The 15 Best Things to Do in Charlotte (2024)

Nearly 30 million visitors flock to Charlotte, North Carolina annually for its parks and recreational activities, neighborhood shops and galleries, museums, award-winning restaurants, local breweries, and more. With temperate year-round weather and a family-friendly vibe, the Queen City has a variety of attractions to keep you busy on a day trip, long weekend, or extended stay.

From white water rafting at the U.S. National Whitewater Center to sampling local food and drink at the 7th Street Public Market, here are the 15 best things to do in Charlotte.

01of 15

Learn about Charlotte's History at the Levine Museum of the New South

The 15 Best Things to Do in Charlotte (1)

Address

401 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202, USA

Phone+1 704-333-1887

For an in-depth look at Charlotte's history, head to the Levine Museum of the New South in Uptown. The museum's permanent exhibits explore the history and culture of the South from the Civil War to today. Be sure to check out the award-winning"Cotton Fields to Skyscrapers: Reinventing Charlotte and the Carolina Piedmont in the New South," which includes more than 1,000 artifacts, images, and oral histories, plus interactive displays like a sit-in lunch counter and a one-room tenant farmer's home.

02of 15

Play at the U.S. National Whitewater Center

The 15 Best Things to Do in Charlotte (2)

Address

5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28214, USA

Phone+1 704-391-3900

The U.S. National Whitewater Center is not just an Olympic training facility. Located 12 miles north of downtown on the world's largest manmade, circulating whitewater river, the center offers plenty of land and water-based activities for amateur athletes, too. With stand up paddleboarding, kayaking, rock climbing, zip lining, more than 50 miles of trails, and (of course) whitewater rafting, the 1,300 acres of woodlands are an outdoor lover's paradise. The facility also hosts a summer concert series as well as festivals, races, and other special events throughout the year.

All-access passes start at $59, but single activity passes can be purchased as well. Note that while the trails and gates are open 365 days a year, the availability of certain activities varies by season.

03of 15

Explore Freedom Park

The 15 Best Things to Do in Charlotte (3)

Address

Freedom Park, Charlotte, NC 28209, USA

Located on the eastern edge of Myers Park, the nearly 100-acre Freedom Park is a beautiful city retreat. Walk or bike through the park's wooded trails, then settle in for a picnic overlooking the lake, which offers beautiful skyline views. Street parking is available, but can be challenging during special events like the Kings Drive Art Walk in the spring and Festival in the Park in the summer.

04of 15

Sample Local Food and Drink at 7th Street Public Market

7th Street Public Market is part public marketplace, part local food business incubator. Located half a mile west of downtown, the spot's vendors include a wine shop, cheesemonger, brewery, juice bar, and coffee shop. Looking for a sit-down meal? Head to Pure Pizza, which sources all of its ingredients from market vendors; or, grab a table at Uptown Yolk for all-day breakfast like chicken and waffles and shrimp and grits.

Continue to 5 of 15 below.

05of 15

Explore Discovery Place

Address

168 W 6th St, Charlotte, NC 28202, USA

Phone+1 704-327-2189

Science, nature, and technology come to life at this hands-on museum in the heart of Uptown Charlotte. From an onsite aquarium to virtual reality tours of the human body, learning labs, and a simulated rainforest, the museum offers hours of interactive fun for school children of all ages. Discovery Place also has a series of rotating live shows with up-close animal encounters and chemistry experiments as well as films at the largest IMAX theater in the Carolinas.

06of 15

Visit the Levine Center for the Arts

The 15 Best Things to Do in Charlotte (4)

Address

550 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202, USA

This Uptown performing arts complex is a one-stop shop for the best of Charlotte's culture. A $20 pass gets you into three museums: Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, the Mint Museum Uptown, and The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art (stop here to see works of 20th century master artists like Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol). Also part of the Levine, the nearly 1,200-seat Knight Theatre is home to the Charlotte Ballet and other local performing arts groups.

07of 15

Escape to Lake Norman

The 15 Best Things to Do in Charlotte (5)

Address

Lake Norman, North Carolina, USA

If you tire of the city's chaos, hop in the car and head to Lake Norman. Just 20 miles north of Charlotte, the largest manmade lake in the Carolinas offers boating, kayaking, fishing, paddle boarding, and other water-based activities. The area also has several parks, greenways, and biking and walking trails that connect to the Carolina Thread Trail system.

Unwind with dinner at Hello, Sailor, a lakeside seafood spot from the owners of the award-winning Kindred. The menu features shared plates like East Coast oysters and deviled crab dip, in addition to Southern-inspired salads, sandwiches, and whole flounder with salsa verde and chili mayo.

