Beyond the City: A Day Trip Guide to Matthews, North Carolina

Sharing a day trip guide to the Town of Matthews, just 25 minutes from Charlotte

You’d be forgiven for thinking that the Town of Matthews is part of Charlotte.

Driving down Independence and taking in all of the area’s growth, it’s nearly impossible to tell where Charlotte ends and where Matthews begins – but walking down Trade Street, the town’s picture-perfect main street, makes the city feel so very far away.

I’ve spent a little time in Matthews since moving here in 2019, but that was mostly while running quick errands, so Michael and I finally made the harrowing journey down my least favorite Charlotte highway one recent weekend to spend a full day giving Matthews its due.

The result? This essential day trip guide – and a desire to return!

ABOUT MATTHEWS

It’s safe to say that Matthews, North Carolina, has witnessed multitudes of changes throughout the town’s lifetime. Once the ancestral home region of the Waxhaw and Catawba Indians, settlers arrived in the early 1800s and established farmlands. So many trees were cleared to make way for planting cotton that the settlement became known as Stumptown.

As the community grew, it began to establish commerce and communication services. In July 1825, John Miles Fullwood was appointed postmaster and began operating a stagecoach depot, storefront, and post office from his home. A sawmill was later added, followed by the introduction of a railroad connecting the town to the Carolina coast and Tennessee.

It was the railroad company that gave the Town of Matthews its name, in honor of company director Edward Matthews, and the town was officially incorporated as a municipal corporation in 1879. In the decades that followed, the population slowly increased before booming in the late 1900s. Today, approximately 30,000 residents call Matthews home.

THINGS TO DO IN MATTHEWS

Matthews Heritage Museum

Small towns collect history in a deep, meaningful way, and the Matthews Heritage Museum is the most wonderful introduction to the town. This small museum is free and open to the public and is filled to the brim with local artifacts and history.

Curated exhibits range from the town’s cotton farming days to a recreation of the local bank using original items, and the museum’s short film exhibits allow viewers to hear firsthand accounts from locals. Best of all, the museum’s volunteer docents are passionate about their community and more than happy to provide further context. You’re sure to leave with a greater appreciation for the town and a better understanding of its history. Note: The Matthews Heritage Museum is currently open Thursday through Saturday.

→Matthews Heritage Museum // 232 N Trade St, Matthews, NC 28105

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Entrance to the Matthews Farmers Market — The Matthews Community Farmers Market launched in 1991 to serve the needs of the growing community

A crowd of shoppers at the Matthews Winter Farmers Market — You’d never know it, but this photo was taken during the smaller Winter Market

Matthews Community Farmers’ Market

Rain or shine, the Matthews Community Farmers’ Market takes place every Saturday morning in downtown Matthews. Everything at this producer-only market originates within fifty miles of the downtown marketplace, so you can be sure you’re shopping and supporting local. Well, except the fish – those are brought in from the North Carolina coast!

The market vendors carry a little bit of everything, from fresh produce to local meat to prepared foods, and you could easily stock up for the week here. The market was absolutely buzzing during my visit and some vendors were already sold out, so arrive early for the best selection. Note: The Matthews Community Farmers’ Market operates on two schedules, the longer Main Season market and the shorter Winter Season market. Head here to see current operating hours.

→Matthews Community Farmers' Market // 188 N Trade St, Matthews, NC 28105

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Two images of clothing and home items available at Moxie in Matthews — The shop features a delightfully curated mix of items for the home and wardrobe

Moxie Mercantile

I mentioned in my Charlotte Shopping Guide that Moxie Mercantile is one of my favorite local spots to bring friends and family visiting from out of town – so as an out-of-towner in Matthews, a stop at this location is naturally a must!

The wide, open storefront is filled with gems from local or hand-selected small businesses (like one of my favorites, ABLE). Find display after display of home decor, gorgeous clothing, and jewelry as you wander through the light-filled space. You can even take home a permanent souvenir from your day in Matthews, as the Peterson MADE studio is in the back and available for piercing and permanent jewelry.

→Moxie Mercantile // 159 N Trade St, Matthews, NC 28105

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Exterior of Minos Imported Foods in Matthews — Minos Imported Foods is a little hard to find, but worth taking the time to seek out

Minos Imported Foods Inc.

If you’re unsure if you’re in the right place, chances are, you’ve found Minos Imported Foods Inc. This tiny grocer is located in a Matthews warehouse (conveniently sandwiched between two excellent restaurants on this list!) and carries hard-to-find Greek imported foods.

Olive oils, spices, sweets, and more are here, naturally, but the best item of all is in the walk-in cooler: feta. Barrel-aged, salty, briny feta unlike anything you can find at your local grocery store. Save this spot for last or bring a cooler with ice! Note: Minos Imported Foods Inc. is cash only.

→Minos Imported Foods Inc // 11016 Monroe Rd b, Matthews, NC 28105

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Exterior of Backporch Treasures in Matthews — Sales from Backporch Treasures provide assistance to those in need through Matthews HELP Center

Backporch Treasures Thrift Shop

Matthews HELP Center provides short-term crisis assistance to the community, and the proceeds from Backporch Treasures Thrift Shop help support its important mission.

