Secret Garden Tour of Fourth Ward

The weather was amazing, the homes oh so enchanting, and the gardens were sublime.

First stop for libations

We picked up our tickets at 9th and Poplar by way of horse drawn carriage and proceeded to our first stop: libations of Skyy Vodka and lovely sweet and sour mixer, cold and refreshing to sip as we walked down to our first garden. On the way we ran into Chandler (a local Charlotte actor), her husband Taylor and friends.

Chandler, Taylor and friends

Lee Garden, deck and patio

First garden: The Lee Garden, beautiful fresh and well thought out for design and color. And of course the Dittloff Garden. Both of these homes are located on 9th Street. 

Garden at the Poplar St. Condos

And really one of my favorites, the Poplar Condominiums on 10th Street bringing back memories of my childhood when I would roller skate the sidewalks and through the covered entrance. 

 I remember how glamorous the apartments were and the movies were the only place you saw buildings like this. The architecture is perfectly preserved including the original entrance doors, the windows unique at that time to Charlotte and the structure itself is all original, built to last. 

Door at the Poplar St. condos

On to 10th Street Courtyard Park surrounded by well designed condos to compliment the old trees and streets built in the 1980s when the city of Charlotte was restoring Fourth Ward. 

More libations at the Garden condos

 More libations, lovely champagne and lovely people having fun with lots to talk about. 

Really enjoyed the Knott-Schooler Garden as we were invited to walk through the home and view the exquisite rooms with the old preserved to its original beauty.

On the porch, where business decisions were mads

 Lovely porch and courtyard garden where most important business decisions were made back in the day.

My favorite porch

 At the Timmins garden and lovely front porch we sat and relaxed and did some serious people watching. 

My pick for Best Garden:  the Causby-Cernohorsky Garden

But truly I have to say the Causby-Cernohorsky Garden with its sloping waterfall and Koi pond is breathtaking. 

Koi pond

 The front landscaping and the garden down the side of the home as you leave the back garden is something to see. I was so glad that they were among the gracious homeowners to share their private space with us. 

Beautiful Fourth Ward Park

By the time we reached Fourth Ward Park we sat again in the shade and watched the people on the tour strolling in and out of the park. 

The Wood Vine

Then on to the Wood Vine Wine Bar up on North Tryon, part of the tour for a delightful glass of wine and a tapas of citrus infused cheese with a splendid sauce, a perfect pairing with the Cabernet we were served. 

Great cabernet

We also stopped in the Asbury restaurant located in the Dunhill Hotel and had a dressed up egg they serve as an appetizer, a yummy deviled egg, really different. The Dunhill is another favorite Center City spot beautifully preserved and so very romantic. 

Bar at the Asbury in the Dunhill Hotel

3 Church hosted the kickoff party, so sorry we missed it, Rock Bottom was serving Mimosas and Bloody Marys. After stopping by Alexander Michaels for a visit with friends, we hopped a carriage ride to the 7th Street Market, our favorite community gathering place, and called it a day. What a wonderful way to spend the day. There is something about nostalgia that touches my soul and leaves me with deep appreciation. 

A free carriage ride adds to the fun. 

To find out more www.fofw.org 

Shepperd house, built in 1898, at 601 Poplar. Not on the tour while it undergoes a two year renovation but look for it next year.

Additions are improving on perfection.