08of 15

Stop and Smell the Flowers at the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

The 15 Best Things to Do in Charlotte (6)

Address

6500 S New Hope Rd, Belmont, NC 28012, USA

Phone+1 704-825-4490

Stop and smell the flowers at this 110-acre public botanical garden located on the banks of Lake Wylie. The Daniel Stowe has several distinct gardens—including an orchid conservatory dedicated to tropical plants, a children's garden, and a perennial garden—as well as fountains, manicured lawns, and a three-mile walking trail. To get here, it's a 30-minute drive southwest of the city.

Continue to 9 of 15 below.

09of 15

Catch a Show at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center

The 15 Best Things to Do in Charlotte (7)

Address

130 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202-2113, USA

Phone+1 704-372-1000

A trio of venues—the Belk Theater, Booth Playhouse, and Stage Door Theater—make up the city's Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. Here, you can see a variety of live events, ranging from Broadway Hits like Hamilton and Wicked to concerts by the Charlotte Symphony and comedy shows.

10of 15

Shop and Eat in NoDa

The 15 Best Things to Do in Charlotte (8)

Located just a few miles north of downtown, NoDa (North Davidson) is home to some of the Queen City's best shops, galleries, breweries, and restaurants. Visit Summerbird for high-end women's fashion and accessories at affordable prices; Curio for candles, crystals, and other mystical items; and Ruby's Gift for pottery, home goods, and jewelry made by local artisans. Stroll through local galleries like Charlotte Art League, the Light Factory, and Providence Gallery, then sample local beers at neighborhood breweries such as Birdsong Brewing Co., Divine Barrel Brewing, and Free Range Brewing. Cap your visit with dinner at Haberdish or Optimist Hall, one of the city's largest food halls.

11of 15

Sample Local Beer with the Charlotte Brews Cruise

The 15 Best Things to Do in Charlotte (9)

Charlotte is home to more than a dozen craft breweries. Sample several of them—like Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, the city's oldest—on a guided tour with Charlotte Brews Cruise. The weekly tours begin on Saturdays at 1:30 p.m., and the $49 fee includes visits to three breweries, 12 to 15 four-ounce beer samples, and complimentary bottled water and snacks. Tours end in the NoDa neighborhood.

12of 15

Take a Segway Tour of the City

The 15 Best Things to Do in Charlotte (10)

Explore the city's neighborhoods, parks, museums, notable buildings, and more with Charlotte's guided Segway tours. The company offers several different tours that range between 90 minutes to two hours. Its most popular excursion is the Historic Uptown Neighborhood tour, which includes an overview of the city's architecture and stops at the Levine Center for the Arts, The Green, and the Historic 4th Ward. Other options include a haunted tour that takes you to spooky sites like Settlers Cemetery, and a "taste and glide" tour with food and drink samples at 7th Street Public Market and Alexander Michael's.

Continue to 13 of 15 below.

13of 15

Visit the NASCAR Hall of Fame

The 15 Best Things to Do in Charlotte (11)

Address

400 E M.L.K. Jr Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28202, USA

Phone+1 704-654-4400

Explore one of the Carolinas' most beloved sports—stock car racing—at this interactive museum dedicated to all things NASCAR. After admiring the building's curves and slopes (which mimic those of a traditional racetrack), head inside for more than 50 different interactive games and experiences, including: historic artifacts like Richard Petty's winning Plymouth Belvedere, racing simulators, and a 360-degree wall honoring Hall of Fame drivers. Don't miss the viewing parties, which are held in a 278-seat theater with a 64-foot-wide projection screen and surround sound.

14of 15

Ride the Rollercoasters at Carowinds

The 15 Best Things to Do in Charlotte (12)

Address

North Carolina, USA

Phone+1 704-588-2600

This amusement park on the border of North and South Carolina has 14 roller coasters, including the Furry 325. Standing 325 feet tall, the largest and fastest steel roller coaster in the world speeds up to 95 miles per hour. Other rides include the Intimidator, a high-speed roller coaster inspired by the legendary Dale Earnhardt, and the Afterburn, which features six different inversions. Carowinds also has family-friendly rides, live performances, and an onsite water park.

15of 15

Catch a Game at the BB&T Ballpark

The 15 Best Things to Do in Charlotte (13)

Address

324 S Mint St, Charlotte, NC 28202, USA

Phone+1 704-274-8300

Home of the Charlotte Knights, the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, this stadium is located right in the heart of Uptown. There's not a bad seat in the 8,460-seat venue, which also offers good food and skyline views of the city. On Friday nights, stick around for the post-game fireworks.

The 15 Best Things to Do in Charlotte (2024)

FAQs

What is Charlotte famous for? ›

Charlotte is also home to the NFL's Carolina Panthers, the NBA's Charlotte Hornets, MLS' Charlotte FC, the NASCAR Hall of Fame and the U.S. National Whitewater Center.

