Charlotte's Lakeside Suburb Is A Forested North Carolina Foodie Escape With Boutique Shopping And Waterfront Trails

There's something about being close to water that melts the stress away. About 20 minutes north of uptown Charlotte, you can get away from the buzzing Queen City and surround yourself with woods and water in Huntersville, North Carolina. With access to Lake Norman, North Carolina's largest manmade lake, about 15 minutes north, and Mountain Island Lake just 15 minutes southwest, there's plenty of outdoor activities, dining, and shopping to float your boat.

Huntersville's natural spaces offer plenty of ways to unwind in the fresh air, with well-maintained trails and tranquil lake views. The Latta Nature Preserve and its interactive nature center sit on the banks of Mountain Island Lake with 16 miles of trails, including several short hikes that take you along the shoreline and through the forest. For a longer walk in the woods, three trails connect — Hill Trail, Cove Trail, and Split Rock Loop — to form a 5-mile circuit. Don't miss the preserve's 30-plus winged residents at the Carolina Raptor Center, where they rehabilitate birds of prey. 

If you're keen for some time on the water, head to Lake Norman. You'll cover more of Lake Norman's 32,510-acre surface by boat, and Ride Wake & Surf Co. offers charters for chill pontoons. Or make waves — and surf them — with a wake boat charter.

Nature is restorative, but so is shopping. Head to Birkdale Village, Huntersville's epicenter of high-end stores and restaurants, for an afternoon of retail therapy. Poppies is your place for preppy, personalized gifts, and Uniquities boasts an on-trend selection of clothing and jewelry from favorite designer brands like FRAME and Ulla Johnson. Expand your spree beyond Birkdale Village with a visit to North Carolina's oldest standing store, the historic Hugh Torance House and Store. The well-preserved home and attached mercantile date back to 1779, where you can find unique souvenirs created by local makers and artists.

After a day out in the sun, it's time to relax and replenish. Dine in a historic farmhouse on an old dairy farm at Hunter House, where the cocktails are as thoughtful as the Southern-inspired food. Try one of their mixology classes or seasonal high teas for a unique culinary experience. Back in Birkdale Village, eating options abound from fresh seafood at Fin & Fino to laid-back barbecue at Midwood Smokehouse. Guy Fieri put Pinky's Westside Grill on the map — it's literally not for the faint of heart with its famous, artery-clogging Triple "G" Burger, "Westside" style. In Huntersville's sister lakeside suburb of Cornelius, you can dine on trout crudo while overlooking Lake Norman at Hello Sailor. From Huntersville, foodies need only drive an hour south to pig out in Lexington, a vibrant town known as North Carolina's "Barbecue Capital."

Huntersville is an easy 20-minute drive from Charlotte, where you'll find the closest airport. It's hard to ignore shiny Charlotte as you drive right through the city center on your journey north. The Levine Center for the Arts pass is the best value for experiencing culture in Charlotte. For $20, you get two days of access to three Charlotte museums: Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, and the Mint Museum. Stop for lunch at longtime local favorite Alexander Michael's in Fourth Ward, a charming neighborhood with historic homes, parks, boutiques, and secret gardens.

If you live to luxuriate, you'll find a solid selection of four- and five-star accommodations in nearby Charlotte, like Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel and The Ritz-Carlton. Huntersville has a decent selection of convenient and dependable mid-range hotel brands to choose from, like the centrally located Country Inn & Suites. This apartment on Airbnb puts you right in the middle of the action in Birkdale Village. Or really lean into lake life with a waterfront home rental right on Lake Norman.