Take A Segway Tour Of The City
Despite the occasional cobblestone street, rolling around on a Segway is a terrific, convenient, and ultimately fun way to tick off some of the citys main haunts.
Typically venturing through Uptown, led by a charismatic local, segway tours skirt past must-see landmarks like Trade & Tryon , exploring vibrant locales like Fourth Ward and the Arts District too.
Buy Some New Outfits At Southpark Mall
Assuming youve got any cash left after splurging at the Premium Outlets, SouthPark Mall is a must-visit as the 28th largest in the United States, you can only imagine the kind of variety within its air-conditioned walls.
A Charlotte institution since it first opened in 1970, the expansive shopping complex offers a range of luxury stores including Burberry, Hugo Boss and Louis Vuitton as well as plenty of high-end American brands close to 175 stores all up!
Walk The Raptor Trail At Carolina Raptor Center
What to expect: A self-guided trail featuring over 30 species of birds of prey, including hawks, owls and vultures.
Price: $12 adults, $10 seniors, $8 students 4+
Address: 6000 Sample Road, Huntersville
See a show: Starting May 26, the Flights of the Forest summer show returns so you can see some of the birds up close and in action. Free with admission.
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Fly High On The Worlds Tallest & Fastest Giga Coaster
What can you say about Amusement Parks except that theyre full of thrills? Charlottes amusement park, Carowinds, opened 40+ years ago on the border of North and South Carolina. With everything from mazes, a scare zone, and live shows, you might think the rides take a back seat. But not so.
In fact, Carowinds giga coaster, named Fury 325, is the worlds tallest and fastest steel coaster. In slightly more than three minutes, riders travel 1.25 miles to a peak height of 325 feet after a dramatic 81 foot drop. And the speed? The open air trains hit up to 95 mph on the high-speed S-curve, more than 10 mph faster than NASCAR pace cars!
Check out the full list of Carowinds rides and activities at:
Charlotte Museum Of History
This nonprofit seeks to preserve and interpret Charlottes special history, and contribute to the community through educational displays and dialogues. They hope that an understanding of the past will inspire progress for the future. It also has the Hezekiah Alexander Homesite, the only surviving pre-Revolutionary War abode.
Parts of the home are refurbished and open to exploring. They always have several series on the show, such as the Chas Fagan Retrospective and the Charlotte Neighborhoods exhibition. Its a great place to engage with the spirit of the city past, present, and future.
- Address: 3500 Shamrock Dr, Charlotte, NC 28215
- Hours: Saturdays from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, with last entry at 4:00 pm.
- Cost of Admission: Adults : $10, Seniors: $7, Children , and students w/ ID
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Watch The Charlotte Knights Play At Bb& t Ballpark
BB& T Ballpark in Charlotte, NC, with the Charlotte Knights playing the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.
The all-American favorite sport, baseball, thrives as one of the most popular things to do in Charlotte. Indeed, professional baseball has been a big part of the citys sports culture since 1892, beginning with its first team, the Charlotte Hornets.
In 2014, the Charlotte Knights moved into the newly constructed BB& T Ballpark. The team, which had played out of Fort Mill, South Carolina, for more than 20 years, is the Triple-A-Affiliate of the Chicago White Sox.
The teams move into Uptown Charlotte from their previous stadium, some 30 miles south of the city via Interstate 77, made fans happy. And me? I loved seeing Charlottes beautiful Uptown skyline above the field to say nothing of enjoying all of the facilities with the two-level club and many eating and drinking options.
For tickets, see:
Visit A Lake Surrounded By The Blue Ridge Mountains
Details: Lake Lure is just 95 miles from Charlotte and is one of North Carolinas most scenic lakes. Rent a boat for the day or chill out on Lake Lure Beach. Its open Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Pro tip: While youre in Lake Lure, visit the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge. The old bridge between Lake Lure and Chimney Rock was closed to car traffic and transformed into a planted garden over the Broad River. Its worth checking out.
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Try Indoor Skydiving At Ifly Charlotte
Charlottes iFLY is the first indoor skydiving facility in North Carolina a state-of-the-art space that provides a safe and exhilarating way for people of all ages and experience levels to enjoy the hair-raising thrill of jumping from a plane without having to worry about the elements or dangers!
This wind tunnel will have you swooping through the air like Superman , as you learn how to fly with lessons from an instructor.
Hang With Hawks At The Carolina Raptor Center
Home to majestic eagles, vultures, hawks, and falcons all waiting to say hello, the family-friendly Carolina Raptor Center out in Huntersville is a must for any animal lover.
A smiling staff member at the 57-acre center will guide you through a meet-and-greet, show off some of their favorite birds , and provide plenty of photo ops with the local wildlife.
Be sure to stroll along the 3/4-mile Raptor Trail, where over 20 species of birds will soar overhead.
