends to regroup and exchange stories from the day of battling in the flesh and blood.
- Coffee and breakfast
- Starbucks, 601 S Tryon St
- Starbucks, in Duke Energy Center, 135 Levine Avenue of the Arts
- Night Swim Coffee, 620 S Tryon St Suite 150
- Crane Coffee, 550 S Caldwell St
- Waterbean Coffee, 300 S Tryon St Ste 150
- Not Just Coffee, 222 S Church St
- Famous Toastery, 330 S Tryon St
- Einstein Bro’s Bagels, 501 S College St
- Quick Eats
- Sandwich Club, 435 S Tryon St
- Johnny Burrito, 301 S Tryon St
- Buffalo Wild Wings, 400 E M.L.K. Jr Blvd Suite B
- JINYA Ramen Bar, 601 S Tryon St Unit 132
- Chipotle, 316 S Tryon St
- Potbelly, 320 S Tryon St
- Subway, 301 S Tryon St
- Jimmy John’s, 230 S Tryon St
- Horace’s Hot Fried Chicken, 327 S Tryon St
- Panera Bread, 201 S College St Ste. 150
- Chex Grill and Wings, 400 S Tryon St Suite R2
- Salata, 601 S Tryon St #131
- Queen City Bites & Crafts, 135 Brevard Court
- Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar, 101 S Tryon St #130
- Restaurants
- Brazz, 500 S College St
- Dean’s Italian Steakhouse, 128 E Brooklyn Vlg Ave
- Bernardin’s Restaurant At Ratcliffe, 435 S Tryon St Ste 100
- Fin & Fino, 135 Levine Avenue of the Arts #100
- Ruth’s Chris Steak House, 222 S Tryon St
- Red Ginger Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi, 401 S Tryon St #130
- MOA Korean BBQ, 128 S Tryon St
- La Belle Helene, 300 S Tryon St Suite 100
- Basil Thai Cuisine, 210 N Church St
- Estampa Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse, 401 E M.L.K. Jr Blvd #306
- Cowbell Burger & Whiskey Bar, 201 N Tryon St, Charlotte
- The Capital Grille, 201 N Tryon St
- Mellow Mushroom, 255 W Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
Charlotte Fun Facts
- Sixteenth-most populous city in the country, ahead of cities like Denver, Boston, and San Francisco
- Named for Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, hence the nickname the Queen City
- Citizens are called Charlotteans
- Home to three major sports franchises: Carolina Panthers (NFL), Charlotte Hornets (NBA), and Charlotte FC (MLS)
- Charlotte is the pimento cheese capital of the world
- City was the location of the US’ first gold rush in 1799
- Home to the oldest Dairy Queen in NC at 2732 Wilkinson Blvd
Go here for more details and registration information for US Nationals. Watch it the stream at twitch.tv/starcitygames. Join Bryan Gottlieb, Tannon Grace, Matt Di Marco, and Stephen Cookus for all the action over three days. The broadcast begins at 11:30 AM on Friday, 10:30 AM on Saturday, and 9 AM on Sunday.