From scrumptious eatery options, admirable museums, the best theatre performance, and free parks, to the choicest breakfast spots, and much more, there are many things you can do in Charlotte. No matter which time of the year you visit this queen city, it is a fun city all year round.
Charlotte, the Queen City of North Carolina is among the largest cities in the United States. This city gets decent snowfall and enjoys mild winters every year. Its pleasant weather attracts umpteen tourists every year, especially during the Christmas season.
Whether it is entertainment, serenity, or art, Charlotte has everything to offer. So, if you are already in Charlotte or planning to visit this beautiful place, you will have innumerable interesting things to do in this Queen City.
In this guide, we have rounded up the best things to do in Charlotte to spend your holidays. Get acquainted with top Charlotte attractions and create the best itinerary for your vacay in Queen City.
Let’s get started!
9 Best Things To Do In Charlotte For the Finest Holiday Experience
Charlotte is known as one of the gems of America. This city is chockfull of historic sites, old churches, religious sites, eateries, and much more. The Queen City is counted as one of the perfect destinations to unwind and enjoy seasonal delicacies.
Talking about food, most restaurants in Charlotte serve the most scrumptious dishes that will satisfy your cravings.
Let’s take a look at some of the best things to do in Charlotte to spend your holidays right!
1. Whitewater Center
Whitewater Center is the largest man-made whitewater river in the world. This place is home to countless water activities including rafting, stand-up paddle boarding, and both whitewater and flatwater kayaking. As this place is counted among the best places for rafting tours in North Carolina, if you want to fill your vacation with adventurous and fun water sports, you cannot miss visiting Whitewater Center at all.
Even if you are not interested in water sports, Whitewater Center can accommodate you as well. There are plenty of land activities that this place houses if you prefer to stay dry. This center offers options for mountain biking, running trails, rock climbing, and zip lining.
Adults Pass: £59.15
Passes of Children aged 9 or below: £51.26
Single activity pass (based on activity): Range between £19.72 to £43.38
Parking cost: £4.73 per day
2. Optimist Hall
Optimist Hall is one of the best places to satisfy your food cravings. It is a perfect spot to have a taste of the finest Charlotte local meal. Consider visiting in the morning, if you want to avoid crowds. The Optimist Hall is extended in a 150000 sq ft space that has several food stalls serving scrumptious local food of Charlotte.
A textile mill converted into a local food scene houses several casual stalls, retail shops, and a few bars. From pizzas, and smoothies, to barbeque, you will find every option here. Every visitor on a vacation looks to discover the best place to taste the local food, so whenever you are in Charlotte don’t miss visiting Optimist Hall.
Entrance Fee: Free
Parking: Free for up to 90 minutes, after that, you will be charged from £3.94 to £14.20
Operational Hours/Days: Mon-Thurs 7 am to 9 pm, Fri: 7 am to 10 pm, Sat: 8 am to 10 pm, Sun: 8 am to 9 pm
3. Billy Graham Library
If have an interest in the life of evangelist, popular pastor, and Baptist minister Billy Graham, this spot has to be on your list whenever you are at the Queen City. Spread in 40000 sq ft, this library has a beautiful landscape which is located where Billy grew up. The best part is, that you can grasp the beauty of this place without spending a penny.
You can take a one-and-a-half guided tour inside the Billy Graham Library and closely look at the pastor’s rich legacy and life. Visitors can explore the family of Graham, his collection of nearly 4000 titles of books, the Memorial Prayer Garden, a Christian book store, and an eatery. Consider wearing walking shoes whenever you plan to visit this place as there is a lot of walking involved if you want to cover it completely.
Admission and Parking fee: Free of cost
Operational Hours/Days: Mon to Sat (9.30 am to 5 pm)
4. Discovery Place Science
Discovery Place Science is one of the most interesting science museums in Charlotte. If you are in the Queen City with your family, your kids would love to spend time in this place. This museum falls no short in exhibiting a range of scientific concepts such as the human body, physics, and earth science.
