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  • Axios Charlotte

    Explore Pineville: A guide on what to do, see, eat and drink in Pineville.

    By McKenzie Rankin,

    2024-07-24

    Drive 20 minutes south of Uptown and you'll find Pineville, a flourishing Charlotte suburb named for its abundance of pine trees.

    Why it matters: Pineville has seen significant growth in recent years, characterized by new greenways and a growing international population .


    Here are 19 things to check out during your next visit.

    Stock up on international foods at Super G Mart

    What to expect: A massive international supermarket with groceries, produce and household items from all over the world, plus an onsite international food hall called Alley 51 .

    Stop by: 10500 Centrum Pkwy

    Go deeper: International food hall Alley 51 opening inside Super G Mart in Pineville

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2SjnD9_0ubXC5Lt00
    The special platter from Railay Thai Express inside Alley 51. Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios

    Pick up a baker’s dozen from MJ Donuts

    The vibe: This hole-in-the-wall donut shop serves traditional homemade donuts and cake donuts, plus other pastries like cinnamon rolls and muffins.

    Pro tip: It's best to go early — the shop closes every day at noon.

    Stop by: 325 South Polk St. , in Pineville Towne Market

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=02Iy8R_0ubXC5Lt00
    Photo: Axios archives

    Wake up with coffee from Waterbean

    The vibe: A quickly growing local coffee chain, known for its specialty coffee drinks and espresso flights. You can find the Pineville cafe on Main Street in downtown.

    Dig in: Their most popular drink is the signature Paradise Iced Latte, made with lavender, brown sugar and ube cold foam.

    Stop by: 333 Main St.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0Z6LsS_0ubXC5Lt00
    A coconut cold brew from the Pineville Waterbean. Photo: McKenzie Rankin/Axios

    Grab a cup, cone, or shake from Carolina Scoops

    The vibe: This family-owned ice cream shop downtown offers 16 different ice cream flavors, sundaes, milkshakes and floats.

    Stop by: 105 Dover St. , around the corner from Waterbean Coffee.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4dFg3s_0ubXC5Lt00
    We tried (crushed) a scoop of Carolina Crunch. Photo: McKenzie Rankin/Axios

    Go shopping at Carolina Place Mall

    What to expect: An indoor shopping mall with a mix of department stores (Belk, Dillard's), local retailers (Southern Lion) and brand names (H&M, Pandora, REI), plus a food court (Chipotle, Chic-fil-A, McAlister's) and entertainment venues like Dave and Buster's and Breakout Games Escape Room.

    • View the full directory here .

    Stop by: 11025 Carolina Place Pkwy.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2ShfYr_0ubXC5Lt00
    Photo: Axios archives

    Visit the President James K. Polk State Historic Site

    Context: Pineville is the birthplace of the 11th President of the United States, James K. Polk.

    • The President James K. Polk State Historic Site sits on 21 of the original 150 acres owned by his father, Samuel Polk.
    • Inside, there's a free museum on the life of Polk and his presidency. You can also take guided tours of the historic cabins on the ground.

    Fun fact: A new stretch of the Little Sugar Creek Greenway runs from the site grounds to Gilroy Drive in Lancaster County, S.C.

    Stop by: 12031 Lancaster Hwy.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=395aay_0ubXC5Lt00
    It's free to walk through the museum, and paid guided tours are available Thursday-Saturday. Photo: McKenzie Rankin/Axios

    Go ice skating at Pineville Ice House

    What to expect: An NHL-size ice skating rink with hockey and skating lessons, and public skating year-round. There's also a bar and grill onsite if you want somewhere to chill off the ice.

    If you go: Admission is $15, and skates are included.

    Stop by: 400 Towne Centre Blvd ., in Pineville Town Market

    • Public skating hours vary, check the schedule here .
    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3xgGXP_0ubXC5Lt00
    Photo: Axios archives

    Defy gravity with a class at AIR Aerial Fitness

    What to expect: AIR is an "aerial fitness training program fusing elements of conditioning, Pilates, ballet and HIIT (high-intensity interval training) on aerial hammocks," according to its website.

    • Check out the studio's schedule and all class offerings here .

    Stop by: 605 N Polk St.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1hdFiR_0ubXC5Lt00
    I took the AIR foundation class with Kerri. It's slower-paced and great for beginners but still provides a challenge. Photo: McKenzie Rankin/Axios

    Get a taste of the local beer scene

    Pineville may not be the brewery mecca Charlotte is, but there are still plenty of breweries to try. A couple include:

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0Xys9n_0ubXC5Lt00
    Middle James Brewing Co. often hosts events like trivia nights and music bingo. Photo: Axios archives

    Get your Wienerschnitzel fix at the Waldhorn Restaurant

    The vibe: This family-run restaurant has been serving traditional German food since 1999 with dishes from passed-down family recipes.

