29 Best Things to Do in Charlotte, NC (in 2023)

I spent 4 years dwelling in and exploring all the perfect issues to do in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

On this information, I’ll share all the favored sights in Charlotte, however I will even reveal some private favourite issues and native suggestions that you just gained’t discover in different guides.

With family-friendly actions, nice eating places, buying, arts, tradition, and sports activities — there’s one thing to do in Charlotte for everybody!

Disclosure: Journey Lemming is an impartial reader-supported weblog. You’ll be able to help us by buying by way of the affiliate hyperlinks on this web page, which can earn us commissions. See our Promoting Coverage for additional clarification. Thanks!

29 Finest Issues to Do in Charlotte

NASCAR Corridor of Fame

Journey via racing historical past at this interactive NASCAR museum

📍 Google Maps | Telephone: (704) 654-4400 | NASCAR Hall of Fame Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm every day (Tuesday reserved for teams) | Entrance: $27 adults, $24 seniors, $20 for ages 4-12 

For those who’re a racing fanatic, you’re in luck. Charlotte is named the house of NASCAR, and the spectacular Corridor of Fame museum is a must-stop. 

The NASCAR Corridor of Fame, located within the Uptown space of Charlotte, reveals racing artifacts from all through NASCAR historical past. Shows embody championship vehicles, trophies, race fits, and tributes to NASCAR drivers. The museum additionally has interactive reveals like racing simulators and the Excessive Octane theater. The Chevrolet and Glory Street reveals are particularly in style. 

The Charlotte Motor Speedway, which is the place races happen, is situated a few half hour northeast of Harmony. Hendricks Motorsports Museum can be close to right here. 

Blumenthal Performing Arts Middle

Catch broadway exhibits, live shows, and different performances at this in style Charlotte theater

📍 Google Maps | Telephone: (704) 372-1000 | Blumenthal Performing Arts Center Website | Hours: Showtimes fluctuate | Tickets: $20-$115

Catching a present on the Blumenthal Performing Arts Middle is unquestionably among the best issues to do in Charlotte. Right here, there are exhibits and performances for audiences of all ages.

You’ll discover a lineup with every part from Broadway performs and musicals, to bop performances, to live shows and comedians. The Blumenthal Performing Arts Middle is a world-class efficiency theater proper within the coronary heart of North Carolina. 

The Blumenthal Performing Arts Middle has three major phases housed below one roof: the Belk Theater, Sales space Playhouse, and Stage Door Theater. 

Freedom Park

Take a stroll via Charlotte’s expansive metropolis park, good for households

📍 Google Maps | Freedom Park Website | Entrance: Free

Visiting Freedom Park is without doubt one of the most budget-friendly and gratifying issues to do in Charlotte, particularly in case you have youngsters.

This 98-acre park is situated simply south of Uptown. It’s made up of a 7-acre lake, sports activities services, a playground, gardens, and paved nature trails. It’s the proper place for guests of all ages to play, loosen up, and take in some nature amidst the town. 

Freedom Park can be residence to a Charlotte nature museum: Discovery Place Nature. This youngsters’ museum has interactive reveals and stay animal encounters. And at simply $8, Discovery Place Nature is without doubt one of the extra reasonably priced ticketed Charlotte museums. 

Carowinds

Scream, snicker, and benefit from the thrills of this Southeastern amusement park

📍 Google Maps | Telephone: (704) 588-2600 | Carowinds Website | Hours: Differ seasonally | Entrance: $40 every day ticket 

Carowinds is an amusement park situated 20 minutes south of Uptown on the North and South Carolina border.

Carowinds is a superb, family-friendly park to go to for those who like rollercoasters, rides, and theme park experiences. There are over 60 rides in complete, with choices for all ages, from twisting curler coasters to light rides for teenagers. There’s even a waterpark! 

Among the greatest and largest curler coaster rides at Carowinds embody Fury 325, the Intimidator, and Afterburn. 

