Ghost tour guides dress for the occasion, donning coats, suits, dresses + equipped with lanterns. | Photo via WCNC
As All Hallows Eve approaches, ghost tours are boo-king fast. Queen City residents and visitors are spending the evening hours learning — and getting scared — by the history of Charlotte’s ghosts.
Many Uptown tours travel through Old Settler’s Cemetery, one of North Carolina’s oldest cemeteries and the first city-owned cemetery in Charlotte. It’s home to some of the city’s earliest settlers, including Charles Polk, also known as “Devil Charlie.”
According to US Ghost Adventures, Polk earned the nickname after a deadly incident with his wife. Legend says Polk’s spirit haunts the Queen City with his laugh becoming a soundtrack of the cemetery. Eerie, right?
Whether you believe in ghosts or want to learn more about the city’s haunted stories, there are several tours ready to give you the 4-1-1 year-round.
Queen City Ghosts | $25 | If the tale above gives you the creeps, consider booking this tour through Old Settler’s Cemetery.
Carolina Haunts and History | $15+ | Take a guided walking tour in Uptown via lantern light, visiting several landmarks and sites where departed inhabitants are said to linger.
Southern Charm Haunted/True Crime Tour | $28+ | Ride a golf cart through Uptown and learn the ghostly tales and true crime stories of the city’s past. Pro tip: Children under 12 are not permitted on this tour.
Beetlejuice offers a funny take on Charlotte’s history.
Photo via Social Ape Marketing
Funny Bus Halloween Tours | $35+ | This tour through the Queen City is all about the funny, not the frights — enjoy a mix of haunted stories, seasonal trivia, and surprise drop-ins from Beetlejuice and Wednesday Addams.
Rydables Ghost Tour of Charlotte | $39+ | Roll through the Queen City, riding animal-shaped scooters, to explore Charlotte’s most haunted landmarks.
Charlotte Haunted Booze and Boos Tour | $29+ | Nightly Spirits Charlotte hosts this tour where guests can learn about the spirits (and booze) around the Queen City.
Events
Events
Wednesday, Oct. 30
Talking The Cost Of Housing | 5-6:30 p.m. | Innovation Barn | Free | Join city leaders for an engaging conversation about housing affordability in Charlotte.
Dueling Pianos Halloween Spook-tacular | 7-9 p.m. | Basilico Italiano, Concord | Cost of purchase | Jam to Halloween classics like “Thriller” and “Monster Mash” accompanied by dueling pianos.
MANIA: The ABBA Tribute | 7:30 p.m. | Ovens Auditorium | $25+ | Become a “Dancing Queen” while singing along to this tribute band.
Thursday, Oct. 31
Halloween Sip & Stroll | 5-10 p.m. | Sip City Market & Bottle Shop | $22 | Put on your ghostly best for a self-guided bar crawl around Plaza Midwood.
Halloween at The Market | Gibson Mill Market, Concord | Cost of purchase | Enjoy dinner at the market while passing out candy to trick-or-treaters.
Balloon Glow & Laser Show | 5 p.m. | Rowan County Fairgrounds, Salisbury | $10-$45 | Watch hot air balloons light up the night sky.
The Music of Queen | 7:30 p.m. | Belk Theatre | $32+ | Experience “A Kind of Magic” during this electric tribute to one of the greatest rock bands of all time.
Debit and credit cards may soon be used for single rides on buses and the light rail. Charlotte City Council approved a $4 million grant for CATS to upgrade its technology — including a tap-to-pay system. A timeline for the upgrades to be rolled out is TBA. (Queen City News)
Cause
The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte is in need of warehouse space for its Christmas assistance programs. The organization needs at least 50,000 sqft with parking, a loading dock, and availablity until mid-January. See how you can help. (WCNC)
Community
CMPD Animal Care and Control is transforming a property on S. Tryon Street into a future adoption center. The new space would alleviate shelter overcrowding. Groundbreaking is expected in the fall of 2025 with an anticipated 2026 opening. (WCNC)
Edu
Students attending UNC institutions are eligible for additional financial help in the wake of Helene. Financial aid recipients + students with family incomes below $80,000 will receive an average of $850 added to 2024-25 scholarships.
Announced
Speaking of scholarships... Applications are open for the 2024-2025 Shari Simon Greenberg Community Scholarship. High school seniors may receive up to $1,000 toward college or vocational education. Together, SouthPark, Concord Mills, and Charlotte Premium Outlets have awarded over $35,000 to local scholars.
Opening
Red Bridges BBQ Lodge is reopening today after a fire last week. The Shelby staple lost its pits but plan to cook outdoors. No damage was done inside the restaurant.
Try This
New York-based The Halal Guys is now open in lower South End. The restaurant at 3216 South Blvd., Ste. 102 will host a grand opening celebration this weekend. Expect gyros, sandwiches, falafel, and giveaways. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Sports
The Carolina Panthers traded wide receiver Diontae Johnson to the Baltimore Ravens. Johnson had 30 catches for 357 yards and 3 touchdowns this season. He’ll go to the Ravens along with a sixth-round pick in exchange for Baltimore’s fifth-round pick. (WCNC)
Listen
LaMelo Ball is bringing the heat on offense. How will Buzz City use his skills tonight against the Raptors? Go beyond the hardwood for the biggest stories on the Charlotte Hornetswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Health
Did you know? Knee and hip replacement patients are getting younger. See why — and how scheduling a consultation with an orthopedic surgeon or weight loss specialist can help.*
“The Day of the Dead is a celebration that’s recognized by UNESCO,” Jose Hernández-París, CEO of the Latin American Coalition, told reporters at a recent altar unveiling. “It’s not just a celebration of culture or heritage, but something that is worldwide recognized as part of our history and heritage.”
This year’s festival will feature:
Story readings and live music
Catrina parade
Marigold flower making
Jewelry making
Skull decorating
The free event is Saturday, Nov. 2, from 12 to 8 p.m. In 2023, the festival drew 10,000 people to Camp North End. This year, organizers expect upwards of 14,000 attendees.
A great deal for the holidays ahead — get 18 bottles of wine for $79 plus shipping. Choose from red, white, or a variety pack of red, white, and rosé. Hello, stocked bar for holiday hosting season.
City Editor Jack and I had our fill of New York-style pizza at Zepeddie’s Pizzeria. The restaurant is back after being closed for 20+ years. Our favorites were the Bianca and the Big Gabagool. While we were dining, a group walked in and said “we heard this was the best pizza in town.” It was delicious. The family-owned restaurant is hosting a grand opening celebration this weekend, complete with a Stromboli-eating contest. We highly recommend checking it out.
