It's officially cuffing season and for us singles it can be a rough time. But that doesn't mean you need to enter a period of hibernation where you only leave your house for more books and wine...it's me, I'm talking about me. I've compiled a list of 50 dates you can take yourself on for the rest of the year (and into next year) in Charlotte — because there's so much to do and see in the Queen City. What did I miss?
1. Browse the shelves of Park Road Books before walking down to Suárez Bakery and treating yourself to the seasonal cupcake, maple pecan in Nov. '22.
2. Take yourself on the long way around Reedy Creek Nature Preserve to see the Robinson Rock House Ruins.
3. Book a Chef Alyssa's Kitchen cooking class and learn how to make perfect pies for the holiday season.
4. Dance in the aisles of the Knight Theater as the Charlotte Symphony does a tribute to ABBA (Nov. 11–12).
5. Buy over-the-top pre-prepared dishes from Reid's Fine Foods and enjoy a night on your couch rewatching Love Island.
6. Incite a fight (just kidding, don't do that) at a Charlotte Checkers game while housing a Cajun filet sandwich from the Bojangles stand.
7. Make yourself a bouquet of fresh buds at the Charlotte Flower Market.
8. Learn about revolutionary Black men at the Levine Museum of the New South's new exhibit, "Men of Change" (now through March 12, 2023).
9. Sip a fancy cocktail (or mocktail) at Idlewild Bar — it's right of the light rail line so no need to drink and drive!
10. Book yourself in for a vinyasa yoga class at Pranayama House Healing Center (Charlotte's newest Black owned yoga studio).
11. Snap up some aesthetically pleasing cards at Paper Twist and have an evening of sending correspondence to your best friends like you're Elizabeth Bennett.
12. Snack on the duck confit spring rolls at Bernardin's Restaurant in Uptown before exploring the colorful world of Andy Warhol at the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art (now through Jan. 2, 2023).
13. Go on the half-mile walk at the Whitewater Center to see the Lights exhibit, there are more than 50 instillation to wow you. This year they also have ice skating!
14. Learn about the 11th president of the United States at the James K. Polk State Historic Site down in Pineville.
15. Book a night for yourself at the uber cool Refuge in Plaza Midwood (there are only five rooms and their concept is incredible).
16. Wander through Davidson College's campus and have a gourmet sandwich for lunch at the Pickled Peach.
17. Pick up the best of the best baking supplies at the Cake Depot and have yourself a patisserie day.
18. Pick up a boba drink at Gong Cha and check out the massive granite boulders at Big Rock Nature Preserve.
19. Get to Haberdish early and treat yourself to their chicken with waffle breakfast — a liege waffle with the best fried chicken in Charlotte will make your Sunday morning amazing.
20. Enter into your Bridgerton era in the steamy conservatory at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden.
21. Browse through thousands of vinyls at Repo Record to find your new sound.
22. Take a break with a locomocha in the historic house that is Brakeman's Coffee and Supply in Matthews.
23. Have yourself a bougie spa day at Selenite Beauty — the Swedish massage and a microcurrent facial look incredible.
24. Dress up and see an incredible musical performance during a Jazz @ The Gantt evening.
25. Grab some popcorn and see an indie flick matinee at The Independent Picture House.
26. Attend City Art Room's public Paint and Sip — they advertise themselves as solo friendly and why not somewhat interact with people while taking yourself out?
27. See some of the most colorful (and slightly wild) signs at Charlotte Museum of History's "Charlotte: Signs of Home" exhibit.
28. Spend the day picking through vintage Pyrex, ugly Christmas sweaters and old Coke bottles at Sleepy Poet Antique Mall.
29. Pop into The Culture Shop for a fancy bottle of wine and charcuterie board fixins' for a movie night at home — might I suggest Mamma Mia?
30. Make your own candle at Paddywax Candle Bar — you'll choose a vessel and scent that will make your home smell incredible.
31. See Charlotte's oldest house in the Fourth Ward of Uptown — stop in for a cold one at Alexander Michael's tavern after.
32. Take a long drive to a mountain town like Boone, Blowing Rock or Banner Elk.
33. Have a dessert field trip day where you try multiple place's sweets — recommended: Dulce Dreams Cafe, Pepperbox Doughnuts, The Batch House and SWIRL.
34. Volunteer somewhere to make the Queen City a better place.
35. Try a flight in a metal bucket at King Canary Brewing — sit outside under the striped umbrellas for the ultimate experience.
36. Put on your best 1890s vintage and dine in the historic McNinch House Restaurant — the Chef's Tasting is five courses with wine pairings included for the price of $215.
37. Hike the Tower Trail at Crowders Mountain State Park for ultimate views — in any season. Pop into Big Red's Cafe for a coffee flight post ramble.
38. Buy fresh produce, baked goods and steaming coffee on a early morning trip to the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market (Saturdays are the best time to go).
39. Learn about the Pee Dee indigenous group at Town Creek Indian Mound.
40. Plan for a manicure or pedicure at Modish Nail Spa, the red nail theory might work? But this post is about having fun while being single, so don't worry about it!
41. Enjoy authentic Ghanaian food at Mama Gee's on the east side of Charlotte.
42. Take yourself shopping at Specialty Shops SouthPark (it's a beautiful shopping center and I love it) and treat yourself to a flaky croissant at Renaissance Patisserie.
43. Walk through history on the Queen City's Black Legacy Walking Tour through Uptown.
44. Bring your laptop and get something done with a coffee, glass of wine or can of beer at Rosie's Coffee and Wine Garden.
45. Order all appetizers for yourself at Calle Sol — we're talking plantain nachos, croquetas and yuca huancain.
46. See the incredible historic mansions along the Queens Road loop and walk through Queens University's historic campus.
47. Make your own terrarium at Plant House — they serve wine during some of the workshops and nothing sounds better than vino and greenery.
48. Take a long walk around Freedom Park
to see the stone bridge, bright-blue pond and demonstration garden.
Bonus points if you bring your sketch book and make some beautiful art.
49. Buy tickets to see "Fashion Reimagined: Themes & Variations 1760–Now" at the Mint Museum Uptown (opens Dec. 10).
50. Indulge in the La Fresa Fria, a cocktail complete with strawberry soft-serve ice cream, gold tequila and triple sec, at Que Fresa.
Want more?
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