🎃 Professional Tip: For those who’re an enormous fan of Halloween, go to Carowinds between mid-September via October. The park transforms into “Scarowinds” and goes all out. There are Halloween-themed experiences and actors dressed as themed characters roam the park to scare you. 

U.S. Nationwide Whitewater Middle

Get your out of doors journey on at this world class recreation heart

📍 Google Maps | Telephone: (704) 391-3900 | U.S. National Whitewater Center Website | Hours: 10 am – 6 pm every day | Entrance: $75 grownup day move, $65 youth day move 

Charlotte could also be a metropolis, however you may nonetheless discover a ton of out of doors sights in Charlotte! 

The U.S. Nationwide Whitewater Middle is residence to the world’s largest man-made whitewater river. It’s the place to be for all issues rafting, from lowkey water actions to intense rafting and kayaking on class IV rapids. 

The U.S. Nationwide Whitewater Middle additionally has actions like ropes programs, zip-lining, mountaineering, and trails for mountain biking. It’s a family-friendly vacation spot that’s appropriate for all ages and talents. Positioned only a half hour west of Uptown, it’s probably the most interactive outdoorsy issues to do in Charlotte. 

Discovery Place Science

Let your youngsters discover, be taught, and tinker away at this hands-on STEM museum

📍 Google Maps | Telephone: (704) 372-6261 | Discovery Place Science Website | Hours: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm Monday – Friday, 10:30 am – 4:30 pm Saturday, Sunday | Entrance: $23-$29 adults, $20-$26 seniors, $18-24 kids 

Discovery Place Science is a hands-on science and expertise museum situated in Uptown Charlotte. For households occupied with all issues STEM, add this museum to your Charlotte bucket record. 

Discovery Place Science is stuffed with interactive reveals and labs that permit youngsters to discover and be taught on their very own phrases. Notable reveals embody an indoor rainforest, hands-on animal actions, and the Discover Extra Future lab. This museum additionally has an IMAX dome theater!

Levine Museum of the New South

Find out about post-Civil Warfare Southern historical past, and deepen your understanding of up to date points

📍 Google Maps | Telephone: (704) 333-1887 | Levine Museum of the New South Website | Hours: 11 am – 5 pm Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 11 am – 9 pm Wednesday, 10 am – 5 pm Saturday, 12 pm – 5 pm Sunday, Closed Mondays | Entrance: Free 

Levine Museum of the New South is a community-oriented museum with a give attention to Southern up to date points. It shines a lightweight on troublesome historic occasions. It additionally creates discussions round issues like race and empathy within the Charlotte neighborhood and past. 

By everlasting and rotating reveals and academic applications, this Charlotte museum tells the story of how historical past formed the town and piedmont area. This consists of the transformation of cotton fields to skyscrapers and occasions just like the Greensboro sit-ins. This household pleasant museum is situated within the coronary heart of Uptown Charlotte.

Daniel Stowe Botanical Backyard

Reconnect with nature at this scenic and tranquil botanical backyard

📍 Google Maps | Telephone: (704) 825-4490 | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden Website | Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Wednesday – Sunday, Closed Monday, Tuesday | Entrance: $15 adults, $13 seniors, $8 for ages 2-12 

Simply 30-45 minutes southwest of Charlotte’s heart is Daniel Stowe Botanical Backyard. This almost 400-acre backyard sits near the South Carolina border alongside the shores of Lake Wylie. It options lush gardens, a tropical plant and orchid conservatory, backyard trails, a dozen fountains, and extra. 

This backyard is the proper escape from the town for those who’re in want of some peace and tranquility. It’s scenic, quiet, and stuffed with vegetation native to the Carolinas.

Billy Graham Library

Tour the library, residence, and dairy farm of non secular chief, Billy Graham

📍 Google Maps | Telephone: (704) 401-3200 | Billy Graham Library Website | Hours: 9:30 am – 5 pm Monday – Saturday, Closed Sunday | Entrance: Free 

You could be occupied with visiting the Billy Graham Library for those who establish with Christian and evangelical beliefs. The library is situated simply Quarter-hour southwest of Uptown. This distinctive Charlotte attraction is the previous homeplace and now library of evangelist, Billy Graham. 

