A guide to Uptown Charlotte: Romare Bearden and First Ward parks, the Tryon Street museums, Discovery Place, the stadiums and how to get there.
Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. Facts come from Charlotte Center City Partners’ uptowncharlotte.com and from each venue’s own site, linked below.
Uptown is Charlotte’s center: the office towers along Tryon Street, the city’s biggest museums and theaters, three pro sports venues and a ring of parks. Nearly 20,000 people live there, according to Charlotte Center City Partners, the nonprofit that promotes the district. It is divided into four historic wards: First, Second, Third and Fourth.
Who to call
- Visitor questions: Charlotte Center City Partners, 800-231-4636, or send a message
- Non-emergency city help: CharMeck 311, 704-336-7600
- Emergency: 911
Parks
From Center City Partners’ guide to Uptown parks:
- Romare Bearden Park, 300 S. Church St., Third Ward: 5.4 acres named for the Charlotte-born artist, with two gardens, a courtyard and lawns, next to Truist Field.
- First Ward Park, 512 N. College St.: 4.6 acres between Seventh, Ninth and Brevard streets, between the Seventh Street and Ninth Street light rail stations. Its sprayground runs in summer; see our summer guide.
- Frazier Park, Third Ward: the largest park in Uptown at 16.5 acres, off West Fourth Street near I-77, with a 1.3-acre dog park split for small and large dogs. The Irwin Creek and Stewart Creek greenways run through it.
- Marshall Park, Second Ward: 5.5 acres on the site of Brooklyn, once Charlotte’s largest Black neighborhood, demolished in the 1960s and 1970s under urban renewal.
- Fourth Ward Park: 3 acres with walking trails, fountains, a playground and public art.
Museums and attractions
| Place | Address | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Mint Museum Uptown | 500 S. Tryon St. | Art museum; home of Mariposa restaurant |
| Bechtler Museum of Modern Art | 420 S. Tryon St. | Modern art museum |
| Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture | 551 S. Tryon St. | Museum of African American art and culture |
| Discovery Place Science | 301 N. Tryon St. | Science museum with a rain forest and aquariums |
| NASCAR Hall of Fame | 401 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. | Racing museum |
| ImaginOn | 300 E. Seventh St. | Children’s library and Children’s Theatre of Charlotte |
The Mint, the Bechtler, the Gantt Center and Knight Theater sit together on South Tryon Street. For hours and family picks, see our kids’ activities guide.
Theaters and concert halls
- Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St., part of Blumenthal Performing Arts.
- Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St., where many Charlotte Symphony concerts are held.
- Carolina Theatre, 230 N. Tryon St.
- Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre, 516 N. Graham St., and The Fillmore Charlotte, 820 Hamilton St., for concerts.
Show dates: our live music and nightlife guide and seasonal pages such as holiday lights and Christmas events.
Sports venues
- Bank of America Stadium, 601 S. Cedar St.: the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC.
- Spectrum Center, 333 E. Trade St.: the Charlotte Hornets.
- Truist Field, 324 S. Mint St.: the Charlotte Knights, Triple-A baseball, and the city’s New Year’s Eve party; see New Year’s Eve.
Getting around
- Light rail and streetcar: the LYNX Blue Line has five stops in Uptown, and the CityLYNX Gold Line streetcar also serves Uptown.
- Buses: Center City Partners says CATS buses run from 4:49 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday to Saturday and 5:25 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday.
- Parking: thousands of spaces in decks and lots; see the Uptown parking guide.
- Overstreet Mall: an enclosed skywalk network linking office towers, shops, restaurants, hotels and parking decks, explained on the Overstreet Mall page.
More: our getting around guide.
What this means for you
- Park once and walk, or ride the Blue Line in.
- Check the Uptown events calendar before game nights; traffic and parking change when the stadium or arena is busy.
- More ideas: free things to do, date night and brunch.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do in Uptown Charlotte?
Uptown has the Mint Museum Uptown, Bechtler Museum of Modern Art and Gantt Center on South Tryon Street, Discovery Place Science, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, the Blumenthal theaters, Romare Bearden and First Ward parks, and Truist Field, Spectrum Center and Bank of America Stadium.
How many light rail stops are in Uptown Charlotte?
The LYNX Blue Line has five stops in Uptown, according to Charlotte Center City Partners.
What is the biggest park in Uptown Charlotte?
Frazier Park in Third Ward, at 16.5 acres, off West Fourth Street near I-77. It has a 1.3-acre dog park with separate areas for small and large dogs.
How big is Romare Bearden Park?
Romare Bearden Park in Third Ward covers 5.4 acres at 300 S. Church St., next to Truist Field. First Ward Park, between Seventh, Ninth and Brevard streets, covers 4.6 acres.
How many people live in Uptown Charlotte?
Nearly 20,000 people live in Uptown, according to Charlotte Center City Partners.
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