Camp North End

Camp North End is one of the most significant urban development projects in the Southeast — a 76-acre adaptive reuse of a former Ford Model T assembly plant and World War II tank and missile factory, transformed into a creative district of food halls, artist studios, markets, galleries, and event spaces in Charlotte's North End neighborhood.

The scale is remarkable. The original industrial buildings are massive — 100-year-old concrete structures with soaring ceilings and the bones of serious manufacturing history. Walking through the complex, past enormous murals painted on former factory walls and into open courtyards where local vendors set up food stalls, feels distinctly unlike any other Charlotte destination.

For families, Camp North End works at multiple levels. Young kids respond to the scale and novelty — giant painted walls, open spaces to run, industrial machinery preserved as public art. Older kids and teens find the creative energy genuinely interesting. The food options are diverse and well-curated: tacos, ramen, BBQ, artisan coffee, and rotating food trucks cover a range of price points.

The event calendar is essential. Camp North End hosts outdoor movies, live music performances, art fairs, holiday markets, yoga sessions, and community programming throughout the year — many free, some ticketed. Weekend markets consistently draw families from across Charlotte.

The mural collection is substantial. Charlotte has invested significantly in public art, and Camp North End has some of the largest commissioned murals in the city — works by nationally recognized artists that cover entire building facades. Download the mural map from the website for a self-guided art walk that turns the visit into an education.

Admission to the grounds is free. Pay for food, events, or retail.