With an abundance of things to do in Charlotte, North Carolina, one of my favourite is to explore its many parks. Many of the best parks in Charlotte NC are located in the downtown core, which is known as Uptown Charlotte.
During my visit, I explored as many city parks in Charlotte that my feet would allow. A few favourites include the historic Fourth Ward Park and the sprawling Freedom Park with countless things to do. I love how unique each of the parks are. Many feature art installations, walking trails, and museums.
If you’re like me and travelling to Charlotte without a car, it’s a very walkable city. For those staying at a downtown hotel, like I did, many city parks are less than a 25-minute walk away.
In this guide to the best parks in Charlotte you’ll find the what to do in each, what makes it unique, and more. Along with parks in the heart of the city, I’m sharing a few that are located within a short drive. So, whether you’re looking for a quiet stroll in the city or for a fun spot for a picnic, add one of these city parks to your weekend in Charlotte itinerary!
Best Parks in Charlotte NC
The Green
One of my favourites and most unique parks in Charlotte is The Green! Located in the heart of uptown Charlotte, The Green is called a pocket park because of its compact size of 1.5 acres. Plus, it’s where culture meets green space.
It’s set between one of my favourite museums in Charlotte, Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, and the Charlotte Convention Center.
The Green stands as a testament to the city’s commitment to urban green spaces. Like by using plants that are drought tolerant, meaning they require less water and minimal chemical use. In addition, the lawn is Bermuda grass and is fertilized with organic fertilizers.
This little park is full of fun sights as well as a special historic landmark. At one end is the sign from Ratcliffe’s Flowers. This iconic landmark sold flowers here for over 50 years. While the sign still stands here, in 2002 the building was moved.
At the other end of the park is the Books Monument, one of my favourite statues in Charlotte! This bronze statue showcases a variety of iconic books like Wuthering Heights and Don Quixote.
This literary themed park is home to other cool literature pieces. Spilling from the book monument are literary pages with quotes from the famous authors. Plus, there are direction signs scattered throughout the park marking great authors like Lewis (Nevada) and Carroll (Iowa).
The enchantment doesn’t stop there! Other features include giant fish fountains, and mosaic benches. It’s a park for all the senses, look up, down, around and listen!
Insider Tip: Next to The Green is St. Peter’s Catholic Church. The Church has a lovely meditation garden tucked away in a peaceful corner. It’s the perfect spot to read or enjoy a quiet moment.
Address: 425 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202, United States
Freedom Park
A short drive from downtown is another one of the best parks in Charlotte NC, Freedom Park. This sprawling 98 acre park has a lot to offer visitors and locals alike. It’s located in the affluent Myers Park neighbourhood, which is worth a wander with its stunning homes.
The centerpiece of the park is the 7-acre lake with its spectacular large fountain. Another highlight is the Discovery Place Nature, formerly Charlotte Nature Museum.
A visit to the museum is a must for anyone visiting with small children. Or if you’re like me and love nature and animals, you’ll love it too!
Discovery Place Nature has a variety of exhibits, many of which with an interactive element. Plus, there’s an area with live animals that are found in North Carolina. There’s everything from Southern flying squirrels to a copperhead snake.
Freedom Park was the busiest park in Charlotte I visited. It was full of joggers, cyclist, dog walkers and mothers playing with their children.
Recreational opportunities in the park include tennis courts, sports fields, and a playground. Picnicking is another popular activity in Freedom Park.
If you’re looking for scenic walking trails in Charlotte, then Freedom Park is the place to go! The park has a number of trails, both open and through the forest.
Plus, it’s a great spot for birding in the city. I spotted a variety of songbirds and two herons flew overhead.
The park is also a cultural hub in Charlotte. A variety of events and festivals take place in the park every year.
Insider Tip: Without a car, I enjoyed the hour long walk from the city centre. I highly recommend the walk as it takes you through other parks and green spaces in the city.
Address: 1908 East Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203, United States
Marshall Park
One of the best parks in Charlotte with views of the city is Marshall Park! The park provides a stark contrast of tranquility compared to the hustle of the city buildings next door.
