59+ Fun Things to Do in Charlotte NC in 2024 | Events & More
Looking for Fun Things to do in Charlotte NC?
We live just north of Charlotte in the Lake Norman area and love that we can visit and explore as much as we would like, especially for its incredible museums, restaurants, and more.
Charlotte is a city of many stories, intriguing activities, and a rich history. It is the most populated city in North Carolina and has enough activities to last a lifetime. The city’s history dates back to the 18th century, a time before the American Revolution.
It was the site of the first gold rush, then a railroad junction, and eventually took off as a cotton mill hub. From there, Charlotte has grown even larger artistically and culturally.
This impressive city is extraordinarily unique. As you walk along the old brick sidewalks, you can look up at the freshly built skyscrapers. It is a history lesson built into a modern utopia. Many know Charlotte as being home to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Carowinds, a plethora of museums, and an exciting music and food scene, but there is also so much more.
Charlotte can be the perfect place for a family vacation, a romantic weekend getaway, or anything else your heart desires. Don’t think twice about making Charlotte your next vacation. You will not be disappointed!
Fun Things to Do in Charlotte NC & Nearby
Figuring out what activities to do during your trip to Charlotte can be challenging! Since there is so much to do, we’ve created this guide to help you see everything there is to offer and what best fits your vacation.
Now let’s dive into our list of Fun Things to do in Charlotte NC
1. Explore Uptown Charlotte
Address: Charlotte
Uptown Charlotte, also known as Center City, is the heart of Charlotte. It is Charlotte’s business district and is full of everything from divine restaurants to museums, parks, music venues, and more.
2. Discovery Place Science
Address: 301 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Discovery Place Science is located in Uptown Charlotte. It is a thrilling science and technology museum for people of all ages with many hands-on activities and even an IMAX Dome Theatre.
3. NASCAR Hall of Fame
Address: 400 M.L.K Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28202
The NASCAR Hall of Fame is one of Charlotte’s most popular attractions. The museum honors all the legendary people who have driven in NASCAR and the history of NASCAR racing.
4. Mint Museum Uptown & Mint Museum Randolph
Address: 500 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC & 2730 Randolph Rd, Charlotte, NC 28207
The Mint Museums are leading cultural museums of art and design. With the two museums combined, there are hundreds of works of art showcased from all over the globe. The Mint Museum is the largest art museum in Charlotte.
5. Carowinds
Address: 300 Carowinds Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28273
Carowinds is a 400-acre amusement park located on the North Carolina and South Carolina border. It is a premier entertainment facility with over 60 rides and attractions, including a waterpark, world-class roller coasters, camping, an on-site hotel, and more.
6. Truist Field
Address: 324 S Mint St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Truist Field is a famous baseball stadium in Uptown, Charlotte. It is the home of the Triple-A Minor League baseball team, the Charlotte Knights.
7. U.S. National Whitewater Center
Address: 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28214
The U.S. Whitewater Center is the world’s premier outdoor adventure center, featuring over a thousand acres of outdoor activities. A few of these activities include whitewater rafting, climbing, ropes courses, mountain biking, ice skating, and so much more.
8. Levine Museum of the New South
Address: 401 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Levine Museum of the New South is a history museum focused on telling stories from all walks of life after the American Civil War.
9. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
Address: 130 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Blumenthal Performing Arts Center is the premier performing arts complex in Charlotte, containing four main theaters. This beautiful center holds symphonies, operas, live music, dance performances, and films.
🎭 Knight Theater
Address: 430 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
The Knight Theatre was originally built as a movie theater and is now home to the Charlotte Symphony and the North Carolina Dance Company.
🎭 Belk Theater
Address: 130 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
The Belk Theatre is the largest and most grand theater out of the four. The venue is beautiful, the atmosphere is grand, and the shows are always breathtaking.
🎭 Ovens Auditorium
Address: 2700 E Independence Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28205
Ovens Auditorium is directly across from Bojangles Coliseum. This large theater has been open since 1955 and has shown over 7,500 events.
10. Bank of America Stadium
Address: 800 S Mint St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Bank of America Stadium is a stadium with 70,000+ seats and is best known for being the home of the Carolina Panthers NFL team. As of 2022, it has also become home to the new MLS soccer franchise, Charlotte FC.
