1. No Matter What, Charlotteans Will Always Love Their Hornets
Whether or not they’ve had a few rough seasons, fans of the Charlotte Hornets will never forget the glory days back in the 90s. Locals continue to stay hopeful that their team will once again be a dominant force in the league.
2. After All, Who Could Hate Muggsy
Standing at only 5’3” Muggsy Bogues was a driving force behind the success of the Charlotte Hornets in the 90s. While this point guard might be small in size, it didn’t keep him from dunking the ball on several occasions.
3. People Here Have A Favorite NASCAR Driver
There’s a reason that the NASCAR Hall of Fame is located in Charlotte. Racing is that huge here. Racers are easily recognized by residents and everyone seems to have at least one NASCAR shirt.
If an out-of-towner is coming from the other side of the country, they’ll probably find the fact that people still watch the sport shocking, let alone that people go this crazy about it.
4. Panthers Games Shut This City Down
If it’s Sunday and the streets seem dead, it’s probably because everyone is watching the big game. While the Carolina Panthers have become known for giving their fans plenty of scares, come the end of the season they usually pull things together and make a playoff push.
5. If The Panthers Are Losing, There’s Always The Tailgate
When it comes to throwing a party, there’s no better occasion than a football game. Whether they’re at the huge tailgate outside of the stadium or at a local bar, Charlotteans love to have a good time during game day.
6. The 49ers Aren’t Just In San Francisco
The largest local university, UNC – Charlotte, also goes by the nickname “the 49ers.” With over 27,000 students and plenty of staff, get used to seeing the green and white around town.
7. But Most People Are Torn Between The Big Three
While Charlotte residents might have a soft spot for the local team, they can’t stop themselves from cheering on one of the big three schools in North Carolina.
With Duke, UNC, and NC State all in Tar Heel, it’s normal to see team gear from any of these three teams on the streets of the Queen City.
8. Cheerwine Won’t Get You Drunk
While the name might be misleading, people of all ages are free to consume Cheerwine. This magical North Carolinian soft drink is cherry flavored and loaded with sugar, truly unlike any other major carbonated beverage out there.
9. Real Barbecue Sauce Uses Vinegar
In Charlotte, the barbecue sauce is typically made with a vinegar base. Nope, not mustard (looking at you, South Carolina!). After tasting how awesome it is, most out-of-towners will probably wonder why all barbecue joints across the country don’t follow suit.
10. And Tea Here Comes Sweet (No Exceptions)
If an out-of-towner is ordering tea, make sure they know that there’s a good chance it will come to them cold, sweet, and with a slice of lemon. As with most cities in Southeast America, in Charlotte, sweet tea reigns king.
11. B-Cycling Is A Great Way To Get Around
While locals don’t seem to take full advantage of this awesome system, B-Cycle bike rental stops are perfect for out-of-towners without a car. These rental ports located all around town are both cheap and easy to use.
12. There’s A Reason Charlotte Looks Familiar
Lots of things are filmed in Charlotte, including the very popular Showtime series “Homeland.” If an out-of-towner experiences déjà vu on their first trip to the Queen City, it probably thanks to the silver screen.
13. Harris Teeters Is A Super Market
One thing that an out-of-towner is likely to mention are the many Harris Teeter signs that seem to pop-up constantly on a drive through the city. A regional chain, this is simply the grocery store that services many Charlotte residents.
14. Deer Don’t Obey Traffic Laws
Make sure out-of-towners know to look out for deer if they’re driving at night. While these animals don’t make their way to downtown, the further away from the city lights a driver gets, the higher their chances are of having a collision with one of the many deer in North Carolina.
15. The Best Chicken Comes Straight From The Coop
Fried chicken is a specialty of the south and Charlotte is no exception. For the best, out-of-towners should head straight to Price’s Chicken Coop, where everything that comes out of the kitchen is exceptionally delicious.
16. Grits Taste A Whole Lot Better Than They Look, Okay?
A staple of the Charlotte breakfast, most out-of-towners are a little taken aback by grits, often comparing this dish to white mush. Hey guys, don’t knock it ‘til you try it. You’ll be craving that mush in no time.
17. Don’t Go Looking For A Happy Hour
Hosting a happy hour at a bar in North Carolina is actually banned by state law. If an out-of-towner is looking for a place to get tipsy midday, let them know they’ll still be paying full price.
