The Ultimate Guide To Charlotte & Things To Do

Nicknamed the Queen City, Charlotte has an attract that helps to keep guests coming again! The bustling city within the Piedmont area has grown in leaps and limits prior to now few years. Unlike maximum Southern towns, steeped in custom and pleased to perform below the radar, Charlotte provides a vibe synonymous with larger towns just like the Big Apple and California.

Besides its burgeoning industry and hospitality sectors, the town boasts fashionable sports activities franchises, a colourful artwork scene, hip nightlife, colourful downtown neighborhoods, and one of the vital very best waterparks within the state.

The Queen City may be house to the Charlotte Motor Speedway and lots of different North Carolina sights, drawing virtually 30 million guests yearly. Still, it has some way of balancing its extra outgoing persona with serene inexperienced areas, wealthy colonial technology historical past, and conventional Southern appeal, proving to be without equal playground for a wide variety of vacationers.

Consider without equal information to Charlotte for the easiest vacationer itinerary.

What To Know Before Visiting Charlotte

Charlotte is the second-largest of the Southeastern towns after Jacksonville, FL, and amongst America’s top ten fastest-growing cities. Its inhabitants, at just below 900,000, is the sixteenth greatest within the nation, manufactured from a pleasant neighborhood displaying Southern hospitality at its best.

The town enjoys a booming economic system spurred via banking, generation, and production companies. Several Fortune 500 corporations, together with Bank of America, Nucor, and Duke Energy, are headquartered in charlotte.

Founded in 1799, the town used to be dubbed the “Queen City” after Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the queen consort of King George the third right through the town’s founding. Charlotte may be credited with kicking off the Carolina Gold Rush when a teenage boy ran into the rustic’s first gold nugget.

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Queen City lies in a moist subtropical local weather comprising 4 distinct seasons. The normally temperate climate is absolute best for exploring the outside year-round, even supposing it may be lovely unpredictable. It’s now not unusual for a sunny summer season day to have a torrential downpour.

Outdoor adventurers gets a kick out of Charlotte as the town is synonymous with inexperienced areas. With over 40 miles of greenbelt assets in position and plans to broaden an additional 100+ miles, open areas, strolling paths, and cycling trails dominate right here.

Sports may be an enormous deal in Queen City, which hosts a handful {of professional} sports activities franchises and different groups within the minor leagues. The Carolina Panthers of the NFL are the town’s satisfaction, and that is true for the Charlotte Hornets (NBA) and Charlotte FC (MLS).

Also, NASCAR has considerably influenced the town’s persona, with Charlotte internet hosting the NASCAR Hall of Fame and staging races on the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Best Time To Visit Charlotte

Queen City is fortunate to have a temperate local weather all the way through the 12 months, that means vacationers can come on every occasion they want a holiday.

The very best time to talk over with Charlotte is within the shoulder seasons, March to May and September to November, when visitors are rewarded with much less crowded streets, extra cheap resort charges, and effective outside climate.

Spring provides a very good alternative to devise a Queen City vacation. Although it begins cold in March, the elements warms to a comfortable 81 levels Fahrenheit because the season grows.

The time is absolute best for roaming the beneficiant open areas within the town, and a hike or stroll will do smartly to shake off the slight relax in spring.

Pack sufficient layers when touring to Charlotte right through spring to keep away from the night time chilly and be extra at ease mountaineering outdoor. A raincoat can even turn out to be useful as each and every month of the season reviews round 10 days of rainfall.

Summertime will also be tempting for lots of guests to Charlotte as that is the busiest vacationer season, filled with a laugh occasions and gala’s. Those with a style for toasty climate descend at the town to benefit from the 87-degree stipulations.

The solar remains up lengthy sufficient for first-timers to completely witness the points of interest and sounds of the town, and the stipulations urged many to chill off on a seashore at Lake Norman or the coast.

However, summer season will also be brutally muggy, and the unpredictable Charlotte climate way the heavens can open anytime with out caution. Furthermore, flight and resort charges top because of the top choice of vacationers, so e book smartly upfront to skip the exorbitant costs.