On the Billy Graham Library, you may tour a barn constructing with a 40-foot glass cross, discover multimedia reveals, and see Graham household artifacts up shut. You may also stroll the backyard grounds and seize an ice cream on the dairy barn. 

Mint Museum

Go to North Carolina’s first artwork museum and luxuriate in an expansive assortment of historic and up to date works

📍 Google Maps | Telephone: (704) 337-2000 | Mint Museum Website | Hours: 11 am – 6 pm Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, 11 am – 9 pm Wednesday, Friday, 1 pm – 5 pm Sunday, Closed Monday | Entrance: $15 adults, $10 seniors & college students, Free for ages 5-17

In 1936, Charlotte’s Mint Museum opened and have become North Carolina’s first artwork museum. At present, it continues to be a middle for various up to date artwork, craft, and design. Visiting is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in Charlotte!

There are numerous galleries of everlasting and rotating reveals right here. Works embody American, African, and European artwork. Moreover, there are Native American crafts and up to date designs of at this time.

There are two museum areas. Mint Museum Uptown has 5 tales that characteristic extra up to date work. This location can be residence to the Lewis Household Gallery—a hands-on artwork house for teenagers. Mint Museum Randolph has extra historic and historic works, together with ceramics. It’s situated simply southeast of Uptown. 

Knight Theatre

Get pleasure from stay music, dance, and extra, at this mainstage Charlotte theater

📍 Google Maps | Telephone: (704) 372-1000 | Knight Theatre Website | Hours: Showtimes fluctuate | Tickets: $20-$115

Along with the three phases on the Blumenthal, the Knight Theatre is without doubt one of the major efficiency phases in Uptown Charlotte. 

Right here, dance and music are the primary occasions. Native performances by Charlotte Ballet and the Charlotte Symphony are common, along with visiting artists. Seeing exhibits right here (particularly Charlotte Ballet) is considered one of my private favourite issues to do in Charlotte. 

Bechtler Museum of Fashionable Artwork

Ponder mid-century modernism and different fashionable artworks

📍 Google Maps | Telephone: (704) 353-9209 | Bechtler Museum of Modern Art Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Monday, Wednesday – Saturday, 12 pm – 5 pm Sunday, Closed Tuesday | Entrance: $9 adults, $7 seniors, $5 for ages 11-18, Free for below 18 

Upon reaching the Bechtler Museum of Fashionable Artwork in Uptown, you’ll be greeted with a shimmering and reflective statue of a firebird. This sculpture is only a style of all of the fascinating and thought-provoking paintings that’s inside this contemporary artwork museum. 

Anticipate to see works by artists like Pablo Picasso, Jean Tinguely, Andy Warhol, Joan Miró, and others. Mid-century modernism and different fashionable kinds are the primary focus right here. 

Harvey B. Gantt Middle for African American Arts and Tradition

A recent museum celebrating and displaying works from the African diaspora

📍 Google Maps | Telephone: (704) 547-3700 | Harvey B. Gantt Center Website | Hours: 12 pm – 6 pm Tuesday, Thursday – Sunday, 12 pm – 6 pm Wednesday, 10 am – 6 pm Saturday, Closed Monday | Entrance: Free 

The Harvey B. Gantt Middle is an epicenter for up to date African American artwork within the Charlotte neighborhood and past. This museum celebrates and shows paintings that displays the African diaspora. This consists of visible artwork, music, dance, literature, and extra. 

The everlasting assortment of the Harvey B. Gantt Museum is the John and Vivian Hewitt Assortment, with 58 works of African American artwork. This family-friendly museum in Uptown additionally options rotating reveals, so there’s at all times one thing new to see.