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The Charlotte Museum Of History
Inside the Charlotte Museum of History, you’ll find a wealth of information on the city and surrounding areas. The museum has three permanent exhibits, including one that explores the neighborhoods of Charlotte and frequently hosts traveling exhibits.
Docents lead entertaining and informative tours of each of the beautifully restored buildings, including the Hezekiah Alexander House, the Kitchen, and the Springhouse. You are free to tour the galleries at your leisure, as well as the paths through the historic garden and past the seven-ton American Freedom Bell, a 1769 Spanish cannon, and a stone Chilean mill that dates to the nation’s first gold rush.
Address: 3500 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, North Carolina
Kayak Lake Haigler At Anne Springs Close Greenway
Details: Rentals are available on weekends starting on May 25th through September from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. No reservations are required. Kayaks are rented on a first come, first serve basis. You can also rent stand-up paddle boards.
Price: $10/person for non-members, $5 for members
Address: 2573 Lake Haigler Drive, Fort Mill
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Hear The Orchestra At The Belk Theater
Sitting on North Tryon St in the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, the Belk Theater hosts everything from Broadway productions to concerts for the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, providing intimate aura and world-class acoustics thanks to its classic European horseshoe layout.
To see whats playing during your visit, simply check out the CarolinaTix website.
Watch Nascar At The Charlotte Motor Speedway
Weve already mentioned the chance to drive a NASCAR car, however, seeing the pros in action is just as exhilarating.
Every year, the Coca-Cola 600 race and Xfinity Series take place at this famed course, just a short drive away from Charlotte.
Hot tip: if dates line up, dont miss the FREE monthly cruise-in Cars and Coffee events a morning where motor enthusiasts show off their custom rides in the parking lot.
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Spend The Day Walking Eating And Drinking Along The Rail Trail
Where to drink: Sip craft beer at Sycamore, Triple C or Suffolk Punch. For wine, pop into Vin Master. If you need an iced coffee, stop by Not Just Coffee.
Where to eat: Prices Chicken Coop is a go-to stop for no-frills fried chicken. Head to Hawkers Asian Street Fare for small plates. If youre craving tacos, grab a spot at Sabor Latin Street Grill. Rosemont is ideal if youre looking to eat and drink . Jenis Ice Cream is close by for when you need dessert.
Bonus stop: Around the corner from Jenis Ice Cream, snap a pic in front of Evelyn Hensons Confetti Hearts Wall.
Cycle Or Walk Through Beautiful Uptown This Fall In Charlotte
Skyline of Uptown Charlotte in North Carolina, USA, stock photo.
Uptown Charlotte really is uptown not downtown. Why? The answer is easy according to Charlotte historian, Tom Hanchett, its because the city started at the highest point and grew down from there since its incorporation in 1768. Now, when youre out exploring Uptown Charlotte, youll find the city splits into four neighborhoods by the intersection of Trade and Tryon Streets.
This intersection was one of my favorites when I was exploring Charlotte. Officially known as Independence Square, each corner has a statue representing an aspect of the citys history. They include industry, commerce, transportation and the future.
But while one of my favorite things to do in Charlotte was to walk around, exploring, many people prefer bicycles. And since Charlotte has a B-Cycle program, where you can rent a bicycle, ride it, then drop it off at any station, its easy to do! For more details, see:
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Us National Whitewater Center
The U.S. National Whitewater Center is dedicated to the promotion of the active, outdoor lifestyle. Since 2006, the USNWC has been promoting access to the outdoors for all levels of participants through its all-day pass programs, instruction, leadership school as well as festivals, races and other outdoor events. Whether you visit the Centers 1,300 acres on the Catawba River or participate in the offsite programs featured throughout the United States, the USNWC wants you to play, relax and learn outside.
Whizz Around Corners In A Go
At K1 Speed in Concord, youll get the chance to take a spin in one of their high-performance racecars, drifting around corners and feeling that adrenaline rush.
There are plenty of options for sessions: from an individual ride to time trials or even birthday party options its up to you! Plus, theyre open every day until at least 10 pm, so youre sure to find a session that suits your schedule.
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Best Things To Do In Charlotte North Carolina Map
About Natasha
Natasha moved to North Carolina for college years ago . Her days were spent reading a book on the beach and enjoying a cold glass of sweet tea in between classes at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Upon graduation, she met her partner, Cameron, and they traveled the world together crossing 85 countries and six continents. After, six years of international travel they settled down and launched Lost in the Carolinas to share their experiences about and travel tips on South Carolina and North Carolina.
The Us National Whitewater Center
One of the most popular outdoor things to do in Charlotte is to visit the US National Whitewater Center. Weve also added it to our North Carolina bucket list and heres why.
Here, you can paddle and raft on the water, and climb the rock wall or zip your way through the ropes course. You can also just relax with a meal at Rivers Edge, brew at the Pump House Biergarten, or picnic in one of the many open areas.
