The Elizabeth Neighborhood

By Joanna Housiadas - January 13, 2023

Welcome to Elizabeth

Rooted in an area of town that is well known for its historic houses and a blossoming business district, the neighborhood of Elizabeth is Charlotte's second oldest streetcar suburb and an inner-Charlotte hidden gem. With a mix of sprawling brick mansions lining well-manicured sidewalks, to quaint bungalows and newer townhome developments on tree-lined streets, historic Elizabeth's walkability, eclectic local shops and small-town vibe within minutes of center city, make it a popular place to call home.

History

Elizabeth was established in the 1890s and began to blossom during the early 1900s when a trolley line made the neighborhood accessible to center city Charlotte. It's home to some of Charlotte’s best-preserved early 20th century residences, making the area a treasure trove of architectural styles and charm. The area's residences include no less than five official Charlotte Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks. four churches, and is home to Independence Park, the city's first and oldest public park.

People & Lifestyle

Woven into the older Victorian and Craftsman-style residences of the neighborhood are, are new-build townhomes and modern traditional residences with updated interiors and open concept floor plans. Keeping pace with Charlotte's growth and expansion, Elizabeth has a well-balanced mix of young professionals, college students and families.

Each street corner offers eclectic, independent shops, galleries and dining options. Elizabeth is known for its walkable streets and bike-friendly infrastructure, making it easy for residents to enjoy the neighborhood. The highways are easily accessed by car in minutes, and thanks to the presence of the Charlotte CityLynx Gold Line, the street cars provide easy and quick access to other nearby parts of the city.

Dining, Shopping & Entertainment

Foodies will be delighted by a tasty melange of upscale, world-renown restaurants and hometown eateries. Make sure to stop into the Sunflower Bakery for piping hot coffee, tasty sandwiches and their saucer-sized baked daily cookies and sugar rolls.

Multiple fast casual spots that have grown into regional known for their ethnic flare have their roots in Elizabeth, including Latin Street Food Grill Sabor and Peruvian Chicken Joint Viva Chicken. Stop into Showmars for Greek and Southern-Inspired cuisine and make sure to pick up a handspun milkshake or cone for dessert at Elizabeth Creamery.

If you're looking for a selection of world-class wines and unparalled ambiance, make reservations to dine at The Fig Tree, located in the historic Lucas House. A must try for its seasonal fish selections, The Cajun Queen is also known for its live jazz music, enjoyed upstairs by patrons its historic setting seven nights a week. The Crunkleton serves up sophisticated cocktails and small ecletic plates, and on the weekends, a hearty brunch menu. Catch a live show at the Visualite Theatre, one of the city's best venues for watching performances in an intimate, relaxed setting.

When retail therapy calls, stop into East 8th Vintage to peruse vintage clothing and an ever-changing variety of kitchen, home ware and furniture items. If you're looking fortune up or a new bicycle to navigate the city's sprawling Greenway or bike lanes and group rides, The Spoke Easy a full-service bike shop and retailer, is your neighborhood spot.

Women's fashion boutique Thirty-One Jane is another local gem that brings a curated mix of women's contemporary clothing and accessories across a variety of styles and price points. Locally-owned Heroes Aren't Hard To Find is one of the largest and most well-known comics retailers in the country. Stop in to peruse their wide selection of new comics, graphic novels, and manga, as well as trade back issues, silver and golden age comics.

Ever growing and changing, the nieghborhood's latest mix-used project, Elizabeth on Seventh is bringing Class A office space and additional retail opportunities to the area.

Things To Do

Rounding out the neighborhood's sense of community are several local events and traditions, including The Great Pumpkin Wall and Carving Party in the fall, and Charlotte's oldest road race, The Elizabeth 8k Road Race, which returns each spring to benefit local charities. Attend or volunteer for the Elizabeth Home and Garden Tour, held each fall in celebration of the neighborhood's creative spirit and architectural diverity and tour a mix of private homes and public spaces.

In addition to Independence Park, nearby Chantilly Park with two playgrounds and Freedom Park in neighboring Dilworth have ample family friendly options to engage in, complete with running and biking trails, ball fields, amplitheatre, playgrounds, lake and and natural areas.

Schools

The neighborhood takes pride in Elizabeth Traditional Elementary School and Central Piedmont Community College. Elizabeth Traditional Elementary School has been around since 1912 and it continues to provide quality education. It is apart of the Charlotte Mecklenburg School System and has offered a traditional K-5 magnet program since 1977.

Central Piedmont Community College, founded in 1963, has been an innovative nationally recogized leader in two-year institutions. With its first campus nestled in the Elizabeth neighborhood against the backdrop of Center City Charlotte, CPCC has since grown its reach to over six campuses and two centers, making it one of the largest colleges in the Carolinas. With nearly 300 degree, diploma and certificate programs, plus an array of non-credit offerings, the college provides students and professionals of all ages with the opportunity to study both basic and technical skills, professional certifications or t cover their core classes before moving on to a four year instituion.

More To Explore

Explore the links below for information and more on what the Elizabeth neighborhood has to offer.

Stats and Demographics