Overview
University City is a semi-urban area in the northern reaches of Charlotte. It is an "edge city", a sprawling, suburban area with a population of 160,000 (2012) centered around a "downtown" area at the intersection of N. Tryon St. and W.T. Harris Blvd. University City is home to contains major establishments such as the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC) and Verizon Wireless Amphitheater.
1 sights · 4 things to do · 2 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 8 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about University City
Charlotte 49ers
The teams representing UNC Charlotte are members of the American Athletic Conference. The 49ers are largely in the shadow of the city's pro sports teams, as well as the state's higher-profile athletic programs (namely Du…
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
The city's public university, located in the growing northern side of the city. It is a rapidly expanding suburban campus, but still lacks the on-campus vibrance of a larger state school. From a traveler's point of view,…
PNC Music Pavilion
Located in the University area, this is the location of Charlotte's summer concert series. Seats up to 20,000 including general-admission lawn space; larger concerts will typically sell out. If you purchase lawn seats yo…
UNC Charlotte Theatre and Dance
Performs several times throughout the year.
Smokin' Cue
A pool hall that takes the game seriously. One of the city's best places to find a competitive game, as well as a reliable cue retailer.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov. Summer highs reach about 90°F; winter lows dip to about 32°F. Very hot (Jul) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Aug and Mar. (climate data from nearby Charlotte)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- USA Concord-Padgett Regional Airport, Concord — 6 mi away. Directions
- CLT Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Charlotte — 12 mi away (major hub). Directions
Driving is the only realistic way to explore University City because of its sprawling commercial districts. The large spaces between attractions and busy thoroughfares make walking prohibitive outside the very core of the district. The LYNX Blue Line light rail development on N. Tryon St (US-29) is encouraging more pedestrian-friendly crossings at the stations.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning University of North Carolina at Charlotte, UNC Charlotte Theatre and Dance, PNC Music Pavilion
- Lunch Ninety's Dessert Bar
- Afternoon Smokin' Cue, Charlotte 49ers
- Dinner Zapata's Mexican Restaurant
- Evening Flying Saucer Draught Emporium
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
Driving is the only realistic way to explore University City because of its sprawling commercial districts. The large spaces between attractions and busy thoroughfares make walking prohibitive outside the very core of the district. The LYNX Blue Line light rail development on N. Tryon St (US-29) is encouraging more pedestrian-friendly crossings at the stations.
When coming from central Charlotte, the "gateway" to University City is the complicated intersection of U.S. highway 29 and N.C. highway 49; these roads create an unusual "weave" that can be troublesome for first-time visitors. Other major avenues include I-85, I-485, and large thoroughfares such as University City Blvd. and Mallard Creek Church Rd.
The LYNX Blue Line light rail's northern terminus is located in University City. Visitors can ride the light rail from Uptown into University City. Stations in this neighborhood district include University City Blvd, McCollugh, J.W. Clay Blvd, and UNC Charlotte Main. Park-and-Ride garages can also be found on US-29 for transportation from University City into Uptown Charlotte and other light rail accessible neighborhoods.
The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) bus service also provides an option for those coming from central Charlotte, though their usefulness is limited. Routes #11 and #29 serve University City. They are most effective when used in conjunction with a car (park-and-ride) or taxi.
Finally, University City is accessible from the Mallard Creek and Toby Creek Greenways. This greenway system serves the local residential neighborhoods located to the northwest of University City along Mallard Creek Rd and Prosperity Church Rd. The paths feed from these neighborhoods into the main campus of UNC Charlotte and the commercial district nearby the intersection of US-29 and I-485. The greenways are entirely paved with hard asphalt or soft limestone and follow the watershed stream systems of North Charlotte. Foot and bicycle traffic is allowed.
See
See University of North Carolina at Charlotte
The city's public university, located in the growing northern side of the city. It is a rapidly expanding suburban campus, but still lacks the on-campus vibrance of a larger state school. From a traveler's point of view, there's not much to see there on an ordinary day.
Do
Do PNC Music Pavilion
Located in the University area, this is the location of Charlotte's summer concert series. Seats up to 20,000 including general-admission lawn space; larger concerts will typically sell out. If you purchase lawn seats you may rent chairs, but for a larger show you will probably not be able to use them.
Do Charlotte 49ers
The teams representing UNC Charlotte are members of the American Athletic Conference. The 49ers are largely in the shadow of the city's pro sports teams, as well as the state's higher-profile athletic programs (namely Duke, NC State, North Carolina, and Wake Forest). Also, while UNC Charlotte had a football team when it was founded in 1946, that team was shut down in 1948, not resuming play until 2013 (by which time the school had changed its athletic brand to "Charlotte"). Also, the football stadium, Jerry Richardson Stadium, seats barely over 15,000—although the 49ers haven't exactly covered themselves in success, having played in only one bowl game since their revival. Nonetheless, plans are in place to double the stadium's capacity. Basketball has traditionally been the most popular sport, playing on-campus at Dale F. Halton Arena. The banner image for the district page features the 49ers' baseball park, Robert and Mariam Hayes Stadium.
Buy
Also, Northlake Mall and the large outlet Concord Mills Mall are only a few minutes away by car.
Eat
Eat Ninety's Dessert Bar
Not fast-food, but not dine-in either. Fast, delicious and super friendly service. Ice-cream there is a perfect treat for summer weather and it is a great place to grab a bite as you sit enjoy the summer concerts. Wonderful place for family. Fantastic milkshakes as well.
Eat Zapata's Mexican Restaurant
Probably Charlotte's best Mexican (though some Spanish-speaking joints on the east side might beg to differ). Relatively upscale, Zapata's enjoys one of the best restaurant locations in the University area: perched over a picturesque lake, across from the Hilton hotel, and within minutes of shopping destinations. Almost everything on the menu is good, including the drink specials.
Drink
Drink Boardwalk Billy's Raw Bar and Ribs
Popular beach-themed bar and restaurant. Frequent drink specials.
Drink Flying Saucer Draught Emporium
This is an authentic pub, with lots of beer and quality pub food. The beer Goddesses are cute, and friendly. Come at night for Trivia, Glass night, etc. Check the website's calendar for more info.
Sleep
Stay InTown Suites (InTown Suites Extended Stay Select Charlotte NC - University)
Possibly the cheapest hotel in the city. Located off Tryon St. in a somewhat gritty area, but easily accessible to a lot of the city's amenities (you can get to almost anything in Uptown, University City and NoDa within 15 minutes' drive). Most rooms run about $25/night.
Stay University Place Hilton
If staying Uptown isn't your cup of tea, consider this one of the best alternatives around. This hotel is one of the vibrant University City area's keystones, and is located adjacent to a major shopping complex. Take a stroll around the lake, try out the paddleboats, eat dinner on a patio balcony only a few minutes' walk from your room. Upper rooms have excellent views of the surrounding area, and most lower rooms have a nice view of the lake. $98-169.
Nearby
Harrisburg
City / town · 10 listings · 6 mi away
Huntersville
City / town · 17 listings · 9 mi away
Concord
City / town · 30 listings · 11 mi away
Matthews
City / town · 13 listings · 13 mi away
Cornelius
City / town · 14 listings · 14 mi away
Kannapolis
City / town · 19 listings · 15 mi away
Davidson
City / town · 14 listings · 15 mi away
Midland
City / town · 2 listings · 15 mi away
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