Both teams have a big local following, and on game day, you’ll find tailgating or pre-game festivities taking place in Uptown surrounding the stadium.
When the teams aren’t playing, Bank of America Stadium also hosts occasional large concerts and other events.
11. Romare Bearden Park
Address: 300 S Church St, Charlotte NC, 28202
Romare Bearden Park is a 5-acre public park right across from Truist Field. There are statues, a waterfall, walking paths, and green grass to enjoy.
12. Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
Address: 420 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
The Bechtler Museum of Art is a beautiful museum and only the second building in the country designed by Mario Botta, a Swiss architect. The museum showcases mid-20th-century works of art.
13. Optimist Hall
Address: 1115 N Brevard St, Charlotte, NC 28206
Optimist Hall is a modern, artistic food hall with tons of dining options, bars, and specialty shops. There is lots of comfortable indoor and outdoor seating.
14. AvidXchange Music Factory
Address: 1000 North Carolina Music Factory Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28206
The AvidXchange Music Factory is the site of a former mill that was renovated into its current use as an entertainment complex in Uptown Charlotte. Here you will find several restaurants, bars, nightclubs, a comedy club, and music venues, including:
📌 The Skyla Credit Union Amphitheater seats 5,000 and has a festival lawn space that accommodates another 3,000 concertgoers.
📌 The Fillmore can accommodate up to 2,000 people and is one of the city’s premiere music venues hosting a wide array of bands and shows.
📌 The Underground is a standing-room-only venue that frequently hosts indie bands.
15. The Green
Address: 425 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
The Green is a small pocket park in Uptown Charlotte. It’s the perfect place to sit down and enjoy lunch. There is also a fountain for the kids to splash around in. When our kids were younger they loved to run around this park.
16. Camp North End
Address: 300 Camp Rd, Charlotte, NC 28206
Camp North End is a 76-acre historical site that once produced Model T and Model A cars for the Ford Motor Company. At another point over the last century, the site was used by the US military for missile development, where it gained the CAMP acronym, which stood for Charlotte Area Missile Plant.
Today, Camp North End has been repurposed into one of the area’s most exciting developments. Providing space for restaurants, breweries, shops, art studios, office spaces, a farmers market, event spaces, and more, Camp North End is a growing hub of community activity.
17. Go on Charlotte’s Historical City Tour
Address: 201 E 5th St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Charlotte is a city full of fascinating history, and there is no better way to experience all the history at one time. This tour takes guests on a 7-person golf cart through Charlotte’s most famous historical areas, including the NASCAR Hall of Fame, the Mint Museum, and lots more.
18. Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture
Address: 551 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Harvey B. Gantt was the first African-American mayor of Charlotte. This center, named in his honor, is full of art, cultural exhibits, live shows, educational programs, and history lessons.
19. Spectrum Center
Address: 333 Trade St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Home of the Charlotte Hornets NBA basketball team, the Spectrum Center is a 20,000-seat arena located in Uptown Charlotte. In addition to hosting NBA games, the Spectrum Center frequently hosts large concerts and a variety of events such as Monster Truck shows, wrestling, circuses, and more.
20. Wing Haven Garden
Address: 248 Ridgewood Ave, Charlotte, NC 28209
Wing Haven Garden is a bird and wildlife sanctuary rich in Southern horticulture. Formerly the home and gardens of renowned garden writer Elizabeth Lawrence, Wing Haven offers hands-on exploratory learning experiences and often hosts programs and events.
21. 7th Street Public Market
Address: 224 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28202
7th Street Public Market is an indoor food hall with everything from sushi to pizza, coffee shops, bakeries, and more. They are a non-profit with a mission to support and promote local farmers and artisans.
22. ImaginOn
Address: 300 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28202
ImaginOn is the grandest children’s library in the United States. They have two theaters, dedicated library spaces for kids of all ages, multi-use classrooms, an art studio, and an interactive exhibit space.
23. Museum of Illusions Charlotte
Address: 601 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
The Museum of Illusions is the most mind-bending museum you’ll ever visit. They have an incredible collection of perspective-changing rooms, optical illusions, interactive exhibits, and more. Everyone of all ages will have a blast; we loved how fun it was for our whole family.
