City Life Readers’ Picks 2019

Best in the Nest Readers’ Picks are voted on for four months prior to publication. These are the winners in the respective categories.

Best Hero/Heroine:
David Ledbetter, who took to the Popeye’s parking lot during their craziest rush of the year to sign people up to vote. 

Best Local Sports Figure:
Cam Newton

Best Local Sports Team:
Carolina Panthers

Best Local Mascot:
Sir Purr

Best TV Station:
WBTV

Best TV Personality:
Brad Panovich

Best News Anchor:
Molly Grantham

Best TV Sportscaster:
Mike Solarte

Best Podcast:
WFAE’s Amplifier

Best Radio Personality:
106.5’s Divakar

Best Radio Show:
WFAE’s Charlotte Talks

Best Activist Group:
The Humane League

Best Activist:
Kelli Baron

Best Politician:
Jeff Jackson

Best Local Celebrity:
Cam Newton

Best Twitter Account:
@TheTrolleyWalk

Best Instagram:
Black Wednesday; @blackwedco

Best Blog:
Off The Eaten Path

Best Facebook Page:
Burt Savage & Unknown Brewing (Tie)

Best Festival:
Bloom: Return to Roots

Best Free Event:
Festival in the Park

Best New Thing:
The Flamingo Revue

Best News Story Of The Last 12 Months:
Charlotte Wanting Out of RNC

Best Area to Live:
Plaza Midwood

Best Apartment Complex:
Silos South End

Best Church:
Elevation

Best Place to Get Back to Nature:
Whitewater Center / Crowder’s Mountain (Tie)

Best Group Workout:
AerialCLT

Best Way To Get Around Without A Car:
Light Rail

Best Run Club:
NoDa Run Club

Best Cycling Club:
Unknown Bike and Brew

Best Place to Get Hitched:
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

Best Place to People Watch:
Common Market (Plaza Midwood)

Best Hotel:
The Ritz Carlton

Best Place to Take Out-Of-Town Visitors:
U.S. National Whitewater Center

Best Golf Course:
TPC Piper Glen

Best Disc Golf Course:
Elon Park – Angry Beaver

Best Rec Center:
Marion Diehl Recreation Center

Best Weekend Getaway:
Asheville

Best Camping Spot (In-State):
Most people voted to keep theirs secret

Best Co-Working Space:
Advent Coworking

Best Nonprofit:
Transcend Charlotte

Best Event For A Good Cause:
The Flamingo Revue

Best Support Group:
Transcend Charlotte

Best Place to Volunteer:
Humane Society of Charlotte/Time Out Youth (Tie)

Queen City Issue That Needs More Attention:
Affordable Housing

Best Use of Tax Money:
The Arts

Worst Use of Tax Money:
Pro Sports

What We Need More Of:
Affordable Housing

What We Need Less Of:
Apartments/Condos