As the largest city in North Carolina, Charlotte is best known for its sub-tropical climate, financial institutions and major sports franchises. This Southern city has plenty of charm, great places to eat, and cool attractions that make it worth a stop on your travel nursing journey. You can enjoy the city’s nightlife, museums and restaurants, or unwind from work at one of the many festivals or sporting events that occur throughout the year. If Charlotte is on your list of travel nurse assignment destinations you will find plenty to keep yourself busy
Don’t Miss These Charlotte Food Experiences
Not only does Charlotte have one of the best food scenes in North Carolina, it has one of the best in the entire South. If you are looking to experience some local cuisine, there is plenty to choose from at a variety of price points. What is a travel nursing assignment if you don’t get to enjoy the best local dishes? From biscuits and barbecue to fried chicken and the Southern specialty, pimento cheese, you will have plenty of delicious food to try on a travel nurse assignment in Charlotte
For the real soul food experience, try La’Wan’s Soul Food (opens in new tab). La’Wan’s has been serving Southwest Charlotte family recipes like salt and pepper catfish, smothered pork chops and fried chicken since 2001. This is the restaurant you will need to try to say you got a real taste of Southern food.
Searching for something a little more downtown? Then head on over to Mert’s Heart and Soul (opens in new tab). Considered a community institution in Charlotte, people come to Mert’s for their unforgettable daily fixins,’ like ribs, chicken and salmon cakes, and their low country-style and Gullah-inspired favorites like shrimp and grits and Charleston red rice.
Since you will have time for more than just soul food, Charlotte is great because it delivers on a lot of foodie fronts. Be sure to check out Futo Buta (opens in new tab). This modern space offers creative ramen cuisine that is among the best in Charlotte. Among their many options is the must-have “Fire and Ice” ramen which includes kimchi and dashi broth, hot smoked salmon, fresh mint, bok choy, shaved carrot, radish, black sesame, scallion, and leek.
Another fun way to experience the local cuisine is through the food truck scene. From cupcakes to burgers, you can find it all. On the south end of Charlotte, trucks come together for Food Truck Friday (opens in new tab). This would be a great nurses night out if you are looking to meet up with fellow travelers in the area!
Every travel nurse contract deserves one big “treat yourself” night. The Fig Tree Restaurant (opens in new tab)is perfect for this splurge. Located in the historic Lucas House, the restaurant provides an exceptional dining experience complete with a seasonal French and Italian inspired menu and an outstanding, award winning wine list. When it comes to the menu (opens in new tab), you can choose from seafood dishes like sautéed shrimp with sea peas in a pesto cream sauce or opt for the game with a braised lamb shank and sweet potato shepherd's pie. The Fig Tree isn’t focused on what’s new or trendy, and that’s evident in the restaurant’s longstanding signature dish, the elk chop — grilled New Zealand elk chop over horseradish spaetzle with smoked bacon-braised purple cabbage and boursin-dijon sauce – which has been on the menu for nearly 15 years.
Must Visit Attractions in Charlotte
U.S National Whitewater Center
If you are looking to spend some time outdoors during your assignment, this is the place to go. Situated on over 1,300 acres of woodlands, and adjacent to the Catawba River, the USNWC fosters an environment for people to come together to play outside. Home to the world’s largest man-made whitewater river, this center offers a wide variety of outdoor activities for all ages and skill levels. While whitewater kayaking is the most popular, guests can also engage in kayaking, flatwater kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, deep water solo, rock climbing, ziplines, ropes courses, and mountain biking on over a 50+ mile trail system.
Before you go, check out the center’s events and special offers: Adventure Dining, a summer concert series and annual festivals draw locals and visitors year-round.
Levine Center for the Arts
Levine Center for the Arts is another Charlotte landmark that is worth at least a few day trips. If you are looking to experience some of Charlotte’s major cultural destinations and view incredible art collections, the Levine Center offers plenty to do. For a $20 ticket, you will have 48 hours to explore the, the Harvey B. Gantt Center for the African-American Arts + Culture (opens in new tab), and the Mint Museum Uptown (opens in new tab)at your own pace. In addition to these popular permanent exhibits, the museums also feature numerous speakers and film festivals throughout the year and different jazz ensembles each month.
