Top Things to Do In Charlotte North Carolina
Charlotte North Carolina has a population of 2,000,00 and is the 15th largest city in the United States. If you are planning a trip to Charlotte and looking for the best things to do, see, and eat while visiting, you are in the right place. The Queen City is best known for its NASCAR Hall of Fame, Billy Graham Library, and southern hospitality. Charlotte also has old plantations, civil rights history, wall poems, murals, kayaking, paddleboarding, zip-lining, whitewater rafting, bike trails, hiking paths, craft breweries, and Carolina BBQ. Scan this bucket list of top things to do, see, and eat while in Charlotte North Carolina to ensure you don’t miss a thing. Enjoy your time out of the office!
READ Chasing Waterfalls in North Carolina
READ Things to Do on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Things to Do in and Around Charlotte North Carolina
Catch a race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway
Experience NASCAR in a simulator at the NASCAR Hall of Fame
Eat southern food at Mert’s Heart and Soul
Watch a Carolina Panthers NFL game
Check out the Billy Graham Library
Wander the murals around NoDa (North Davidson St) and stop for coffee at Smelly Cat
Tour an old plantation, choose from Latta Plantation, Rosedale Plantation, or Brattonsville
Hike up Crowder’s Mountain and enjoy the view
Eat Carolina BBQ at Midwood Smokehouse, Mac’s Speed Shop, or Sauceman’s
Browse the exhibits at Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, photograph the Firebird sculpture outside
Check out the Magic Carpet Murals on the Rail Trail
Learn the city’s history at the Charlotte Museum of History
Wander the preserved homes of the historic Fourth Ward neighborhood
Grab lunch at the 7th Street Public Market
Get your adrenaline fix at the U.S. National Whitewater Center
Walk through the Sea Life Concord Aquarium tunnel
Take a bike ride on the Little Sugar Creek Greenway
Head to the Music Factory for the perfect night out
Ride the mechanical bull at Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Whisky River
Check out the Revolutionary War sites on the Charlotte Liberty Walk
Browse the Barnyard Flea Market or Dandelion Market
Go for a brewery hop and try out the area’s craft beer
Pedal your way around Lake Norman on a cycle boat
Wander the South End art galleries and outdoor sculptures
Check out the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden Orchid Conservatory
Tour the city on a comedy bus
Ride the Giga coaster at Carowinds amusement park
Photograph the skyline from the corner of 3rd St. and Church St
Relive a civil rights sit-in at a lunch counter at the Levine Museum of the New South
Shop the boutiques on East Boulevard in Dilworth
Take a ghost walking tour through the Fourth Ward
Have a lunch of fried chicken and hush puppies at Price’s Chicken Coop
Photograph the Metalmorphosis Sculpture, The Writer’s Desk, and Charlotte’s Giant Han
Browse the American Art collection at the Mint Museum
Play around in Tidal Wave Bay at the Carolina Harbor water park
Enjoy dinner out at Latta Arcade or Brevard Court
Tour the birthplace of President James K. Polk
Photograph the statue of Captain James Jack in Elizabeth Park
Paddleboard, canoe, or kayak on the Catawba River, Lake Norman, or Lake Wylie
Catch the Catawba Queen Mississippi riverboat for a dinner cruise
Enjoy a cocktail with a view at Fahrenheit, Nuvolé Rooftop TwentyTwo, City Lights Rooftop, or Merchant + Trade
Jump off the rocks and go for a swim in The Quarry at Carrigan Farms
Taste your way across the Swan Creek Wine Trail
Check the Charlotte North Carolina Tourism Board website for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening during your stay.
Bookmark and Pin Things To Do In Charlotte North Carolina


My Favorite Booking Resources
- Discover Cars Search, compare and save on car rentals.
- Trainline Explore effortlessly by train and bus.
- Booking.com Search Booking.com to find the perfect property.
- Hostelworld Hostelworld has great inexpensive options.
- Get Your Guide Don’t chance it, the best attractions sell out.
- Tiqets Get your tickets now, relax when you arrive.
- Big Bus Tours Hop-on Hop-off at all the iconic landmarks.
- Go City Card Save up to 50% on attractions, tours and activities.
- Welcome Pickups Airport and port transfers.
- Visitors Coverage Pick the right travel insurance for you.
- Use code SAVE10 to pick up a travel guide from Lonely Planet to browse on the plane.
- Shop my Amazon travel essentials and have them delivered to your home.