Amelie’s French Bakery & Cafe

A colourful and eclectic Charlotte bakery well-known for its macarons and pastries

📍 Google Maps | Telephone: (704) 405-0570 | Amelie’s French Bakery & Cafe Website | Hours: 8 am – 10 pm Monday – Thursday, Sunday, 8 am – 11 pm Friday, Saturday 

A go to to Charlotte simply isn’t full and not using a cease at Amelie’s. This eclectic French bakery is a Charlotte establishment and probably the most well-known issues to do in Charlotte. 

Amelie’s French Bakery & Cafe has three areas in Charlotte: NoDa, Park Street, and Carmel Commons. 

Amelie’s is legendary for its scrumptious pastries, baked items, and drinks. However the macarons are an all-around favourite. I personally love their lavender lemon macarons and seasonal tarts. Amelie’s is tremendous family-friendly and it’s an important place to get pleasure from some treats, loosen up, and even work. 

The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery & Biergarten

Get pleasure from German beer and meals, and “prost!” to an excellent time 

📍 Google Maps | Telephone: (704) 525-5644 | The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery & Biergarten Website | Hours: 11 am – 10 pm Monday – Thursday, Sunday, 11 am – 11 pm Friday, Saturday

Charlotte is known as after German-born Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. Nonetheless, this homage to Queen Charlotte isn’t the one German factor about this metropolis. 

The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery & Biergarten is a Charlotte-born brewery. It’s recognized for its conventional, but premium-quality German beer. Additionally they serve German fare like pretzels and sausages. 

OMB is family-friendly and situated in southwest Charlotte. It has an open, ethereal house and many patio seating. 

👉 Love Beer? Try this authentic Charlotte brewery tour.

seventh Avenue Public Market

Style meals from a number of native distributors proper in Uptown Charlotte

📍 Google Maps | Telephone: (704) 230-4346 | 7th Street Public Market Website | Hours: 8 am – 7 pm Monday – Wednesday, 8 am – 8 pm Thursday – Saturday, 9 am – 5 pm Sunday

For those who’re in Uptown and don’t know the place to eat, head to seventh Avenue Public Market! This pleasant, community-oriented meals corridor has a variety of distributors to select from. This consists of choices like pizza, dumplings, sandwiches, and extra. seventh Avenue Public Market additionally has a espresso store, wine store, and retail store with merchandise by Charlotte-makers. 

👉 Learn Subsequent: Finest Locations for Journey in North Carolina

Sleepy Poet Vintage Mall

Sift via cabinets and cubicles to seek out hidden vintage treasures

📍 Google Maps | Telephone: (704) 529-6369 | Sleepy Poet Antique Mall Website | Hours: 11 am – 6 pm Monday – Thursday, Sunday, 11 am – 7 pm Friday, Saturday | Entrance: Free

Positioned in South Charlotte, is Sleepy Poet Vintage Mall. This vintage mall is an absolute should for anybody who’s occupied with classic objects and vintage furnishings. The house is huge, and there are tons of cabinets and cubicles to wander via. You’ll be able to simply spend a day exploring this vintage mall, and there are such a lot of distinctive gems to seek out.  

NoDa

Expertise a extra native aspect of Charlotte on this quirky, artsy neighborhood

📍 Google Maps | NoDa Website

NoDa is Charlotte’s arts district, and considered one of my favourite neighborhoods within the metropolis. It’s situated 10-Quarter-hour northwest of Uptown on North Davidson Avenue, therefore the identify “NoDa.” Spending a day right here is considered one of my favourite issues to do in Charlotte. 

This neighborhood is thought for its native, artsy vibe. You’ll discover tons of colourful murals and distinctive small companies and eating places. Some private favourite spots embody Pura Vida, Cabo Fish Taco, and Smelly Cat Cafe. NoDa additionally has frequent out of doors markets.  

Plaza Midwood

Get pleasure from a various foodie scene and distinctive outlets on this walkable neighborhood

📍 Google Maps | Plaza Midwood Website

Plaza Midwood is one other nice neighborhood value visiting in Charlotte. It’s simply south of NoDa and equally, has a walkable major avenue with outlets and eating places. 

