City Walks Connect a COVID-fatigued Queen City
Charlotte City Walks is returning this year in the month of May! These walks are designed to get people out into the Queen City to see its architecture and learn about its culture, history, and more. They’re usually in person and led by someone like a local historian, but because of COVID this year they are self-guided tours.
People can find them starting May 1st, 2021 at citywalksclt.org. They’re free and designed to take with your family or COVID bubble whenever you want. Some of the walks on the tour this year, like NoDa, South End, Plaza Midwood, and the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens.
“Like everything else, this year’s Charlotte City Walks look different. Instead of tours led by a walk leader, we’re offering self-guided tours to take with your family or COVID bubble,” said Angelique Gaines of the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute, which organizes Charlotte City Walks. “One thing remains the same: City Walks connect people to our city through its neighborhoods and encourage them to get involved in the city we’re building together.” In a city growing by 44 residents a day, Charlotte City Walks gives newcomers and long-time residents alike the chance to learn about their community and explore issues affecting it, including equity, affordable housing, development, and transportation.
2021 Charlotte City Walk Guides Include
- Around the Clock Tower: Johnson C. Smith University and Biddleville. Delve into the stories behind campus landmarks. Then loop through Biddleville to see the historic homes of important local leaders and activists in this video tour featuring JCSU alumnus and African American history specialist Michael Webb and community historian Tom Hanchett.
- South End Interactive. Experience eight murals in South End with AR technology in this video tour that takes you deeper into each piece and lets you play with face filters and explore 3-D models of the most intricate details.
- Booming South End. After you watch the South End Interactive video tour, download Tom Hanchett’s self-guided tour of South End, where you’ll discover the area’s historic roots as part of Dilworth, the city’s first streetcar suburb.
- UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens. Explore the botanical garden’s rare and exotic plants in this self-guided walk curated by garden director Dr. Jeff Gillman.
- Plaza Midwood Historic District. Stroll through this historic district off Central Avenue on Charlotte’s east side in this self-guided tour curated by Tom Hanchett.
- NoDa. Check out the vibrant history of North Charlotte and NoDa, including textile mills, local art, and large murals on this self-guided tour.
- Treetops and Tombstones. Explore Elmwood Cemetery, a historic graveyard and certified arboretum in the heart of Uptown, on this self-guided tour created by Erin Oliverio, tree canopy program manager for the City of Charlotte.
- Uptown Mural Art Walk. Take this self-guided art walk of Uptown and experience firsthand how murals enliven public spaces.
