South Mountains State Park in Burke County offers prominent hiking trails 60 miles outside Charlotte. | Photo by CLTtoday
Yes, it’s hot outside — but when you’re surrounded by trees, it’s not that bad. From quick and easy loops around town to drives that take you to fantastic mountain vistas and lush waterfalls, our city has so many options to hit the trail.Just be sure to stay hydrated and take it slow. US National Whitewater Center | 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy., Charlotte
Hike paths astride the Catawba River or visit off-leash destinations with your dog. McDowell Nature Center | 15222 York Rd., Charlotte
Walk a 1.2-mile loop featuring scenic creek views.
Crowders Mountains State Park is located 25 miles west of Charlotte.
Photo by CLTtoday
Crowders Mountain State Park | 522 Park Office Ln., Kings Mountain
Crowders Mountain State Park boasts two mountain peaks with magnificent views of the surrounding Piedmont. Lake Norman State Park | 759 State Park Rd., Troutman
Hike a channel of forested trails along the largest man-made lake in North Carolina.
Summer Concert Series | 6-9 p.m. | Comporium Amphitheater at Dairy Barn Entrance, Fort Mill, SC | Free | Grab a lawn chair to enjoy live music, food trucks, and good vibes.
World Championship Magic Show at Muddy River Distillery | 6-8 p.m. | Muddy River Distillery, Mount Holly | $17+ | Magician Michael Bloemeke will marvel the audience as he prepares for the FISM World Championship of Magic — the Olympics of Magic.
International Food Truck Festival | 4-11:30 p.m. | 209 South Chestnut St., Gastonia | Cost of purchase | Savor bites from nearly a dozen food trucks while enjoying live music.
Connecting South End: Summer Social! 21+ | 6:30-9 p.m. | The Horseshoe | $24+ | Meet new friends or spark an engaging conversation over drinks, games, and giveaways.
Saturday, June 28
Little Sugar Creek Greenway Run | 7 a.m. | Park Road Park | Free | Join Charlotte Running Club for a short or long run on the greenway.
Steele Creek Block Party | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Steele Creek Community Place | Free | Meet your neighbors at this community event packed with live music, art, and reflection.
“The Sound Of Music” | 2 p.m. + 7 p.m. | Carolina Theatre | $16+ | Catch a screening of the classic film or attend the evening showing — just warm up those vocal cords for the sing-along version.
Pride Walk Charlotte | 3-5 p.m. | Romare Bearden Park | $43 | Support the LGBTQ+ community in a walk to commemorate Pride Month.
This wine region is the Carolinas’ best-kept secret
Presented by Visit Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem is an easy home base for winery hopping at award-winning vineyards. | Photo provided by Visit Winston-Salem
Picture this: a crisp glass of locally grown white wine, rolling mountain views, and a breezy summer evening. It’s closer than you think.
Winston-Salem is the gateway to NC’s Yadkin Valley Wine Region, where you can experience world class winemaking + picturesque vineyards without a long flight to the West Coast. The topography and mild climate of the Blue Ridge region produces award-winning wine just a quick trip away.
Ellianos Coffee is now open in Mooresville. The drive-thru only coffee shop along Brawley School Road serves classic hot drip coffees, iced lattes, and grab-and-go bites. Looking for a new coffee spot? Consider finding your next favorite from this ever-growing list.
Development
Construction is going on now at the Improper Pig’s Plaza Midwood location. The restaurant at the former Pizza Peel on Central Avenue. has been in the works since May 2024. When an opening date is announced, we’ll keep you updated. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Biz
Nearly 400 jobs could be coming to Gaston County. The Board of Commissioners approved an incentives grant for Project Dove — an economic development project that will establish a manufacturing facility in Belmont. A timeline for the company’s decision is TBA. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Ranked
The Queen City ranked No. 1 for the worst DMVs in the country, according to a new study of Google reviews. The worst-rated DMV was the location at Arrowood Road and Hebron Street near Quail Hollow Club. Do you agree with the results? Let us know. (WCNC)
Sports
Queens University will be an NCAA Division 1 member starting July 1, granting full postseason eligibility in Division 1 sports. The decision to transfer divisions came after the university accepted an invitation to join the Atlantic Sun Conference in May 2022. (WCNC)
Health
Tomorrow is National HIV Testing Day and Mecklenburg County Public Health is hosting free HIV and STI testing clinics at multiple sites across the county. Registration is free.
Cause
It’s always Bo’time for a good cause. Bojangles is donating 10% of proceeds from its peach cobbler to two military-focused charities: Folds of Honor Foundation and Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation. The campaign runs through Friday, July 25. (Business Wire)
Featured
Several Charlotte restaurants, including Sullivan’s Steakhouse, Counter-, and L’Ostrica, were recently named in the Wine Spectator’s 2025 Restaurant Awards list. The honor recognizes restaurants with wine lists that offer large selections that appeal to enthusiasts while complementing the cuisine.
Plan Ahead
What’s black and white and fun all over? Panda Fest is taking over Ballantyne’s Backyard in September. The three-day festival features more than 70 food vendors serving 300+ dishes from China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. Early bird tickets are on sale through July 13. (WCNC)
Listen
How are we feeling post-NBA Draft? Go beyond the stage for the biggest stories on the Charlotte Hornetswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Travel
Looking for weekend plans? Head to Jackson County, NC, tomorrow, June 27 and Saturday, June 28, for the Summertime Mountain Artisans Arts & Crafts Show. Dozens of skilled artisans will showcase everything from doll craft and leather goods to handwoven rugs, quilts, and handmade jewelry. Plan your visit.*
Shop
This doctor-recommended vibrator has been shown in published studies to help heighten arousal and support comfort when dryness occurs, thanks to its ultra-flexible shape designed to stimulate all the right spots. Even better? Save 30% today.*
Finance
It turns out all that glitters is gold — at least, in a gold IRA, which lets you hold real gold minus the storage hassle. (Gold is projected to hit $4,000 an ounce by 2026.) Grab your glitter.†*
The basics you need while they’re on sale. Amazon Basics just marked down tons of products in a sale exclusive for Prime members — time to restock the bathroom/office/supply closet shelves:
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
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