Friendly Like Me and Charlotte Pride are proud to present the second annual Charlotte Pride Accessibility Guide.
One of the largest Pride celebrations on the East Coast, Charlotte Pride is a true destination, drawing people from all over the country; 2024 will be no exception. Over 260,000 festival-goers are expected by the City of Charlotte on August 17-18th, 2024.
Intentionally planned with accessibility as a priority, Liz Schob's talented team worked with us to highlight the many accessibility amenities available at 2024's Pride Festival and Parade. And, to make your trip even better, we've curated an awesome collection of Friendly and Accessible businesses shown below that are in and around Pride--from coffee shops, bars, and hotels, to nearby museums. Know Before You Go with the Friendly Like Me App and get to know Accessible Charlotte! You can use it to review places and tell business owners about the amenities you need. The Friendly Like Me App is Available for download at your Apple App or Google Play Stores.
Want to see even more accessible businesses in Charlotte? Check out Friendly Like Me's guide to Queen City's Friendliest Places.
Explore the Friendly Guide to Charlotte Pride below, or see it on the app! Go with confidence, to Pride, 2024.
Accessibility at Charlotte Pride
Access to the Festival and Programming
FESTIVAL
MAIN STAGE: To reach the accessible viewing area, use the entrance next to the VIP area marked by feather banners. The accessible viewing area is first come first served, and it's recommended to arrive early as seating is limited.
COMMUNITY STAGE & PARADE GRANDSTAND: On Sunday, use the Accessible viewing area at the Community stage to view the parade. Important Note: There is no accessible viewing area at the Community Stage on Saturday.
PARADE
The best way to approach the Accessible Viewing area of the Community/Parade Stage is to come in from 4th St. It's recommended to arrive approximately two hours early to secure a spot as space is limited.
QUESTIONS DURING THE FESTIVAL?
Pride staff and volunteers are happy to take any questions or address any concerns you may have. You can easily identify them by their Pink “STAFF” or White “VOLUNTEER” shirts! For the fastest service, visit the information booth.
ASL
ASL interpreters will be available on the Main, Community, and Parade Stages.
TAKE A BREAK
This event is held outdoors, meaning warm weather conditions may impact sensory experiences. We know that a place to take a break from the heat and noise can be critical for those with sensory sensitivities and can make a difference for someone wanting to attend Pride. This year Mint Museum Uptown is the space for adults needing haven, respite, and a place to relax.
Below is a list of other comfortable and accessible spaces perfect for taking a break.
The Mint Museum Uptown: Our friends at Mint Museum have graciously opened their atrium space to Charlotte Pride attendees, offering gender-neutral, family-style restrooms, along with refreshing air conditioning, free of charge. This is a lovely space to plan for taking a break and a moment of zen. Note: This is the primary space allocated for adults to take a sensory break. The Youth & Family sensory relief tent is 21 and under accompanied by an adult. See Friendly Like Me's accessibility review of Mint Museum here.- Youth & Family Zone is available on the Green. This sensory-friendly area for people under 21 (accompanied by a parent) is a shaded, drug & alcohol-free zone with seating and a lactation station.
- Romare Bearden Park
- First Ward Park
- 7th Street Market (a place to cool off and recharge, not necessarily quiet)
- The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts + Culture
- The Levine Center for the Arts
RESTROOMS
ADA-accessible restroom porta-potties are conveniently located at the following spots:
- Near the Main Stage area on Good Samaritan Way
- Near the Community Stage on Third St., (300 block; head south toward College St.)
- Church St. & Levine Ave
- M block of MLK Blvd (Head south towards College St.)
SPECIAL ACTIVITIES
Flourish Activation Saturday 1-6 pm
Mint Museum is sponsoring our Flourish Activation zone, a festival within a festival! Join us as LGBTQ performing and fine arts groups perform. Stay for spoken word artists, LGBTQ short films, and more. This free, air-conditioned space is perfect for those needing a break from the heat! Presented by the Mint Museum Uptown.
Youth and Family Zone Saturday & Sunday 12-6 pm
The Green, at 425 Tryon St. is for youth and families at Pride! A shaded, drug & alcohol-free zone with seating for people under 21 and their families. This sensory-friendly area has a lactation station for nursing parents, an arts and crafts zone, special speakers and entertainers, and a pop-up library. Note: This area is 21 and under! Presented by Krispy Kreme.
SAFETY & EMERGENCIES
Your safety is our top priority! Heat is the biggest health risk and generates the most calls for medical attention so it’s critical to bring hydration. If you need assistance feel free to approach our friendly staff or volunteers or make your way over to one of our two medic tents:
- Near VIP Tent on the Southern End of Martin Luther King Blvd near the Tryon St intersection.
