Established in 1891, Dilworth is Charlotte NC’s original suburb. Noted on the National Register of Historic Places, the Dilworth neighborhood is centuries old and bursting with antique charm.
Wine bars, coffee shops, and eatories are generous in this neighborhood, making it one of Charlotte’s most walkable and visited places.
Here is What to do in Dilworth
Visit Freedom Park
Freedom Park is a 98-acre park located between Dilworth and the Myers Park neighborhoods. It offers many fun activities. For the sports enthusiast, grab your racket and play some tennis or play a pickup soccer game in one of the four soccer fields or a game of volleyball in one of the two sand volleyball courts. There’s also a seven-acre lake and two playgrounds. Also featured is the NFL Play 60 KidZone, which is a one-of-a-kind permanent play area that hosts an obstacle course, 40-yard-dash, a photo booth, and other elements.
Visit the Boutiques
Charlotte’s most walkable neighborhood is host to the boutique-filled East Boulevard where you can get your fill of shopping.
Score some local gifts, books, cards, or other knick knacks at Paper Skyscraper, a Charlotte staple for over 25 years. This 5,000-square-foot store is a book lover’s dream destination. In addition to their towering selection of books, you can find stationary, gifts, cards, décor and even art within their walls. Whether you’re bringing a friend to the neighborhood or exploring on your own, this is one spot you don’t want to miss.
Looking to revamp your wardrobe while you’re in town? Head to Revolution Clothiers & Co. for a unique shopping experience you won’t find in a big-box store. Dedicated to curated fashion that transcends fleeting trends, this store hand-selects every brand it carries.
Vestique and McKenzie Claire on East Blvd also are go-to destinations for great clothing options as well.
Where to Eat in Dilworth
Sunflour Baking Company
Begin your day at Sunflour Baking Company on East Blvd with coffee and made from scratch biscuits (or any of the other pastries and breakfast sandwiches made in house daily). A family-owned bakery & cafe, the team prepares everything onsite and support local vendors. They source their coffee through Pure Intentions Coffee, the local specialty roaster in Charlotte. There’s nothing like a fresh croissant from the bakery.
JJ’s Red Hots
According to the owners, JJ’s Red Hots is more than a restaurant: It’s a hot dog joint that serves what they consider the best hot dogs on the planet. Open on Tuesday-Saturday from 11am-8pm and Sunday from 11am-5pm, JJ’s Sahlen’s smokehouse hot dogs and sausages served up on Martin’s potato rolls can’t be missed.
300 East
After a hard day of shopping or hanging out in Freedom Park, 300 East is the perfect place to go for dinner. 300 East is a family-owned restaurant that’s been serving the Dilworth community since 1986. Their menu is locally sourced and offers a variety of New American style choices. They’re open Monday through Thursday 11am-9pm, Friday 11am-10pm, Saturday 10am-10pm, and Sunday 10am-9pm. They also offer Sunday brunch 10am-3pm.
Kid Cashew
Sit beneath bountiful greenery and string lights at Kid Cashew for fresh, Mediterranean-style cuisine. Start with the Spicy Feta Spread served with fresh pita points before diving into the wood-fired rack of lambs or quinoa-stuffed avocado.
Where to Grab a Drink in Dilworth
Not Just Coffee Dilworth
Not Just Coffee’s only location with a full cocktail and food menu also boasts some beautiful patio space, roll-up overhead doors, and an ever-changing menu. It has people flocking to Dilworth Crossing year round, and is also a great spot to post up to get some work done during the day while drinking your fill of hot coffee.
Green Brothers
It’s not always easy to find healthy food you actually love. Green Brothers aims to change that. They’ve quickly become one of Charlotte’s go-to spots for fresh-pressed juices, acai bowls and superfood smoothies. Want to start a cleanse that suits your schedule? Green Brothers sells cleanses that can last up to five days or just until dinnertime.
Bakersfield
A great spot for a date or a hangout with friends, Bakersfield lets you enjoy Mexican street fare and more than 100 tequilas and American whiskeys. On a nice day, the side wall is lifted so you can dine at a table with bench seating and enjoy the view of happenin’ East Boulevard.
Dilworth Tasting Room
Located in the heart of Dilworth, Dilworth Tasting Room boasts an open air private courtyard/patio that is Charlotte’s premier place to enjoy dinner and drinks. Their stunning bar serves up craft cocktails, local beer, and a unique wine list focusing on low-production, high-quality wines. Chef Jon Shuler has a rotating menu focused on the four seasons and Coastal Croatian Cuisine.
Ed’s Tavern
Ed’s Tavern is a laid-back gathering place, perfect to head to during happy hour or late night, with substantial bar bites, pool tables & 25-plus on-tap or bottled beers. It’s a beloved neighborhood hangout – part of Dilworth since 1935 – for good reason; see for yourself this weekend.
Family-friendly Activities in Dilworth
Visit Discovery Place Nature
Located just outside of Dilworth on the other side of Freedom Park, Discovery Place Nature is one of the four museums under the Discovery Place umbrella. It offers a variety of exhibits that provide for a great learning experience wherever you visit. They have live shows including Alligator Feeding and One World, One Sky where the kids can explore the night sky with Big Bird and Elmo. You can walk through the Butterfly Pavilion and enjoy the free-flying butterflies and native plants or you can explore Creature Cavern and go nose-to-nose with opossums, owls, snakes, and more.
Stop by the NASCAR Hall of Fame
The NASCAR Hall of Fame is an interactive entertainment attraction honoring the history and heritage of NASCAR. The high-tech venue is designed to educate and entertain race fans and non-fans alike and includes artifacts, hands-on exhibits, a 278-person state-of-the-art theater and much more. The goal of the museum is to honor NASCAR icons and create an enduring tribute to drivers, crew, and owners that have impacted the sport.
Visit the sweet, historically-rich, busy neighborhood of Dilworth in Charlotte NC today.
