Welcome to Charlotte
From adrenaline-filled roller coasters to historic botanical gardens, the Queen City’s got something for everyone.
Things to do in Charlotte
Top 15 attractions in Charlotte
#1
Mint Museum of Art
The Mint Museum is the oldest art museum in North Carolina, and houses one of the largest collections in the Southeast, with more than 35,000 objects. Explore its permanent collection spanning Ancient American, Native American, American, European, and Contemporary art at its two branches: Mint Museum Randolph and Mint Museum Uptown.More
#2
Fourth Ward
Victorian mansions line the shady streets of Charlotte’s historic Fourth Ward, among the city’s most prosperous neighborhoods during the mid-19th century. Today, it remains one of the most charming, with shopping boutiques and restaurants filling out many of the lovingly restored homes.More
#3
Old Settlers’ Cemetery
Located in Charlotte’s Fourth Ward neighborhood, Old Settlers’ Cemetery is where many of the area’s first settlers are buried. It was the first cemetery owned and operated by the City of Charlotte, and its gravestones and monuments carry dates from 1776 (the year the Declaration of Independence was signed) to 1884. It’s a great American site in Charlotte for visiting history buffs.More
#4
Bank of America Stadium
Located in the heart of Uptown Charlotte, the Bank of America Stadium is home to the Carolina Panthers football team. Opened in 1996, the open-air, natural grass stadium was designed specifically for football. In addition to football games, the stadium also hosts concerts and other big events year-round.More
#5
Discovery Place Science
Located in Uptown Charlotte, Discovery Place Science is one of the most popular hands-on science centers in the region. The museum brings science, technology, math, and nature to life through fun and educational interactive exhibits, activities, and programs. It also features the largest IMAX screen in the Carolinas.More
#6
Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
Located in Uptown Charlotte, the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art is part of the Levine Center for the Arts. The museum is small, but houses an impressive collection of more than 1,400 pieces by some of the most influential artists of the mid-20th century. See works by artists such as Picasso, Calder, Miró, Giacometti, and Warhol.More
#7
Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts & Culture
Celebrate African and African-American culture at the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Art + Culture. In addition to a permanent collection of inspiring works by notable African-American artists, the center also offers a diverse cultural program of music, dance, and theater performances, film screenings, lecures, and workshops.More
#8
The Green
Spanning just 1.5 acres (0.6 hectares, the Green is a pocket-sized, literary-themed park in Uptown Charlotte. A lovely little oasis in the heart of the Second Ward, the Green features lush landscaping, grassy areas, shady paths, benches, fountains, and whimsical sculptures. It is popular with locals and visitors alike.More
#9
SEA LIFE® – Charlotte-Concord Aquarium
Take a fascinating, underwater journey from the rivers of North Carolina to the depths of the ocean at SEA LIFE® Charlotte-Concord Aquarium. Located inside the Concord Mills Mall, the aquarium features more than 5,000 resident sea creatures. Visitors can learn about marine life through feedings, talks, interactive experiences, and more.More
#10
Levine Center for the Arts
Charlotte’s Levine Center for the Arts is actually comprised of four unique locations, including the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, the John S. and James L. Knight Theater and the Mint Museum Uptown. The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art boasts a collection of more than 1,400 works by 20th-century modern artists.The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture highlights the contributions of Africans and African-Americans to American culture. It is also home to the John & Vivian Hewitt Collection of African-American Art, one of the country’s most comprehensive collections.The 1,150-seat James L. Knight Theater hosts touring Broadway productions, concert artists and symphony and opera productions, while the Mint Museum Uptown features collections of American, European and contemporary art along with the Mint Museum of Craft + Design.More
#11
Charlotte Motor Speedway (NASCAR)
Satisfy your need for speed at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, “America’s Home for Racing.” Located just outside of Charlotte, the speedway is home to some of NASCAR’s biggest races, along with a full schedule of other races and events. The speedway also offers behind-the-scenes tours and racing experiences for fans.More
#12
Independence Square
At the intersection of Trade and Tryon Streets in Charlotte lies Independence Square, a focal point of the city that features a public art display. Erected in 1995 and completed by American sculptor Raymond Kaskey, the square hosts four, 24-foot-high bronze figures that personify Charlotte’s past and future.More
#13
US National Whitewater Center
Located in Charlotte, the US National Whitewater Center is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream playground. In addition to the world’s largest man-made whitewater river, the outdoor recreation mega-complex offers hiking and biking trails, a rock climbing wall, ropes course, ziplining, and more. It’s also a popular spot for outdoor festivals.More
#14
McDowell Nature Center and Preserve
The McDowell Nature Center is a hub for educational programs and serves as the gateway to 1,132 protected acres of the McDowell Nature Preserve. Touted as the oldest preserve in Mecklenburg County, the open space comprises of mostly-forested terrain that runs along the banks of Lake Wylie and is ripe with miles of hiking trails.More
#15
UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens
With a mission to inspire a love of plants through educational programming, classes, and botanical displays, the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens offers year-round splendor. Split between two outdoor gardens and a packed greenhouse the botanical gardens are a perfect spot for a relaxing stroll through the expansive grounds.More
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When to visit
Summer reigns in Charlotte, always popular with active types for the US National Whitewater Center, a rec facility dedicated to outdoor sports, live music, and brews. The season starts with the Taste of Charlotte—the city’s biggest food festival—and comes out in full swing during mid-August for Charlotte Pride. Motorsport season runs from April to November at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.