'''NoDa''' [http://www.noda.org] is an arts district in Charlotte. Its name is a blend of "NOrth DAvidson", after the district's main street. Originally a mill village that operated almost independently of Charlotte, it became a haven of poverty and vice in the middle of the 20th Century. In the past 20 years it has been redeveloped as a home of the arts, as well as one of Charlotte's best-preserved historic districts.

Get in

Most visitors will arrive in NoDa by means of car or bus. From Uptown, take North Davidson Street outbound. Generally the district is considered to run along N. Davidson between 30th and 36th. The '''Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS)''' [http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/CATS/Home.htm] operates buses in the city. The #3 and #23 routes travel through NoDa, stopping along North Davidson Street and 36th Street. Fares are $1.50 each way, with discounts for seniors and children.

See

NoDa is recognized as Charlotte's primary arts district. There are numerous art and craft galleries to be found in the district.

  • '''Center of the Earth Gallery''', 3204 N. Davidson St., ''+1'' 704-375-5756, [http://www.centeroftheearth.com]. Mondays by appointment only, T-F 11-5, Sa 12-5. Probably Charlotte's best-known gallery, and one of the cornerstones of the arts district. Provides corporate art to numerous major corporations, and represents several dozen artists of significance. Worth a look, though the prices may put off casual buyers.
  • '''Green Rice Designs & Studio''', 451 E. 36th St., ''+1'' 704-344-0300, [http://www.green-rice.com]. Features an exceptional collection of various media, likely to appeal to a variety of buyers. Hosts frequent receptions and other social events, which tie in well to the district's gallery crawls. The Green Rice studio is closely affiliated with two other collections -- The Boulevard and the Milkweed Collection -- which operate nearby and specialize in decor and apparel.
  • '''Hart Witzen Gallery''', 136 E. 36th St., ''+1'' 704-334-1177, [http://www.hartwitzengallery.com/]. The gallery is rented for use by various artists, giving it a constantly changing clientele. Features a wide variety of exhibitions and performances, and tends to be rather avante-garde in nature.
  • '''The ArtHouse Center for Creative Expression''', 3103 Cullman Ave, ''+1'' 704-962-9700, [http://www.NoDaArts.com].
  • '''BEET Contemporary Crafts and Function Art''', 2302-A N. Davidson St., ''+1'' 704-334-3558, [http://www.beetonline.com]. Specializes in functional arts and crafts, including pottery, jewelry, wood and metalwork. Tu-F 11-5, Sa 12-5 and by appointment.
  • Do

  • '''The Evening Muse''', 3227 N. Davidson St., ''+1'' 704-376-3737, [http://www.TheEveningMuse.com]. W-Th 6PM-12AM, F-Sa 6PM-until. A combination of music venue, cafe, and art gallery, the Evening Muse is not to be missed. Occupying the key corner at Davidson and 36th St., it is one of the best-reputed establishments in the area. A very strong schedule of performances and exhibitions keeps it active throughout the week.
  • '''Neighborhood Theater''', 511 E. 36th St., ''+1'' 704-358-9298, [http://www.neighborhoodtheatre.com]. The heart and soul of NoDa, this was once a burlesque theater but has been converted to an intimate venue with comfortable seating. A wide variety of acts play here, from hard rock to acoustic jazz.
  • '''Wine Up''', 3306-C N. Davidson St. (''upstairs from Boudreaux's and Neighborhood Theatre''), ''+1'' 704-372-2633, [http://www.wine-up.com]. Upscale wine bar featuring billiards and live entertainment. Non-smoking, relaxed atmosphere.
  • Buy

    By and large, Noda's stores are hip and artsy, making for a great casual shopping scene.

    Also, the first and third Friday of each month is reserved for a district-wide gallery crawl (which really has the atmosphere of a pub crawl). Local establishments usually coordinate their events to coincide with these larger crowds.

  • '''Fabric Art''', 3448 N. Davidson St., ''+1'' 704-423-0336, [http://www.b3designsolutions.com].
  • '''Lyncrist Calligraphy Studio''', 3460 N. Davidson St., ''+1'' 704-344-0070, [http://www.lyncrist.com].
  • '''MAMALU Antique and Specialty Shop''', 3120 N. Davidson St. Suite 100, ''+1'' 704-332-3686, [http://www.mamaluantique.com].
  • '''The Natural Voice''', 3452 N. Davidson St. (''at the front of Hart Witzen Gallery''), ''+1'' 980-322-8626, [http://www.deonnedayne.com/Designs/clients/naturalvoice/home.htm]. Charlotte's premier holistic voice coaching and wellness studio. Catering to singers, actors, poets and other vocal artist, The Natural Voice offers vocal wellness and coaching from a natural perspective. Classes are taught by a Tiffaney Moore, a voice coach and certified herbalist. Students increase vocal ability by learning the vocal instrument from a scientific and artistic perspective. They are even taught to make in-class herbal preparations for their personal use as voice artists.
  • '''Real Eyes Bookstore''', 3306-A N. Davidson St, ''+1'' 704-377-8989, [http://www.realeyesbookstore.com].
  • '''Sunshine Daydreams''', 3225 N. Davidson St., ''+1'' 704-332-4367, [http://www.charlottesmusic.com].
  • Eat

  • '''Boudreaux's''', 501 E. 36th St., ''+1'' 704-331-9898, [http://www.boudreauxs.com]. Cajun cuisine in a jazzy atmosphere. A very solid beer menu and excellent entrees make Boudreaux's a standout citywide. Also features live music on a regular basis.
  • '''Cabo Fish Taco''', 3201 N. Davidson St., ''+1'' 704-332-8868, [http://www.cabofishtaco.com/charlotte/]. California-style take on coastal Baja fare. Fun and affordable, representing a cuisine that gets little exposure elsewhere in Charlotte.
  • '''Solstice Tavern''', 3221 N. Davidson St., ''+1'' 704-342-2556.
  • The Boulevard at NoDa. 53 E 36th Street. 043320142. ww.blvdnoda.com. collection of hand made jewelry, hats, home decor, purses, pet section, etc

    Drink

  • '''Dog Bar''', 3307 N. Davidson St., ''+1'' 704-370-3595, [http://www.dogbarnoda.com]. The only place in Charlotte where your pet and your nightlife come together. It's exactly what it sounds like: a bar that is friendly to canine "guests". Pet membership costs $10, and the scene is regulated to allow for safety and civility (no kids allowed, for instance). But where else can you have a Corona with your Chihuahua?
  • '''The Smelly Cat''', 514 E. 36th St., ''+1'' 704-374-9656, [http://www.smellycatcoffee.com]. One of the city's better coffeehouses and a great perch for people-watching. Open till midnight on weekends to accommodate the after-concert crowds, but also early enough to be a good hangover-busting option.
  • '''Dolce Vita''', 3205 N. Davidson St., ''+1'' 704-334-1054, [http://www.dolcevitawines.com]. Cozy wine bar and lounge in the heart of Noda. Half price wines by the glass on Wednesday nights (Wino Wednesdays).
  • '''Solstice Tavern''', 3221 N. Davidson St., ''+1'' 704-342-2556.
  • '''Sanctuary''', Right next door to Boudreaux
  • Sleep

    Strangely, there are no hotels of significance in this district. The nearest hotels of significance are about a mile away off Independence Blvd. Also, visitors staying Uptown are only a few minutes' drive away and generally have no problem locating NoDa.