24. First Ward Park
Address: 301 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28202
First Ward Park is a 4-acre park in the middle of the city. There are green lawns, walking paths, and benches. During most summer nights, food vendors set up around the park, and live music plays.
25. District 57
Address: 1526 Alleghany St B, Charlotte, NC 28208
District 57 is a warehouse-style entertainment center, including a large lounge area, Bordertown (tactical laser tag), and The Grid, a 30-room challenge area. There are also handmade pizzas and alcoholic beverages.
Designed for teens and adults, for safety reasons, guests must be ten years and up. Friday and Saturday nights are for guests 16 and up.
26. Charlotte Segway Tours
Address: 101 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28280
Walking tours are fun and all, but with segway tours, you can see and learn even more! This segway tour takes visitors through Uptown Charlotte as a guide directs the way and talks about the history and other fun facts about the city.
27. The Rail Trail
Address: The trail starts at any South End Station and ends at E. 12th St
The Rail Trail is a 3.5-mile trail through the heart of Charlotte. Whether you are biking or walking on this trail, it is a great way to get connected to the city and visit new shops, cafes, restaurants, and more.
28. Rooftop Bars
Any great city has several magnificent rooftop bars. Charlotte has dozens of rooftop bars, each offering their own exciting vibes. Popular rooftop bars in Charlotte include Nuvole (the highest roof bar in the city,) Aura Rooftop, The Royal Tot, and Buho Bar.
29. Freedom Park
Address: 1908 East Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203
Freedom Park is one of Charlotte’s larger parks, at 98 acres. The park has a 7-acre lake, lots of walking and biking paths, shaded areas with benches, playgrounds, picnic shelters, ball fields, and tennis courts.
30. SouthPark Mall
Address: 4400 Sharon Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211
Five miles away from Uptown sits the SouthPark Mall. This is an upscale indoor shopping center with all your favorite luxury brands, retail shops, and dining options.
31. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
Address: 6500 S New Hope Rd, Charlotte, NC 28012
The Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is the perfect escape out of the busy city and into an enchanting 380-acre wonderland of natural beauty. There are a handful of different garden areas, all offering a different theme and walking trails. You can also find a wine nook and a store, and live music is frequently played.
32. The Charlotte Museum of History
Address: 3500 Shamrock Dr, Charlotte, NC 28215
The Charlotte Museum of History educates those on the Piedmont Backcountry and the history of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Region. There are seven museums on the grounds, making it one of the more fascinating history museums. Guided tours of all or any of the museums are available.
33. Reedy Creek Nature Center & Nature Preserve
Address: 2986 Rocky River Rd, Charlotte, NC 28215
The Reedy Creek Nature Preserve is almost one thousand acres of natural forested habitat with scenic views, lakes, forest, wildlife, and many miles of walking and biking trails. There is also a large dog park area where you can bring your furry friend. This is a great spot for hiking near Charlotte.
34. PNC Music Pavilion
Address: 707 Pavilion Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28262
PNC Music Pavilion is a grand outdoor music amphitheater that hosts large, exciting concerts. With a capacity of just under 20,000, some of the biggest touring musical acts perform at this venue when visiting North Carolina.
35. Bojangles Coliseum
Address: 2700 E Independence Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28205
Bojangles is a multi-purpose arena that holds everything from Broadway Shows to live performances. Bojangles is the home stadium to the Charlotte Checkers, a minor league, professional ice hockey team.
36. UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens
Address: 9090 Craver Rd, Charlotte, NC 28262
The University of Charlotte put together these botanical gardens as a lovely escape from the city and an opportunity to learn about plant species from around the world. It is a great place to take a stroll or purchase plants.
37. Billy Graham Library
Address: 4330 Westmont Dr, Charlotte, NC 28217
The Billy Graham Library is a large museum and library dedicated to the religious leader Billy Graham. Tours of his home and the library are available, and you can also stop by the Dairy Bar for a bite to eat.
