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Fun Things to do in Charlotte
North Carolina
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city guide
Charlotte is one of the 25 largest cities in the U.S. and the largest city in North Carolina. Nicknamed the Queen City, Charlotte and its resident county are named in honor of Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the queen consort of British King George III during the time of the city's founding.
Nearly 800,000 live and work in the Charlotte community and the City provides services to much of this population. The Citys focus areas are Housing and Neighborhood Development, Community Safety, Transportation, Economic Development and the Environment.
Best time to go
Busy season March and July. When most festivals are happening
Get a deal from January - February (low season)
Best time to go mid September - mid November.
Fun city facts and activities
- Given its status as North Carolinas largest city, it is no surprise that Charlotte has plenty to offer locals and visitors alike. From its emerging restaurant scene and thriving craft brewing industry to history museums, thrilling outdoor adventures and top-notch hotels, there is certainly no shortage of interesting things to do and see while exploring the Queen City. Want to get the full Charlotte experience? Just work through our list below.
Neighborhoods to explore
- Uptown
Ballantyne
Plaza-Midwood
University City
Dilworth
SouthPark
South End
Elizabeth
NoDa
Myers Park
Midtown
Cherry
Foxcroft
Eastover
Commonwealth
Barclay Downs
Chantilly
Wilmore
Wessex Square
Restaurants
Food Specialties
- The state is rich with culinary heritage evident in local favorites like chicken-fried steak, Indian tacos, fried-onion burgers and, of course, barbecue.
Charlotte Offbeat activities
Free or cheap things to do
1. Try a Virtual Reality Experience Immerse yourself in a virtual reality experience at the worlds first location-based virtual reality arcade, The Void, located in Charlotte.
2. Take a Segway Tour Take a unique tour of Charlotte on a Segway.
3. Visit a Pinball Museum Step back in time and enjoy a visit to the Pinball Museum of Charlotte.
4. Take a Brewery Tour Sample local craft beer on a brewery tour of the city.
5. Visit the Historic Rosedale Plantation Take a tour of the historic Rosedale Plantation, the oldest home in Charlotte.
6. Take a Food Tour Sample some of the best food the city has to offer on a food tour of Charlotte.
7. Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride Soar high above the city on a hot air balloon ride.
8. Visit the Schiele Museum of Natural
Fun things to do in with kids
Free or cheap things to do
1. Charlotte Liberty Walk
Learn about the American Revolution on the Charlotte Liberty Walk.
2. Carolina Panthers
Cheer on the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.
3. Camp North End
Explore this unique innovation district with restaurants, shops, and more. It's among our first stops when looking for things to do in Charlotte for all ages.
4. Lake Norman
Ride a boat on Lake Norman or explore the state park.
5. Ballantyne Hotel
Enjoy afternoon tea at the Ballantyne Hotel.
6. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
Take in the beauty of the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden.
7. Great Wolf Lodge
Stay the night or get a day pass at this indoor water park resort, AKA Las Vegas for kids!
8. Charlotte Motor Speedway
Take a speedway tour of this famous raceway.
9. Carolina Raptor Center
Meet new animal friends at Caroline Raptor Center.
10. Discovery Place Science Museum
Get lost in science at the interactive Discovery Place Science Museum.
City data and FAQ
What is Charlotte famous for?
Banks. Charlotte is the nations second largest banking center. As such, it is headquarters of Bank of America and Truist Financial (merged BB&T and SunTrust), as well as east coast headquarters of Wells Fargo
Jon Talton - Lives in Seattle, WA
Charlotte is known as a business and financial hub and also a university town with a well-educated population. It is home to the NFL's Carolina Panthers and the NBA's Charlotte Hornets (formerly Bobcats), and it is a NASCAR epicenter and home to the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Rhey Mann - Lives in Greensboro, NC
