Charlotte

Travel Guide

Charlotte
Charlotte
Bechtler Museum of Modern Art featuring outdoor art and modern architecture
Charlotte which includes autumn leaves and a park
Billy Graham Library
Visit one of the world’s banking capitals, with top art centers, museums and spectator sports in North Carolina’s beautiful Central Piedmont region.

Charlotte has Southern hospitality, lovely weather, a small-town feel and access to natural beauty in the mountains and on the shore. This city is also an important modern financial center with all the amenities you’d expect in a large metropolis. Enjoy outdoor beauty during the day and appreciate great performances in the evening.

Walk through Charlotte’s downtown area for culture, entertainment and sports action. Attend opera, Broadway productions, symphonies, dance and other performances at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center’s seven venues. Several theater groups put on classic to edgy plays and musicals at other locations in the city. Charlotte’s venues offer more than 65,000 performances and events annually.

The city’s 50 museums and art galleries range from Discovery Place, filled with hands-on exhibits to engage children of all ages, to the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. Carolinas Aviation Museum holds the “Miracle on the Hudson” Airbus that made an emergency landing in New York City’s Hudson River.

Stop in the one-of-a-kind NASCAR Hall of Fame downtown to learn about the sport’s bootlegging history. Drive north of the city to see and hear NASCAR racing at full throttle. The Carolina Panthers play football in a downtown stadium next to the Charlotte Knights baseball field. The city has professional basketball, hockey, lacrosse, rugby, roller derby and women’s sports teams. Just east of downtown, visit the campus and athletic field of University of North Carolina Charlotte.

Watersports abound in this warm-weather location. Swim, canoe and boat on Lake Norman or the Catawba River. Enjoy family whitewater rafting at the manmade U.S. National Whitewater Center and watch Olympic kayakers practicing. Watch famous golfers compete at the annual PGA tournament at Quail Hollow or set up your own golf holiday across the area’s 30 courses.

Charlotte has a diverse international scene. Experience the Charlotte French Cultural Festival in July, watch energetic dancing at September’s Festival of India and enjoy music and arts in the long-running autumn Festival in the Park.

Where to stay in Charlotte

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Uptown Charlotte

4/5(6 area reviews)

Ample dining options, fascinating museums, and great live music are just a few top things to explore in Uptown Charlotte. A visit to Spectrum Center or NASCAR Hall of Fame might round out your trip, and you can jump aboard the metro at Tryon Street Tram Stop or Charlotte Transportation Center Station to get around town.

Uptown Charlotte
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SouthPark

SouthPark is beloved for its popular shops. Take some time to explore sights in the area like SouthPark Mall and Phillips Place.

SouthPark
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Ballantyne

Travellers come to Ballantyne for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like The Amp Ballantyne and Reclining Bulls Statue while you're in town.

Ballantyne
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South End

When in South End and the surrounding area, you'll want to check out sights like Spectrum Center or Bank of America Stadium and hop on the metro to see more of the city at East-West Blvd Station or Bland Station.

South End
NASCAR Hall of Fame showing interior views as well as a small group of people

Second Ward

Noted for its theatres and museums, there's plenty to explore in Second Ward. Top attractions like NASCAR Hall of Fame and Queen City Quarter are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at 3rd St - Convention Center Station or Stonewall Station to see more of the city.

Second Ward
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University City

4/5(2 area reviews)

Known for its abundant dining options and live music, there's plenty to explore in University City. Top attractions like UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens and Shoppes at University Place are major draws, and you can catch the metro at McCullough Station or JW Clay Boulevard /UNC Charlotte Station to see more of the city.

University City
Omni Charlotte Hotel
Omni Charlotte Hotel
4 out of 5
132 E Trade St, Charlotte, NC
The price is €177 per night from 6 Apr to 7 Apr
€177
includes taxes & fees
6 Apr - 7 Apr
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Charlotte. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a health club, and WiFi (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,122 reviews)
"This hotel was in great area and really was the best place to stay at on Charlotte!"

Reviewed on 7 Mar 2025

Omni Charlotte Hotel
Holiday Inn Charlotte University Executive Park by IHG
Holiday Inn Charlotte University Executive Park by IHG
3 out of 5
8520 University Exec Park Dr, Charlotte, NC
The price is €96 per night from 16 Mar to 17 Mar
€96
includes taxes & fees
16 Mar - 17 Mar
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Charlotte. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,004 reviews)
"Would stay again"

Reviewed on 11 Mar 2025

Holiday Inn Charlotte University Executive Park by IHG
Sheraton Charlotte Airport Hotel
Sheraton Charlotte Airport Hotel
3.5 out of 5
3315 Scott Futrell Drive, Charlotte, NC
The price is €142 per night from 6 Apr to 7 Apr
€142
includes taxes & fees
6 Apr - 7 Apr
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Charlotte. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,000 reviews)
"Property needs upkeep but staff are nice"

Reviewed on 9 Mar 2025

Sheraton Charlotte Airport Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Kasa FreeMoreWest Charlotte
Kasa FreeMoreWest Charlotte
4 out of 5
2109 Morton St, Charlotte, NC
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Charlotte. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (494 reviews)
"Kitchen provided almost anything you could possibly need!! Such a beautiful and fun stay!"

Reviewed on 11 Mar 2025

Kasa FreeMoreWest Charlotte
stayAPT Suites Charlotte North
stayAPT Suites Charlotte North
4 out of 5
9655 Statesville Rd, Charlotte, NC
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Charlotte. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Northlake Mall and ...
8/10 Very Good! (22 reviews)
Comfortable
"Great Stay no complaints."

Reviewed on 4 Mar 2025

stayAPT Suites Charlotte North
Long Cove Resort & Marina
Long Cove Resort & Marina
3 out of 5
14629 Rainbarrel Rd, Charlotte, NC
Stay at this 3-star beach cabin in Charlotte. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Popular attractions Carowinds Theme Park and McDowell Nature ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (133 reviews)
"Pretty resort area with small beach. Was here in the off season but can picture this as being a great place for families in the warmer months. Our rental was nice & had all we needed."

Reviewed on 2 Mar 2025

Long Cove Resort & Marina
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Charlotte

4.1
Top destination
5 - Excellent
4
5 - Excellent 27%
4 - Good
8
4 - Good 53%
3 - Okay
3
3 - Okay 20%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Definitely visit nascar hall of fame Charlotte speedway tour and book a garage pass tour

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Modern city with attractions for a weekend, more a business centre

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Visually entry to Charlotte is impressive. Street works etc detracted but that’s like lots of US cities. Still a nice town to visit.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Love Carowinds theme park.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Nope

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

This was supposed to be a 2 hour stopover that turned into a 29 hr stop. We weren’t in Charlotte to sightsee, what we saw on route to airport looked clean, very green, and no doubt a good place to visit.