Things to do in Charlotte
As a major urban hub of the Southeast, Charlotte welcomes you to North Carolina with a great variety of attractions and activities, from fine art museums to wildlife-rich parks to premier sporting events perfect for trips with friends or family
Go wild with a day of whitewater rafting, wander Revolutionary War landmarks, get to the roots of auto racing or indulge in a day of shopping in the Queen City.
Explore a Museum
One of Charlotte's most family-friendly museums is Discovery Place, where you experience science, technology and nature with all your senses. Get a glimpse of history at the Carolinas Aviation Museum, where you'll see the “Miracle on the Hudson” plane, the Charlotte-bound A320 airliner that landed safely on the Hudson River in 2009 while the nation watched with baited breath. If fine art is your thing, browse the most extensive European and contemporary art, craft and design collection in the region at The Mint Museum Uptown. One of the museum's two campuses is inside the original United States Mint building in Randolph, while the other location is located uptown, where its impressive exterior is a work of art in itself.
Visit Historical Sites
Step back in time at the Charlotte Museum of History and its circa-1774 Hezekiah Alexander House. Take a docent-led tour of the stone dwelling and the adjacent museum galleries to learn about the history of the region—from cotton plantations to wars and more. Or become your own guide and lead the family on a walking tour using the Charlotte Liberty Walk map and mobile app. As you walk along a route lined with 18 historic sites, see where the British Army encamped in Charlotte for a month in 1780, the site of the Battle of Charlotte and Independence Square. Because the majority of these sites don't exist anymore, the app helps you bridge the centuries and visualize early city life.
Discover the Great Outdoors
Take a break from all the city sightseeing and burn off some energy at the 98-acre Freedom Park. Packed with a 7-acre lake for fishing and canoeing, playgrounds and walking trails, no one in the family will be bored here. Feeling courageous? Charlotte is home to the impressive, 700-acre U.S. National Whitewater Center on the Catawba River. Go whitewater rafting and kayaking, or make a full day of it and try some land-based adventures, too. Soar through the air on the zip line and ropes courses or barrel along more than 25 miles of mountain bike trails.
Gear Up For Sports
If you're a motorsports fan, Charlotte won't disappoint. Visit the NASCAR Hall of Fame and rev your engine before driving north to the Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord. From NASCAR races to dirt track events, you'll meet your need for speed. Charlotte's no one-sport town though; depending on the season, cheer on the NFL's Carolina Panthers, the NBA's Charlotte Hornets or the Charlotte Knights baseball team, the Triple A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox.
Indulge in Shopping
If you like to shop without breaking the bank—and who doesn't—hit the Charlotte Premium Outlet with more than 50 designer clothing stores. You'll also find bargains on luggage and leather goods, housewares, home furnishings and gifts. For a taste of Charlotte’s local food scene, visit the 7th Street Public Market, a celebration of the local produce and culinary heritage of the Carolinas. Go hungry and sample food from local farms, artisan cheese and chocolate makers and the popular hotspot, Pure Pizza.
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