Light Rail Weekender, March 7-9

March 5, 2025
Categories: General News
hot chicken sandwich and fries under text "The Light Rail Weekender"

Where we’re going, we don’t need cars! 

Check out cool things to do in Charlotte this weekend, all free to cheap, and all accessible via the CATS light rail!

Vote for Your Fave in Hot Chicken Week

Celebrate Charlotte’s second annual Hot Chicken Week with sandwiches from more than a dozen local and chain brands. Try as many as you can and then vote for your favorite hot chicken sandwich in Charlotte. 

As part of the week, Elevate Lifestyle and Charlotte on the Cheap are giving away restaurant gift cards in a drawing; follow instructions on their website to enter.

Directions (to six locations accessible by light rail):

  • Dave’s Hot Chicken (University): From UNC Charlotte Main Station, take the Blue Line southbound and get off at JW Clay/ UNC Charlotte Station. Walk 0.2 miles to 8932 J M Keynes Dr #100 in the Shoppes at University Place.
  • The Local (Uptown): From UNC Charlotte Main Station, take the Blue Line southbound and get off at 7th St Station. Walk 0.2 miles to 105 E 5th St. 
  • The Eagle (South End): From UNC Charlotte Main Station, take the Blue Line southbound and get off at East/West Blvd Station. Walk 0.4 miles to 2120 South Blvd #1.
  • Bossy Beulah (South End): From UNC Charlotte Main Station, take the Blue Line southbound and get off at New Bern Station. Walk 0.1 miles to 2932 Griffith St.
  • Moo & Brew (Plaza Midwood): From UNC Charlotte Main Station, take the Blue Line southbound and get off at Charlotte Transportation Center. Then take the Gold Line Streetcar eastbound and get off at Sunnyside Station. Walk about 0.2 miles to 1300 Central Ave.
  • Dave’s Hot Chicken (Plaza Midwood): From UNC Charlotte Main Station, take the Blue Line southbound and get off at Charlotte Transportation Center. Then take the Gold Line Streetcar eastbound and get off at Sunnyside Station. Walk 0.6 miles to 1300 The Plaza.

aerial view of Dilworth Art Station in South End, an industrial building with murals painted on the side
Aerial view of Dilworth Art Station, one of the art galleries that has participated in South End First Fridays

explore Local Art at South End Gallery Crawl

  • When: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday, Mar. 7
  • Where: Participating galleries in South End
  • Cost: Free

Discover the South End art scene at this free gallery crawl. On South End First Fridays, local galleries and shops offer extended hours and special receptions. Plus, check out beautiful outdoor murals and art installations throughout the neighborhood.

Directions: From UNC Charlotte Main Station, take the Blue Line southbound and get off at East/West Blvd Station. Walk 0.2 miles to 118 Kingston Ave. 

man holds a distraught looking woman in black and white still from the movie "The Decks Ran Red"
Still of the movie, “The Decks Ran Red,” starring James Mason (left) and Dorothy Dandridge (right)

Free Movie Screening at Gantt Center

  • When: 2 p.m., Sunday, Mar. 9
  • Where: Harvey B. Gantt Center
  • Cost: Free

Visit the Gantt Center in Uptown Charlotte for a free screening of the film The Decks Ran Red, a sea-going thriller starring the iconic African-American actress, Dorothy Dandridge. 

Directions: From UNC Charlotte Main Station, take the Blue Line southbound and get off at Brooklyn Village Station. Walk 0.2 miles to 551 S Tryon St.

How to Ride the Lynx Light Rail

Students at UNC Charlotte have the CATS All-Access Pass included in their student fees, which means they can ride city light rail, streetcar and buses fare-free. Download the CATS Pass App and login with your @charlotte.edu email address to activate your pass.