- There will be medics and ambulances near the Parade Staging Area. Or, visit the information booth and a volunteer will radio for help.
- More safety information can be found here at the bottom of the Pride Festival page.
GETTING THERE
PAID PARKING
There is no designated parking for the festival. Patrons are encouraged to use public transport, accessible transport, or ride-sharing services. However, paid parking is available nearby in private parking lots. Click here to find nearby parking garages in Uptown.
ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORT
CATS Paratransit is a pre-scheduled, shared-ride, origin-to-destination service. Schedule your ride here.
To find additional accessible transport providers click here.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
The best way to get rid of traffic concerns is to ride Charlotte’s public transportation into Uptown. The map of the festival zone and parade route highlights the closest LYNX blue line stops along College Street.
Personalized Accessible Adventures
Friendly Like Me
is now and forever a 100% free mobile app in which people can find and review locations all around the country for their specific access needs. In the app, you can build a personalized profile and select from a list of accessibility features to help you know at a glance whether a business is Friendly to you. From bars and hotels to hospitals and parks, we have over six million businesses waiting for you to explore!
Come with us as we take you to the most accessible LGBTQ-Friendly (yes, with a capital F!) locations in Charlotte. From the traditional bars and restaurants to atriums and chocolate factory tours, Charlotte has something for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy!
Now get out there, go with confidence--and PRIDE!
Accessible Businesses in and around Charlotte Pride
Accessibility Checklist:
- Accessible entrance, interior, and restrooms.
- Accessible parking spaces, including van spots, are available in the Mint Museum Uptown’s Levine Center for the Arts Parking Garage on Level P1 and P2.
- Doorways to outdoor areas are equipped with automatic openers.
- Accessible interior with elevators access to all floors. Spaces for wheelchairs are available in the James B. Duke Auditorium.
- Wheelchair-accessible restrooms are located on every floor. Single user/all gender restrooms are located on Level M.
- Accessible drinking fountains can be found at the Mint Museum Uptown on every floor.
- Social Narratives for Mint Museum Uptown are available for families and visitors with developmental disabilities.
- Friendly Notice: S.P.A.R.K. Explorer Packs can be checked out on a first-come, first-served basis. Packs contain everything visitors with autism and sensory needs might want to enhance their experience in the museum including: fidget keychains, wiggle seats, headphones, and weighted lap pads.
- Friendly Shout Out: The Museum's front desk offers complimentary manual wheelchairs to patrons on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Visitor drop-off and pickup are permitted near Mint Museum Uptown’s elevator access on Levine Avenue of the Arts.
- Friendly Shout Out: Support persons receive complimentary admission to ticketed exhibitions when the person with a disability cannot otherwise attend alone.
Accessibility Checklist:
- Smooth, level access to each space.
- A variety of comfortable seating exists including tables and large chairs on the Veranda for people of size.
- Chairs with no arms on the rooftop!
- Accessible from public transit
Accessibility Checklist:
- Ramp entrance to a grassy area of the park is located on the corner of W 3rd street, and there is a cement pathway into the park on W 3rd St. and S. Poplar St.
- There is one accessible restroom for each gender, with automatic sinks.
- Park seating is available.
- There are wide, paved sidewalks throughout and around the park.
Accessibility Checklist:
- Accessible interior, restrooms, parking, and entrance.
- A wide variety of seating, including chairs with no arms, is available in lounge and dining areas.
- "Patio" in this review indicates a poolside patio area comfortable for people of size.
- Shower wands are available in accessible rooms.
- Accessible alarm clock and telephone ringers; flashing door knockers.
- Bathtub seat and non-slip grab rails.
- Lowered view ports, night guards, and deadbolts on doors, lowered electrical outlets.
- TTY/TTD compatible phones.
- Self-operating lift or a sloped entry into the swimming pool.
- Service animals are welcome.
- Friendly Notice: Bar stools at the bar all have seat backs, but other stools do not.
- Friendly Notice: Guests in mobility-accessible rooms may inquire about lowering the bed height
Accessibility Checklist:
- Accessible entrance.
- The dining room and breakfast room have booths with movable tables and chairs without arms.
- The hotel lobby and pub have loveseats and couches.
- The lobby bar has stools with seat backs.
- Friendly Shout-Out: The garage behind the hotel has accessible parking spots. An elevator will take you directly to reception.
- The Premiere Queen Room has a roll-in shower with glass doors that open completely.
- Bathtubs in most rooms can be accommodated with a seat for transferring.
- Friendly Notice: Seating within guest rooms varies widely; most chairs have arms.