Dont forget to check on the US Whitewater Centers events calendar, where you can find kid-friendly things to do, races, concerts, and much more!
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Get Your Adrenaline Pumping On A Mountain Bike Trail Ride
Trails listed by difficulty
- Moderate: 7 Oaks Preserve Trail, 6500 South New Hope Road, Belmont
- Intermediate: Itusi Trail, 759 State Park Road, Troutman
- Hard: Back Yard Trail, 5539 Farmbrook Drive
Pro tip: Check out the Tarheel Trailblazers website ahead of time for trail conditions. Plus, check out review and see how you can get involved.
Learn To Curl At Charlotte Curling
Curling is one of those Olympic sports that many people still dont fully understand. This is your chance to try it out for yourself with a hands-on learning experience offered by Charlottes local curling association. With room for up to 32 people on the ice at once, your team will learn safety and techniques from an experienced curler. After the lesson, you can stick around for drinks in the warm room, which offers a full bar and welcomes outside catering services.
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What Is Charlotte Most Known For
Not only does Charlotte has some amazing attractions and outdoor activities It also is known as the banking capital of the United States, home to professional sports teams the Carolina Carolina Panthers, and the NBA Hornets. Also, this is one of the epicenters of Nascar and is home to the Nascar Hall of Fame. Charlotte was named to honor Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, married to the British King George III when the city was founded. Hence the nickname the Queen City. From the adventure activities that will exhilarate you at the US White Water National Center, to the arts and cultural history you will find at museums one will find the Queen City is full of surprises.
Prior to working with the CRVA and Charlottesgotalot.com, I did not know all of the things Charlotte offered for tourists. The Queen City is the 15th largest in the USA, so you will find many unique things to do in Charlotte, NC.
Named One Of America’s Greenest Cities Charlotte Nc Has Amazing Fall Colors
Charlotte, North Carolina, is in the top 50 of Americas greenest cities according to research by Wallet Hub. With tree-lined streets and park canopies ranging from American Chestnut and Pecan, to Red Oak and Sycamore, its a safe bet that Charlottes also a spectacular stop when it dons its colorful fall foliage. And the great thing is that there are many things to do in Charlotte!
Below, you can find my top 10 attractions, which will make it easy to enjoy the citys brightest colors on weekend getaways no matter what time of year you visit Charlotte, NC. Theyre listed in no particular order. So, pick your favorite!
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Why We Recommend This Activity
The Hodges family proudly invites guests to explore the world of farming.
Their friendly staff and family-focused services makes this one of our favorite attractions for kids.
Here, the whole fam will learn about the farming way of life.
For an idea of all there is to do here, check and see what events are going on this weekend!
Check Out Charlottes Nightlife Scene
Charlottes nightlife is truly diverse, offering something for everyone. Whether youre looking to relax with a drink or two or let loose on the dance floor, youll find plenty of options in Uptown Charlotte.
Many of the citys most popular bars and clubs are located in this vibrant district, making it the perfect place to start your night out. If live music is your thing, be sure to check out some of the local venues.
They regularly host up-and-coming and well-established acts, so theres always something new to enjoy.
For those who prefer to dance the night away, there are plenty of clubs where you can do just that.
We recommend Suite- located in the Epic Center and Label, both popular spots for locals and visitors alike.
If you are looking for a good laugh, Charlottes comedy clubs are sure to deliver. They feature a variety of local and touring comedians, so youre sure to find someone who will make you laugh. We recommend the Comedy Club, a Charlotte staple for over 25 years.
Another great idea is to book a Ghost and Grim History walking tour for a spooky night in Charlotte. This family-friendly ghost tour will take you to the most haunted places in Charlotte, and you can choose between two starting times, 8 or 10 pm. The ghost tour is not on everyones list of what to do in Charlotte, but it can be great fun.
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Best Things To Do In Charlotte North Carolina
Home – North Carolina – City – Charlotte – 45 BEST Things to Do in Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is a bustling cultural hub of the Carolinas. Queen City is chock full of wonders to discover and a plethora of pastimes to indulge in. There are museums galore, glorious nature spaces, a rapidly growing arts scene, and plenty of unique attractions you wont find anywhere else. All of this combined makes it a fantastic city to visit in North Carolina.
As the largest city in the state and the seventeenth-largest on the continent, its really come into its own in recent years, sporting an identity of Southern metropolis thats both sleek and charming. Here are the best things to do in Charlotte for an enjoyable escape.
Learn About The History Of Banking At The Wells Fargo Museum
Found in Uptown Charlotte, across from the Levine Center for the Arts, the Wells Fargo Museum dives into the Charlotte-based banks deep roots in Charlotte, emphasizing its history in mining and gold.
Learn about Charlottes first and oldest banking institution, check out the display of gold nuggets and rare coins, and take a selfie in front of the authentic mid-19th-century Concord stagecoach!
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