Anything we can do in 5-6 hours--we are flying to london from houston and have a layover going and coming--have never done this so don't know if it is feasible to do anything but sit at the airport or not?

Charlotte airport is not near much. The airport has rocking chairs (quite comfy) and a few stores.

You wouldn't have much time to visit the city after renting a car (Charlotte is car dependent) and heading out to a destination just to get back for the 2-3 hour checking process for an international flight. And since Charlotte is car dependent the traffic can be HORRIBLE at times. You would think the home of NASCAR would have better roads.

Agree with above poster. You are better off watching paint dry in the Charlotte Airport than to try and get into town. By the way, Charlotte has one of the nicer airports I've flown in and out of. Those rocking chairs are great!

Holly:

Haven't been to Charlotte's airport since 1997 and I had to run through it to catch another flight. The place looks very nice and has many stores in it to waste time. Bring some books along to waste time.

I hate to admit that the posters are correct about our lack of public transportation into the main part of town except by auto. A cab ride will be about $10-15 I would guess. You could go to the Mint Museum of Craft+Design--very nice collection.In the nearby Bank of America headquarters there are outstanding frescoes by Ben Long. Discovery Place is also nearby--an excellent hands on science museum. The Mint Museum is not huge and the frescoes easy to view--I would think this could be your several hours downtown. It is about a 15-20 minute cab ride without traffic to the airport.

Find out what nearby hotel has both free shuttle service AND a good restaurant. Then find out how long going thru security will take ... then if everything calculates, go have lunch at the hotel, hang around their lobby for awhile, then return to the airport. Probably a LOT more soothing than being at the airport!

Holly,

Let me preface this post by saying that I agree with the good advice of previous posters and think you should stay in the airport.

However, there is a place where you can wander around and relax that is fairly near the airport. Grab a cab and go to Atherton Mill at the corner of South Boulevard and Tremont. It's an old mill that has been turned into a home furnishings/antique mall with other shops in adjacent buildings. There is an interesting restaurant, Southend Brewery, next door. If you want to try a Charlotte institution, try Mr. K's across the street for burgers, fries, shakes. Also, behind Atherton Mill, you'll find Pike's Old Fashioned Soda Shop, which has great desserts.

From Atherton Mill, you may be able to take the trolley to uptown Charlotte, depending upon your visit. Check out the schedule at http://www.charlottetrolley.org/trolley/scheduleLocation/index.html

Be sure to call a cab in plenty of time to get you back to the airport.

The trolley runs on the half hour and is a short cute ride with commentary on the restoration of the trolley. Atherton Mill is an interesting shopping experience.

I don't know if this is an option, but I would fly standby (or change my ticket) to the day before and stay overnite in CLT at a hotel.
Another option would be to purchase a "day" pass to the US Air club. At least there you'll have comfy seats.

unfortunately, I have been doing A LOT of traveling lately and have gotten stuck for many hours in the las tfew months at airports and becuse of that have found my new favorite thing to do at the airport. Not sure if Charlotte has one but many large airports now have salons/spas inside them. If I have say a 3 hour layover, I run immediately to the spa and book a 30 min. or 1 hour massage! You wouldn't believe how relaxing it is and I usually throw in a manicure and or pedicure as well, hey that wastes another hour and I love it! By the time that is over, I can sit down and eat and then its tiem to board the plane.

Forgot to mention two other restaurants across the street from Atherton Mill -- Sullivan's a popular steakhouse and La Paz, an unusual Spanish place.

I like the idea of the spa/massage best of all.

You can easily take a cab downtown or to Southend. The museum is pretty good & w/in easy walking distance to many restaurants. I doubt that you will have sufficient time for 'fine dining' so I would suggest Palomino or Ri-Ra's (Irish food). Also close to Discovery Place & 4th Ward if you just want to wander. This is coming from a Charlotte resident so if you'd like specifics let me know. Not sure what you may be inclined to want to do. Not sure the first 2 posters have ever even been to Charlotte.

We too will be stuck in Charlotte Airport for 5 hours b/c US Air cancelled our previously booked flights & re-booked us on the milk run. Not at all happy about this but what can you do? (On our original flights we only had a 45 minute wait in Charlotte for our next flight.)

I like the idea of buying a US Air Club "day" pass. Where do I get it? At the check in counter?

I really love Beth's idea but I will be travelling w/ 2 kids so that one is not going to work for me.

Have a 3 1/2 hour layover @ Charlotte airport, do I have enough time to take a taxi to uptown for dinner? If not is there some place near the airpot that's recommended. Thanks

Yes, but it will be close. Depending on what concourse you arrive and leave from it can be a long hoof to get to the entrance. Taxis leave from the baggage claim area so you need to go downstairs. What sort of restaurant would you like? It is about a 15 minute ride to uptown from the airport. There is not really much in the way of good restaurants near the airport. There is a Chili's right in the airport, such as that is.

Would like to give it a try, maybe we'll arive a little early. We will be arriving in from a international flight, not sure what concourse. We like seafood and eclectic menus. Thanks.

LaVecchia's Seafood Grille
Uptown at 225 E Sixth Street
Casual to Dressy
Expensive
(704) 370-6776
Hours
5:30-10 p.m. Mon-Thu
5:30-11 p.m. Fri-Sat
5:30-9 p.m. Sunday