From sandy beaches to stately mountains, the Carolinas have so much to offer, and a destination worth visiting in this region in the United States is the city of Charlotte. Charlotte is unlike any other city in the United States. This city in North Carolina is endowed with verdant rolling hills. And that’s not all. For travelers who want to explore this destination, there are a lot of things to do in Charlotte, from visiting the NASCAR Hall of Fame to feasting your eyes upon the exhibits displayed in its museums, plus more. 

Charlotte is the largest city in North Carolina, and is a popular banking hub. Nevertheless, not everything in “Banktown” is strictly about business. Charlotte also offers a streak of playful atmosphere. Creativity cuts through all the professionalism, giving the city a casual yet cosmopolitan appeal. These make knowing the best things to do in Charlotte even more interesting.

Best Things To Do In Charlotte

Explore Charlotte like a true traveler does. Get to know the best things to do in Charlotte right now. 

1. Be A Racing Reporter For A Day At The NASCAR Hall Of Fame

Charlotte has been equated with car racing. Well, the city is the home of NASCAR, or the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. Why? It’s mainly because of the Charlotte Speedway being the venue of NASCAR’s very first Strictly Stock Series, which is now the NASCAR Cup Series, in 1949. But whether you are a car racing fan or not, what you’ll be reading about next is one of the things to do in Charlotte that you should not miss. 

Racing enthusiasts would recommend the NASCAR Hall of Fame as a point of destination for everybody visiting Charlotte. This museum keeps things buzzing in the world of car racing with its high-tech exhibits, racing simulators, and even a theater. 

When you’re here, you can head over to the Heritage Speedway exhibit that details NASCAR’s 70-year history through authentic artifacts and educational clips. Then, there’s also the Inside NASCAR exhibit that offers guests a more intimate and interactive perspective into how a NASCAR team gears up for race day. Here, you can virtually take a car apart so you see how each part works, try performing the duties of a NASCAR reporter, and even give racing a try as you get behind the wheel of one of the museum’s various racing simulators. The NASCAR Hall of Fame will surely bring you stories you can tell when you head home.

2. Experience The Need For Speed At The Charlotte Motor Speedway

If what you saw at the NASCAR Hall of Fame inspired you to try the activity, especially if you came here not being a car racing fan, you might want to experience driving first-hand. These things to do in Charlotte are accessible at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Once you’re done with your tour of this place, you’ll be talking like the experts, like seriously! Racing may be noisy, and its speeds may be dizzying and thundering in your chest, but the experience here is one-of-a-kind, you’ll never want to miss it. 

Tourists can choose to stay overnight – meaning to say, camp in tents or set up your RV in its RV-friendly sites – or, take your own laps and experience the need for speed. If you are unsure whether everything will be okay if you get yourself behind the wheel, you can opt for the NASCAR Ride Along experience, where you’ll sit as a passenger but experiencing the thrills will still absolutely be there.

Welcome to this “things to do in Charlotte” guide. Before you continue reading, you might want to bookmark other experiences in North Carolina. 

3. Conquer The Rapids At The Whitewater Center

Who says Charlotte is just all about the racing? Right now, we begin the list of the things to do in Charlotte other than NASCAR. More adrenaline rush await you in this city in North Carolina. Introducing the Whitewater Center. 

The Whitewater Center is a facility just a few minutes away from Uptown, the heart of the city. It is the world’s biggest man-made whitewater river, so you have a wide range of choices, whether you like flatwater or whitewater kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, or the thrill of them all, whitewater rafting. And you’re sure you’ll get the experience you are looking for, as the Whitewater Center is home to one the best whitewater rafting tours all across North Carolina. 

But, if you prefer to stay dry, you don’t need to leave this place. The Whitewater Center also provides areas for land activities such as mountain biking, rock climbing, and ziplining. Mind you, it also offers plenty of running trails and obstacle courses if you feel getting more rigorous.

4. Let North Carolina Introduce Itself To You At The Levine Museum Of The New South

Tracing the story of the “New South” which emerged from the ashes of the Civil War, the Levine Museum of the New South showcases the years of Reconstruction, Jim Crow, and Civil Rights movement. As you take in the things to do in Charlotte here, you’ll also see haunting images of photographer Dorothea Lange placing the spotlight to the Depression era on North Carolina’s plantations, and there are also changing exhibits that highlight current affairs. 

Actually, the Levine Museum of the New South left its original venue, and now stands in an interim space. Here, aside from those exhibits mentioned above, guests can experience the displays in high-tech style – by using an app. With the museum’s app, you can embark on an immersive GPS-based experience of Charlotte’s Brooklyn neighborhood, once the largest Black community in the Carolinas. The app also grants access to rewards you can redeem at Black-owned businesses in this city.

