What to Do when Visiting Charlotte, NC

From Charlotte, NC you have access to the Rocky and Catawba Rivers where hundreds of people visit in the summer for camping, biking and other outdoor activities. The area offers many private spots as well as public swimming and fishing areas. A simple drive through the countryside can thrill those who are unfamiliar with North Carolina’s gorgeous natural scenery like mountains, rivers, caves, wild game and birds.

Heading back into town, you have many choices of entertainment, such as getting tickets to the Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Charlotte also offers visitors the excitement of seeing a Carolina Panthers or Charlotte Bobcats home game or a once-in-a-lifetime day with the Coca-Cola 600 and Quality 500.

Paramount’s Carowinds Water and Theme Park is a full day of excitement for kids as well as adults. Roller coasters, great food, concerts and much more. The theme park features water-theme rides and activities to cool off during the hot Carolina days. The Victory Lane Indoor Karting Center provides hours of go-kart fun then it’s off to the Charlotte Nature Museum or Discovery Place, where science and fun are synonymous.

Love museums? See the Charlotte Museum of History, Mint Museum of Craft and Design, Mint Museum of Art, The Levine Museum of the New South, The Conde-Charlotte Museum or the Charlotte Museum and Folk Society. Other great stops are the McDowell Nature Center and Preserve, The University of North Carolina Botanical Gardens, the Rosedale Plantation and the Afro-American Cultural Center.

Charlotte really comes to life at night when the clubs, bands and bars hip-hop or rock and roll. Visit unique spots like 300 East, 8 Track, 42nd Street, AK&W Lounge, or The Sunset Club. And there are hundreds of great restaurants from fast food joints to candlelight dinner establishments. The Amber House Restaurant, Swing 1000, Carolina Country Barbeque, Boading Chinese Restaurant and the Pewter Rose Bistro are only a few.

Lodging is plentiful in Charlotte, particularly just off the interstate exits. Best Western, Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn, Quality Inn, Ramada, Renaissance Suites Hotel, the Sheraton and Wingate are amongst the dozens of national chain motels and inns. Most offer indoor or outdoor pools, free internet access, continental-style breakfast and ease to Charlotte’s best shopping spots. And many of the motels have in-house specialties like live bands and dancing, cable tv in the lobby, bar and grill, workout rooms and saunas.

There are tour companies to help you see the city of Charlotte. Balloons over Carolina will take you over the town in a hot air balloon and Charlotte Center City Walking Tours offers guided tours to various historical and other locations.

You can find even more to do while visiting the town by going online to search for particular activities, like skating, theaters, concerts, parades, art shows or children’s entertainment.