True to its name, this charming thrift store holds a treasure trove of household goods, clothing, shoes, accessories, and more. As an avid thrifter, I was impressed both by their impeccable selection and by the reasonable prices. It’s safe to say you’ll take home your next thrift find from here (I know I took home quite a few!).

→Backporch Treasures Thrift Shop // 119 N Ames St, Matthews, NC 28105

MATTHEWS FOOD + DRINK

Stacks

Looking for a classic diner breakfast in Matthews? You’ll find it at Stacks! This third-generation family business serves breakfast classics all day, in hearty portions. Stacks is a particularly popular spot on the weekend when families gather over pancakes, French toast, and omelettes – so arrive early or expect to spend a little time waiting for a table.

While you wait, it’s probably a good idea to take a look at the menu, which is so filled to the brim with delicious-sounding dishes that it’s almost impossible to choose what to order. I landed on the Stacks Lumberjack, with three eggs, a choice of French toast or pancakes, bacon or sausage, and a biscuit. It was far too much food, of course, but the perfect way to try a little bit of everything. The one non-negotiable? A glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice (that made this Florida-born gal very happy).

→Stacks // 11100 Monroe Rd, Matthews, NC 28105

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A bowl of bi bim bop on a hot piot with banchan — Dol sot bi bim bob

Pepero

Authentic Korean restaurants are few and far between in this region, but thankfully Pepero is ready to satisfy all of our cravings! Served in a sizzling hot pot, the Dol sot bi bim bob was the perfect lunch on a chilly February day, although the soups were equally tempting. My one regret? Not having more friends to dine with on this day – I’d be thrilled to be able to order a feast to share.

Thankfully, this food journey doesn’t end when the bowl is empty, as Pepero is tucked inside of a Korean grocery store. Stroll the aisles for snacks to bring home or all the ingredients needed to recreate your delicious meal.

→Pepero // 10920 Monroe Rd, Matthews, NC 28105

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Two popsicles with a blue sky as a backdrop — The Local Scoop’s Matthews location is a small pop-up space behind Carolina Beer Temple and Matthews Social House

The Local Scoop

Who are we to resist the call of ice cream, even on a cool winter morning? The Local Scoop answered the call, and though they were only dishing out a new line of ice cream popsicles on this day, they certainly hit the spot! Whether in a popsicle or a cone, each flavor is handcrafted from ingredients from local farms, and the team is always dishing out new inventions. Note: The Matthews pop-up is currently open on weekends only.

→The Local Scoop // 105 W Charles St, Matthews, NC 28105

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Brakeman’s gets its name from the brakeman on a rail line, whose job it is to slow the train down

Brakeman’s Coffee & Supply

Judging by the crowd out front, Brakeman’s Coffee & Supply is the spot for coffee in Matthews. “Keeping Matthews Slow” is the coffee shop’s motto, and the homelike coffee shop is the perfect place to pull the brakes on a busy day. Linger for a while over a locally-roasted drip coffee or be like me and order the Queen Bee Latte, sweetened just right with honey and cinnamon. Even if you take your cup to go, it’s still the perfect invitation to slow down and savor the moment.

→Brakeman's Coffee & Supply // 225 N Trade St, Matthews, NC 28105

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Carolina Beer Temple

Find twenty-six taps flowing with local or hard-to-find beer at Carolina Beer Temple in downtown Matthews. This popular spot passes over commercial beer brands to only stock beer from independent breweries, and it seems most of the taps are devoted to pouring beer from the Carolinas.

On a sunny day, the lawn was sprawling with locals lounging while holding a cold one, and it’s a great spot to hang out for a while. No time to hang? The retail selection here is just as good, so you can take your order to-go.

→Carolina Beer Temple // 195 N Trade St, Matthews, NC 28105

WITH MORE TIME IN MATTHEWS

More time in Matthews brings more time to do my favorite travel activity: eating! For my next visit, I’m eyeing spots like The Loyalist Market, South 21 Matthews, Athens Pizza & Kabob, Yanni Bistro, and Santé.

Of course, you could also spend an entire day in Matthews making a world cuisine grocery run, with shops like Nonna Maria’s Italian Deli & Market, Supermercado Brasileiro Taste Of Brazil, and South African Food Shop all in close proximity.

In need of a little retail therapy? To fill the time between meals, you could always pop over to Sycamore Commons, which houses a plethora of chain shops – but personally, I’m most looking forward to checking out ZABS Place (open every day but Saturday) and the McDowell Arts Center.

What if you want to extend your stay? While I don’t personally have experience with lodging in this area, you’ll find several major hotel brands in Matthews. Better yet, Matthews Manor offers a unique bed and breakfast experience close to it all.

FINAL THOUGHTS ON TAKING A DAY TRIP TO MATTHEWS

Alyssa stands in front of the hardware store in Matthews — Outfit Details

Matthews is so close to Charlotte that in many ways, this trip felt more like a fun outing – but the atmosphere of the city’s charming downtown area filled with local shops, restaurants, and most importantly, people out enjoying and supporting their community served as a clear reminder that we weren’t in Charlotte anymore, Toto.

Spending a leisurely day exploring another community is a good reminder that we don’t have to fly halfway across the world to have a valuable travel experience – you may only need to drive a half-hour away.

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Questions for you

Have you visited Matthews? What places are on your must-visit list?

What are some of your favorite local day trips?