Charlotte Douglas Airport Overlook
When you need to sit and relax or have a child who loves to watch airplanes, the Charlotte Douglas Airport Overlook is the place to spend a few minutes or a few hours.
The overlook area offers an unobstructed view of the planes landing and taking off. Plan on enjoying a picnic lunch or dinner as you watch the planes come and go.
If you visit on a Friday through Sunday throughout the spring, summer, and fall, plan on picking up food at the food trucks that park there throughout the day.
Address: 7300 Airport Overlook Drive, Charlotte, NC
Treat Yourself To Dinner And Drinks Out
5Church and Sophias lounge: This dynamic duo was made for the ultimate bougie night out.
Mico Restaurant and Búho Bar:Located in the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Uptown, both of these spots ooze sophistication. Explore the Argentinian-inspired menu at Mico then head upstairs for rooftop drinks at Búho.
Dishes from Mico, the restaurant inside the Grand Bohemian Hotel
Sleepy Poet Antique Mall
Go on a treasure hunt in the single-story brick warehouse full of rows of vendor booths.
The 60,000-square-foot award-winning antique mall with roughly 300 stalls has a rustic vibe as you wander the aisles perusing the booths of old records, retro furniture, vintage clothing, and antiques.
Find the perfect accent for your home or a vintage toy from your childhood.
The mall is a favorite Charlotte institution, and the Charlotte Magazine has awarded it as having the Best Antiques in Charlotte, NC, for over a decade.
Spend an hour or a whole day rummaging for that perfect trinket or favorite movie that is missing from your collection.
Address: 6424 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28217
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Tin Kitchen Food Trucks Charlotte North Carolina
Tin Kitchen Food Trucks have been familiar sight around Charlotte since 2010. Calling themselves the freestyle gourmet food truck, they serve unique and original sliders, tacos, and quesadillas made of fresh, seasonal local ingredients. Try their chicken tinga with pulled chicken simmered slowly in tomatoes, onions, and chipotles served with salsa verde, queso fresco, and scallions. The menu changes often depending on the season and the chefs new ideas. The food is prepared in a communal kitchen shared with other food trucks and vendors, then loaded on one of their shiny silver trucks to make the people of Charlottes various neighborhoods happy. Tin Kitchen is also a reputable caterer providing delicious food for any size party, from backyard birthdays to corporate events.
Third Ward, Uptown Charlotte, North Carolina, Phone: 704-750-0477
Rooftop Drinks With A View
Ive never met a rooftop bar that I didnt like especially in Charlotte! There are four amazing rooftop bars that are definitely worth a night out on the town in Uptown.
- Fahrenheit This rooftop is my personal favorite. In my opinion, it offers the best view of the city, has an elegant feel, and great cocktails!
- Merchant and Trade This rooftop has a strict dress code and a swanky feel. This view is over Romare Beardon Park and you can see the baseball stadium from here!
- Nuvole Rooftop Twenty Two The newest rooftop to join the Uptown list has a upscale feel. It is the center of the city and has a great indoor/outdoor area.
- City Lights Rooftop This rooftop features fun summer drinks with Popsicle and a large terrace. Its the furthest out of the city so it has a great view.
Note: Drinks are rather pricey at each of these rooftops, unfortunately.
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Things To Do In Uptown Charlotte Nc
Check out the 20 best things to do in Uptown Charlotte, NC … don’t visit the Queen City without adding these fun activities to your bucket list!
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I visited Charlotte, North Carolina for the first time a couple months ago. And I have to say … I was pleasantly surprised. It’s such a cool city!
We were there barely there long enough to catch a few z’s, but I loved exploring the neighborhood around our hotel. Uptown Charlotte is fun, walkable, and filled with interesting things to see and tempting restaurants to enjoy.
Charlotte is the perfect destination for a weekend getaway. But if you’re short on time like we were, you can also explore this diverse neighborhood in a day, or even a few hours.
So if you’re looking for fun things to do in Charlotte, keep reading. I’ve rounded up all the best Uptown activities!
Belk Theater At Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
Centrally located in Uptown Charlotte, the Belk Theater is the biggest of the six theaters under the umbrella of the North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. Since it opened in 1992, this state-of-the-art venue has hosted everything from rock and pop concerts to classical concerts and Broadway shows.
Capable of holding crowds of over 2,100 spectators, it has earned a reputation not only for the quality of its acoustics, but other design features, including its intimate horseshoe-shaped auditorium, ensuring there’s not a bad seat in the house. It also houses an impressive fiber-optic light display that adds another unique dimension to the audience experience.
Other notable venues close by include the Booth Playhouse, used for dance and smaller orchestras the 1,193-seat Knight Theater adjacent to the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art and the McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square, housed in the historic First Baptist Church building a few blocks away.
Address: 130 N Tryon Street, Charlotte, North Carolina
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Best Things To Do In Charlotte North Carolina
From beautiful green spaces to a diverse selection of museums, weddings venues, tours, free attractions, parks, and restaurants, Charlotte is a fun city to visit year-round. Discover the Mint Museum, the oldest art museum in North Carolina, tour the 150,000-square-foot NASCAR Hall of Fame, and watch a theater performance. ImaginOn is one of the best things to do in Charlotte, NCwith kids. You may also enjoy visiting one of the nearby beaches or waterfalls.