38. Little Sugar Creek Greenway
Address: 1133 Metropolitan Ave, Charlotte, NC 28204
Little Sugar Creek Greenway is a linear park and paved walking path for 19 miles beside Little Sugar Creek. The greenway connects many other city parks and other attractions in Charlotte.
39. Timed Out Escape
Address: 12239 N Community House Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277
Timed Out Escape is one of Charlotte’s premier escape rooms. They have four thrilling escape rooms with different themes and intriguing stories. They also serve alcoholic beverages and food.
40. Haunted Charlotte Ghost and Pub Walking Tour
Address: 235 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Up for a spooky adventure? This is a unique history tour of Charlotte as your guide brings you around the city, telling tales from its haunted past. The tour also stops at several bars where you can purchase drinks and learn about their own eerie backgrounds.
41. Charlotte Douglas Airport Overlook
Address: 7300 Airport Overlook Dr, Charlotte, NC 28208
The Charlotte Douglas Airport Overlook is a wonderful place for visitors to sit and relax while watching the planes take off and land. Food trucks are parked nearby, and there are grassy areas with benches to sit on.
42. Sullenberger Aviation Museum
Address: 4672 1st Flight Dr, Charlotte, NC 28208
Formerly known as the Carolina Aviation Museum but renamed in honor of Sully Sullenberger, the captain who saved the lives of everyone onboard US Airways Flight 1549 when he made a successful landing in the Hudson River.
This museum is located on the grounds of the Charlotte Douglas International Airport and features dozens of aircraft and historical artifacts. Currently closed for major renovations, the museum is expected to reopen in late summer of 2024.
43. Explore the Metalmorphosis
Address: 3701 Arco Corporate Dr, Charlotte, NC 28273
The Metalmorphohsis is unlike anything you’ve ever seen before and a magnificent wonder in Charlotte. This piece of art is a 25-foot-tall metal kinetic head in the center of a beautiful fountain. You can’t visit Charlotte without stopping to see it!
44. Explore the NoDa Neighborhood
✅ Salud Beer Shop
Address: 3306 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205
Salud Beer Shop is an artsy beer hub that has a large variety of beers for sale and on tap. There is a comfortable bar with plenty of seating and great food.
✅ Salud Cerveceria
Address: 3306 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC
Salud Cerveceria is a fun taproom/restaurant/coffee shop and retail store. They have unique flavors of beer and wine from local wineries, along with delicious pizzas and espresso drinks.
✅ Amelie’s French Bakery
Address: 136 E. 36 St, Charlotte, NC 28205 (NoDa location)
Amelie’s French Bakery has four locations throughout the Charlotte area. The newest location in NoDa features a very fun and whimsical French decor. It makes for a great spot to sit and enjoy their traditional French pastries and desserts, coffee drinks, soups, sandwiches, salads, and more. This is our daughter’s favorite place.
✅ The Goodyear House
Address: 3032 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205
A NoDa staple restaurant is The Goodyear House. In an old historical building renovated to have a modern, rustic feel, they serve Southern-style dishes and all your favorite comfort food and drink.
✅ Murals
NoDa is a historic arts district of Charlotte, and much of this neighborhood is filled with lively, vibrant art. At the entrance of NoDa (N. Davidson and 35 St), you’ll see the iconic “Bloom” mural, and from there, simply walk around and keep your eyes open!
✅ NoDa Breweries
Over the past decade or so, the craft beer scene in Charlotte has absolutely exploded, with upwards of 50 breweries now doing business in the area. NoDa has been one of the most prominent locations where you will find multiple breweries within walking distance of one another. Check out our list of breweries below, which includes some NoDa favorites.
45. Sleepy Poet Antique Mall
Address: 6424 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28217
Sleepy Poet Antique Mall is a one-story brick building packed full of antiques and collectibles. They host over 250 vendors that all have their own unique items and trinkets.
46. Hendrick Motorsports Museum
Address: 4425-4471 Papa Joe Hendrick Blvd, Concord, NC 28027
Hendrick Motorsports Museum is a stock-car racing museum that has a great display of race cars and lots of little history lessons behind the sport. They also have a fantastic gift shop with clothing and souvenirs.
