Charlotte
We’ve compiled the best of the best in Charlotte - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
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1. Levine Museum of the New South
UptownWith an 8,000-square-foot exhibit, Cotton Fields to Skyscrapers: Charlotte and the Carolina Piedmont in the New South, as a jumping-off point, this museum offers a comprehensive interpretation of post–Civil War Southern history. Interactive exhibits and different "environments"—a tenant farmer's house, an African American hospital, a bustling street scene—bring to life the history of the region. Changing exhibits highlight current events and seek to engage the community in discussing historical events critical to Charlotte. Parking is free in the adjacent Seventh Street Station garage. Bring your parking ticket to the museum for validation.
200 E. 7th St., Charlotte, North Carolina, 28202, USA704-333–1887Sight Details
Rate Includes: $10, Closed Tues.--Thurs., Mon.–Sat. 10–5, Sun. noon–5 -
2. Mint Museum Uptown
UptownWith five stories and 145,000 square feet of space, this is a must-see for art lovers. Expect rotating special exhibits as well as permanent collections of American and contemporary work, plus craft and design. Be sure not to miss the museum's dramatic atrium, which houses a 60-foot-tall glass curtain that offers views of the surrounding cityscape. Use your ticket stub for free entrance to the Mint Museum Randolph (good for two days). Admission is free at both Mint Museums on Wednesday 5–9 pm.
500 S. Tryon St., Charlotte, North Carolina, 28202, USA704-337–2000Sight Details
Rate Includes: $15, Closed Mon., Wed. 11–9, Thurs.–Sat. 11–6, Sun. 1–5 -
3. NASCAR Hall of Fame
UptownThis 150,000-square-foot megamuseum has enough going on to intrigue even non-NASCAR fans. A complete visual overload, the racing palace features historic race cars, an enormous theater, and countless rotating exhibits highlighting the achievements of NASCAR's finest. Hands-on activities take visitors behind the scenes to see how the entire industry prepares for race day each week. Practice a pit stop, walk through a full-size NASCAR Sprint Cup hauler, and actually sit behind the wheel in one of eight iRacing simulators.
400 E. Martin Luther King Blvd., Charlotte, North Carolina, 28202, USA704-654–4400Sight Details
Rate Includes: $25; $9 upgrade for unlimited simulator rides, Daily 10–6, check website for time fluctuations, Closed Tues. -
4. Bank of America Corporate Center
UptownArchitecture fans should make time for a trip to see one of the city's most striking buildings. Designed by César Pelli, this structure rises 60 stories to a crownlike top. The main attractions are three monumental lobby frescoes by the world-renowned local painter Ben Long—their themes are making/building, chaos/creativity, and planning/knowledge. Also in the tower are the North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center and the restaurants, shops, and exhibition space of Founders Hall.
100 N. Tryon St., Charlotte, North Carolina, 28202, USA -
5. Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
UptownWith the famed Firebird sculpture out front, there's no way you can miss this staple of Uptown's art scene. Covered in mirrors and colored glass, Niki de Saint Phalle's 17-foot birdlike creature is just a taste of what the Bechtler has to offer inside. The rotating collection might include Warhol's pop art, Giacometti's dark sculptures, and ceramics by Picasso. Founded by the Swiss-born Andreas Bechtler, the museum highlights his family's love affair with art, as well as their deep connections with many of the artists on display. The small museum is spread across three compact floors—allow about an hour to fully experience the collections. Check the museum's calendar of after-hours concerts in their popular Jazz at the Bechtler series.
420 S. Tryon St., Charlotte, North Carolina, 28202, USA704-353–9200Sight Details
Rate Includes: $9, Closed Tues., Mon. and Wed.–Sat. 10–5, Sun. noon–5 -
Recommended Fodor’s Video
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6. Billy Graham Library
Airport/ColiseumPeople from around the world come here to pay tribute to the life of beloved evangelist Billy Graham, a native of Charlotte. You can tour Graham's family homeplace and follow his 80-year-long ministry—including fascinating stories like his friendship with Johnny Cash—through films, memorabilia, and interactive exhibits. There’s also a serene prayer garden and the grave sites of Graham and his wife, Ruth.
4330 Westmont Dr., Charlotte, North Carolina, 28217, USA704-401--3200Sight Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. -
7. Carowinds
South CharlotteHome of Fury 325, North America's fastest giga coaster (reaching 95 mph and 325 feet high), Carowinds is a place for thrill seekers. The 57 rides include multiple high-intensity roller coasters. Just across the South Carolina border on Interstate 77, Carowinds also boasts a water park, live concerts, and an interactive 3-D experience. Check Carowinds's website for current hours and deals. It's usually cheaper to buy tickets online than at the gate.
View Tours and Activities14523 Carowinds Blvd., Charlotte, North Carolina, 28241, USA704-588–2600Sight Details
Rate Includes: $40, Late Mar.–May and mid-Aug.–late Oct., weekends; June–mid-Aug., daily. Park opens at 9; closing hrs vary -
8. Charlotte Museum of History
East CharlotteA 1774 stone building forms the centerpiece of this museum that traces central North Carolina's history over the last three centuries. Settler Hezekiah Alexander and his wife, Mary, reared 10 children in this house and farmed the land. Learn about the lives of early residents in the area through exhibits and displays.