We recommend that you call the attractions and restaurants ahead of your visit to confirm current opening times.
The Charlotte Museum Of History Charlotte North Carolina
The Charlotte Museum of History consists of several historic structures on a wooded eight-acre campus in east Charlotte. The oldest of these structures is the Hezekiah Alexander House, a 5,000-square-foot rock house built circa 1774. The Alexander House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is the oldest surviving house in Mecklenburg County. It features a reproduction log kitchen, barn, and reconstructed two-story springhouse.
The museums exhibits span three galleries and document the history and heritage of Charlotte and Mecklenburg from the 18th to 20th centuries. Guided tours of the museum are held daily and special tours for groups can be arranged.
3500 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, North Carolina 28215, Phone: 704-568-1774
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Follow The Charlotte Liberty Walk
A free attraction for all ages, this self-guided walking tour in Uptown Charlotte features an interactive map that will take you to 19 of the citys most iconic statues and monuments, including the Battle of Charlotte Monument, the Ishmael Titus Marker, and the Queen Charlotte Statue.
The route is about a mile long and can be started anywhere on its loop just follow the interactive map on your website or join a guided walk.
Where Should I Stay In Charlotte Nc
As with many North Carolina cities, the neighborhood you choose to stay in while visiting Charlotte will depend on what you truly want out of your visit. For access to some of Charlottes best breweries and eateries, consider Uptown or NoDa. NoDa stands for North Davidson, by the way, a fact that you can impress Charlotte locals with if you use it correctly. South End is another popular option for more nightlife options.
If youre in Charlotte for the sites and historical offerings, Dilworth is an excellent option and a very walkable neighborhood in the city. At the end of this post, youll find our recommended hotels in Charlotte. But you can browse some of them already .
And now, lets get going with a Charlotte itinerary for three days worth of the best eats, the best sites, and the best day trips from the city.
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See A Live Performance At John S And James L Knight Theater
At 430 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, youll find incredible shows at the James L. Knight Theater.
This 1,191-seat facility features an orchestra, a grand tier, and a mezzanine.
Different types of dance and music shows are shown here.
It’s located near the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, and its lobby shares a space with the Museum.
Knight Theater offers the highest quality of acoustics, acclaimed concerts, excellent vocal performances, comfortable seating, better spacing in rows, and a flexible multidirectional theater layout.
Back In Time At The President James K Polk State Historic Site
A North Carolina gem, this former presidents 150-acre house and gardens is a must-see for history buffs.
After a tour of the cabins on the grounds, an afternoon exploring the museum offers plenty to see in the way of original furnishings and stories of Polks personal and political lives.
Friendly for your wallet too, tours led by costumed historians are just $2 for adults and $1 for children while entry itself is free.
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Discovery Place Charlotte Nc
Discovery Place is dedicated to promoting exploration of the natural world and is one of the top family attractions in Charlotte NC. The centers wealth of outstanding exhibits and dynamic displays inform, challenge, and engage audiences of all ages. One of the leading hands-on science centers in the country, Discovery Place also operates the Charlotte Nature Museum next to Freedom Park.
At the Nature Museum, visitors can get close to nature by observing live animals including free-flying butterflies and other insects. Another satellite of Discovery Place is the newly-opened Discovery Place KIDS museum in Huntersville. Discovery Place KIDS provides a rich and rewarding play experience that engages childrens imaginations and inspires learning.
301 N Tryon St., Charlotte, North Carolina 28202, Phone: 704-372-6261
Expert opinion: Where should I go this weekend for fun? FL, CA, Myrtle Beach, OR, New England weekend, Charlotte, Williamsburg, LA, PA
Things To Do Near Me: Carowinds
Carowinds is a fun family destination. This huge amusement park offers almost 60 breath-taking rides, live entertainment and a brilliant Water Park, all in the same complex. The highlight of any visit is doubtlessly the thrilling Fury 325 roller coaster, but riding the Fury is just the tip of the iceberg. Once you have come back down to earth you can look forward to dozens of other rides in categories suitable for all ages. The Carolina Harbor Water Park offers hours of fun in the sun with wave pools, giant water slides and a 3-acre area for younger visitors. Combination passes are available.
300 Carowinds Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28273, 704-588-2600
Places to visit near me: Connecticut beaches, Anniversary trip ideas, Jeffersonville
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Things To Do With One Day In Charlotte Nc:
Eat Your Way Around Charlotte, NC:
In North Carolinas largest city, travelers from around the world journey to Charlotte looking for a change of gastronomic pace: from nouvelle regional classics, to unique global trends. Even in the suburbs, foodies can find grub that most think is only reserved for the plates of other countries. Due to an ever-changing food scene that attracts an array of culinary geniuses year after year, this is anything but the case.
Below are fun places to eat in Charlotte, NC:
East Coast Contessa
Rivers Edge: While it may seem like a strange place to sit down for a five-star meal, Rivers Edge at the U.S. National Whitewater Center, which is talked about below, is sure to provide both quality food and breathtaking views. In fact, it is one of the best places to visit in Charlotte!
