Charlotte, NC

Travel Guide

Charlotte
Charlotte
Bechtler Museum of Modern Art showing modern architecture and outdoor art
Charlotte featuring fall colors and a garden
Billy Graham Library
Visit one of the world’s banking capitals, with top art centers, museums and spectator sports in North Carolina’s beautiful Central Piedmont region.

Charlotte has Southern hospitality, lovely weather, a small-town feel and access to natural beauty in the mountains and on the shore. This city is also an important modern financial center with all the amenities you’d expect in a large metropolis. Enjoy outdoor beauty during the day and appreciate great performances in the evening.

Walk through Charlotte’s downtown area for culture, entertainment and sports action. Attend opera, Broadway productions, symphonies, dance and other performances at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center’s seven venues. Several theater groups put on classic to edgy plays and musicals at other locations in the city. Charlotte’s venues offer more than 65,000 performances and events annually.

The city’s 50 museums and art galleries range from Discovery Place, filled with hands-on exhibits to engage children of all ages, to the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. Carolinas Aviation Museum holds the “Miracle on the Hudson” Airbus that made an emergency landing in New York City’s Hudson River.

Stop in the one-of-a-kind NASCAR Hall of Fame downtown to learn about the sport’s bootlegging history. Drive north of the city to see and hear NASCAR racing at full throttle. The Carolina Panthers play football in a downtown stadium next to the Charlotte Knights baseball field. The city has professional basketball, hockey, lacrosse, rugby, roller derby and women’s sports teams. Just east of downtown, visit the campus and athletic field of University of North Carolina Charlotte.

Watersports abound in this warm-weather location. Swim, canoe and boat on Lake Norman or the Catawba River. Enjoy family whitewater rafting at the manmade U.S. National Whitewater Center and watch Olympic kayakers practicing. Watch famous golfers compete at the annual PGA tournament at Quail Hollow or set up your own golf holiday across the area’s 30 courses.

Charlotte has a diverse international scene. Experience the Charlotte French Cultural Festival in July, watch energetic dancing at September’s Festival of India and enjoy music and arts in the long-running autumn Festival in the Park.

Where to stay in Charlotte

Charlotte Center City showing outdoor art and modern architecture

Uptown Charlotte

4.5/5(2,123 area reviews)

Boasting a bustling business district, Uptown Charlotte offers over 245 restaurants, 50 nightspots, and attractions like the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Easily accessible via the Lynx Blue Line, it's perfect for sports enthusiasts and foodies alike.

Uptown Charlotte
Yummy fried egg!

Ballantyne

4.5/5(199 area reviews)

Explore Ballantyne Village's diverse restaurants and outdoor spaces, or marvel at the 30-foot monuments symbolizing Charlotte's spirit at Johnston Road and Ballantyne Commons intersection. Enjoy rooftop dining in the Panorama Tower.

Ballantyne
On a recent trip to Charlotte, we were turned on to this delicious spot by a member of our film crew.

Though almost every upscale sushi restaurant strives to be innovative, Baku really pulls it off. Unusual and exciting favors can be discovered in their unique signature rolls. The tuna tartare was a tasty surprise. 

Great selection of cocktails and sakes. Very professional, upscale service, cozy modern atmosphere. Highly recommended.

#Food #Delicious

SouthPark

4.5/5(219 area reviews)

Experience upscale shopping at SouthPark Mall, featuring high-end designers like Louis Vuitton and Gucci, or explore nearby complexes like The Village at SouthPark. Easily accessible via CATS buses and I-77, the area also offers a popular route for runners along the SouthPark Corridor.

SouthPark
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University City

4/5(974 area reviews)

Known for its ample dining options and great live music, there's plenty to explore in University City. You can visit top attractions like UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens and Shoppes at University Place, and jump on the metro at McCullough Station or JW Clay Boulevard /UNC Charlotte Station to see more of the city.

University City
New brewery in Charlotte with great beers and a nice patio with a view of uptown. Plan to go on a Friday so you can eat at "Food Truck Friday" two blocks over before walking over.

