Get in
Though Monroe has a small airport, the vast majority of visitors will arrive there by car. The primary artery through the city is NC-74, though there are smaller roads connecting it to other nearby towns.
Get around
Cars are the only practical form of transportation in Monroe. There is no public transit. Biking or walking is possible in some areas, but not recommended for visitors.
See
Monroe still maintains its historic downtown, though it has seen better days. The Union County Courthouse has an impressive bell tower, and is located in a picturesque downtown district. The stores along Main St. bear the feeling of a 1940s town, and are reasonably well preserved. Also, the original Belk's Department Store can be found there.
There is a movie theater near the Monroe Mall on Highway 74.
Do
Monroe is not a tourist center, and there is relatively little for a visitor to do there besides shop. The Monroe Mall and Union County Farmers' Market are probably your best bet aside from strolling through the downtown area. High-school football games are also an event of interest for those looking for exposure to Southern culture.
To be honest, if you are looking for something to do you probably ought to go to Charlotte.
Buy
Monroe's economy is based primarily around its ability to attract commuters on NC-74. Therefore, a large amount of commericial retail has sprung up on that thoroughfare. However, most of it is fairly low-quality and almost none of it is unique to the city. The Monroe Mall offers some department store retail, and has a few interesting stores.
The historic downtown of the city has some shopping, and may be worth visiting for a casual afternoon. Of particular interest are the antique stores in the city, and the traditional hardware store.
Eat
The strip along NC-74 has many chain restaurants. If you are looking for chain food, there is no need to plan ahead; just drive down 74 and look for what you want.
For more personal dining, try exploring the historic downtown area. There are a few good cafes to be found there and on surrounding streets.