47. Sea Life Charlotte-Concord Aquarium
Address: 8111 Concord Mills Blvd, Concord, NC 28027
Sea Life is an interactive water discovery museum in the Concord Mills Mall. The aquarium has thousands of different species of aquatic life, a huge interactive touch pool, and a 180-degree tunnel.
48. Carolina Raptor Center
Address: 6000 Sample Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078
For those who love birds, this is the perfect place to go! At the Carolina Raptor Center, they rescue and rehabilitate many types of birds, including owls, hawks, vultures, eagles, osprey, and more. The Raptor Trail walks you through the center to see the birds they are currently caring for in natural habitats. They also hold flight shows and have a few indoor exhibits.
49. Mission Laser Charlotte
Address: 10403 Park Rd Unit J, Charlotte, NC 28210
Mission Laser Tag is a wonderful, family-friendly laser tag area. They have a variety of different themes, one-on-one game opportunities, and great deals on tickets like $1 day and more.
50. Escape Tactic Escape Room
Address: 130 Southside Dr, Charlotte, NC 28217
Escape Tactic Escape Room is a unique escape room experience that has amazing decor and professionally designed rooms, including a room where you can go face-to-face with your opponents.
51. Breakout Games – Charlotte
Address: 11025 Carolina Pl Pkwy, Pineville, NC 28134
Breakout Games is an excellent escape room option. You have only one hour to solve the puzzle and make it out of the locked doors.
52. DEFY Charlotte
Address: 8116 University City Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28213
DEFY Charlotte is an extreme air sports center with ball pits, ninja courses, trampolines, trapeze lines, and more!
53. Ray’s Splash Planet
Address: 215 N Sycamore St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Ray’s Splash Planet is a one-of-a-kind indoor water park with water tunnels, slides, and lots of pools of water. Designed for kids ages 3-12, this is a great stop for the family.
54. Victory Lane Indoor Karting
Address: 2330 Tipton Dr, Charlotte, NC 28206
Victory Lane Indoor Karting is a thrilling indoor karting ring with a ⅓ mile track. They also have bowling, virtual reality, axe throwing, and a large event space.
55. iFLY Indoor Skydiving – Charlotte
Address: 7840 Lyles Ln NW, Concord, NC 28027
iFly has been in business since 1998 and has taught thousands of people the fun and the safety of skydiving. If you have always wanted to go skydiving or are a little scared of heights, this is a perfect way to ease into the experience. They welcome flyers from ages 3 – 103, an experience that is fun for the entire family.
56. Charlotte Regional Farmers Market
Address: 1801 Yorkmont Rd, Charlotte, NC 28217
Charlotte Regional Farmers Market is a large indoor venue open year-round. Vendors from all over the state come to share their produce, farm goods, baked goods, soaps, clothing, and more.
57. Rent a paddle boat from Dave’s Paddle Boats
Address: 8933 J M Keynes Dr, Charlotte, NC 28262
Dave’s Paddle Boats offers a variety of paddle boats to take out on the lake near UNC Charlotte. It is a great way to get out on the water and enjoy quality time with your partner, friends, or family.
58. Super Abari Game Bar
Address: 1015 Seigle Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
Super Abari Game Bar features over 50 classic arcade games and 35 pinball machines. They serve alcohol and are mostly a 21+ establishment but have all-ages hours between noon and 5 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
59. Charlotte Motor Speedway
Address: 5555 Concord Pkwy S, Concord, NC 28027
The Charlotte Motor Speedway is one of the most prominent race tracks in the country and has a 1.5-mile oval track as well as a 4-lane drag racing strip. NASCAR hosts many races here throughout the year, including the Coca-Cola 600. With over 380 events hosted here each year, there is always something to do between races, car shows, driving schools, tours, and so much more.
Breweries in Charlotte NC
There are so many amazing breweries in Charlotte, NC; we cannot list them all here, but these are some of our favorites. We are creating an article on all the breweries and will publish it when available.
✅ The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery & Biergarten
Address: 4150 Yancey Rd, Charlotte, NC 28217
The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery is the oldest craft brewery in Charlotte. Set on an 8-acre property in LoSo (lower south end), their massive beer garden offers lots of comfortable seating and freshly brewed beers served daily. They also serve food and brunch on weekends. Catch a live show, and stop in for a classic brewed beer.