Bring gentle and breathable clothes to counter the warmth and humidity; shorts, t-shirts, and a suit to splash within the pool. An umbrella may also be at hand for outside adventures, as August is the 12 months’s wettest month.

Fall is the opposite shoulder season and a good time to holiday in Charlotte. With summer season crowds departing the town and the elements cooling off round mid-October, the environment is perfect for locating the town sights with out the hustle and bustle of summer season. The stunning fall foliage attracts guests outdoor, and accommodation charges are a lot better.

The very best time for funds vacationers is iciness, as resorts be offering beneficiant reductions and costs drop dramatically. This is the slowest tourism season, with temperatures dipping to lows of 30 levels Fahrenheit at night time. Luckily, winters are gentle and quick, proving slightly tolerable for lots of.

Pack a couple of summery garments even if touring to the Queen City right through iciness; the elements is so unpredictable that vacationers must get ready for anything else.

Best Way To Get Around Charlotte

By vehicle

Charlotte is a car-centric town, and renting a car provides probably the most handy strategy to navigate and witness its primary sights Uptown and all the way through its suburbs.

Travelers should additionally force substantial distances to coastal locations like Lake Norman (40 mins from the town heart) and the coast, that are fashionable right through summer season.

A non-public vehicle additionally makes riding from the town to within reach small cities price visiting and different primary North Carolina towns more straightforward.

For the ones with a penchant for lengthy journeys, there’s much more a laugh to discover in Raleigh, a 2.5-hour force from Charlotte.

Fittingly, a number of condominium vehicle businesses like Alamo and Hertz look ahead to vacationers on the Charlotte Douglas International Airport, so discovering a rent should not be onerous.

• Rental charges: Start from $30 for a small vehicle

Unfortunately, Queen City has one of the vital area’s maximum irritating site visitors, so vacationers must keep away from site visitors jams right through top hours (7:30 am – 9 am and four:30 am – 6:30 pm on weekdays) or keep away from them altogether if imaginable.

Light Rail

Those making plans to discover Charlotte’s Uptown and stick with the neighborhoods bordering the town heart, the LYNX gentle rail machine is a superb strategy to get round.

It has 26 stations, and trains duvet a 20-mile course with stops at notable sights just like the Discovery Place Science and Mint Museum Uptown.

• Fares: $2.20 in step with experience for adults, seniors, and youngsters pay discounted fares
• Schedule: 5:30 am – 1:30 am day-to-day, operating each and every 7.5 mins right through rush hour and quarter-hour right through off-peak hours.

A LYNX sprinter vehicle provides passengers loose rides, protecting round 4 miles from the town’s historical district in West End to the Elizabeth community by the use of the town heart.

With 17 stops between the beginning of the adventure to the vacation spot, vacationers needn’t concern about lacking their drop-off issues.

• Schedule: 5 am – 2 am day-to-day

By bus

The town’s Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) operates a minimum of 70 buses on native, regional, and categorical routes. These are a very good choice to the sunshine rail, even supposing they’re higher fitted to the locals.

• Fares: $2.20 in step with experience for adults, seniors, and youngsters pay discounted fares
• Schedule: 5 am – 2 am on weekdays, 6 am – 1:30 am Saturdays, and six:30 am to hour of darkness Sundays.

By taxi

Taxis are to be had all the way through the town, with primary corporations like Yellow Tax Co. and Crown Cab offering handy rides to visitors. These will probably be helpful when visiting points of interest outdoor Charlotte, reminiscent of Charlotte Motor Speedway and Whitewater Center, however should not have a condominium.

• Taxi charges: $2.50 preliminary price plus $2.5 for each and every further mile traveled.

By motorbike

Charlotte Joy Rides is the town’s bike-share program, with virtually 350 motorcycles unfold throughout 30 stations, basically in Uptown. These permit vacationers to discover the town on two wheels and keep have compatibility.