Covering 5.5 acres, highlights in the park include a Holocaust memorial and a statue of Martin Luther King, Jr. At its centre is a small lake with fountain as well as an amphitheater.
While strolling the scenic bridges in the park, I came across all sorts of people. I saw business people on cell phones, couples enjoying a picnic by the water, and others just passing through.
With its central location and picturesque setting, Marshall Park is one of the best parks in downtown Charlotte.
Address: Marshall Park, 800 E 3rd St, Charlotte, NC 28202, United States
Fourth Ward Park
Set in the beautiful and historic Fourth Ward neighbourhood is another unique park. Fourth Ward Park is a 3 acre park full of hidden gems, quiet spots, and walking paths.
Fourth Ward Park is a lovely place to enjoy a book or an afternoon stroll. This park is full of unique features like decorative fountains and ceramic birdhouses.
As an avid birder I fell in love with the Fourth Ward Park birdhouses! I recommend spending time taking in these beautiful and colourful pieces of art. Each are created by artist Joan Bankemper.
At one end of the park is one of the Fourth Ward landmarks, the Overcarsh House. Constructed at the end of the 19th century, this stunning Queen Anne style home was built for a prominent minister. I love its conical roofed tower and baby pink colouring!
During my visit I enjoyed a self-guided walking tour of the Fourth Ward neighbourhood. Along with learning about the different homes in the area, the tour includes the park and other landmarks.
Insider tip: If you’re looking for the best Charlotte tours, there are many! One of the coolest tours of Fourth Ward Park regales visitors in the area’s ghost stories and haunted history.
Address: 301 N Poplar St, Charlotte, NC 28202, United States
Independence Park
The oldest park in Charlotte is Independence Park, created in 1924. Split in two sections by Hawthorne Lane, Independence Park covers 24 acres.
Independence Park is one of the best parks in Charlotte for and walking and other activities. Along with winding trails, the park has tennis, volleyball, pickleball and basketball courts.
Filled with massive trees, I loved strolling the trails in the fall as leaves were beginning to change. Another highlight was the rose garden. Even during my visit, in the fall, there were plenty of blooms of various colours.
With a recent renovation, the park is a premier destination in Charlotte! There are numerous scenic spots to sit and read a book under the trees or on one of the benches
The park also features a playground, scenic pond and mini waterfall. You’ll also find plenty of shade to keep cool on hot summer days.
Address: 300 Hawthorne Ln, Charlotte, NC 28204, United States
Little Sugar Creek Greenway
Stretching across various neighbourhoods, the Little Sugar Creek Greenway is unique. The greenway links a number of parks and cultural sites in the city.
It’s a popular spot for walkers, joggers and cyclist. In addition, it’s a fun spot for birdwatching in the city!
This is a significant green space in Charlotte. Greenways are narrow strips of land that are for both recreation and protection of wildlife habitat.
I stumbled upon Little Sugar Creek Greenway when I was walking from Thompson Park to Freedom Park. Strolling along the greenway I saw a variety of ducks enjoying the ideal wetland habitat it provides. Plus, it offers beautiful views of Charlotte’s skyline.
The Little Sugar Creek Greenway will run 19 miles once complete. It begins at Cordelia Park and travels through Uptown Charlotte and ends at the North and South Carolina border.
Another highlight Little Sugar Creek Greenway is that the Trail of History runs along it. The Trail of History features statues of historic figures of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County.
Frazier Park
In the Third Ward is another beautiful park in the city, Frazier Park. Covering 12 acres, the park also shares part of the Irwin Creek Greenway.
I only visited a small portion of the park and it was empty but for the birds and I. But it’s a lovely place for families to visit in Charlotte.
One of the key features of Frazier Park is Our Children’s Memorial Walkway. This section of the park is home to gardens and sculptures of children playing. The space is memory for all children who have passed.
Frazier Park is one of the best parks to visit in the spring. It’s home a number of stunning cherry blossom trees. In addition, there’s gardens that a must see in the summer.
The park also has a variety of sporting facilities like tennis and basketball courts. A dog park, playground, and community garden plots are other highlights.
