While we do love our bustling metropolitan city of Charlotte, sometimes there is nothing better than experiencing some small-town charm and southern hospitality. Lucky for us, there are many great small towns near Charlotte where the tea is sweet, saying “yes sir” and “yes ma’am” is a habit, and the locals know your name if you visit often enough. These towns also make great places to live for those who don’t want to be right in the city yet are still close enough to enjoy its many amenities.

1. Belmont
RoxylovesHistory/Wikimedia Commons
Belmont is a charming little town located just 15 miles west of Charlotte in Gaston County. A town of about 8,700 people, Belmont is an extremely close knit community where neighbors are friendly and almost everyone knows each other.

Main Street in downtown Belmont is the central point of the town and the location of many amazing specialty shops, boutiques, and restaurants. Main Street is also the gathering place for parades on the holidays and local community events happening in the town.
Belmont, NC 28012, USA
City of Belmont Website
Belmont is the home of many great parks and gardens known to Charlotte residents. The world-renowned Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is located near Belmont, and Stowe Park is located right in downtown on Main Street. Many annual events are held at Stowe Park each year including an Easter Egg Hunt, Party in the Park - an outdoor summer concert series, and The Big Sweep an event where residents come together to help keep Belmont beautiful by picking up litter and tending to the community spaces in the town.
2. Davidson
City of Davidson Website
Davidson is a small college town located approximately 20 miles north of Charlotte near Lake Norman. It’s is a beautiful lakeside town that attracts visitors from all over with its fantastic views, restaurants, and shopping. Activities in Davidson revolve largely around Davidson College as it is located in the heart of town on Main Street.
Davidson, NC, USA
Dacoslett/Wikipedia
Residents of Davidson love strolling down the walkways of the quad enjoying scenery of beautiful oak trees, green grass, and collegiate buildings spattering the campus. In the fall, the college is especially pretty as the leaves on the trees change color, creating a warm autumn glow throughout campus. Davidson is truly a quiet little town with the most beautiful landscape near Charlotte.
3. Pineville
Bill W./Yelp
Pineville is a small town located slightly south of Charlotte. The Historic Downtown is a quaint little area where local businesses and restaurants have set up shop creating a buzzing Main Street area that residents love to frequent. A local brewery, various furniture stores, and galleries and some great high-end restaurants can be found in downtown Pineville, and it's a great place to visit if you need to get out of the city.

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Pineville, NC, USA
Downtown Pineville Farmers Market/Facebook
Pineville is the kind of town where residents gather together at the Farmer's Market on Saturdays and enjoy catching up over baked goods and fresh produce. Friends are family in Pineville, and neighbors don't hesitate to lend helping hands to others when they need it. Pineville is a great place to raise a family or for individuals looking for homes in a more suburban area near Charlotte.
4. Cornelius
Flickr/Gregor Smith
Cornelius is another lakeside town north of Charlotte on Lake Norman. Cornelius is a great spot for those who want to be on the lake and still get the perks of a small, friendly town.
Bill W./Yelp
There's tons to do in Cornelius along with fabulous restaurants and dining. This popular downtown restaurant called Barrel & Fork is a perfect example of the Southern charm you'll experience in Cornelius. Transformed from an old home, this restaurant will make you feel like you've gone to dinner at a friend's house.
5. Waxhaw
City of Waxhaw Website
Waxhaw is a charming, historic suburb located in Union County about 30 miles south of Charlotte.
Waxhaw, NC 28173, USA
City of Waxhaw Website
The town hosts many events for the community throughout the year, a few include a Grill'n Chill'n BBQ Cook-off, an Autumn Treasures Arts and Crafts Festival, and a Fright Night at Halloween. These events bring the community together and the whole town looks forward to them!

Do you have a favorite small town near Charlotte? Share with us in the comments where you like to go to get that regular dose of small town hospitality!

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More to Explore

Small Towns Near Charlotte, North Carolina

Tori Jane | September 18, 2022

What are the best small towns near Charlotte, North Carolina?  

Naturally, the descriptor of best is subjective, and we’re pretty sure a lot of the cute small towns near Charlotte could definitely be described as such. Some of our favorite small towns near Charlotte include places like Pineville, which is an amazing small town in North Carolina that’s excellent for raising a family. Stanley is also adorable, with a lower overall cost of living than Charlotte and a very family-oriented vibe. Lovers of natural wonders in North Carolina will love living in Lake Park, which is – you guessed it – right on several small lakes. 

What are some of the best small towns near Charlotte, North Carolina for families?  

With so many cute small towns near Charlotte to choose from, many of them are bound to be family-friendly, right? Of course! Some of our favorite family-friendly towns near Charlotte include Tega Cay, which is known for its top-notch schools and friendly residents. We also love Marvin, which is also excellent in terms of schools and diversity, and Davidson is fun because of its proximity to two lakes, making it a great option for active families.  

What are some nice towns near Charlotte, North Carolina?  

We might be biased, but we’re pretty sure every small town in North Carolina is one of the best! Other than the already-mentioned small towns near Charlotte above, there are plenty more – so many that it’s hard to list them all in just a short paragraph. Some of our other favorite nice towns near Charlotte, North Carolina are towns like Weddington, which shares a border with Marvin and is just as delightful. Other amazing nice towns near Charlotte include Harrisburg, Fort Mill, Lake Wylie, and Cornelius. If there’s anything we love about North Carolina, it’s all the amazing towns you’ll find here – all of which are friendly and scenic, and it seems like everyone always knows your name.  

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