Charlotte City Walks is back for its eighth year, with something for everyone from foodies to history buffs to art enthusiasts.
Participants will get an up-close look at deeply rooted neighborhoods such as Belmont, a former mill village undergoing radical redevelopment, explore murals in NoDa or the public art along the Blue Line light rail or taste some of the city’s thriving food scene.
Organized by the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute, the Charlotte City Walks program is offered with assistance from the Foundation for the Carolinas and a diverse array of local partners. Angelique Gaines of the Urban Institute said the walks offer both longtime and new Charlotte residents the chance to connect and discover a part of the city they haven’t visited before.
“I think city walks are important because they allow people to learn more about their community and connect across differences,” said Gaines. “We’re in our own bubbles sometimes, and we have our own networks.”
Charlotte City Walks is a part of the annual tradition known in many cities as Jane’s Walks. The free tours, led by local citizens, were inspired by urbanist Jane Jacobs.
With almost 40 walks organized this year, Charlotte City Walks has grown immensely since 2012, when it started with a single walk down Central Avenue.
A full schedule of the walks, which start April 28 and run through May, is online; prospective attendees can register via the web. Space is limited, and some walks are already filling up.