Accessibility Checklist:
- Accessible entrance.
- Accessible restrooms.
- Accessible interior with an elevator.
- Valet parking is available on College St.
- Friendly Notice: Some locations with Queen City Quarter offer chairs with no arms and booths with movable tables.
Accessibility Checklist:
- Accessible entrance, restrooms, and spacious interior.
- Offers chairs with no arms.
- Wheelchairs are available upon request.
- Staff are willing to partner with individuals or groups to customize disability access with advanced notice.
- Discounted parking is available at The Levine Center parking garage on Tryon Street, just opposite the Gantt at 101 W. Brooklyn Village Ave.
- Friendly Shout-Out: The Gantt Center has collaborated with No Dark Doors to implement iBeacons at this location for patrons with vision loss.
Accessibility Checklist:
- Accessible entrance and interior.
- Offers chairs with no arms, booths have movable tables, and seating is comfortable.
- Patio is comfortable for people of size.
- Alert: There is no marked, accessible street parking.
Accessibility Checklist:
- Accessible entrance.
- Accessible restrooms.
- Flat, level interior.
- Accessible parking is available in the parking deck located at the corner of Church and 6th Streets. The Museum entrance is located on 6th St. between Tryon St. & Church St.
- Public Transport: The museum is two blocks from the 7th St. Station stop on the LYNX Light Rail system. Upon exiting the train at 7th St., head west toward Tryon St.
- Friendly Shout-Out: Wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Visitors should request a wheelchair at check-in.
Accessibility Checklist:
- Accessible entrance and interior.
- Offers chairs with no arms, booths have movable tables, and seating is comfortable.
- Friendly Notice: There is no marked accessible street parking available, but First Citizens Bank Plaza Parking is a garage available on 209 S Church St.
Accessibility Checklist:
- Accessible entrance.
- Accessible and roomy interior.
- Accessible restroom.
- Seating is comfortable; they offer chairs without armrests.
- Booths have movable tables.
- Patio is comfortable for people of size.
- Alert: Accessible parking is not available.
Accessibility Checklist:
- The entrance is street-level with no steps.
- There is one wheelchair accessible bathroom.
- Friendly Notice: The second floor (more seating, another bar, and outdoor patio) is only accessible by stairs.
- First-floor seating includes comfortable chairs without arms and bar stools with and without backrests.
- Street parking is available but extremely limited. There are two nearby parking garages with accessible parking. Truist Center Garage, and 101 N Tyron St. Parking Garage
- Alert: The patio is furnished with picnic tables and may not be comfortable for people of size.
Accessibility Checklist:
- Accessible parking, entrance, interior, and restroom.
- Accessible guest rooms with entrance and interior doors at least 32" wide.
- Accessible parking spaces are available in the self-parking facility.
- Valet parking is available.
- Accessible meeting rooms, swimming pool, and exercise facility
- Offers chairs with no arms; booths have movable tables.
- Patio is comfortable for people of size.
- Braille room numbers and in elevators.
- Shower wand, portable shower chairs, roll-in showers, and grab bars in bathrooms.
- Digital alarm clocks are available with strobe lights, sounds and vibrating pads.
- Lowered light switches, shelves, door viewports, thermostat controls, closet rods.
- TTY available for guest use.
Accessibility Checklist:
- Accessible entrance, interior, and restrooms.
- Seating is comfortable. They offer chairs with no arms.
- Booths have movable tables.
- Patio is comfortable for people of size.
- Quiet enough for conversation.
Accessibility Checklist:
- Accessible entrance, interior, and restroom.
- Accessible parking located in parking garage.
- Offers chairs with no arms.
- Booths have movable tables.
- Patio is comfortable for people of size.
- Friendly Notice: Free parking is conveniently available behind The Dunhill Hotel in the Fifth Third Bank garage. Please present the ticket from the garage to your server for validation. Garage entrances are on both 6th Street and Church Street.
- Friendly Shout Out: Seating is comfortable and sturdy.
Accessibility Checklist:
- Accessible entrance.
- Accessible restroom.
- Seating is comfortable. They offer chairs with no arms.
- Booths have movable tables, and the bar stools do not have seat backs.
- Alert: There is no available accessible parking. However, street parking and nearby garage parking are available. The restaurant recommends the Truist Parking Garage.
Accessibility Checklist:
- Accessible entrance and roomy interior.
- Offers chairs with no arms and booth tables can be adjusted.
- Bar stools without seat backs.
- Friendly Shout Out: Patio chairs are comfortable for people of size.
- Accessible paarking is available at the First Citizens Bank garage across from the restaurant. Valet parking is also available.
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