✅ NoDa Brewing Company – North End
Address: 150 W 32nd St, Charlotte, NC 28206
NoDa Brewing Company is a staple brewery in Charlotte. They have three locations. However, their North End location is where it all began. This is their main production facility, taproom, and beer garden. This is a beautiful and comfortable spot to bring the family and enjoy food and drink.
✅ Wooden Robot
Address: 1440 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28203
Wooden Robot is an urban farmhouse-style brewery that blends the science of brewing beer with the artistic nature of Charlotte. They have two locations that both have to-go beers, beers on tap, and food options.
✅ Sugar Creek Brewing Company
Address: 215 Southside Dr, Charlotte, NC 28217
If you are on the hunt for Belgian-style beers, well, look no further. Sugar Creek Brewing Company is dedicated to serving the Carolinas the best Belgian-inspired ales. The flavors are traditional, with a twist that you’ll adore.
✅ Birdsong Brewing Company
Address: 1016 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28206
Birdsong is a comfortable neighborhood brewery that serves growlers, flights, and pints. The atmosphere of Birdsong is relaxed and casual and will make you feel right at home. They hold many live events, and food trucks are parked outside every weekend.
✅ Lenny Boy Brewing Co
Address: 3000 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28217
Lenny Boy Brewing Company brews its own organic hard kombuchas, sours, and traditional beers, and they also have a menu with delicious snack foods. Their taproom is large with plenty of seating and a great place to catch a live music show or group yoga.
✅ Devil’s Logic Brewing
Address: 1426 E 4th St, Charlotte, NC 28204
Devil’s Logic serves 22 rotating tap beers on their beautiful rooftop bar. They have amazing views, delicious beers, and a diverse food menu.
✅ Heist Brewery
Address: 2909 N Davidson St, Charlotte, NC 28205
Heist Brewery originally opened in NoDa in 2012 as Charlotte’s only craft brewpub. They have since opened a second facility adjacent to Camp North End, Heist Brewery, and Barrel Arts. Both locations feature large taprooms and outdoor seating areas, and each spot serves astoundingly good beer and food.
✅ Suffolk Punch Brewing
Address: 2911 Griffith St, Charlotte, NC 28203
Suffolk Punch Brewing is everything you could ask for and more. They are a brewery, a coffeehouse, an American eatery, and a fermentation lab all in one, and they do everything at a very high level..
✅ Resident Culture Brewing Company
Address: 2101 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
Resident Culture Brewing Company serves up unique flavors of all your favorite varieties of beer. They have a sizable industrial-style taproom with an ample-spaced patio and food trucks on Fridays.
✅ Petty Thieves Brewing Co
Address: 413 Dalton Ave Suite B, Charlotte, NC 28206
Petty Thieves is fueled by passion and imagination. Upon entering their enchanting taproom, you’ll feel like you walked into a Harry Potter book. The atmosphere of their taproom is one of the most unique in Charlotte, and to top it all off, they have spectacular beers.
✅ HopFly Brewing Co
Address: 1327 S Mint St, Charlotte, NC 28203
Located in the South End of Charlotte, HopFly is a local favorite! They have 20 beers on tap in their large taproom, which also has a large patio. They serve beer, wine, seltzer, and non-alcoholic drinks. If you’re hungry, they have a great on-site food truck called Katsu-Kart.
✅Take a Brewery Tour
Address: 601 S College St, Charlotte, NC 28202
There is no better way to see some breweries in one night than by taking this Charlotte Craft Brewery Tour. A guide will drive you to four different craft breweries where you will sample beers and get an insider peek at the brewing process. The tour also stops at the Midwood Smokehouse for a warm, delicious meal.
Restaurants in Charlotte NC
There are so many amazing restaurants in Charlotte, NC. We cannot list them all here. Here are just a few favorites.
✅ Sea Level NC
Address: 129 E 5th St, Charlotte, NC 28202
This chic Charlotte restaurant serves a great selection of seafood and traditional Southern dishes. Stop in for an oyster happy hour and try a delicious handcrafted cocktail.