• Rental charges: $10 for a 30 minutes go and $30 for a 24-hour go

Where To Stay In And Around Charlotte

Can’t make a decision the place to stick in Charlotte? Fortunately, the Queen City boasts a handful of old fashioned neighborhoods and districts.

Other than discovering lodging in those spaces, vacationers must have a ball exploring the quite a lot of sights they provide and drawing comparisons between their distinctive vibes and personalities.

Uptown

While “downtown” is the norm when describing the town heart in maximum towns, Charlotteans cross in opposition to the grain in regarding their city core as Uptown.

This busy monetary district via day transforms into a full of life nightlife spot below the duvet of darkness. The space is rife with stores, boutiques, eating places, and different companies.

The historical structures that when stood there have since been transformed into luxurious condos and maximum of Charlotte’s museums will also be present in Uptown.

NoDa

NoDa, an acronym for North Davidson, is the town’s historical arts district and homes many old fashioned artwork galleries, efficiency theaters, and are living song venues.

Not too a ways away, guests will stumble upon an rising community referred to as Plaza Midwood. The space is house to iconic native eating places like Dish and The Penguin.

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Myer’s Park

Situated a couple of blocks from Charlotte’s Uptown, Myer’s Park is the oldest suburb within the town and is outlined via the most efficient properties on the town. The surroundings is comfortable and tranquil, marked with tree-lined streets and plush greenery, and absolute best for a laid-back night walk.

Here, vacationers can excursion the town’s very best puts of worship, together with Myers Park Methodist Church and the Little Church at the Lane.

University City

This community is predominantly occupied via school scholars from other campuses within the town. As such, the nightlife is loopy, with sports activities bars and pubs welcoming a younger crowd at night time. The space additionally hosts a excellent choice of Fortune 500 corporate campuses.

Matthews

Mathews is a small the city bordering the town and a part of Mecklenburg County. The fascinating suburb hosts a full of life farmer’s marketplace on Saturday, price traveling to pattern the recent native produce and different products.

Cycling fanatics too can take at the Four Mile Creek Greenway, a a laugh outside job outdoor the town.

Top Hotels In Charlotte

There is not any scarcity of lodging spaces within the Queen City, whether or not on the lookout for a 5-star suite within the middle of Uptown with the entire opulent facilities, an reasonably priced holiday condominium in one of the vital town’s historical suburbs, or a posh campsite within the town’s outskirts.

Luxury choice:

The Ritz-Carlton Charlotte

• Address: 201 East Trade Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
• Cost in step with night time: Starts from $849 for two visitors
• Amenities: Indoor pool, spa and wellness heart, gymnasium, industry heart, eating place, bar/living room, espresso store, loose web, room provider, valet parking, flat-screen TV

Mid-range choice:

Grand Bohemian Hotel Charlotte Autograph Collection

• Address: 201 West Trade Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
• Cost in step with night time: Starts from $309 for two visitors
• Amenities: Rooftop bar, in-house bar, pet-friendly, chef-inspired catering, loose web, gymnasium, room provider, loose toiletries, espresso gadget, satellite tv for pc, cable TV

Budget choice:

Hilton Garden Inn Charlotte Airport

• Address: 2400 Cascade Pointe Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28208
• Cost in step with night time: Starts from $164 for two visitors
• Amenities: 42-inch HDTV, complimentary WiFi, separate dwelling space, complimentary gymnasium, outside pool, hearth pit, outside patio, loose breakfast, 24-hour pavilion pantry, living room, room provider, complimentary 24-hour industry heart, assembly rooms

Best for households:

The Ballantyne, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Charlotte

• Address: 10000 Ballantyne Commons Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28277
• Cost in step with night time: Starts from $382 for a relations of four
• Amenities: Coffee gadget, outside pool, gymnasium, indoor pool, tea/espresso maker, room provider, spa and wellness heart, bar and living room, complimentary wi-fi web

Where To Eat In Charlotte

Charlotte has no scarcity of serious puts to consume, beginning with the Original Pancake House and finishing with beverages at Craft Tasting Room & Growler Shop.

