Davidson is your quintessential college town, it’s a place that you like to get away to on the weekends, away from the city for a little slower pace. One of the first things that drew us to Davidson which is just under thirty minutes outside of Uptown Charlotte was the Saturday Farmers Market. I’d recently started my first blog which was focused on solely on food, recipes and the food scene in Charlotte and checking out the Farmers Market in Davidson was on the top of my list of priorities.
Since that time we’ve discovered not only the farmers market but also the restaurants both old and new that are in and around Main Street. We’ve also attended an art walk, visited a pumpkin patch and celebrated the Christmas holidays in Davidson. The town is in fact a home away from home for us in many ways, making this post long over due.
Do
Take a walk along Main Street
No matter the season, taking a walk down Davidson’s charming Main Street is a must for any visit. It has some serious ‘Hamptons-esque’ vibes and there are so many shops and restaurants to check out along the way (including an old-fashioned soda shop if you’re looking for something nostalgic.)
Bike through the grounds of Davidson College
The other way to explore the Davidson (beside on foot) is by bike and all of the paths through the grounds of Davidson College are worth checking out.
Check out the Saturday Farmers Market
One of the first reasons that we started visiting Davidson was to check out the Farmers Market. Although they no longer allow dogs at the market (which was one of the things I love about the market) you can check out all of the fresh produce and pick up a fresh bouquet of flowers before you head off to your lunch destination. More on where you should eat coming up shortly!
Have a picnic in Roosevelt Wilson Park
If you love to picnic or love parks in general, checking out the Roosevelt Wilson Park is definitely something to do while in Davidson. Don’t worry if you left the picnic at home, just pick up something to go (the club sandwich from the Soda Shop is delish!) and head to the park.
Eat
Kindred
I’ve literally lost track of how many times we’ve visited Kindred. It’s pretty much on the itinerary every time we visit Davidson, and this time was no different. While my mom has a salad that she loves to order for each visit (when you know what you like, you just go with it) I tend to pick something new each time.
Mandolino’s
I first reviewed Mandolino’s earlier in the year, and during our last visit we couldn’t resist bring home some pizzas that we’d ordered to-go. I just love the unique ‘sheet pan’ shape of the pizza, and the fact that I can get mine with vegan cheese and pepperoni. Yum-my!
The Pickled Peach
If you’re taste in food skews towards the healthier side of things, a visit to the Picked Peach (right next to one of our favorite shops that just celebrated it’s 1 year anniversary over weekend) is definitely something that you should consider. They offer fresh juices, salads, and sandwiches and there’s plenty of room to enjoy both your meal and do a bit of people watching from their outdoor seating area.
Flatiron Kitchen + Taphouse
The Flatiron Kitchen + Taphouse is the sister restaurant to Mandolino’s and offers eclectic New American cuisine. I tend to go with either the Salmon or the Grilled Chicken Sandwich when I’m visited for lunch. They also have a delicious options to choose from. Just check out their lunch menu here.
Summit Coffee
While we haven’t visited Summit Coffee yet, trust me when I say it is the place where you’ll want to grab your cup of coffee (or tea) before heading over the market on a cool morning. Literally every time we’ve been to Davidson the place has been packed.
Shop
Elisabeth Rose Stationery
This charming stationery shop which just recently celebrated it’s 1st birthday is centrally located when it comes both to ideal places to eat and the farmers market. Whether you’re looking to create one of kind invitations or just love writing handwritten notes this shop is a must during any visit to Davidson. You can check out my post from our first visit earlier this year here.
Main Street Books
Do you love visiting independent bookshops? Main Street Books was first opened in 1987 by Barbara Freund & Betty Reinke in what was once the old general store. In 2015 they retired and by 2016 the bookstore had a new owner (Adah Fitzgerald) who gave the place a bit of a facelift and created an area that serves as both a reading nook and event space.
Monkee’s on Main
Nothing brightens you day like a new outfit. Davidson is home to two locations of Monkee’s, one on your way into town (just off the interstate in the Harris Teeter shopping area) and the other is located on Main Street.
Wooden Stone Gallery
Over on South Main Street you can visit the Wooden Stone Gallery. Founded in 2005, the Gallery now represents close to 600 artists from the US and Canada. It’s also the place where we bought our three Mulvanium Birds.
Have you been to Davidson, NC? Let me know your favorite places to visit in the comments below.
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