Hamilton Circle - Charlotte, NC

Charlotte was first established in 1755 when the Spratt family stopped and built a house at the connection of two trading posts between the Yadkin and Catawba Rivers. The Great Wagon Road was established in the 18th century and led to further colonization of the area and included a flour and saw mill.

As the area grew larger, the development of cotton gin helped Charlotte establish itself as an exchange center. After the Civil War, a railroad center was introduced. All this buzz opened doors for many new jobs and families started to relocate to the area as the economy sustained itself.

The area of Hamilton Circle does not have any museums, but museums can be easily accessed in Charlotte. The best-known spot is the Mint Museum of Art, which was established in 1936.

The restaurants found in Hamilton Circle consist mainly of burger joints and fast-food restaurants, but there are the occasional American style barbecue, Chinese, and pizza places available. Statesville Road is the central location for many eateries, and is easily accessible with any mode of transportation. If residents or visitors are looking for a good time in the evening, they usually head into Charlotte where plenty of bars, pubs and clubs abound.

If you are looking for some excellent grub, try Bubba's Barbecue, voted third-best barbecue in North Carolina by the readers of Southern Living Magazine. It could be that Bubba uses a process that takes 33 hours to complete before the delicious Eastern North Carolina Style barbecue is available to the public. Patrons frequently comment on the high quality and taste of the food and have raved about the baked beans being "out of this world." The atmosphere inside is laid back and homey, perfect for enjoying the Ultimate Packman, a mound of barbecued ribs, in addition to chicken breast and side items. To finish off the meal in one of the oldest barbecue houses in the area, try a sweet iced tea and pecan pie that's made on-site. Tiny tidbits that will get your mouth watering is that the pork at Bubba's is a whole hog that is cooked in an electric pit with hickory chips to give a little smokiness to the meat. It is then smothered in a vinegar-based sauce with just enough of a peppery sauce to be spot-on. Many people purchase a bottle or two of the sauce to take home. A hidden gem in the neighborhood is Angie's Diner. It can be the perfect spot for a quick lunch, and the locals praise it for being cheap. The diner has a "down home" atmosphere, and patrons love how the employees crack good wholesome jokes served alongside the great food.

The agency responsible for all major transit in Charlotte and Mecklenburge County, Charlotte Transportation, can be sited as a major industry in he city’s economy. Douglas International Airport is the eighth busiest airport in the United States, and the Charlotte Area Transit System manages over 40 routes for millions of passengers yearly. The city is planning a Gateway Station to introduce train travel to the area.

Bus fare prices vary depending on the area you are travelling to but can generally run a passenger $2.20. An all-day pass with unlimited rides is an average $6.60. Getting around Hamilton Circle is as easy as walking, biking, driving or taking transit. However, the closest Amtrak station is 2 miles northeast of Charlotte. A taxi cab ride is a telephone call away and pick-up can be within minutes of placing the call. Uber is available in Charlotte, but it is highly dependent on available drivers.

Hamilton Circle’s parking situation is on a first-come, first-serve basis along many streets where you will find parking free or metered. The area has a large number of apartment buildings and parking is generally reserved in these lots for residents only.

To gain access to the city of Charlotte, most people take Statesville Road, but Interstate 85 is also accessible. The neighborhood of Hamilton Circle is walkable, but if riding a bicycle, use precautions as bike-friendly roads are sporadic. Cindy Lane, east of Statesville Road, is the only designated road with a bike lane.

To the east of Hamilton Circle, Nevin Neighborhood Park happily brings families outdoors due to being more than just a park. The park has many surprising features, including playgrounds, a spray fountain water park open in the summer months, horse shoe pits, walking trails and barbecue pits for family picnics. Children flock to the playground area to swing among the race-track themed area. Nevin Park can be classified as a clean and nicely set-up area with the spray fountain area being chlorinated; a good thing since it is the highlight and busiest part of the park.

At the southern tip of Nevin Park, visitors can make a stop at Ribbon Walk Nature Preserve. The park features scenic areas such as a large beech tree grove and walking and biking trails. Several species of birds and butterflies call the place home. Such a quiet and relaxing park so close to the fun and entertaining Nevin Park. Ribbon Walk Nature Preserve has giant shade trees and a small pond that makes it the perfect spot for picnics. Children love spotting turtles sunning themselves on logs, along with frogs and small bluegill fish.

All events and festivals are enjoyed in Charlotte. An annual event that takes place in Charlotte that locals and visitors from all neighborhoods tend to enjoy is the three-day Spring Fest. It draws crowds of people uptown to celebrate each April.

With the cost of living in Hamilton Circle 8 percent lower than the city of Charlotte, the area is a desirable spot for low-income families. Renting a one-bedroom apartment is affordable, costing only an average of $808 per month. Beer is not sold at any restaurants in the area as they are mainly fast-food establishments, but in Charlotte, a draught beer will cost you about $3.00 or $4.00 for a bottle. Gas in Hamilton Circle costs the same as in Charlotte, which is about 2 percent higher than the national average.

No major shopping centers or malls make their homes in Hamilton Circle, but several retailers lie along the main artery, Statesville Road. University Park Shopping Center sits to the south of Slater Road-Hamilton Circle, across Interstate 85. The other alternative, Northlake Mall, sits to the north of the area.

No high-end shops exist in this neighborhood as it houses more mom-and-pop locations and home-based businesses such as Avon and Handmade Treasures. Head uptown or to the SouthPark area for a large selection of boutiques and speciality shops.

A few grocery stores help locals keep their refrigerators stocked. Find Caton's Grocery located along the main thoroughfare of Statesville Road, as well as Aldi's.