Things to do in Charlotte
Welcome to Charlotte
From adrenaline-filled roller coasters to historic botanical gardens, the Queen City’s got something for everyone.
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5-Star activities in Charlotte
Top 15 attractions in Charlotte
#1
Fourth Ward
Victorian mansions line the shady streets of Charlotte’s historic Fourth Ward, among the city’s most prosperous neighborhoods during the mid-19th century. Today, it remains one of the most charming, with shopping boutiques and restaurants filling out many of the lovingly restored homes.More
#2
Bank of America Stadium
Located in the heart of Uptown Charlotte, the Bank of America Stadium is home to the Carolina Panthers football team. Opened in 1996, the open-air, natural grass stadium was designed specifically for football. In addition to football games, the stadium also hosts concerts and other big events year-round.More
#3
Old Settlers’ Cemetery
Located in Charlotte’s Fourth Ward neighborhood, Old Settlers’ Cemetery is where many of the area’s first settlers are buried. It was the first cemetery owned and operated by the City of Charlotte, and its gravestones and monuments carry dates from 1776 (the year the Declaration of Independence was signed) to 1884. It’s a great American site in Charlotte for visiting history buffs.More
#4
Mint Museum of Art
The Mint Museum is the oldest art museum in North Carolina, and houses one of the largest collections in the Southeast, with more than 35,000 objects. Explore its permanent collection spanning Ancient American, Native American, American, European, and Contemporary art at its two branches: Mint Museum Randolph and Mint Museum Uptown.More
#5
Discovery Place Science
Located in Uptown Charlotte, Discovery Place Science is one of the most popular hands-on science centers in the region. The museum brings science, technology, math, and nature to life through fun and educational interactive exhibits, activities, and programs. It also features the largest IMAX screen in the Carolinas.More
#6
Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts & Culture
Celebrate African and African-American culture at the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Art + Culture. In addition to a permanent collection of inspiring works by notable African-American artists, the center also offers a diverse cultural program of music, dance, and theater performances, film screenings, lecures, and workshops.More
#7
The Green
Spanning just 1.5 acres (0.6 hectares, the Green is a pocket-sized, literary-themed park in Uptown Charlotte. A lovely little oasis in the heart of the Second Ward, the Green features lush landscaping, grassy areas, shady paths, benches, fountains, and whimsical sculptures. It is popular with locals and visitors alike.More
#8
Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
Located in Uptown Charlotte, the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art is part of the Levine Center for the Arts. The museum is small, but houses an impressive collection of more than 1,400 pieces by some of the most influential artists of the mid-20th century. See works by artists such as Picasso, Calder, Miró, Giacometti, and Warhol.More
#9
SEA LIFE® – Charlotte-Concord Aquarium
Take a fascinating, underwater journey from the rivers of North Carolina to the depths of the ocean at SEA LIFE® Charlotte-Concord Aquarium. Located inside the Concord Mills Mall, the aquarium features more than 5,000 resident sea creatures. Visitors can learn about marine life through feedings, talks, interactive experiences, and more.More
#10
Carowinds
Enjoy a day of thrilling rides and fun at Carowinds, the only amusement park to straddle two states. Sitting across the border in both North and South Carolina, Carowinds features more than 60 rides and attractions, including the largest water park in the region, making it an ideal destination for families and thrill seekers alike.More
#11
Levine Center for the Arts
Charlotte’s Levine Center for the Arts is actually comprised of four unique locations, including the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, the John S. and James L. Knight Theater and the Mint Museum Uptown. The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art boasts a collection of more than 1,400 works by 20th-century modern artists.The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture highlights the contributions of Africans and African-Americans to American culture. It is also home to the John & Vivian Hewitt Collection of African-American Art, one of the country’s most comprehensive collections.The 1,150-seat James L. Knight Theater hosts touring Broadway productions, concert artists and symphony and opera productions, while the Mint Museum Uptown features collections of American, European and contemporary art along with the Mint Museum of Craft + Design.More
#12
Historic Rosedale Plantation
Built in 1815 by Archibald Frew, and located just minutes away from Uptown Charlotte, the Historic Rosedale Plantation is considered one of North Carolina’s finest examples of federal-style architecture. Explore the fully restored house and expansive grounds and gardens, and learn about life on an antebellum plantation.More
#13
Wing Haven Garden and Bird Sanctuary
A nature-filled respite just a mile from Uptown Charlotte lies the quiet Wing Haven Garden and Bird Sanctuary. Designed and cared for by a married couple with a passion for ornithology, Elizabeth and Edwin O. Clarkson transformed their home and backyard into a lush and always-verdant bird sanctuary.More
#14
Freedom Park
Located between the historic Dilworth and Myers Park neighborhoods, Freedom Park is considered the Central Park of Charlotte. Spanning 98 acres (40 hectares), this popular park includes a 7-acre (3-hectare) lake, green spaces, walking and biking trails, sporting fields and courts, a demonstration garden, bandshell, and concessions.More
#15
Carolinas Aviation Museum
Set on the grounds of Charlotte/Douglas International Airport (CDI), this may be the only attraction in Charlotte you can visit within a few minutes of retrieving your luggage. Dedicated to the history of aviation in North and South Carolina, the 50-craft collection set in a 40,000-square-foot hangar includes several military and passenger planes.You’ll also find a reproduction of the Wright Brothers original 1903 Wright Flyer, which was flown in nearby Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. You can also explore a detailed exhibit dedicated to airline captain Sully Sullenberger’s miraculous Hudson River landing of US Airways’ Flight 1549; this flight was bound for CDI when it struck a flock of geese.While here, don’t miss an opportunity to climb into the cockpit of a fighter jet or to see the S.56B, one of only two single-engine biplane flying boats in the world.Please note The Carolinas Aviation Museum is currently closed for relocation. The reopening is scheduled for 2022.More
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When to visit
Summer reigns in Charlotte, always popular with active types for the US National Whitewater Center, a rec facility dedicated to outdoor sports, live music, and brews. The season starts with the Taste of Charlotte—the city’s biggest food festival—and comes out in full swing during mid-August for Charlotte Pride. Motorsport season runs from April to November at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Currency
US Dollar ($)
Time Zone
EDT (UTC -5)
Country Code
+1
Language(s)
English