Davidson

Davidson is a small college town in North Carolina. It is known primarily for its association with Davidson College, and is a suburb of Charlotte. It has 15,106 residents (2020), of whom some 1,800 are students at the college. Though Davidson has been swallowed by the suburban growth of Charlotte, it has made an intentional effort to retain its small-town identity. As a result, the downtown and campus area do not have the characteristic sprawl of most American suburbs. == Get in == === By car === Almost all travelers will access Davidson via exit 30 on Interstate 77 (I-77). US Highway 21 is concurrent with I-77, while North Carolina State Highway 115 runs through the downtown and central historic district connecting it to other nearby downtowns in the region. If you are coming from Concord take State Highway 73 until you reach Davidson-Concord road which should take you directly to downtown. === By bus === If you are in Charlotte and want to visit the town for a day trip, consider using the CATS Express buses that run from Uptown Charlotte to Davidson (take the 77X line). Check the bus schedule ahead of time, as Express buses do not run on ordinary schedules. == Get around == Cars are the primary form of transportation in Davidson. However, the downtown area and college campus are easily traveled by foot or bike. Biking, although popular, can be dangerous due to the high traffic counts and limited road capacity. == See == 1 Davidson College, 405 N Main St, ☏ +1 704-894-2000. Davidson College is by far the most popular attraction in Davidson. Visitors are welcome and can walk around the campus. (updated Jan 2026) 2 Ghosts of Davidson (meets outside Davidson College on Main Street), info@GhostsofDavidson.com. This is a 90-minute walking tour through the downtown area. On it you will learn that even an innocent looking college town is not safe from paranormal activity. Are the stories real? It will be up to you to decide. (updated Jan 2026) 3 Roosevelt Wilson Park, ☏ +1 704-892-3349. 8AM-10PM. Park near the lake with a pond, walking trails, and a playground. Free. (updated Mar 2026) == Do == Nearby Lake Norman is a major regional attraction. It offers recreational boating, swimming, resorts, and some small beaches. 1 Davidson Farmer's Market, 120 S Main St, ☏ +1 704325-2037. Saturdays, April - Thanksgiving, 9AM-noon. Weekly sale of local produce with occasional live music. Free. (updated Mar 2026) == Buy == == Eat == Davidson's best eateries are within a short walk of the center of town. There is really no need to settle for interstate food. O'Donnell's Main Street, 101 N Main St, ☏ +1 704-655-1335. Great place for visitors to grab lunch, especially since it includes a Wi-Fi hotspot. Soda Shop, 104 S Main St, ☏ +1 704-896-7743. Old-fashioned diner in the middle of town. Good food and service. Great for kids. Jasper's at Davidson, 127 Depot St, ☏ +1 704-896-1881. Davino's Restaurant, 231 Griffith St, ☏ +1 704-892-4794. Fuel Pizza Cafe, 402 S Main St, ☏ +1 704-655-3835. Offshoot of Charlotte-based Fuel Pizza. Sold by the slice. Ben & Jerry's, 202 S Main St, ☏ +1 704-892-0604. Bob Bimini Caribbean Barbecue, 408 S Main St, ☏ +1 704-439-1000. Ming's Bistro, 624 Jetton St, ☏ +1 704-895-5623. == Drink == If you are college-aged, it is a safe bet that you will be able to find drinking opportunities on campus during the school year. Brick House Tavern, 209 Delburg St, ☏ +1 704-987-2022. == Sleep == Davidson Village Inn, 117 Depot St, ☏ +1 704-892-8044. == Go next == I-77 is the primary artery out of Davidson. Charlotte is the nearest major city, about 15 minutes to the south. Heading north the next city is Statesville.