10 Best Things to Do in Charlotte

Charlotte’s amusement parks are all within only a half-hour drive of the town’s center. There’s the major Carowinds, established back in 1973. The 407-acre theme park has different themed areas and includes numerous rollercoasters and family rides, as well as its huge Carolina Harbor waterpark.

Other spots in Charlotte for family fun include the Mecklenburg County-run Ray's Splash Planet and the Funtasticks Charlotte aquatic complex, which has mini-golf and go-karts. For some bouncy indoor thrills, there are several trampoline parks around Charlotte such as Sky Zone, Big Air, and Adventure Air Sports.

Head to Ramsey Creek Park for a fun day out on a lakeside beach that’s within a 30-minute drive north from Charlotte. This well-maintained recreational spot on the south-eastern shore of Lake Norman is a great place to swim, boat, fish, picnic, and play. When you’re done with your bait and tackle at the pier or volleying at the lakeside court, you can follow nature trails to further explore the lush surroundings.

Ramsey Creek Park's admission applies for cars and walk-ins, and you might need to book in advance if you wish to use the lakeside picnic shelters. Lifeguards are on duty throughout the summer. It’s best to bring your own parasols since shaded areas on the beach can be limited. Also, weekdays and early mornings see lesser crowds.

Mint Museum Uptown at Levine Center for the Arts in Charlotte is a top spot in town, where you can admire various international art exhibits and scheduled live performances. The museum is striking from the outside with its modern, polygonal architectural styling. Inside, there’s a total of 5 floors, with exhibits displayed on 4.

Mint Museum Uptown also displays works of art collectives and contemporary art installations. Sometimes they’re accompanied by a film with mesmerizing performance pieces. You can check out the museum’s free Wednesday nights, which usually includes lectures and live art performances. Mint Museum has 2 locations, with the other being the original building on Randolph Road.

NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte is a must-visit for fans of American stock-car racing, where the thrill of the race lives on through exhibits and rides. Even those not too acquainted to the sport can easily learn about the fandom and legacy of the drivers through action-packed docufilms shown in the 278-seater High Octane Theater. The 64-ft projection screen and surround sound system help immerse you in the heat of race day.

The exhibition hall displays past and present-day stock cars while younger fans will love racing on the simulators. Head to the NASCAR themed café whenever you’re feeling peckish and check out the cool merch at the gift shop for that chequered flag-themed corner of your room back home.

SouthPark Mall is one of the go-to shopping destinations in Charlotte, located in the neighborhood of the same name, about 15 minutes’ drive south of Uptown. The mall has many high-end brand stores among its tenants, the likes of Neiman Marcus, Louis Vuitton, and Tiffany, along with JCPenney.

Families can spend a whole day here as it’s not just about shopping. There’s a fun play area that's free, together with a kids’ activities center. Many dining outlets in SouthPark Mall also cater to families with kids. For moviegoers, Regal Movie theaters Stadium 16 screens the latest releases and blockbusters.

Mint Museum Randolph is the original location of the Mint Museum in Charlotte, once a branch of the United States Mint. It now collects, conserves, and exhibits important works from the world of art and design from all over the world.

You can tour through numerous galleries and admire various art pieces from the ancient Americas, as well as a vast collection of ceramics and decorative arts from other continents. There’s a theatre where lectures and live art performances are often held. Past events include string quartets, storytelling, dance nights, and even workshops where you can create your own ceramic masterpieces.

The Bank of America Stadium is the home stadium of the Carolina Panthers, the American soccer team and pride of Charlotte. It’s where you can either watch an NFL game or tour the massive sporting facility to learn more about the team.

Featuring a classic American bowl design, the stadium was formerly known as Carolinas Stadium in 1994 and then as Ericsson Stadium in 1996. One thing every generation knows and loves about both the home team and stadium is Sir Purr, Carolina Panther’s mascot – when you don’t see him in the field during a game, you can take him home as a souvenir from the Carolina Panthers team store.