10 Must-Dos in Charlotte, North Carolina
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
Charlotte, the biggest city in North Carolina, has become a popular transplant city in recent years. The mild climate, low cost of living, and close proximity to both the mountains and oceans has attracted many northern transplants. I’ve heard of many former classmates and acquaintances who have moved to this area.
After New York, the city ranks as the second biggest banking center. Besides being a financial hub, Charlotte is known for its’ natural beauty, thriving downtown (Uptown), abundance of museums, and popular sports teams. Plus, it’s super easy to drive to the picturesque mountain region of the state to enjoy top notch hiking. Living in nearby Asheville for several years, I explored the city numerous times via convenient daytrips and overnight stays (the drive is approximately 2 hours).
Popular attractions include: the Nascar Hall of Fame, the US Whitewater Center, and the Levine Museum of the New South. In my guide, I highlight a few of my favorite touristy activities. I recommend a daytrip from Asheville if you are seeking some bigger city amenities.
1. Explore The Mint Museum
This world-class art museum holds one of the largest collections in the Southeast. It also happens to be North Carolina’s first art museum. There are 2 locations: one in Uptown and another in South Charlotte. Most notably, the museum is famous for housing the largest number of works from native Romare Bearden.
Other highlights include: a large showcase of 18th century British ceramics and Native Art of the Americas, a large collection devoted to arts from the Canada, US, Guatemala, and Mexico. You can explore the collection online and also stay updated on new exhibits.
2. Get back to nature at the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
This small, yet pretty botanical garden features nearly 400 acres of woodlands and rolling meadows on the banks of Lake Wylie. It’s a great nature escape when you tire of driving around the suburban congestion. It’s not one of the best botanical gardens I’ve ever visited, but it is one of the top things to do here.
Highlights include: a gorgeous conservatory featuring orchids and tropical plants, a variety of lovely fountains, and a Four Seasons Garden which varies throughout the year.
I recommend putting their Holiday Lights even higher on your bucket list. For this dazzling display, you will be able to see over a million colorful lights artfully adorning the grounds. This is one of the better Christmas events in the state, so definitely check it out if your visit falls in December.
3. Take a blast to the past at Carowinds
Living in Asheville, I don’t have access to as many big city Christmas events as I am used to having growing up in Chicago. Mike and I decided to check out Carowinds massive holiday festival and we were not disappointed.
This large 400 acre amusement park lies on the border of the Carolinas. Featuring 60 rides, a large seasonal waterpark, live entertainment, and popular holiday events, it’s the best place in the metro to enjoy some good old-fashioned amusement park fun.
The park features a nice mix of thrilling coaster and tamer carnival style rides. One of the highlights of the year is the Winterfest celebration featuring over 4 million lights, an ice rink, live shows, and special holiday themed food and drinks. If you like big spectacular light shows and musical productions (the performers are all great here!), then I definitely recommend adding this event to your holiday bucket list.
4. Stroll around Freedom Park
One of the most beloved local green spaces in the city is Freedom, a beautiful 98 acre park in the historic Dilworth neighborhood. The park is located just a few miles outside of downtown, but is super peaceful and comes with the benefit of a large free parking lot.
Featuring a 7 acre lake and a well-maintained path, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a leisurely jog, walk, or bike ride (rentals available). As a nature lover and fitness buff, I love visiting early in the morning and enjoying the tranquil scenery and birdwatching.
5. Explore downtown Davidson
This quaint suburb often rates as one of the best places to live in the state. I am not surprised as I love the Main Street, parks, and easy access to local businesses.
The highlight here is a walkable downtown district which is home to many local restaurants and shops. If you tire of the suburban congestion, it’s a great place to enjoy a lovely day out in a more unique setting (skip the chains for a day!). The small town charm makes it feel a world’s apart from surrounding suburbia.
Highlights include Summit (a great local coffeehouse with a nice patio), a year-round farmers market, Main Street Books, and The Village Store (a great local gift shop). Davidson is by far the best place in the metro to shop for unique items and dine at local eateries.
6. Enjoy fun-in-the-sun on Lake Norman
As North Carolina’s largest lake, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the waterfront. It’s hot and humid here for a long time, so a lake comes in handy. Paddleboarding, kayaking, and jet skiing are various means of exploring the beauty of the area. For budget friendly fun, I recommend checking out Lake Davidson Nature Preserve, Jetton Park, or Latta Nature preserve.
All of these beautiful free parks feature beautiful waterfront trails, picnicking areas, and various sports amenities. My favorite is Lake Davidson Nature Preserve. Here you will find a relaxing nature loop that is lined with mature trees.
7. Browse the small collection at the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
The Bechtler, located in Uptown, is a must visit for anyone interested in modern art. The space is small, yet clean, well-maintained, and attractive. It won’t take up much of your time and is conveniently located nearby The Mint Museum and many restaurants.
Due to the steep price tag for such a small museum, it’s best to plan your visit on a free day. Admission is free from 5-9pm on the third Friday of each month. Also, Bank of America card holders get in free the first weekend of every month. This is part of their wonderful Museums on Us program which I frequently use while traveling. Note that each person has to show their ID and card to get in free.
8. Take a walk around Romare Bearden Park
This small city park was named in honor of local artist Romare Bearden. It’s located Uptown near many attractions, and thus, a great place to take a quick stroll in between activities. There are some nice skyline views here so it’s a scenic place to jog, picnic, and walk. Additionally, it is a hotspot for events and live music. Check out the events calendar to see what is going on during your visit.
9. Explore the foodie/coffee scene
Although it is not considered the state’s top foodie city (that honor goes to Asheville in my book), there are still plenty of fantastic dining options throughout the metro. From southern and soul food, to international cuisine, there are many diverse options throughout the metro. One of my favorite places is Sangam Indian cuisine, located in Cornelius. Here you can try a variety of Indian dishes via an extensive lunch buffet.
Also, Charlotte’s independent coffee scene continues to expand. A few interesting choices include Summit Coffee in Davidson, Smelly Cat Coffee in NoDa, Coco and the Director Uptown, and Amelie’s French Bakery in Uptown.
10. Shop and dine at South Park Mall
Of course, this city has its’ fair share of shopping malls just like any suburban sunbelt city. South Park is an upscale mall located in one of the most affluent sections of the city. The mall is spacious and clean. There is plenty of parking available.
In addition to great mid and high end shopping, you will find all the usual chains here including the best-of-the-best, The Cheesecake Factory and Maggiano’s. If anything, this large mall is a great place to escape the heat for a bit on a hot and humid southern summer day.
