Charlotte North Carolina
Center City glistening at night
The Mint Museum, a showcase for art and design collections
Sun setting over Lake Norman
Shopping and dining at the open-air Brevard Court and enclosed Latta Arcade
Rafting and kayaking adventures at the U.S. National Whitewater Center
Exploring the tree canopy at the U.S. National Whitewater Center
City skyline as a backdrop to Romare Bearden Park
Metalmorphosis, a mirrored water fountain at Whitehall Technology Park
- Major Airports:
- Charlotte (CLT)
- States:
- North Carolina
Southern hub for motorsports, shopping and museums
Charlotte City Attractions
“Uptown” Charlotte (which is actually downtown Charlotte) is where you’ll find the museums: the Levine Museum of the New South, the Mint Museum Uptown and the youthful ImaginOn are some of the local standouts. For a young, hip vibe, head to the tattoo parlors and live music venues of the NoDa arts district, or browse the funky boutiques and eateries in Plaza-Midwood. At the multi-functional EpiCentre in the heart of the city, visitors can find nightlife, cafes, shops and a rooftop terrace. For great finds at budget prices, shoppers will love the Concord Mills shopping mall and the Charlotte Premium Outlets. Cap off your day with a meal and a drink at one of the many craft breweries around town, a gourmet food truck, a local farmers’ market, or a classic Southern eatery like Midwood Smokehouse.
The Sporting Life
Sixteen NASCAR teams are based in and around Charlotte, which is why the NASCAR Hall of Fame and Hendrick Motorsports Complex are top attractions in town. If you want to see an actual NASCAR race, head to the Charlotte Motor Speedway. There are plenty of other professional spectator sports that visitors can take in as well: Carolina Panthers football, Charlotte Hornets basketball and Carolina Hurricanes hockey.
Get Outdoors
Within the city limits, grab a picnic lunch and stroll through Freedom Park. Further afield are many opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, river rafting and tubing at places like the U.S. National Whitewater Center and Lake Norman. There are also more than 40 golf courses in the greater Charlotte area.
Fun Fact
Approximately 75 percent of all the NASCAR teams in the world are headquartered within two hours of uptown Charlotte.