    Dig in: Try the Waldhorn Sampler with pork, which comes with a pork wiener schnitzel, bratwurst and tafelspitz, served with spätzle, red cabbage, brown sauce and horseradish cream sauce ($20.95).

    Stop by: 12101 Lancaster Hwy , near the President James K. Polk State Historic Site.

    Enjoy a diner-style meal at The Dive N

    The vibe: An old-school diner serving breakfast and lunch classics like biscuits & gravy, egg plates, pancakes, hamburgers and hot dogs.

    Dig in: Try Jimmy’s Special — a double cheeseburger topped with mustard, pickles, special sauce and a massive onion ring ($10.95).

    Stop by: 109 North Polk St.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3x8sOs_0ubXC5Lt00
    Jimmy's special. Photo: Axios archives

    Try the wings from d.d. Peckers

    Charlotte wing lovers know d.d. Peckers. The neighborhood joint is widely regarded as one of the best wing spots in the city.

    Dig in: Expect over 25 wing flavors, all made in-house (we recommend the hot and honey hot sauces).

    • Not a wing fan? Other menu options include wraps, salads, burgers and snacks like fries, nachos and dips.

    Stop by: 10403 Park Road

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=29rws5_0ubXC5Lt00
    Photo: Axios archives

    Los Paisas Colombian Restaurant

    The vibe: Authentic Colombian restaurant with $9.24 lunch specials Monday-Friday.

    Dig in: Expect traditional Colombian dishes like the Bandeja tipica Colombiana, served with grilled beef, beans, red sausage, pork crackling, rice, egg, sweet plantains, avocado and white corn tortilla ($18).

    Stop by: 8318 Pineville-Matthews Road , in the McMullen Creek Market.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2et4Hn_0ubXC5Lt00
    Bandeja tipica Colombiana. Photo: Axios archvies

    Try authentic Peruvian cuisine at MachuPicchu

    The vibe: A menu is packed with more than 50 Peruvian dishes, from rotisserie chicken to Peruvian-style fried rice to spaghetti with beef.

    Dig in: We recommend the fish ceviche ($21.99) and the chicken fried rice ($15.99)

    Stop by: 315 South Polk St. , in Pineville Towne Market

    Let the good times roll at Spare Time

    The vibe: A massive entertainment facility with bowling lanes, an arcade, laser tag and escape rooms. Plus, there's a restaurant and bar inside.

    Stop by: 9600 Pineville-Matthews Road

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2jsX8y_0ubXC5Lt00
    Photo: McKenzie Rankin/Axios

    Sip your favorite cocktail at The Garrison

    The vibe: Located in historic downtown, The Garrison opened in 2022 as Pineville's first cocktail bar .

    The vibe: A two-story restaurant and cocktail bar specializing in American classics like filets, rib eyes, chicken wings and seafood, plus brunch on Sundays.

    Stop by: 314 Main St.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4dugLW_0ubXC5Lt00
    Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios

    Share a pizza at Margaux’s Wine, Pizza & Market

    The vibe: Located next door, Margaux's is The Garrison's (older) sister restaurant that's known for its St. Louis-style pizza, large wine selection and for making an appearance on Charlotte's season of " Love Is Blind ."

    What to expect: Speciality 'zas like the Sicilian, with Italian sausage, pepperoni, black olives, green peppers, red onions ($16.50), wines by the glass or bottle, charcuterie, soups/salads, plus some prepped food items to take home.

    Stop by: 316 Main St.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2dDgNA_0ubXC5Lt00
    Photo: Axios Archives

    Walk, jog or bike on one of the numerous nearby greenways

    Little Sugar Creek Greenway and McMullen Creek are two greenways in Pineville.

    • Several others running through the south Charlotte area include Lower McAlpine Creek, Four Mile Creek Greenway and Six Mile Creek Greenway.

    Details: See all nearby trails (and where to park) on the Mecklenburg County Park Explorer here .

    Go deeper: 10 Charlotte-area greenway projects to watch in 2024

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1lfSQM_0ubXC5Lt00
    Photo: Axios Archives

    Play pool and drink cheap beer at Two Buck Saloon

    The beloved Plaza Midwood dive bar, known for its live music, numerous pool tables and $2 beer, recently opened a location on Pineville's downtown strip.

    Stop by: 329 Main St.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1l1umP_0ubXC5Lt00
    Two Buck's Pineville location opened in April 2024. Photo: McKenzie Rankin/Axios

    Editor's note: This guide was originally published in 2021 and last updated July 23, 2024.

    • Axios Charlotte thanks our partners for supporting our content. Sponsorship has no influence on editorial content.

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