Charlotte, the most populous city in the state of North Carolina in the United States, is a great commercial and modern place, perfect for any vacation. The urban city has the tagline “Charlotte’s Got a Lot”, and it certainly lives up to that. Award-winning food and beer, distinct and diverse neighborhoods and excellent shopping are only some of the things that make Charlotte great.
Charlotte is named “The Queen City”, a name it has held since the 1760s. When King George III still ruled the colonies, the city was named this after the King’s wife, and the surrounding county was given the name Mecklenburg in honor of her majesty’s birthplace in Germany. The city is steeped in history, including plenty of historic places to visit. You can follow the Uptown Charlotte Liberty Walk, which is a series of bronze plaques and monuments that detail the city’s vital importance during the American Revolution. The key people that contributed to the area’s growth are highlighted on the Trail of History on the Little Sugar Creek Greenway which gives a great insight into the history of the area.
The area has lots of historical haunts, such as the Latta Cotton Plantation. This features people in period costumes reenacting scenes from the past, as it now operates as a living museum. Locals are convinced that ghosts haunt the place today! Skeletons of young lovers were found underneath the old mill bell, up the walking trail of McAlpine Creek Park. Locals claim that there have been sightings of them walking together along the track. The Cajun Queen Restaurant is also known to be haunted, with reports from employees stating the spirit of an elderly woman is often seen in the bar area.
Several other living history spots are found in Charlotte. You can visit the Hezekiah Alexander House, a 1774 restored to its previous glory, shows visitors what life was like for the Alexander family in the 18th century. The Historic Rosedale Plantation is also open to the public for tours, a home built in 1815 for Archibald Frew, it was so extravagant that it was known as “Frew’s Folly”. It has interesting interiors and pretty gardens which you can explore.
Art galleries are a-plenty in the city. The McColl Center for Art + Innovation is housed in an old neo-Gothic church, where resident artists frequently open their studios to the public, to get an insight into the artistic process. The work of masters of modern art, including Picasso, Miro and Calder is situated in the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. The postmodern Swiss architect Mario Botta designed the building, and it is a stunning work of art that attracts many visitors. For craft and design, including glass, wood art and jewelry, as well as contemporary art such as sculptures and paintings, visit the Mint Museum Uptown. This is close to the New Gallery of Modern Art, where visitors can admire art and learn more about it from the artists themselves, as well as find pieces to purchase.
The city is home to the NASCAR Hall of Fame and historic Charlotte Motor Speedway, along with a lot of NASCAR race teams. The sport’s impact on the community is evident as the roots of NASCAR are deep in Charlotte. You can explore the NASCAR Hall of Fame, including its high octane theater, great hall, Glory Road, Great Hall and Heritage Speedway. There is also a Pit Stop Cafe and a Gear Shop, where you can pick up a keepsake to remember your adventure, such as a souvenir, key chains, video or t-shirt. The rush watching one of the races is as great as the rush those get when playing the online slots on RoseSlots.com. Even those who have never seen a NASCAR event will appreciate the need for speed when they are here!
Charlotte is a craft beer kingdom, being home to dozens of breweries. A decade ago, the brewery scene in Charlotte was non-existent, and now there are over 40 breweries in the area, which means beer tourism is thriving here. Plenty of brewery tours are available to go on, where you can visit the breweries, taste lots of samples and see behind the scenes where the beer is made. You can also talk to the brewmasters who make the beers. North Carolina Beer Month, celebrated in April, is a popular time to visit as breweries host many events to promote the beer scene.
Food is loved by locals and visitors alike in Charlotte. Whether you are looking for a hearty meal or a light bite, there is something to suit everyone. Breakfast and brunch sports are extremely popular, with healthy and vegetarian options, to indulgent French style eateries and delectable doughnut shops. Southern-inspired cuisine is a favorite, with amazing fried chicken and burgers available at many restaurants. Dinners in Charlotte pair ambiance with exceptional flavor, from authentic Italian restaurants to soul food bars available.
Let’s not forget about all the great places to take the kids in this North Carolina state. The Discovery Place, voted a clear favorite by tourists, is one of the leading hands-on science centers in the country and allows visitors to gain a greater understanding of science, technology and engineering in a fun and interactive setting. The Carolina Raptor Center is dedicated to the conservation of birds of prey through education, research and the rehabilitation of injured and orphaned raptors and is a great place to visit. Get your skates on and go to the Extreme Ice Center, a 87,000 square foot facility with daily public skating sessions.
With something for everyone to enjoy in Charlotte, it is no surprise that it the region hosts approximately 28 million visitors a year. For more great things to do in Charlotte, visit CharlottesGotaLot.com, where you can find all the can’t-miss events, best restaurants and family-friendly adventure destinations.
