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Charlotte
North Carolina鈥檚 largest city, Charlotte sprawls 15 miles in every direction from its compact, high-rise core. Futuristic skyscrapers pepper downtown Charlotte, which is officially known as 鈥楿ptown,鈥 supposedly because it sits on a barely visible ridge, but really because the council decided that sounds cooler. Uptown holds several fine museums plus the high-octane NASCAR Hall of Fame, while more museums and historic sites are scattered further afield. Hotels and restaurants are also concentrated Uptown, though funkier neighborhoods within easy reach include Plaza Midwood, just east, with its boutiques and restaurants, and hip NoDa, along North Davidson St, where former textile mills hold breweries and cafes.
Attractions
Must-see attractions
Charlotte
The Sullenberger Aviation Museum, honoring Captain Chesley Burnett 鈥淪ully鈥 Sullenberger III, is located at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
Levine Museum of the New South
Charlotte
Tracing the story of the 鈥楴ew South鈥 that emerged from the ashes of the Civil War, this committed museum explores the years of Reconstruction, Jim Crow鈥
Charlotte
The US Mint opened its first-ever outpost in Uptown Charlotte in 1837, using gold mined from the mountains nearby. Transported 3 miles southeast a century鈥
Charlotte
The race-car simulator ($5) at this rip-roaring Uptown museum hurtles you onto the track and into a 15-car race that feels surprisingly real. Elsewhere,鈥
Charlotte
A stunning modernist edifice tucked between mighty skyscrapers, the Uptown portion of Charlotte鈥檚 Mint Museum consists of two distinct halves. One makes a鈥
Charlotte
This 19th-century cotton plantation occupies a small corner of a scenic nature preserve, a dozen miles north of Uptown Charlotte. Exhibits in the visitor鈥
Charlotte
Illustrating simple scientific principles with eye-catching displays, Discovery Place is targeted largely at kids. It centers on a steamy rainforest that鈥
Charlotte
An Uptown landmark, thanks to sculptor Niki de Saint Phalle鈥檚 huge mirror-tiled Firebird out front, this showcase for 20th-century art was donated to the鈥
Planning Tools
Expert guidance to help you plan your trip
Best Neighborhoods
Get the most out of a visit to Charlotte, North Carolina by spending time in any of its fantastic and eclectic neighborhoods.
Read articleDay Trips
If you鈥檙e eager to venture beyond Charlotte鈥檚 city limits, these towns provide a little day-tripping inspiration.
Read articleFree Things to Do
Enjoy a budget-friendly trip to Charlotte with our list of the best 10 free or cheap things to do in the Queen City.
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