For breakfast:

The Original Pancake House

This comfortable breakfast joint with two places in midtown and South Park is one of the town’s premier choices for the day’s first meal. Welcoming early morning consumers, it serves scorching and refreshing foods to begin the day, with choices like salads, omelets, crêpes, and strong point pancakes.

Thanks to recipes which were attempted and examined for over twenty years, the bacon pancakes are particularly savory and a must-try.

• Address: 4736 Sharon Rd Sharon Corners Shopping Center, Charlotte, NC 28210-3328
• Hours: Monday to Friday (6:30 am – 9 pm), Saturday & Sunday (7 am – 9 pm)

For lunch and dinner:

Mama Ricotta’s

Mama Ricotta’s is a town vintage that serves luxurious Italian dishes. On the varied menu, visitors can order favorites like goat cheese and tomato basil sauce for the appetizer, adopted via major dishes, reminiscent of family-style pasta and New Haven-style pizzas.

A veal marsala or rooster parmesan will probably be ideally suited for the ones feeling uncharacteristically starving.

• Address: 601 S Kings Dr. AA, Charlotte, NC 28204-2932
• Hours: Monday to Sunday (11 am – 9 pm)

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Bar-B-Q King

Those with a comfortable spot for old-style Southern vintage foods can head to Bar-B-Q King on Wilkinson Boulevard. Established in 1959, the joint has stood the check of time, providing scrumptious servings of hickory-smoked barbecues, rooster wings, sandwiches, and burgers.

These include facets of coleslaw and onion rings to pleasant mac n cheese.

• Address: 2900 Wilkinson Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28208-5624
• Hours: Tuesday to Saturday (10:30 am – 10 pm)

For beverages:

Craft Tasting Room & Growler Shop

Featuring greater than 30 rotating beer faucets, bubbly, and a collection of wines, Craft Tasting Room has sufficient beverages to stay the birthday celebration going past due into the night time. The joint basically serves native beers for customers to check out out the recent style from regional breweries like Suffolk Punch Brewing.

A spacious patio within the bar is absolute best for taking part in pints of beer whilst catching up with pals or mingling with the locals.

• Address: 1320 S Church St, Charlotte, NC 28203
• Hours: Monday to Wednesday (11 am – 10 pm), Thursday to Saturday (11 am-midnight), Sunday (12 pm – 9 pm)

Make the lots of the 7oz pours on Mondays for simply $8.50, and take a look at Tuesday’s $3 native pints.

Top Things To Do In Charlotte

Queen City rewards first-timers with a variety of adventures to stay everybody pleased. From iconic museums and tranquil inexperienced parks to electrifying sports activities and water actions, there’s by no means a lifeless second within the town.

Experience the town’s racing heritage at Charlotte Motor Speedway

Charlotte has the uncommon difference of being the birthplace of NASCAR racing, and the Charlotte Motor Speedway is the place locals and visitors converge to benefit from the velocity spectacle.

The enviornment is a melting level of generations, bringing in combination everybody.

The surroundings is little short of electrifying as spectators saturate the air with cheers and jeers right through one of the vital purest varieties of leisure within the town.

Check the site to take a look at scheduled occasions and price ticket costs.

Admire the greenery at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

Nature enthusiasts and fanatics will relish a excursion of the 110-acre Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. This inexperienced area is characterised via chirping birds, humming bees, and blooming vegetation, culminating in a novel herbal area absolute best for a at ease afternoon walk.

The facility properties a number of uncommon forms of regional plants, starting from perennial to seasonal vegetation. Visitors too can view fabulous orchids and different tropical vegetation on the on-site conservatory.

• Admissions: Adults $14.95, Seniors (60+) $12.95, Children (2-12) $7.95, Children (Under 2) Free
• Hours: Wednesdays to Sundays (10 am – 4 pm)

For the most efficient relations revel in, prevent via the Lost Hollow, a a laugh youngsters’s lawn with other play spaces and a novel sunken lawn.