Among the companies you’ll discover right here embody classic outlets, dive bars, and tons of high native eating places. A few of my favourite spots embody Cilantro Noodle, Widespread Market, and Midwood Smokehouse. There’s an actual laid-back, low-key, and classy vibe on this neighborhood, and it’s additionally an important space to remain.

Optimist Corridor

A vigorous meals corridor stuffed with mouth-watering eats by native distributors

📍 Google Maps | Telephone: (980) 701-0040 | Optimist Hall Website | Hours: 7 am – 9 pm Monday – Thursday, 7 am – 10 pm Friday, 8 am – 10 pm Saturday, 8 am – 9 pm Sunday 

Optimist Corridor is Charlotte’s largest meals corridor. For those who’re feeding a big group or need to go someplace you may eat and hang around, Optimist Corridor is a vigorous place to be. 

This meals corridor is outfitted with greater than a dozen native meals distributors. Yow will discover every part from sushi to barbecue, to Indian avenue meals and a lot extra. Espresso outlets, cocktail bars, and locations for dessert may be discovered right here, too. Optimist Corridor even has locations for video games and occasions, and it’s situated proper by the sunshine rail!

Camp North Finish

A former industrial plant turned thriving inventive hub

📍 Google Maps | Telephone: (980) 337-4600 | Camp North End Website | Hours: 10 am – 10 pm every day 

Camp North Finish was as soon as an previous Ford meeting plant. However because it reopened to the general public in 2017, it’s develop into and continues to develop as a repurposed city park. It’s stuffed with native eating places, outlets and occasions, and workspaces. Camp North Finish is a canvas for public artwork. 

Right here, you may wander via gardens and pure landscapes. You may also take lessons, and attend occasions like artwork exhibitions, farmer’s markets, and extra. Total, Camp North Finish is a singular, family-friendly place to spend a day in Charlotte.

Lake Norman

Spend a sun-soaked summer time day on Lake Norman, simply exterior of Charlotte

📍 Google Maps | Telephone: (704) 987-3300 | Lake Norman Website | Entrance: Free, however activity passes might fluctuate

Lake Norman is the biggest man-made lake in North Carolina. It’s located simply north of Charlotte and makes for the proper summer time day journey exterior the town. It’s a comparatively heat lake, so it’s nice for swimming, boating, and different water sports activities. 

Lake Norman State Park is without doubt one of the greatest locations to go for simple seaside entry. It additionally has mountaineering trails, campgrounds, and different out of doors actions.

🛎️ Want a Place to Keep? Try Lake Norman trip leases.

Crowders Mountain State Park

Take a metropolis refresh at this close by state park, with eleven trails and sweeping views

📍 Google Maps | Telephone: (704) 853-5375 | Crowders Mountain State Park Website | Hours: 8 am – 6 pm every day | Entrance: Free, however activity passes might fluctuate 

Crowders Mountain State Park is about one hour west of Charlotte. This state park has two mountain peaks that supply sprawling views of the encircling piedmont. Quite a few mountaineering trails starting from straightforward to troublesome may be discovered right here. The Ridgeline Path is a well-liked one and goes via two states.

This state park has spots for mountaineering, fishing, paddling, and extra. It’s additionally an important nature space for birdwatching. 

Catch a Sports activities Recreation

Get tickets to see main and minor league groups play proper within the Queen Metropolis

📍 Google Maps | Telephone: (704) 358-7000 | Panthers Website | Hours: Recreation instances fluctuate | Tickets: $20-$200+ 

For a small metropolis, Charlotte’s large on sports activities. Two main league groups name this metropolis residence. The NFL’s Carolina Panthers play at Financial institution of America Stadium, and the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets play at Spectrum Middle. The Charlotte Knights are one other in style crew that performs baseball at Truist Area (often known as BB&T Ballpark) in Uptown. 

It doesn’t matter what sport you’re into, there’s an excellent probability you may catch a sport whilst you’re on the town!

