Northlake, Charlotte’s North Side Destination for Shopping and Dining

On the northside of Charlotte lies Northlake, a hidden gem of a neighborhood, nestled just inside the 485 perimeter. Known by many due to the mall nearby with the same name, Northlake is a shopping wonderland that gives you the best of both worlds — the cool amenities that come with living in the city and the green spaces of a chill suburb.

Where is Northlake?

Roughly nine miles from Uptown Charlotte, Northlake is just south of Huntersville. Other nearby neighborhoods include Henderson Circle, Sunset Road and Davis Lake-Eastfield. It is just 30 minutes away from Lake Norman — one of Charlotte’s most well-known weekend destination spots.

Due to the easy access to both I-77 and 485, traveling from Northlake to other parts of the city is relatively simple. The airport can be reached in less than 20 minutes (traffic permitting), and the U.S. National Whitewater Center is also within easy reach.

History

The opening of Northlake Mall in 2005 put this particular area of the city on the map — especially for shoppers. It basically brought retail therapy to the north side of the city, and more businesses and restaurants followed suit, making Northlake a new and desirable destination. Now the area is a thriving spot that attracts people from all parts of the city and even neighboring suburbs.

Lifestyle

While one of the biggest draws to the area is the 1,071,000 sq ft mall, there are also plenty of other ways to keep yourself entertained in Northlake. Between the restaurants, green spaces and family-friendly activities, this neighborhood has a little something for everyone.

What to do

Of course, shopping comes to mind when considering things to do in Northlake — the name pretty much says it all. Stores inside the mall include big names like Apple, Dillard’s and Sephora. Outside the mall itself, there are lots of stand-alone stores like REI, David’s Bridal and Party City. If you’re looking to give your wallet a workout, this is the place!

Speaking of working out, gym bunnies will be happy to know that Northlake offers plenty of places to burn calories and get fit. Whether you like martial arts, CrossFit, or are looking for a personal trainer, Northlake has the offerings you need to keep your body in shape.

Families love the proximity to the Huntersville branch of Discovery Place Kids. Plus, there is also a BounceU trampoline park to help the little ones burn off some energy. Northlake is also in a prime spot for visiting the Carolina Raptor Center.

Playing outdoors is easy to do on the northside as the neighborhood is surrounded by parks. Hornets Nest Park offers 140 acres to enjoy including an 18-hole disc golf course and even a BMX track. That isn’t the only park close by, however. There is also Nevin Community Park, Latta Nature Center and the Northlake Golf Club.

Where to eat and drink

There are plenty of restaurants in Northlake — both inside and outside the mall. Whether you’re hungry for a slice of pizza, some chicken wings or BBQ, you will be easily satiated in this northern corner of the city. There are favorites like Five Guys or P.F. Chang’s, and there are also tapas bars like Boiling Pot, Southern classics like North State BBQ, and Chinese take-out at China GoGo.

While the nightlife scene isn’t huge in Northlake, there are a few places where you can grab a beer and catch a game. Buffalo Wild Wings, Fox & Hound and 360 Lounge are your classic sports bars that are sure to be celebrating Panther Sunday.

Moving to Northlake

Real estate snapshot

Living in this neighborhood is actually pretty good on the wallet. Apartments for rent in Northlake are lower than the city average or apartments in Uptown. The average month’s rent runs around $1,182 making it one of the more affordable neighborhoods in the city.

There are plenty of apartment complexes featuring spacious rooms and good amenities with floorplans ranging from studios to three-bedrooms. You will also find plenty of homes for sale at pretty reasonable prices.

Transportation

As far as public transportation goes, the CATS bus line does service the Northlake neighborhood. Commuting via car is fairly simple since the neighborhood has such easy access to I-77 and 485 putting all parts of the city within easy reach. Plus, W.T. Harris Blvd runs straight through Northlake which makes getting to the university area a breeze despite no light rail access.

Schools & employment

Retail and restaurant jobs abound in Northlake with the mall housing over 150 stores and eateries. In addition, there are also several construction companies in the area including roofing and tiling operations as well as a lumber yard.

There are several preschools in the Northlake neighborhood area, including Trinity UMC Preschool Charlotte and Skyers Child Development Center. Northlake neighborhood is part of the CharMeck public school system, and UNC Charlotte is less than 10 miles away making this a good choice for students.

Not only is Northlake an economical choice for those that want the best of city life on a budget, but it’s also full of shopping and dining options. The easy access to wonderful green spaces is just the cherry on top.

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