South End

Experience a vibrant mix of residential, commercial, and industrial development in this high-density area, featuring the Design District and Atherton Mill. Easily explore with the Lynx Blue Line.

South End
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Steele Creek

4.5/5(12 area reviews)

While visiting Steele Creek, you might make a stop by sights like Lake Wylie and Lake Wylie Park.

Steele Creek
Quality Inn & Suites Airport
Quality Inn & Suites Airport
2.5 out of 5
3100 Queen City Drive, Charlotte, NC
The price is ¥9,808 per night from Aug 3 to Aug 4
¥9,808
¥11,304 total
Aug 3 - Aug 4
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Charlotte. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
7.6/10 Good! (2,309 reviews)
"Good place for an overnight stay, great breakfast"

Reviewed on Jul 9, 2025

Quality Inn & Suites Airport
HYATT house Charlotte/Center City
HYATT house Charlotte/Center City
3 out of 5
435 E Trade Street, Charlotte, NC
The price is ¥20,926 per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
¥20,926
¥24,118 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Charlotte. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,356 reviews)
"This lobby and bar area was not very classy. Walked away from the bar. It was not a place I wanted to sit and socialize. There was no cold water in the room. Ice was hard to come by."

Reviewed on Jul 8, 2025

HYATT house Charlotte/Center City
Sonesta Charlotte Lower South End
Sonesta Charlotte Lower South End
3.5 out of 5
5700 Westpark Drive, Charlotte, NC
The price is ¥12,503 per night from Aug 3 to Aug 4
¥12,503
¥14,409 total
Aug 3 - Aug 4
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Charlotte. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 indoor pools, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
"Really liked it! Will be back."

Reviewed on Jul 7, 2025

Sonesta Charlotte Lower South End
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Long Cove Resort & Marina
Long Cove Resort & Marina
3 out of 5
14629 Rainbarrel Rd, Charlotte, NC
Stay at this 3-star beach cabin in Charlotte. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Popular attractions Carowinds Theme Park and Oakton are located ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (178 reviews)
"Its a very colorful place the cabins are perfect. I have stayed a couple times and never been disappointed. The fireworks are the best in the area. I am going back and stay a week."

Reviewed on Jul 4, 2025

Long Cove Resort & Marina
stayAPT Suites Charlotte North
stayAPT Suites Charlotte North
4 out of 5
9655 Statesville Rd, Charlotte, NC
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Charlotte. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Northlake Mall and ...
7.6/10 Good! (64 reviews)
"This was a brand new facility that was working out the construction bugs. Staff was super!"

Reviewed on Jun 13, 2025

stayAPT Suites Charlotte North
Kasa Edison House South End Dilworth Charlotte
Kasa Edison House South End Dilworth Charlotte
3.5 out of 5
1921 Charlotte Dr, Charlotte, NC
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Charlotte. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Spectrum Center and Bank of America Stadium are ...
9/10 Wonderful! (140 reviews)
"Situated in a prime location. Under 10min away from absolutely anything you may need or want to do. I went to see if Charlotte, NC was somewhere I'd like to live. I'm sold. And my Kasa Edison experience played a large part In that decision. Staff was very helpful and attentive even though there is ..."

Reviewed on Jul 11, 2025

Kasa Edison House South End Dilworth Charlotte
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Charlotte

4.3
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
3012
5 - Excellent 45%
4 - Good
2720
4 - Good 41%
3 - Okay
781
3 - Okay 12%
2 - Disappointing
76
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
67
1 - Terrible 1%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Great, progressive city with very clean streets. People were friendly and helpful! Will definitely be returning for another visit!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Overall love the city of Charlotte it’s always a blast when I’m here never disappointed

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Nice place to visits , just have to find the right places to go and or hotel to stay.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

I love Charlotte; a very clean environment with a lot to do and explore!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Here for work it was raining the whole time

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

I love Charlotte

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