Visitors can study different types of ecosystems with indoor aquarium and rainforest exhibits, and create and conduct various lab experiments as well. Discovery Place Science also has an IMAX theatre that plays various educational films and has a segment named ‘KidScience Section that offers activities like soft building blocks, a sound wall, and a water table to keep the youngest crowd entertained.
Admission and Parking fee: Free of cost
Operational Hours/Days: Mon to Sat (9.30 am to 5 pm)
5. Mint Museum Uptown
Mint Museum Uptown is another best museums in Charlotte that showcases European and American art. This museum is renowned internationally for its cultural scene and matchless collection of creative art. Mint is one of the oldest museums in the state and is globally renowned for its work and exhibition.
Visitors get a chance to witness the glass and wood artwork evolved over the years. The Lewis Family Gallery keeps changing the exhibits which has made it one of the popular aspects of Mint Museum. If you get hungry while visiting different galleries, you can find eateries within the premises.
Cost: For kids from 2 to 13 years: £14.20, For adults: £18.14
Operational Hours/Days: Mon-Fri: 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, Sat-Sun:10:30 am to 4:30 pm
6. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is one of the best places to visit in Charlotte. Formerly 380 acres of woodlands, fields, and lakefront property, it is now one of the stunning botanical gardens in the Queen City. This garden features walking paths, fountains, a children’s garden, and an 8000 sq ft tropical plant.
If you are a nature lover, you have to take this 110-acre botanical tour. You will encounter several blooming flowers, chirping birds, and buzzing bees which will make your afternoons relaxed. This botanical garden features varieties of seasonal and perennial plants.
Fee: For adults, it is £11.83, and for kids between 5 to 17 years it is £4.73
Operational Hours/Days: Tues, Thurs, Sat, Sun: 11 am to 6 pm, Wed & Fri: 11 am to 9 pm
7. Freedom Park
Visiting Freedom Park and enjoying the serenity is another best thing to do in Charlotte. If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the Uptown, do visit this place and experience the peaceful side of the Queen City.
This park is spread across 100 acres and has several paths for biking as well as walking. The open green space has no shortage of tennis courts, baseball fields, and basketball courts. This park is a great place to spend some hours peacefully away from the city noise.
Cost: Free
Parking: Free and limited
Operational Hours/Days: All days
8. Lake Norman
Lake Norman is a human-made lake that is spread across 34 miles and has shorelines of 520 miles. It was made in 1963 and since then this place has been a popular weekend destination for many locals. If you want to plan a day filled with fun, you can visit Lake Norman and enjoy delicious local food with stunning lakefront views.
Visitors who are interested in different lake activities can easily find rented kayaks, paddleboards, other boats, etc. You can also try lake cruising to enjoy the beautiful views and taste the local food with drinks. If you want to extend your stay in Lake Norman, you will find a variety of vacation rentals and cabins.
Entrance Fee: Free
Operational Hours/Days: All days
9. Charlotte Motor Speedway
If you have an interest in NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing), you have to visit Charlotte Motor Speedway at least once. This place gives you the finest taste of NASCAR culture.
To taste this adventurous experience, you are required to purchase the race ticket a month before. Because purchasing a ticket at the last moment can give you a tough time. Not only the possibility of getting tickets are low but also the price can give you financial strain.
If you are looking for an affordable experience, you can take the ‘Feel the Thrill Speedway Tour’. This tour takes travelers around the Superspeedway and gives them a glimpse of areas that are restricted to access during a race.
Feel the Thrill Speedway Tour Ticket costs: £11.83 per person
Coca Cola 600 Event Cost: £39.43 per person
Wrapping Up
Charlotte is a city that is rich in culture, history, and more, every visitor can find something for them to have a good time. Once visited, Queen City has something that allures visitors to come back to this place again.
So, this is our list of the best things to do in Charlotte to spend your holidays. You can try all or pick a few that entice you the most.
We hope we inspired you to visit the Queen City soon and experience it with bare eyes. Do come back here and share your experience with us!