7th Street Public Market
If you are looking for somewhere to wander and take in local culture on a day off, the 7th Street Public Market is perfect. Just off the LYNX Blue Line light rail, this beloved urban market offers gourmet sandwiches, fine wine, craft beer, artisan pizza and more in the heart of Charlotte’s Center City. CLT Find is also located here, which is a great place to stop and grab whatever souvenir you prefer to collect from each assignment location. As far as food goes, the market has lots of unique options. It’s Poppin Gourmet Kettle Corn comes in inventive flavors such as fried chicken and cotton candy, and Zia Pia Imports and Orrman’s Cheese Shop package tasty treats that are perfect for snacking on while you explore.
Get Outdoors in Charlotte
If you are in search of great scenery on your travel nurse assignments, Charlotte hits the mark here as well. Not only does Charlotte offer great activities at the U.S. National Whitewater Center, it is also home to some beautiful gardens. The botanical garden on the grounds of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte is the perfect location for a relaxing stroll. The gardens sit on 10 acres of land and include a variety of plant life, from tropical flowers to local plants. There’s even a secret walled-in garden built in the 1920s by an environmentalist as an escape from the world.
In addition to botanical gardens, Charlotte also has a vast network of greenways. These greenways are great if you are a runner or want to explore by renting a B-Cycle bike. Head to Little Sugar Creek Greenway (opens in new tab)(which runs from Cordelia Park to Huntingtowne Farms Park), Anne Springs Close Greenway (opens in new tab)(which has 40-plus miles of trails) or Toby Creek Greenway (opens in new tab)(which extends from Mallard Creek Greenway to University City Blvd.). The beautiful scenery and well-maintained trails will make it easy to get your exercise in.
While there are no national parks directly near Charlotte, there are plenty that are a few hours’ drive away. The Congaree National Park just southeast of Columbia, SC, is the closest to Charlotte and is less than two hours away. Congaree is known best for its beautiful trees. Nicknamed the "Redwoods of the East," the Congaree boasts the tallest known specimens of 15 species
A fun weekend trip option while on assignment is right next door in North Carolina. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a great option if you enjoy mountain scenery or like to hike. A three-hour drive from Charlotte, the Great Smoky Mountains are the most visited national park in the country and encloses over 520,000 acres of land. There are all levels of hiking trails or you can explore the 90+ historical buildings in the park.
Nightlife in Charlotte
When the sun goes down on Charlotte, the city has a great scene of local musicians, speakeasies, clubs and breweries. Charlotte is also becoming a cultural hub for diverse dancing styles bringing in large crowds who want to join in on the action. Whether you are looking for a night on the town or a place to relax and enjoy local music, Charlotte has something to offer.
Roxbury Nightclub
Charlotte’s reigning ‘80s and ‘90s themed nightclub, Roxbury will be your new favorite stomping grounds. The nightclub has two levels with walls filled with retro memorabilia. The heated courtyard patio and Tiki Bar are a fun touch and are great even on cooler evenings. Don’t forget to also check out the vintage game room, filled with fun classic arcade games like Pac Man and Galaga.
The Scorpio
Scorpio is a great option if you are looking for a colorful night out with new travel nurse friends. As Charlotte’s oldest gay bar, Scorpio (opens in new tab)must be doing something right since it has been a staple in the community for more than 50 years. One of the most popular LGBTQ dance clubs in the city, people from all around the country come to have a great time in a worry-free environment. The frequent drag and modeling runway shows makes it one of the more inclusive (both by gender and race) gay bars in town. A good thing to note: this bar is cash only, so come prepared!
Live Music Venues
Charlotte has a long list of live music venues and a never-ending rotation of artists. Spots like the PNC Music Pavilion (opens in new tab), Blumenthal Performing Arts (opens in new tab), and The Bojangles’ Entertainment Complex (opens in new tab)offer everything from touring concerts to comedy shows. The Spectrum Center (opens in new tab), where the Charlotte Hornets both practice and play, is completely transformed each month when acts like Ed Sheeran, Jay-Z, Taylor Swift and Sam Smith take the stage.