✅ Fin & Fino
Address: 135 Levine Ave of the Arts #100, Charlotte, NC 28202
Fin & Fino is an elegant establishment in Charlotte with the best selection of oysters and wine. Stop in for “The Treatment,” an interactive dining experience where guests hand the menu over to the servers and the kitchen, which then gives patrons a tasting experience of the menu. This experience is fun and a great way to try a little bit of everything.
✅ Bardo
Address: 1508 S Mint St, Charlotte, NC 28203
Bardo is a chef-driven, new American-tasting menu restaurant meaning they serve only small plates. It is a very unique and fun experience. Reservations are highly recommended!
✅ Fahrenheit Charlotte
Address: 222 S Caldwell St, 21st Floor, Charlotte, NC 28202
Fahrenheit Charlotte is a fine dining experience unlike any other. They offer New American foods with an Asian-style twist and an extensive drink list, including wines and specialty cocktails. Each table has an amazing view of the city skyline. A business casual dress code is required for each guest.
✅ The Fig Tree Restaurant
Address: 1601 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28204
The Fig Tree is a culinary experience in a restored 1913 Craftsman bungalow. They have unique Continental foods and a large wine menu.
✅ Peppervine
Address: 4620 Piedmont Row Dr., Suite 170B, Charlotte, NC 28210
Peppervine is one of the few independent eateries in the area. The atmosphere is unlike any other, as you feel like you walk into a museum upon entry. There are high ceilings, funky lights, and abstract art fixtures. Peppervine serves a progressive menu of small plates and an extended tasting menu with flavors from around the world.
✅ Copper Modern Indian Cuisine
Address: 311 East Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203
At Copper Modern Indian Cuisine, they serve elegant Indian foods in an updated historic bungalow. The atmosphere is relaxed and vibrant, and they offer some of the best Indian food you’ll ever try.
✅ Milkbread (Plaza Midwood)
Address: 1431 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
Milkbread is an all-day casual restaurant that serves their famous milkbread donuts, crispy chicken, coffee, and wine. Delicious! Milkbread also has a location in Davidson NC as well.
✅ Noble Smoke
Address: 2216 Freedom Dr, Charlotte, NC 28202
Inside this industrial, comfortable setting, you’ll get an amazing hickory-smoked BBQ and all your favorite Southern-style sides.
Looking for Things to Do in Charlotte NC for Couples?
Annual Events in Charlotte NC
Interested in attending any annual Charlotte events? Here are some of the biggest and best Charlotte fairs, festivals, parades, and events.
✅ Charlotte SHOUT! (March 29 – April 14, 2024)
Address: 209 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC
Charlotte SHOUT! Is a multi-week festival to celebrate Charlotte’s creative, artistic community. In Uptown Charlotte, there will be live-action art, performance art, live music, dance, food trucks, and more! Over 20 art installations line the festival streets, all with their own unique vision.
✅ Queen Charlotte Fair (April 11-21, 2024)
Address: 5650 Sandusky Blvd, Concord, NC 28027 (Charlotte Motor Speedway)
Picture a classic town fair with rides, kettle corn, cotton candy, fried dough, games, and live music. That is exactly what the beloved Queen Charlotte Fair is. Entertainment at the Charlotte Fair includes magic shows, the Wall of Death Motorcycle Show, Hot Dog Pig Racing, and more. This is a family event you don’t want to miss.
✅ Tuck Fest at the U.S. National Whitewater Center (April 19-21, 2024)
Address: 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28214
Tuck Fest is the U.S. National Whitewater Centers’ famous multi-day music festival that celebrates outdoor life and adventure. There are competitions, exhibitions, performances, and lots of tasty food. Competitions include obstacle courses, bike marathons, climbing, kayaking, trail running, and more.
✅ North Carolina Brewers and Music Festival (They are taking a break in 2024 and will be back in 2025)
Address: 4431 Neck Rd, Huntersville, NC
For two days in May, North Carolina Brewers Festival brings your favorite breweries and music artists together for an extremely fun event. The atmosphere is always lively, there will be plenty of spectacular food trucks, and there are camping options.