5. Treat Your Kids To ImaginOn

While your kids will also enjoy NASCAR here in Charlotte, wouldn’t it be great if you fill them with some valuable knowledge too? One of the best things to do in Charlotte if you have your kids on this trip is taking them to ImaginOn. 

ImaginOn, or ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center opened just recently, in 2005, and is the product of the collaboration between the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte.

There are a lot of things to do in Charlotte while you’re here. The venue features a dedicated library space for children 11 years old and below, two state-of-the-art theatre spaces, four multi-use classrooms, a library for teenagers alone, a multimedia production studio, and an interactive exhibit space. 

In addition, amidst the stacks of books and the theatre stage, ImaginOn is the perfect attraction to let your kids immerse into online activities, bilingual programs, and live performances.

We bet this “things to do in Charlotte” article did amaze you. Extend your visit to North Carolina. Did you know we also listed the state’s Blue Ridge Parkway in the most famous landscape photography locations? 

6. Embark On A Journey Aboard The Charlotte Rail Trail

Charlotte’s authorities have made sure that the city is always pedestrian-friendly, so all the things to do in Charlotte will be memorable. A living proof of this effort is the Charlotte Rail Trail. After the route for the local light-rail system was built, this multi-use trail followed suit, both in order to maximize the areas along the trail and connect with other public-use pathways. 

If you need an easier way to enjoy the many things to do in Charlotte, hop aboard the Rail Trail. This 3.5-mile linear public park connects the community to restaurants, bars, breweries, shops, and public art spaces, just to name a few. This urban trail breathes life to Charlotte’s culture and character through artworks, pop-up performances, hangout spots, and opportunities to people-watch. 

7. Get To Know The Life Of ‘America’s Pastor’ At The Billy Graham Library

Touted as the ode to “America’s Pastor,” Billy Graham,” the Billy Graham Library is a vast space where tourists can get the chance to stroll around its grounds, learning about the life and path this pastor led. There are so many things to do in Charlotte when you’re here at the Billy Graham Library, which is close by where Graham grew up here in Charlotte. 

In this site, you can explore the home of the Graham family – restored using most of its original materials – Graham’s personal book collection consisting of nearly 4,000 titles, a Christian bookstore, an exhibit that details the pastor’s life, the Memorial Prayer Garden, and even a lunch eatery called the Dairy Bar. If you’re a little bit of a religious being, this is one of the must-try things to do in Charlotte. 

Loving this “things to do in Charlotte” guide? You might want to also read other related stories on our blog. 

8. Do A Historical Tour Of Charlotte Aboard A Golf Cart

Looking for historical things to do in Charlotte? Perhaps you might want to check this out. The perfect way to do a historical tour of the city is aboard a golf cart. 

This intimate tour lets you explore Charlotte and its history with an expert local guide at the wheel. You’ll visit the city’s popular landmarks like the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Mint Museum, Discovery Place, ImaginOn, Levine Museum of the New South, and several others. If you’re looking to save your time without touring the landmarks alone and without a guide, this is the tour for you.

9. How About A Haunted Tour Of Charlotte?

You’ve seen the fascinating side of Charlotte. How about its haunted side? Have you ever joined a haunted tour of the destination you are visiting? If you haven’t yet, this tour is perfect for you. 

This haunted tour around Charlotte will uncover the North Carolina city’s dark past to you, as you embark on a walking tour of its Uptown area. Instead of visiting museums and famous landmarks, your group will visit places like cemeteries, a Victorian fire station, the Bootlegger House, a local theater, and other areas where paranormal activities are alive. You’ll also be listening to your guide as they tell you spooky stories from Charlotte’s past, particularly during the Civil War and Prohibition periods. If you’re looking for unique things to do in Charlotte, this is the choice.

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Things To Do In Charlotte: How Much Budget Should You Prepare When Traveling To This City?

Traveling is an investment. It is something you won’t get for free. So before you embark on a journey to this city in North Carolina, and enjoy the various things to do in Charlotte, it is important that you know how much budget to prepare. 

You should expect to spend approximately $191 daily during your vacation in Charlotte. This is the average daily price that past visitors to this city have spent. They have also spent an average of $46 on meals for a day, and an average of $33 on local transportation. The price of a hotel room for a couple in Charlotte is $236 on average.

A North Carolina City Endowed With A Beautiful Geography

The United States is known best for its mountain ranges, rivers, lakes, and oceanic costs, to name a few. Charlotte is one of its cities that stand out above the rest. Located in southwestern North Carolina’s Piedmont region, Charlotte is endowed with beautiful rolling hills. And there’s more to this city than just its picturesque geography. 

The city’s quirky mix of friendly neighborhoods, greenways, and urban meeting spaces is known to attract both newcomers and frequent visitors every time. Those who are looking for something special that will give them tons of surprises should visit this destination. From food to art to the outdoors, the various things to do in Charlotte will never fail to impress you.