24 Hours in Charlotte: Top Attractions in the Queen City

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Vibrant, modern, and welcoming, the Queen City does not disappoint. Named after the Queen consort of the British King George III, you might not encounter any royalty when here, but there’s plenty to enjoy. You can enjoy a variety of recreational opportunities, including museums, outdoor activities, professional sports and one-of-a-kind restaurants and bars. Home to Fortune 500 companies like Bank of America, Honeywell, and Nucor ­– Charlotte, North Carolina buzzes with a mixture of visitors for both business and pleasure.

No matter your reason for visiting, read on to discover how to get the most out of 24 hours in Charlotte.

U.S. National Whitewater Center

Set on 1,300 acres, the U.S. National Whitewater Center delivers hours of fun for aquatic adventurers of all skill levels. Dive right in and get involved with white water rafting, kayaking, and paddle boarding. If you’d rather keep your feet dry but still get your heart pumping, sign up for rock climbing, a rope course, zip lining, and mountain biking, or take it slow with a morning yoga class in the open air.

When you’re done burning energy, satisfy your hunger at the Pump House Biergarten and The River’s Edge Bar & Grill where they serve up delicious bites and an array of beverages. Stay a little longer to enjoy live music at the River Jam summer concert series that takes place on Thursday and Saturday evenings.

7th Street Public Market

The 7th Street Public Market sits in the heart of Charlotte's Center City. A cross between a farmers’ market and a food court, you’ll enter to the welcoming aroma of freshly baked bread and brewed coffee. In addition to local produce, the vendors offer a number of unique treats like gourmet popcorn, handmade cheeses, and refreshing raw juices. You can find tasty breakfast and lunch dishes including Nutella banana crepes, roasted Portobello sandwiches, and sprouted-grain pizzas. Be sure to browse the artisanal Italian groceries on offer too, ideal for stocking the refrigerator or as great gift ideas. 

Sports Sensations

For professional sports enthusiasts, Charlotte certainly delivers. The Carolina Hornets always put on a show for basketball fans at the Spectrum Center, and the Carolina Panthers entertain football fans at Bank of America Stadium. Few things can beat NASCAR at Charlotte Motor Speedway however, and a trip through the NASCAR Hall of Fame is a firm favorite for many. Baseball and hockey aficionados root for minor league teams here — the Charlotte Knights or the Charlotte Checkers — as they bat or skate their way to victory.

Museums

Charlotte's Levine Center for the Arts includes three popular museums. The Mint Museum of Craft + Design features a myriad of ceramic, glass, metal, wood, and fiber pieces, exploring international craft. The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture celebrates the country's African American influences on culture, and the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art thrills art enthusiasts with a variety of modern masterpieces. For local artistic flavor, explore the galleries in Charlotte’s South End and North Davidson (NoDa), or participate in gallery crawls every 1^st and 3^rd Friday of the month.

Charlotte has much to offer the ardent history buff and exhibits like "Cotton Fields to Skyscrapers" at the Levine Museum of the New South are a good place to start. This permanent installation explores the transformation of the Charlotte region over the past 150 years. West of Charlotte you can find Crowders Mountain State Park, a lush open space with plenty of valleys and foothills to explore. Dogs are welcome in this national park, just don’t forget to bring your hiking boots! 

Food & Drink

Professional accomplishments deserve a reward, and Charlotte offers up some tasty ways to celebrate a job well done. If you’re looking for Southern farm-to-fork cuisine with a modern twist, try eateries like The Asbury, Heirloom, and The King’s Kitchen. Midwood Smokehouse satisfies a hankering for barbecue in a lively, roadhouse-style setting, and Pinky’s Westside Grill is a local spot with big plates and bigger sandwiches that you might just recognise from Guy Fieri’s, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.  

If you’re looking for something with international appeal, why not try Lang Van, an authentic Vietnamese restaurant with a menu that has something for everyone? The Cowfish Bar puts a spin on Asian cuisine offering burgers, sushi, and even a unique combination of the two.

Make the most of your free time in Queen City by exploring the history, art, and food of the region. Connect with us on Facebook or other social media to share how you spent your day.