✅ Taste of Charlotte (June 7-9, 2024)
Address: 101 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Taste of Charlotte is an exciting three-day food festival in Uptown Charlotte. There will be vendors and samples from local restaurants, performances, live music, games, and lots of free coupons, gifts, and more. This is a free event to attend, purchase coupons to play games and get food samples.
✅ Symphony in the Park & Fireworks (June 22, 2024)
Address: 11536 Bailey Rd, Cornelius, NC
One of the most beloved events in and around Charlotte is the annual Symphony in the Park, a fireworks Fourth of July event. The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra will be playing on stage as thousands gather to watch the beautiful firework light show. This is a free event.
✅ Festival in the Park (September 20-22, 2024)
Address: Freedom Park
One of the oldest traditions in Charlotte is the Festival in the Park, which has taken place since 1964. It is simply a festival to celebrate Charlotte, life, and fun. There will be big band music, among other live musicians, games, kids activities, art, and food trucks.
✅ Carolina Renaissance Festival (October 5 – November 24, 2024)
Address: 16445 Poplar Tent Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078
The Carolina Renaissance Festival is one of the best and biggest Renaissance fairs around. On 25 acres, there is a storybook village, “Fairhaven,” filled with old-timey food, games, costumes, and activities.
Special event weekends like “Kids Weekend,” “Brewfest Weekend,” and “Pirates Weekend,” to name a few, take place over the two months. Have fun, dress up, watch a joust, and try delicious 16th-century food!
✅ Carolina Balloonfest (October 18 – 20, 2024)
Address: 260 Hangar Dr, Statesville, NC 28677
For 48 years, the Carolina Balloonfest has been making a beautiful scene in central North Carolina. Twice a day for three days, dozens of big, beautiful, hot air balloons will be lifted into the sky. Bring a blanket, some lawn chairs, and your camera, and watch the sights. Food trucks will be parked around the event.
✅ Thanksgiving Day Parade (November 27, 2024)
Address: 200 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
A long-standing tradition in Charlotte is the annual Thanksgiving Day Parade. The parade kicks off on the 27th, the night before Thanksgiving, as they fill the streets with lights and fun. Witness the floats, the food, the street cars, and more.
Where To Stay in Charlotte NC
Best Budget Option
📍Best Western Sterling Hotel – Are you looking for something comfortable on a budget? The Best Western in Charlotte is your best option and is just a few miles from popular Charlotte attractions. The rooms are clean and comfortable and come with free breakfast, wifi, and access to the fitness center. It will be the perfect place for a family vacation or a couples’ weekend getaway.
📍Stylish Charlotte Home – This stylish home is only five miles from the Charlotte Motor Speedway, PNC Music Pavilion, Uptown Charlotte, and close to many more attractions. The house is modern and stylish, with a little artistic Charlotte flair. There are five bedrooms (sleeping up to 12 guests), three bathrooms, and a beautiful private backyard with a covered patio, hammock, and grill. This home is a splurge, but well worth it for the whole family to have a great vacation.
Charlotte NC: FAQs
📌 Is Charlotte NC, worth visiting?
Yes, Charlotte is certainly worth visiting. You can easily spend a weekend or even a week exploring the city, learning, seeing, and experiencing new things that the whole family will enjoy.
📌 What is Charlotte NC, known for?
Charlotte is known for being the largest city in North Carolina. It is also known for having world-class sports venues, an amazing culinary scene, and amusement parks, and for being an artistic and musical city.
📌 Is Charlotte a walkable city?
Technically, Charlotte has a low walk score. However, many shops and restaurants are in the same neighborhoods, and paths like the Little Sugar Creek Greenway connect big areas of the city. It is an easier and better biking city, as they have many bike lanes and bike-friendly paths.
📌 Is Charlotte or Raleigh better to visit?
Both cities are special in their own way. Raleigh has better museums and more history, while Charlotte has a more hip bar, restaurant, and music scene. Many say that Raleigh is easier to visit with kids. It really depends on the kind of trip you are looking to have!
Check out our guide For a Charlotte Weekend Trip
3 days in Charlotte
Final Thoughts
Charlotte is a city of many faces, but there is always something unique and wonderful happening. It is well worth the visit, and you and the family will surely have the most exciting time seeing everything the big city has to offer. Have a wonderful vacation!