Location: Charlotte
Top Things to do in Charlotte
Countries
10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Charlotte That You Shouldn't Miss
Charlotte /ˈʃɑːrlət/ is the most populous city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. Located in the Piedmont, it is the county seat of Mecklenburg County.
Restaurants in Charlotte
1. Billy Graham Library
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,409 reviews
Journey through history with one of the most influential voices of the 20th century. Learn more about Billy Graham and his message of God’s love. Through multimedia exhibits, films, and memorabilia, you'll relive the historic moments of his life. Tour the restored Graham family home, shop in Ruth’s Attic, and enjoy lunch in the Dairy Bar. The Billy Graham Library will leave you inspired by this amazing man and his message of hope.
Reviewed By SilverStar092
This site is a wonderful experience as it includes the Graham homestead, a building housing displays of key events in Rev. Graham's life and a good dairy bar that is perfect for lunch. The grounds offer some nice walking paths as well. Amazingly there is no charge to visit and this is a great place to spend a couple hours.
2. Wing Haven
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 125 reviews
Located in the heart of Charlotte, North Carolina, Wing Haven provides a natural oasis for reflection and study of its three public gardens. Wing Haven Garden & Bird Sanctuary is rich in Southern horticulture and a habitat for birds and wildlife. The Elizabeth Lawrence House & Garden is the site of a world-renowned garden writer's living laboratory. The SEED Wildlife & Children's Gardens provide hands-on exploratory learning and a natural habitat for local wildlife. Together, these three gardens welcome visitors of all ages to discover and learn. Wing Haven also offers more than 40 programs and special events each year. COVID-19 Update: The gardens are open for pre-registered guests to enjoy self-guided tours and visits. No walk-ins. Schedule your visit in advance
Reviewed By onecoolraisin - Huntersville, United States
We really enjoyed this garden and the sister garden down the street (one admission covers both). Well maintained and unique features spread throughout the grounds. Nice retreat right in Charlotte, definitely recommend.
3. Discovery Place Science
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,467 reviews
This hands-on science Museum in Uptown Charlotte features exciting interactive exhibitions, a larger-than-life IMAX Dome Theatre and educational programs. We offer summer camps and birthday parties too.
Reviewed By drwhocooke - Talisay, Philippines
This facility is consistently one of my favorite "accessible science" venues! Entertaining, engaging, and educational displays and activities are suited for all ages, with an emphasis on sparking the curiosity and wonder of children. Don't miss it when you visit (or live in) Charlotte!
4. Levine Museum of the New South
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 563 reviews
Visitors are awed by the interactive, multi-sensory exhibits at this museum dedicated to exploring the Southern United States during the post-Civil War period.
Reviewed By 900johnn - Sydney, Australia
All visitors to this extraordinary "learning through tourism" museum -- which begins its story immediately after the civil war through to the present -- must surely be grateful to the munificent far-farsightedness of the locally-famed Leon Levine & his Levine Foundation without whom this most accessible history of Charlotte & Piedmont's foundation, its trials'n'tribulations -- for mostly African-American people racially & economically, but Caucasians have done it economically tough very often too -- could not have been possible. It pulls no punches about the region's racial inequality.......indeed the 2nd (upper floor) part of the visit graphically evidences that racial inequality & injustice in Charlotte is yet dealt with convincingly>> & likewise so not just in these parts..but nation-wide! Allow 2 hours min. to immerse yourself in engaging & often entertaining visual & sometimes interactive exhibits that never want for intriguing nor enjoying wonderment at humanity's capacity to overcome. Footnote: there's no coffee shop here, but on the far side of the (conveniently adjacent!) Seventh Street under-cover carpark ( where you may have free 2hr weekdays + all day weekend parking validation by the museum !) there's a not unpleasant food hall offering all manner of drinks & food in casual abundance.
5. Mint Museum Randolph
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 150 reviews
Located in what was the original branch of the United States Mint, Mint Museum Randolph opened in 1936 in Charlotte’s Eastover neighborhood as the state’s first art museum. Today, in a beautiful park setting, intimate galleries invite visitors to engage with the art of the ancient Americas, ceramics and decorative arts, fashion, European and African art, among other collections. Resources include a reference library with over 18,000 volumes, a theater featuring lectures and performances, and a museum shop offering merchandise that complements both the permanent collection and special exhibitions.
Reviewed By briandQ3255VQ - Asheville, United States
We really enjoy our visits to the Mint Museum. For a smaller city the Mint does a great job curating new and interesting exhibits. Highly recommend.
6. Charlotte By The Lake Realtors
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 301 reviews
We offer families to find a home here at the largest man-made lake located outside of Charlotte that offers golfing, fishing and boating, with over 500 miles of shoreline and islands you can pull up to and picnic. Enjoy living here or vacationing here. Lake Norman’s communities have a shoreline that rambles through Mecklenburg, Iredell, Catawba and Lincoln counties. It has the cities of Cornelius, Denver, Davidson, Huntersville, and Mooresville, with over 550 miles of shoreline. Lake Norman has islands to explore, parks to hike, new beach to swim, fishing to enjoy golf courses, marinas to store your boat, and restaurants to pull up in your boat. All of this just minutes to downtown Charlotte North Carolina, and Charlotte airport.
7. Hendrick Motorsports Complex
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 450 reviews
Reviewed By movinandgroovin2018 - Atlanta, United States
Located within 5 minutes of Charlotte Motor Speedway, this was a great way enjoy a free museum dedicated to Hendrick's racing team throughout the years. Free to the public, plenty of free parking, and a well stocked gift shop!
8. Fourth Ward
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 100 reviews
Reviewed By 929sues - Normal, United States
We picked up a brochure at the visitor's center downtown and walked the short distance to this area. It was a gorgeous day and we enjoyed seeing the different styles of architecture and reading the short history of each house.
9. Historic Rosedale
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 88 reviews
1815 Federal style house and small gardens. Guided Tours are required to enter the house. Tours are (usually) scheduled for Thursday - Sunday at 1:30 and 3:00 (check website to confirm).
Reviewed By jth713 - Longwood, United States
Because of COVID19 we had to make reservations online. Our tour of this historic house and the grounds was very interesting. Our guide for the house tour was informative. The house has been updated from the original house by the more recent occupants. Supposedly there are several ghosts that have been seen by visitors to the plantation. Thankfully we didn't see any. The grounds were beautiful and well maintained. Overall we enjoyed our stop here.
10. Reedy Creek Nature Center and Preserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 83 reviews
Reviewed By Q3633SWteresas
This park is a great place to spend a day outside! There are picnic areas, a fishing pier, a kids’obstacle course, a basketball court and a disc golf course if you’re looking for recreational activities. My favourite part of the park, though, was the nature preserve and its lovely hiking trails. I picked up a map at the nature centre — which also has some interesting displays of local reptiles — and headed out on a 90 minute walk. The trails were well maintained, wide and easy to hike. They were also well marked. I met an eastern box turtle along the way and only came across one other person. It was a very peaceful and beautiful hike. Half the hiking trails are closed right now because of a stream restoration but there are still options to keep you walking for a couple of hours if you are inclined to do so. I would recommend this place to anyone visiting the area who likes to go for walks in the woods.