18. Everyone Here Seems To Be An Entrepreneur
There are tons of new businesses popping up in Charlotte every week, resulting in this city being ranked by several sources as the most entrepreneurial place in the country during 2014.
Out-of-towners should be encouraged to support local businesses, even if they might not recognize the name of the restaurant or shop.
19. Charlotte Is Actually Affordable
One thing that out-of-towners tend to be shocked by is how cheap Charlotte is. Despite having 2.3 million residents in the metro area, this city is consistently ranked as the most affordable large city to live in across the entire country.
20. Humidity Is A Way Of Life
Stepping outside in Charlotte can leave a shirt soaked with sweat in a matter of minutes. The seemingly year-round humidity is one of the only downsides of living in such an awesome place.
21. Snow Causes Major Panic
If snow flurries seem to be on the horizon, expect Charlotte to go into a tailspin. People panic, traffic slows down, and grocery store shelves are quickly emptied. Sometimes it’s best to simply stay in the house on these days to avoid the chaos.
22. The Markets Trump National Chains Any Day Of the Week
There are several local markets in the Charlotte area including 7th Market and Common Market. Both are loaded with awesome food and coffee options, with plenty of space to kick back and relax while you enjoy your purchases.
23. You Don’t Need A Real River To Go Rafting Here
Charlotte is home to the largest artificial river in the world, located at the U.S. National Whitewater Center. With class II to class IV Rapids, this river run is very fun without a lot of the risk.
24. You Might Get Held Up By A Horse And Carriage
Tourists seem to love taking tours on horse-drawn buggies throughout Uptown Charlotte. While these wheeled contraptions look cool, it stinks (sometimes literally) if you get caught behind a slow one while you’re in a hurry.
25. The Epicentre Is Basically Charlotte’s Times Square
… And, just like Times Square, it gets crowded by tons of tourists, often causing locals to avoid this area on the weekends. However, if you can catch it on an off day or don’t mind putting up with the crowds, it’s a cool place to find some unique restaurants, bars, and stores
26. The Light Rail Will Get You To Where You Need To Go
Charlotte has one of the best public transportation systems in the country. An out-of-towner will have no problem getting around town on the LYNX blue line.
27. Queens Road Can Get A Bit Confusing
Driving in Charlotte can be a bit difficult at first. There are strange turns, roads don’t make much sense, and street names tend to change without any sort of indication.
One of the worst is Queens Road, which at one point splits off into another Queens Road. Technically this extra road is called Queens Road West, but out-of-towners will still probably (DEFINITELY) get lost.
28. The Queen City Has A Royal Past
Charlotte is often referred to as the “Queen City.” This name comes from how the city is named after Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the queen consort of England and the wife of King George III.
Kansas City might have its “royals” but we know who really wears the crown.
29. Pinky’s Is Addictive
With awesome burgers and dogs, Pinky’s Westside Grill is a great place to stuff your face hole. An out-of-towner is sure to love their menu that’s packed full of American classics with a Charlotte twist.
30. Don’t Expect A Wide Variety Of Trees At The Arboretum
While the name might be confusing, an out-of-towner won’t find some sort of tree conservation effort at the Arboretum. It’s actually a shopping center.
31. People Tend To Speed Through Yellow Lights Here
Out-of-towners should be made aware that drivers in Charlotte tend to air on the side of gunning it if they’re approaching a yellow light. If someone isn’t careful on the roadways, they might get t-boned.
32. There’s A Big Rivalry With Raleigh
As is the case with most states, there’s a constant pressure for each big city to be considered best. In Charlotte, people love to beat Raleigh at anything and everything.
While this rivalry isn’t starting any fist fights, an out-of-towner is likely to pick up on the underlying competitive tone that exists between these two North Carolinian cities.
33. But Everyone Knows Charlotte Is Better
With awesome cuisine, tons of vibrant culture, and plenty of things to do in the great outdoors, Charlotte is a great place to live.
It’s one of the most affordable places in the country, one of the best places to raise a family, and has a huge young adult population looking forward to further improving the city in the future. If an out-of-towner comes to visit, there’s a good chance they’ll want to stay.
What have you had to explain to out-of-towners about Charlotte? Tell us in the comments below! 