Overlooking the man-made Whitewater River, recommended dishes at this amazing restaurant are the Citrus Salmon Salad and the Pulled Pork Nachos. They also serve a number of local and regional ales, so be sure to sip on a Raspberry White Ale from Charlottes own Sugar Creek Brewing Company.
Merts Heart & Soul: This husband-and-wife run spot serves up an eclectic dining experience with some of the best fried chicken south of the Mason-Dixon. Their claim to fame is the coveted Soul Roll, an egg roll stuffed with adobo-laced collard greens, black eyed peas, seasoned rice and diced fried chicken.
East Coast ContessaMore than Main StreetStuck on the Go
Admire The Beautiful Plants At The Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
Nestled in the Queen Citys historic Belmont neighborhood on 380 stunning acres, the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden provides a peaceful escape with tens of thousands of plants across its meadows and foresty.
With its focus on plants and education as well as its concentration on conservation and sustainability this is one botanical garden that will make you want to come back again and again!
Kids, in particular, will love the Lost Hollow childrens garden
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Bechtler Museum Of Modern Art Charlotte North Carolina
The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, located inside the Levine Center for the Arts, is dedicated to modern art. Housed in a beautiful 36,500-square-foot space designed by Mario Botta, the museum features a collection of more than 1,400 artworks. The downtown museum is named after the family of Andreas Bechtler, who assembled the collection of works by famous artists such as Léger, Matisse, Degas, Warhol, Mirò, Picasso, and Le Corbusier.
Visitors are welcomed to the museum by the awe-inspiring, 17-foot Firebird by artist Niki de Saint Phalle, made of over seven thousand mirror mosaics.
420 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28202, Phone: 704-353-9200
Stop Into The Wing Haven Garden And Bird Sanctuary
A small yet enchanting oasis of flowers, fountains, and wildlife, this peaceful green space in the southern suburbs is the perfect place to spend a morning.
Besides walking through the gardens, Wing Haven also offers educational programs for kids and adults alike, and sells plants if youre keen to test out your own horticulture skills.
Hot tip: on the same street youll also find the Elizabeth Lawrence House & Garden, an equally worthy destination.
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Discover Charlottes Big Cats At Tiger World
Very different from your typical run-of-the-mill zoo, this nonprofit animal sanctuary boasts acres of naturalistic habitats complete with a range of international animals that include tigers, lions, anacondas, and kangaroos, with a black jaguar and arctic wolf roaming around too.
Here, on either self-guided or expert-led tours, you can learn all about the importance of conservation and preservation.
Get Active At The Us National Whitewater Center
Nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts will adore Charlottes U.S. National Whitewater Center, a state-of-the-art facility that combines nearly every high-adrenaline outdoor sport on offer ziplining, rafting , rock climbing, yoga, stand-up paddleboarding you name it, and you can try it here!
The center also runs events and races, so be sure to check the website to see whats on.
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The Market At 7th Street
This popular Charlotte food hall is near the light rail train station and Lynx bus stop at 7th Street. The indoor vendors sell food and beverages. They also have a great selection of Charlotte-themed souvenirs.
James Beard Award-nominated chef, Greg Collier, has a spot named Uptown Yolk at The Market at 7th Street.
Try a latte or pressed juice, dine on pizza, dumplings, or popcorn, and pick up some cheese for a picnic in the adjacent First Ward Park. Then, at night, join a programming event, from wine tastings to Raclette cheese nights.
Sip A Cocktail At A Rooftop Bar
Charlottes skyline is growing ever higher, meaning that the city now has a number of great rooftop bars to enjoy a handcrafted cocktail .
Cloud Bar by David Burke in Uptown dishes up complete 360-degree views of the city the swanky Nuvolé Rooftop Twenty Two boasts the highest rooftop bar in the city while Whiskey Warehouse offers a more laid-back, neighborhood-style feel for anyone trotting around the Plaza Midwood area.
As for centrality, its hard to go past Rooftop 210, a wide terrace sitting smack-bang in the middle of the Epicenter nightlife zone.
Save time and hassle!
We hope youve enjoyed our selection of things to do in Charlotte, North Carolina!
If youre on the hunt for accommodation, be it budget-friendly or all-out luxury, check out the best hotels in Charlotte.
Similarly, book an airport transfer if you want to avoid the hassle of renting a car or deciphering the transport system past travelers would attest, its the way to go!
Well, thats a wrap! If you have any other must-see suggestions, feel free to let us know in the comments!
Whats next? Consider traveling to some of the equally impressive nearby cities. Make sure to check out our list of things to do in Atlanta, Charleston, Savannah, Raleigh, and Richmond.
As always, happy travels.
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When To Visit Charlotte
Spring and Fall are the best times to visit Charlotte, as the city is less crowded and you can get a great deal on hotels.
While some of the top Charlotte attractions do extend their hours during summer, this tends to be the busiest and hottest time of the year.
Heading to Queen City in the winter? No worries! Its mild and snow is rare, but dont count it out. Regardless, there are many winter days when Charlotte temps hit between 5060 degrees Fahrenheit.