Getting around Charlotte
Charlotte is a major metropolitan area with an extensive public transportation (opens in new tab)system, which makes it easy to get around the city without a car. In fact, it is probably easier and cheaper to leave your car at home than paying for parking downtown. You can take the light rail all the way from the southwest corner of the city to Uptown. The trains run every 7.5 minutes during rush hour, so you won’t be left waiting long. Service also continues well after midnight, so you can get home safely after a night on the town.
The CityLYNX Gold Line streetcar system provides free rides between some of the area's landmark businesses, including the Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center. The streetcars run every 15-20 minutes and offer services every day of the week although hours change on the weekends. If you have to travel across or outside of the city, the CATS bus service is another convenient and affordable transportation option.
The Queen City has also made efforts to become more bike friendly. There are bike lanes on most of the roads, so you can safely pedal your way around the city. If you didn’t bring your own bike, take advantage of the bike sharing program to rent one for the day. When you are done, you simply park the bike at a nearby docking station.
With the Charlotte Douglas International (opens in new tab)airport located just outside of the downtown area, it will be easy for friends and family to fly in for a visit. The airport is a major transportation hub and offers direct flights from dozens of cities as well as international services. Visitors can use a ride sharing service or hop the bus and be transported right into the heart of the city.
Hospitals in Charlotte
Charlotte is home to a long list of world class hospitals with a range of specialties. If you work in pediatrics, the Carolinas Medical Center is nationally ranked in seven different children’s specialties and offers two locations. CMC is also a teaching hospital if you enjoy working with resident physicians or nursing students.
The Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center is another major facility that serves the community by providing general medical and surgical services. No matter what your specialty is, you should be able to have your recruiter find something for you in Charlotte.
Housing for Travel Nurses in Charlotte
As a fairly large city, Charlotte offers lots of options for travel nurses looking for housing in the area. Whether you are in the market for a single room with shared common spaces or you are looking for a full house or apartment to yourself, you will be able to find the right space to fit your needs and your budget. Here is a quick look at some available properties from Furnished Finder (opens in new tab)/ Travel Nurse Housing (opens in new tab)
Dilworth Condo (opens in new tab)
This townhouse property is perfect for sharing with other travel nurses. It includes 2 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms and plenty of common space. You can enjoy fully furnished amenities and a modern interior decor that is cool and airy. The home allows in plenty of natural light and has a great balcony to enjoy the weather. As an added bonus, there is a washer and dryer in the unit. Perhaps best of all, it is located just 18 minutes from the airport and less than 10 miles from three major hospitals, including: Novant Health Presbyterian (opens in new tab)Medical Center, Levine Children’s Hospital (opens in new tab), and Atrium Health Mercy (opens in new tab).
Warm and Inviting - Private Room Rental (opens in new tab)
If you want to save as much money as possible during your time as a travel nurse, there are some more economical housing choices in Charlotte that still offer a long list of amenities and close proximity to hospitals.
This room rental is just one example of a more affordable option. Tenants will enjoy access to their own bedroom and bathroom along with a full kitchen, WiFi, washer and dryer and on-site parking. Centrally located between Charlotte and the Lake Norman area, this home is in a quiet neighborhood that is 25 mins from Uptown Charlotte and the Charlotte Douglas International Airport. While you won’t be within walking distance of hospitals, you will be just a short drive away from Novant Health Huntersville Medical Center (opens in new tab), Atrium Health University City (opens in new tab), Atrium Health Carolina's Medical Center (opens in new tab), Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center (opens in new tab), and Atrium Health Lincoln (opens in new tab). It is the perfect option for anyone looking for a quiet place to relax after a long day at work while still remaining close to all the city has to offer.
Charlotte offers an exciting opportunity for travel nurses to experience a truly unique city located right near the Great Smoky Mountains. Get away from the cold weather and take advantage of a mild climate that makes it easy to get outdoors. With a vibrant cultural scene that is full of history and multiculturalism and award-winning restaurants, Charlotte offers the perfect location to have some fun while working at state of the art hospitals while on your travel nurse assignment.