Providence Park - Charlotte, NC

Little is known about the history of Providence Park, save for the population boom that occurred shortly after 1980. The banking industries reserved several acres of Charlotte land for what would become a successful endeavor, making the city the second largest banking headquarters in the United States. Families, young professionals and retirees began flocking to the area, increasing the demand for higher income neighborhoods such as Providence Park.

While museums are few and far between in the neighborhood, the local arts and culinary scene receives a boost from the fine foods and spirits at the Great Grapes Wine & Food Festival in Symphony Park. This annual event takes place in the autumn, when wineries throughout Charlotte produce their sweetest wines. Hundreds of vendors sign up to peddle their wares, and live music keeps the crowd upbeat. Make sure to bring chairs and blankets to people-watch, make friendly conversation and enjoy the bands.

Providence Park locals love upscale cuisine, and their dining options reflect that. The majority of restaurants in the neighborhood run along Providence Road, spanning the gamut of Italian, American, Thai and Greek.

Reserve a seat at Red Rocks Cafe, Bar & Bakery for your next business lunch or casual dinner date. Locals love to sit on the terrace while enjoying a diverse menu of upscale cuisine and comfort food. If you're enamored of New Orleans culture, order Weatherly's Cajun salmon, served with rich cream sauce and crisp asparagus. Warm up with a hearty bowl of chicken and sausage jambalaya, or sample a bite of juicy lobster tails sprinkled with lemon juice. Patrons marvel over the extensive wine selection and generous portions of decadent desserts, including the vanilla mousse cake and five-layered chocolate cake.

Take a flavorful trip around the world at the Thai Orchid Restaurant, a traditional Thai restaurant that uses generations-old recipes with a contemporary flair. Dubbed cozy and inviting by local patrons, the restaurant has received five stars from Charlotte reviewers time and time again for having the best Pad Thai in town. Abundant portions satisfy the biggest appetites, and reasonable prices keep customers coming back. If you enjoy heat with your meal, ask the chefs to ramp up the curry and go all-out spicy.

While nightlife abounds on the outskirts of Providence Park, the locals here prefer a laid-back sports bar for their evening entertainment. Relaxed and comfortable, Steamers Sports Pub lines its walls with televisions in preparation for upcoming sporting events. You can expect major NFL games to be playing while you munch on buffalo chips, onion rings and chicken egg rolls. The beer selection consists of craft brews from local Charlotte breweries, both on tap and bottled.

Walkable only on the suburban sidewalks and designated crosswalks, Providence Park roadways generally require a car, bicycle or public transportation. Few bike lanes weave through the neighborhood, but Sharon Lane, Sardis Road and Ferncliff Road allow commuters and cyclists to safely share the roadways.

Since Charlotte has such a thriving population, drivers often get caught in weekday traffic along the major highways. Fortunately, Providence Park contains a series of residential streets that lead to the city, although these avenues may take longer to navigate.

Uber makes it easier for locals to hail a cab from wherever they are. If you prefer a call-in taxi service, City Cab, Crown Cab and Professional Cab of Charlotte cater to the Providence Park area. Keep your eyes peeled for public parking opportunities along Providence Road, Sharon Lane and Randolph Road.

Seated so near a thriving city means that Providence Park overflows with residential homes. Forests and greenery make for scenic breaks in the architecture, and beautiful parks abound throughout the area.

One of Providence Park's largest recreational centers, the Symphony Park, hosts an abundance of annual festivals throughout the year, such as the Bourbon, Beer & BBQ and the Great Grapes Wine & Food Festival. Dog-friendly, family-friendly, free-to-use and perfect for exercise-centric park-goers, this park sits right next to South Park Mall for optimum parking options. Fireflies flourish in summer, and the grassy meadows are wide open, making this an ideal picnicking and stargazing location.

Living costs in Providence Park can be attributed to the upscale lifestyle and supreme amenities, skyrocketing prices to 35 percent more than the Charlotte average. Drivers catch a break, though, as gas prices hover only 3.4 percent higher than the national average.

Housing prices in Providence Park vary depending on amenities, but the median for a one-bedroom home usually hovers around $980. Hop on Charlotte Area Transit for just over $2 per ride, or save with a one-day unlimited pass for about $6. Snag a pint of beer from the local pub for $5 to $6.

Shopping experiences in Providence Park combine major chain stores, such as PetSmart, Krispy Kreme and GameStop, with locally owned and operated boutiques.

BINDERS Art Supplies and Frames carries high-quality equipment for local artisans. Paint brushes, palette knives, canvases and watercolor paints are specialties here, as well as stretchers to match canvases with frames. The Secret Chocolatier stirs up handcrafted truffles, bonbons and cakes with superior ingredients. Local favorites include orange chocolate truffles, Seven Deadly Sins cake and cherry bark with sea salt. This boutique offers yummy gift options for chocolate lovers.

The Fresh Market remains a go-to for grocery essentials, wines and spirits. Doubling as a farmer’s market for locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables, this market is one of the most popular in the neighborhood. For a more mainstream alternative, the Harris Teeter grocery chain maintains multiple Charlotte locations for your grocery and pharmacy needs.