You’ll also find plenty of benches to sit and read. Or you can enjoy the trails that run along the creek. The trails are a great spot for birdwatching!
Address: 1201 W 4th Street Ext, Charlotte, NC 28202, United States
More Charlotte Parks to Check Out
Thompson Park
A quiet place to reflect in Charlotte is Thompson Park. This 3-acre green space is home to a couple of significant landmarks. One is a 270-foot arc that serves as Vietnam Veterans’ memorial.
The other landmark is St. Mary’s Chapel. This beautiful little church sits on what was originally the Thompson Orphanage, founded in 1886.
For me the most touching part of the park is a small plaque dedicated to the memory of the hundreds of children that lived at the orphanage.
Running along one end of Thompson Park is Little Sugar Creek Greenway. It’s here you’ll find another one of the Trail of History statues of Charlotte. The statue represents the orphanage’s founder and is surrounded by three children.
Address: 1129 E 3rd St, Charlotte, NC 28204, United States
Romare Bearden Park
Located near the Bank of America Stadium is the Romare Bearden Park. The park is named after Romare Bearden, an artist born in Charlotte. He worked with a variety of mediums including cartoons and oils.
This park is a jewel of a green space in the city and is where art meets nature. Surrounded by towering buildings, the park offers stunning skyline views of Uptown Charlotte.
Romare Bearden Park is designed off of the artist’s own works of art. It features interactive digital chimes, waterfalls, and a sculpture called Spiral Odyssey.
Wandering the nearly 5.5-acre park, you’ll also find gardens and a courtyard with dining tables and chairs. There’s also a spot for events, where they host free live music in the summer.
Address: 300 S Church St, Charlotte, NC 28202, United States
First Ward Park
Across from ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center is another one of the best city parks in Charlotte, NC – First Ward Park. This 4-acre park is best known for its summer music festivals.
First Ward Park is also home to fun activities for the kids. There’s a playground and a seasonal splash pad.
For the adults, the park features outdoor fitness equipment. It also has public art installation, a pavilion, and restrooms. Plus, there’s a large water fountain, with a wraparound arbor, that lights up at night.
I loved all the gardens and the unique animal-themed benches! Take a stroll along the garden path or enjoy a picnic on the lawn.
An interesting highlight of the park that often goes unnoticed is the granite walls and seats. These are a nod to the famous geology of the region.
Address: 301 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28202, United States
Parks in Charlotte Outside of Downtown
Reedy Creek Park – One of the best parks in Charlotte that’s just outside the city center is Reedy Creek Park. This sprawling park is home to many of the typical park sporting facilities and scenic forested trails. However, it also features a nature center, disc golf course, and the ruins of an18th-century stone building.
Park Road Park – Located along the Little Sugar Creek Greenway trail, Park Road Park is a short 20-minute drive from the heart of the city. This park is ideal for those looking for activities in Charlotte! It features multiple horseshoe pits, baseball fields, as well as volleyball and tennis courts. All are situated around a large lake. Plus, there are plenty of picnic shelters to enjoy lunch in the park.
McAlpine Creek Park – Featuring walking trails, a scenic lake, McAlpine Creek Park is a short drive from downtown Charlottle. Plus, you can travel to the park via bus. McAlpine Creek Park is full of things to do! There are various trails, including one that loops around the large pond.
McDowell Nature Preserve – Located 30 minutes southwest of Charlotte, McDowell Nature Preserve is the oldest and largest nature preserve in Mecklenburg County. The park has 12 hiking trails, most of which are under 1 mile. McDowell Nature Preserve is also home to a nature center, campground, and more.
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Charlotte, North Carolina is a great city in the United States for those looking for the perfect mix of urban life and outdoor recreation. Whether you’re looking for places to enjoy a scenic walk or sports facilities like basketball courts, one of the best parks in Charlotte will fit your need.
Frequently Asked Questions about Parks in Charlotte NC
Freedom Park is the largest parks in Charlotte at 98 acres.
Romare Bearden Park is located in the middle of downtown Charlotte.
The closest national park to Charlotte NC is Congaree National Park, which is approximately 2.5 hours south.
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