Wondering what the best things to do in Charlotte, NC are? Prepare to be pleasantly surprised: You don’t have to be a NASCAR fan to enjoy all that the Queen City has to offer. You can get your motor revving with any number of activities, whether you’re into the world’s largest man-made river for kayaking, some of the fastest cars in the country, or a burgeoning art and food scene. Outdoor activities aplenty can also be enjoyed in the area. Looking for a little inspiration the next time you plan to visit? Here are 10 of the best things to do in Charlotte, NC on your next stopover.
| Name | Location | Description |
| U.S. National Whitewater Center | 5000 Whitewater Ctr Pkwy | You can find the world’s largest man-made river here in the U.S. National Whitewater Center. It’s 500 acres in which you can kayak, paddle board and, of course, enjoy whitewater rafting. If you’d rather stay on land, zipline, hike or bike the park. |
| Mint Museum Uptown | 500 S Tryon St | This branch of the Mint Museum (there are two) is housed in a five-story modern building. Within its gorgeous, sleek walls, you’ll find diverse collections of American, European and contemporary art, along with a craft and design collection that’s internationally renowned. |
| Carowinds | 14523 Carowinds Blvd | Get your heart pumping on the tallest, fastest, longest roller coaster in the Southeast. This local amusement park’s got everything from the little, itty-bitty kiddy rides to the ginormous, heart-pounding thrill coasters. Not so keen on those? Then head to the waterpark for a splashier kind of fun. |
| Freedom Park | 1900 E Blvd Central Park Region | Freedom Park stretches across some 100 acres, and it’s filled with just about every kind of outdoor activity you’d be interested in. Batting cages, soccer fields, playgrounds, hiking trails plus a seven-acre lake. Enjoy some outdoor music at one of its two bandshells. |
| 7th Street Public Market | 224 E Seventh St | Charlotte’s got a hot food scene, and one of the best places to experience it is at this indoor public market. Besides produce, you can enjoy superb pizza (made with the good sold right there at the market), wines, flowers and, of course, plenty of food. |
| Charlotte Motor Speedway | 5555 Concord Pkwy S, Concord | For a true racing experience, come here in October or May (and buy tickets way in advance). But if your visit doesn’t coincide with regular races, just take a tour, which also gets you in places that are off limits during race days. |
| Billy Graham Library | 4330 Westmont Dr | Explore your spiritual side as you tour the 44,000-square-foot library that tells of the Rev. Graham’s journey from farmboy to internationally renowned pastor and public figure. It includes the home where he grew up from age 9 until he left for college, now restored with 80 percent of its original materials. |
| Carolina Raptor Center | 6000 Sample Rd, Huntersville | The focus of this center is to rehabilitate sick or injured birds of prey, but it also serves as a conservation and education center for more than 25 species of raptors, which you get to see up close and personal. The best time to visit is on the weekend, which is when you can see raptors in action. |
| NASCAR Racing Experience | 6022 Victory Lane, Concord | If you like to drive fast (without getting a pricey speeding ticket), then the NASCAR Racing Experience is for you. The costs and experiences range from a shotgun ride-along for $99 to several driving sessions that can cost up to $3,000. |
| NASCAR Hall of Fame | 400 E Martin Luther King Blvd | If cars get your motor revving, then the 150,000 square feet of exhibits (many of them interactive) here are a must-see. Try your hand at racing in simulator rides, walk right up to (and touch) some antique cars, and experience the love of all things NASCAR. |
Cheat Sheet
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Jeanette Hurt is the award-winning writer and author of eight culinary and drink books, including The Cheeses of California: A Culinary Travel Guide, which received the 2010 Mark Twain Award for Best Travel Book, and The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Wine and Food Pairing. She's written for TheKitchn.com, Four Seasons Magazine, Wine Enthusiast, Entrepreneur.com, and dozens more publications.
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