Why is Charlotte so famous? ›

As the New South dawned after the Civil War, Charlotte took off—first as a railroad junction and then as a cotton mill hub. Today, it is one of America's largest banking centers and one of the nation's fastest-growing metropolitan areas. Newcomers roll in daily from across the United States and around the globe.

Is Charlotte, NC worth visiting? ›

A visit to Charlotte, North Carolina promises an immersion into a cosmopolitan city that marries tradition with everyday progress. With its thriving arts scene, world-class dining, and a host of outdoor recreational opportunities, Charlotte offers a dynamic and engaging experience for all.

What is the best part of Charlotte? ›

Uptown is considered one of the best neighborhoods in Charlotte, NC, as it's truly the city's heartbeat, pumped full of tech startups, creatives, restaurants, bars, the city's top museums, gobs of nightlife and entertainment options, and a true big-city feel.

What is the richest town in Charlotte? ›

CHARLOTTE — The Charlotte Business Journal has mapped out the most affluent areas of the region, ranked by 2021 median household income. Charlotte's wealthiest enclave is the 28207 ZIP code, which includes parts of the Myers Park and Eastover neighborhoods. The median household income in 28207 is $192,500.

Is Charlotte bigger than Atlanta? ›

In fact, the city of Charlotte is 1.75 times larger than the city of Atlanta in population and more than double the size of Atlanta as measured in square miles. There are asterisks though. The first one, Charlotte's city population is the result of it gobbling up land through annexations over the past two decades.

How do I spend a day in Charlotte NC? ›

Attractions
  1. Museum of Illusions Charlotte. Panthers Football at Bank of America Stadium. ...
  2. Lazy 5 Ranch. the NASCAR Hall of Fame. ...
  3. Lang Van. Midwood Smokehouse. ...
  4. Optimist Hall. Pizza at Salud Cerveceria. ...
  5. Camp North End. Chef Alyssa's Kitchen. ...
  6. North End Farmers Market. Concord Mills. ...
  7. Charlotte Joy Rides. ...
  8. Little Sugar Creek Greenway.

Is it safe to walk around downtown Charlotte NC? ›

Is downtown Charlotte safe? Downtown or Uptown Charlotte is generally considered safe to visit as long as you are aware of your surroundings and stay in well-lit areas after dark.

What is the best month to visit Charlotte NC? ›

The best times to visit Charlotte are March–May and September–November. Spring and autumn are when you can find good hotel offers, pleasant weather conditions, and fewer people at the top attractions. You just have to choose between nature in blossom or nature in vibrant autumn colors.

What is the safest part of Charlotte, NC? ›

Safe, Affordable Neighborhoods in Charlotte in 2024
  • Ballantyne West.
  • Barclay Downs.
  • Chantilly.
  • Providence Crossing.
  • Sardis Woods.
Jul 24, 2024

Where do whites live in Charlotte? ›

Affluent white families mostly live in the triangle of south Charlotte between roughly South Boulevard and Monroe Road — known locally as “the wedge.” Lower income, mostly minority families are concentrated in “the crescent” to the west, north and east.

What is the top 1% in Charlotte NC? ›

In North Carolina, the cutoff for being in the top 1% of earners was $481,474 in 2020, a 19.6% bump over 2015's cutoff of $402,565.

Why is Charlotte a popular city? ›

The city has a thriving nightlife scene, with a wide variety of bars, restaurants, clubs, pubs, live music venues, and festivals. The city also boasts an exciting sports scene. You can cheer on the Carolina Panthers, the Charlotte Hornets, the BB&T Knights, and your favorite NASCAR drivers.

What is Charlotte Small known for? ›

Capably assisting her husband, renowned explorer David Thompson, Charlotte Small travelled thousands of kilometres across North America by foot, canoe, and horseback, helping to map its extensive lands and waterways.

Why is Charlotte North famous? ›

10 Charlotte North

Along the way, she became one of the most recognizable players in the sport at any level. A two-time Tewaaraton Award winner, North became the NCAA's all-time goals scored leader and is poised to lead the U.S. women's national team with her creative playmaking and pinpoint shooting skills.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Carmelo Roob

Last Updated:

Views: 6315

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (65 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Carmelo Roob

Birthday: 1995-01-09

Address: Apt. 915 481 Sipes Cliff, New Gonzalobury, CO 80176

Phone: +6773780339780

Job: Sales Executive

Hobby: Gaming, Jogging, Rugby, Video gaming, Handball, Ice skating, Web surfing

Introduction: My name is Carmelo Roob, I am a modern, handsome, delightful, comfortable, attractive, vast, good person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.