3500 Shamrock Dr., Charlotte, North Carolina, 28215, USA704-568–1774Sight Details
Rate Includes: $10, Closed Sun. and Mon., Tues.–Sat. 10–5, Sun. 1–5 -
9. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
This bright garden is known for its painterly display of colors. There's a perennial garden, wildflower meadow, Canal Garden, an orchid conservatory, and other themed areas.
6500 S. New Hope Rd., Belmont, North Carolina, 28012, USA704-825–4490Sight Details
Rate Includes: $15, Closed Tues. -
10. Discovery Place Nature
Freedom ParkYou'll find a butterfly pavilion, bugs galore, nature trails, a puppet theater, and hands-on exhibits just for children at this museum. Kids can experience up-close interaction with animals, and explore the Fort Wild outdoor play area.
1658 Sterling Rd., Charlotte, North Carolina, 28209, USA704-372–6261Sight Details
Rate Includes: $8, Closed Tues.--Thurs., Tues.–Fri. 9–5, Sat. 10–5, Sun. noon–5 -
11. Discovery Place Science
UptownAllow at least two hours for the aquariums, the three-story rain forest, "Nose-to-Nose" live animal shows, and the IMAX Dome Theater. Lie on a bed of nails, conduct experiments in the interactive labs, or get in touch with your inner innovator as you create shoes from garbage. Check the schedule for special exhibits.
301 N. Tryon St., Charlotte, North Carolina, 28202, USA704-372–6261Sight Details
Rate Includes: $19, IMAX $10, package for both $24, Weekdays 9–5, Sat. 10–6, Sun. noon–5 -
12. Fourth Ward
UptownCharlotte's popular old neighborhood began as a political subsection created for electoral purposes in the mid-1800s. The architecture and sensibility of this quiet, homespun neighborhood provide a glimpse of life in a less hectic time.
Charlotte, North Carolina, USA -
13. Historic Latta Plantation
The last remaining Catawba River plantation open to the public, this living-history site interprets 19th-century farm life in North Carolina’s backcountry. James Latta, a traveling merchant, built the plantation’s Federal-style home in 1800 and soon became a cotton planter. According to family documents, the entire Latta family assisted with production on the 742-acre farm, but it would not have been possible to maintain the plantation without the back-breaking labor of more than 30 slaves. Today, visitors can tour the home as well as reconstructed slave quarters and a yeoman farmer’s home. Historically appropriate farm animals and special weekend programs, such as folk craft demonstrations, round out the experience.
5225 Sample Rd., Huntersville, North Carolina, 28078, USA704-875–2312Sight Details
Rate Includes: $9, Closed Mon., Tues.–Sat. 10–5, Sun. 1–5 -
14. Mint Museum Randolph
East CharlotteBuilt in 1836 as the first U.S. Mint, this building has been a home for art since 1936. The holdings in its impressive permanent collections include fashion, ceramics, coins and currency, and art of the ancient Americas. Your ticket stub gets you free admission to the Mint Museum Uptown (good for two days).
2730 Randolph Rd., Charlotte, North Carolina, 28207, USA704-337–2000Sight Details
Rate Includes: $15, Closed Mon., Wed 11–9, Thurs.–Sat. 11–6, Sun. 1–5pm -
15. Neighborhood Theatre
North DavidsonOnce called the Astor Theater, this circa-1945 former movie palace is now a venue that has hosted concerts by the likes of the Indigo Girls, Beach House, and Rooney.
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16. President James K. Polk State Historic Site
This 22-acre state historic site 10 miles south of central Charlotte marks the humble birthplace and childhood home of the 11th U.S. president, nicknamed "Napoléon of the Stump" for his excellent speeches. Guided tours of the log cabins (replicas of the originals) show what life was like for settlers back in 1795.
12031 Lancaster Hwy., Pineville, North Carolina, 28134, USA704-889–7145Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Closed Sun. and Mon., Tues.–Sat. 9–5 -
17. Reed Gold Mine
This historic site, about 22 miles east of Charlotte, is where America's first documented gold rush began, after Conrad Reed discovered a 17-pound nugget in 1799. Guided underground tours of the gold mine are available, as well as gold panning (from roughly early April to late October), walking trails, and a stamp mill.
9621 Reed Mine Rd., Midland, North Carolina, 28107, USA704-721–4653Sight Details
Rate Includes: $2; gold panning $3, Closed Sun. and Mon., Tues.–Sat. 9–5 -
18. The Evening Muse
North DavidsonHear live music nightly at this popular venue situated in the center of the NoDa Arts District, or wait for "Find Your Muse," its frequent open-mic night.
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19. The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts and Culture
UptownHistoric Brooklyn, as the once-thriving African American neighborhood here was known, is long gone, but this celebration of black art, history, and culture serves its memory well. The exhibits change frequently, but you can always see John and Vivian Hewitt's collection of African American visual art, including those of Harlem Renaissance–famed and Charlotte-born Romare Bearden.
551 S. Tryon St., Charlotte, North Carolina, 28202, USA704-547–3700Sight Details
Rate Includes: $9, Closed Mon.--Thurs., Tues.–Sat. 10–5, Sun. 1–5 -
20. Thomas Street Tavern
Plaza MidwoodIn the heart of the "Thomas StrEATery" collection of restaurants and hangouts, this little bar is one of the best places in Plaza Midwood to grab a beer and play games like cornhole and ping-pong on the spacious patio. There's also live music.
1218 Thomas Ave., Charlotte, North Carolina, 28205, USA704-376–1622
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