Best things to do in Charlotte, NC

Charlotte is North Carolina’s largest metropolis and a base of operations for dozens of monetary and business firms. However not all the things in “Banktown” is strictly enterprise – a streak of playfulness and creativity cuts by means of its suit-and-tie demeanor, giving it an off-the-cuff but cosmopolitan vitality. 

The town’s distinct mixture of pleasant neighborhoods, greenways and concrete assembly areas attracts newcomers yr after yr, who come searching for one thing particular and depart pleasantly shocked with all there’s to see and do. From meals to artwork to outside recreation, listed here are 15 methods to search out your self in Charlotte.

Even when the phrases “drafting” and “drag” aren’t a part of your each day vernacular, one go to to the Charlotte Motor Speedway and also you’ll be speaking just like the specialists. Races are a frenzy of noise, warmth and dizzying speeds you’ll be able to really feel thundering in your chest. 

Keep in a single day – tent tenting and RV websites with full hookups supply one thing distinctive – or higher but, take your individual laps at 100mph with the Richard Petty Driving Expertise. Pair that with a go to to the NASCAR Museum, and take into account your training on stock-car racing full. 

Whitewater kayaking and rafting are the main target at this massive complex, however the leisure actions don’t cease there. This 1300-acre playground is family- and pet-friendly, and an enormous feather in Charlotte’s ecotourism cap. Whether or not you’re after frothy Class IV rapids, climbing trails, climbing partitions or ropes programs, you’ll be able to e book a single exercise or attempt all of them. Particular occasions, resembling Inexperienced River Revival in March, are significantly enjoyable – the water will get dyed inexperienced for St Patrick’s Day festivities!

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Simply steps from the Levine Middle, additionally on Tryon St, you’ll discover one other cultural arts powerhouse. Break up between three venues – the Belk Theatre, Sales space Playhouse and Stage Door – the Blumenthal runs the gamut of dance, comedy, drama and music. Artists and performers from throughout the globe convene right here, so it’s properly value making an “Uptown night” of it with dinner and a present.

There’s a lot artwork taking place right here that you’re going to want every week for the Levine Middle alone. The sprawling campus contains the Mint Museum Uptown, the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art and the Harvey B Gantt Center, and it is overflowing with eye – and ear – sweet within the realms of movie, sculpture, music and historical past. Should you’ve bought the time, the most effective deal is a $20 all-access ticket that’s good for 2 days. 

Metropolis leaders have taken huge strides towards making Charlotte extra pedestrian-friendly, and the Rail Trail is an ideal instance. After the route for the native light-rail system was developed, this multi-use path was created, each to maximise the areas alongside it and to connect with different public-use paths. 

Simply shy of 4 miles lengthy, it options vigorous stretches abuzz with murals, outside cafes and avenue buskers. For a restricted time every year, evening owls also can benefit from the annual after-dark pageant, I Coronary heart Rail Path: Lights – in 2022, from March 4 to twenty. 

With 5 major- and minor-league groups – soccer, basketball, hockey, soccer and baseball – calling the Queen Metropolis residence, Charlotte’s professional-sports scene is an enormous deal, and venues just like the Financial institution of America Stadium and Spectrum Middle draw 1000’s of followers every season. Along with usually scheduled video games, there are particular household nights and themed occasions, so make sure to test every staff’s web site for particulars.

Should you’re on the town with youngsters in tow, this can be a cease that can rating main brownie factors with the little ones. Creatively talking, ImaginOn is a supercharged house brimming with books, theatrics and creativeness – between the stacks and the stage, it is a fixed supply of on-line actions, bilingual packages and dwell performances for each age. 

The eating scene in Charlotte is all-encompassing with regards to worldwide delicacies, however typically it’s good to maintain issues near residence – and within the Carolinas, meaning chowing down on barbecue with all of the fixins.

Should you’re new to the world of smoked meats, don’t overthink it: so long as you scent hickory wooden burning, the sauce is vinegar-based and mac ‘n’ cheese is on the menu, you’re off to a superb begin. The meat brisket at Candy Lew’s in Belmont or any of the “nooner specials” at McKoy’s gained’t steer you mistaken.

For a romantic evening out, skip dinner and drinks, and absorb a double-feature on the Badin Road Drive-In Theater as an alternative. Although it is technically exterior of Charlotte, within the quiet city of Albemarle, it’s definitely worth the hour-long drive.

Films are proven on two screens on a seasonal foundation, and grownup tickets value $7. And there is a snack bar, so a popcorn and soda go with out saying. Largely underneath the radar, even for a lot of Charlotte residents, it is a memorable technique to spend a night underneath the celebs.

Asheville nonetheless reigns supreme with regards to the variety of breweries per capita, however Charlotte isn’t far behind – it has greater than two dozen unfold throughout city, so it is easy to get your arms on all method of regionally crafted beers.

Create your individual self-guided tour by visiting the likes of Olde Mecklenburg, Sycamore or Triple C Brewing. There’s additionally a handful of distilleries, resembling Nice Wagon Highway and Doc Porters, for whiskey, gin and vodka lovers. 

Positioned on Central Ave within the Plaza Midwood neighborhood, this beloved institution has been selling the visible arts in Charlotte for greater than 50 years, from rising native expertise to nationally acknowledged photographers like Sally Mann and Bruce Davidson. The Mild Manufacturing unit provides photograph walks, gallery exhibitions and “salon” talks; catch a pictures present, then hit up the close by institutions for a chunk to eat. 

The bevy of inexperienced areas scattered round Charlotte function a superb reminder that the most effective issues in life are free – rain or shine, these parks are supposed to be loved by guests of all ages. Freedom Park’s playgrounds and bike paths are only a small portion of its 100 acres.

At Veterans Memorial Park, the splash pad and shady bushes are particularly welcoming in the summertime months, and as soon as spring is in full swing, the College of North Carolina’s Botanical Backyard and the McGill Rose Backyard present good floral backdrops for a picnic. 

If an evening of wholesome competitors, DJ-fueled dancing and kitschy Instagram images is what you’re after, that is the place. Positioned within the South Finish neighborhood, this stylish purveyor of video games for grownups has spots in a number of different main cities as properly.

Strive your hand at bowling, or sip on Pinball Wizards and Kenny Gs whilst you ping-pong your technique to legendary standing. It’s a assured good time – and household pleasant till 8pm, when it turns 21 and over.

This funky, gorgeously repurposed, 70-acre purchasing and eating vacation spot is F-U-N, and no two visits are alike. You would simply whereas away a whole afternoon right here, sending your senses into overdrive – in a great way. 

Pattern goat cheese on the farmers market, scope out native artwork, nosh on pork stomach buns at Saru by Bow Ramen or peruse the classics at That’s Novel Books. As soon as the solar goes down and Charlotte’s skyline glitters within the distance, issues flip much more festive.