Buy groceries

Store til you drop at considered one of Charlotte’s main buying malls 

📍 Google Maps | Telephone: (704) 364-4411 | Website | Hours: Retailer hours fluctuate 

With a variety of cool native companies and some main malls and shops, Charlotte is the proper place to go on a buying spree. For those who’re into greater identify manufacturers and luxurious, the SouthPark Mall is the place to go. If you wish to store your stylish and staple manufacturers, Premium Outlets and Concord Mills are the place it is best to store. There’s additionally an IKEA in northeast Charlotte.

Little Sugar Creek Greenway

Get pleasure from a peaceable stroll alongside Charlotte’s rising and expansive greenway

📍 Google Maps | Little Sugar Creek Greenway Website | Entrance: Free

At present, Little Sugar Creek Greenway is an almost 10-mile city path. It meanders alongside Little Sugar Creek and thru nature areas, offering a refreshing inexperienced house to stroll, run, and bike. It connects main Charlotte locations like Freedom Park, Central Piedmont Group School, and Park Street Procuring Middle. 

When it’s full, 19 miles of path will lengthen from North Charlotte, via the primary metropolis, and all the way down to the Carolina state border. 

SEA LIFE Charlotte-Harmony

Let your youngsters play, discover, and uncover everything-sea-life at this close by aquarium

📍 Google Maps | Telephone: (855) 450-0512 | SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord Website | Hours: 11 am – 5 pm Monday – Thursday, 10 am – 5 pm Friday, 10 am – 6 pm Saturday, 12 pm – 5 pm Sunday | Entrance: $23 adults, $20 kids | 👉 Sea Life Charlotte Harmony Admission Ticket

Positioned inside Harmony Mills Mall simply north of Charlotte is the SEA LIFE aquarium. This aquarium options 10 interactive zones and is the one ocean tunnel in North Carolina. You’ll be able to anticipate to see sea creatures like sharks, turtles, stingrays, and hundreds of fish. 

When you have youngsters, this is a perfect Charlotte attraction for households. There are reveals for the youngsters to study sea life in inventive and interactive methods. They’ll additionally rise up shut and private with animals. And because it’s situated within the mall, there’s a bit of one thing for everybody close by.

McDowell Nature Protect and Middle

A peaceable, undeveloped nature space with paved trails for strolling

📍 Google Maps | Telephone: (980) 314-1128 | McDowell Nature Preserve and Center Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm Monday – Saturday, 1 pm – 5 pm Sunday | Entrance: Free

Head to McDowell Nature Protect for those who’re seeking to get away from the chaos of the town. This largely undeveloped park sits alongside the tranquil waters of Lake Wylie near the South Carolina border. It has over a thousand acres stuffed with straightforward nature trails and it’s nice for households and canine house owners. 

The McDowell Nature Middle can be situated right here. It has instructional reveals and applications, in addition to stay animals and a play space, making it an important factor to do in Charlotte with kids.

Carolina Renaissance Pageant

Transport your self again to medieval instances with video games, re-enactments, and extra!

📍 Google Maps | Telephone: (704) 896-5555 | Carolina Renaissance Festival Website | Entrance: $32 for ages 13+, $20 for ages 5-12 

For those who plan on visiting Charlotte within the fall, take into account visiting the Carolina Renaissance Pageant! This annual occasion will transport you right into a medieval world of colourful characters, castles, and a complete lotta turkey legs. 

The Carolina Renaissance Pageant is a family-friendly affair. You’ll be able to anticipate re-enactments and exhibits, in addition to meals, drinks, and humanities and crafts. Dressing up shouldn’t be required, however positively inspired. Total, it’s a enjoyable and distinctive Charlotte attraction that’s certain to be memorable.

👉 Learn Subsequent: Finest Issues to Do in Asheville

FAQ About What to Do in Charlotte

***

I hope you loved this information to the perfect issues to do in Charlotte! Subsequent up, see my information to the perfect issues to do in North Carolina!