Mingle with the locals at Camp North End

Camp North End is a one-of-a-kind outside area in Charlotte spanning 76 acres and lines stores, places of work, meals stalls, public artwork, or even a former army depot. People from all corners of the town collect right here to hang around, engage, or take a look at the numerous companies within the space.

The laid-back vibe and the happy-go-lucky surroundings are perfect for spending the afternoon simply strolling round and playing the very good area.

• Hours: Monday to Sunday (10 am – 10 pm)

Test the tough waters on the U.S National Whitewater Center

Holding the identify of the sector’s greatest synthetic whitewater river, the U.S National Whitewater Center is an exhilarating enchantment within the Queen City, providing unadulterated a laugh for the entire relations.

Besides rafting at the rapids, a 1300-acre playground spoils youngsters and adults with never-ending play actions, whilst 50 miles of trails at the complicated welcome mountain bikers to gauge their revel in. The web site additionally has a zipper line to make sure all visitors have one thing to glide their boat.

• All-Access passes: $75 for adults and $65 for youngsters (9 and more youthful)
• Hours: Open day-to-day 24 hours

Discover the town’s previous on the Charlotte Museum of History

Charlotte’s Museum of History preserves and chronicles the town’s previous days in an 8-acre facility stuffed with memorabilia. Take a travel down reminiscence lane to the Revolutionary technology on the stays of the Alexander Rock House, which used to be built in 1774.

Six galleries at the campus dwelling rotating and everlasting reveals comprising artifacts and ancient figures that left an indelible mark on shaping the town’s long run.

• Admissions: $10
• Hours: 11 am – 5 pm, Closed Sundays and Mondays

Cheer the Panthers at Bank of America Stadium

The Queen City is going onerous relating to sports activities, and there is not any higher strategy to revel in the native’s fanaticism than via attending a soccer recreation on the Bank of America Stadium.

The enviornment is house to the Carolina Panthers, who compete within the National Football League. Whether a soccer fan or now not, the stadium’s festive surroundings is an revel in that guests must check out.

• Tickets: Check the site for scheduled video games and price ticket costs

How To Spend The Perfect Day In Charlotte

Begin the day with breakfast at The Original Pancake House prior to embarking at the town’s ancient excursion at Levine Museum of the New South. Scan and discover the everlasting reveals, together with the valuable “Cotton Fields to Skyscrapers” show.

Move to the Charlotte Museum of History for extra at the town’s previous, then head to the Levine Center for Arts to take a look at the 3 museums inside it.

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After admiring the masses of items from famend artists like Pablo Picasso and Alberto Giacometti, take a taxi to Mama Ricotta’s for an unique Italian lunch. Later, hit the seventh Street Public Market to revel in a pitcher of freshly squeezed fruit juice and revel in a style of what North Carolina’s fashionable farmer’s markets be offering.

Spend the early afternoon at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, then a travel to the U.S National Whitewater Center. With greater than sufficient a laugh on the heart to final the entire afternoon, be sure you depart simply in time to clutch a Southern-style supper at Haberdish within the NoDa community.

Cap the day without work with a pint of native craft beer at Craft Tasting Room & Growler Shop whilst mingling with different revelers past due into the night time.

FAQ

Q: Is there anything else a laugh to do in Charlotte?

Charlotte has heaps of a laugh actions for vacationers to take pleasure in. Experience an exhilarating NASCAR race on the Charlotte Motor Speedway, attempt whitewater rafting on the U.S National Whitewater Center, or cool off in one of the vital maximum scenic seashores in North Carolina right through the summer season.

Q: What makes Charlotte, North Carolina, so particular?

Charlotte is one of the fastest-growing and very best puts to stick within the nation. It has a novel vibe this is greater than the standard Southern town and boasts remarkable culinary sophistication. The town may be house to one of the vital very best BBQ within the nation.

Q: How is iciness in North Carolina?

North Carolina winters are quick and gentle, with temperatures dipping to only under freezing level. Unlike different states, guests needn’t confine themselves indoors however can revel in iciness a laugh at any of the state’s best ski inns to go the time.