Affectionately known as the Queen City, Charlotte, North Carolina, is North America’s 17th largest city. It’s full of historic architecture, popular sports venues, plenty of family attractions, nature, and a whole lot of southern charm.
There’s so much the city has to offer that it can be overwhelming. That’s why our expert roofing team has put together a list of 9 things to do in Charlotte, NC, that has something for everyone!
1. NASCAR Hall of Fame
If you’re a racing fan, then the 150,000-square-foot NASCAR Hall of Fame is a great place to spend an afternoon. The venue is dedicated to its racing fans and provides plenty of interesting things to see and do, including (but not limited to):
- Interactive exhibits — such as racing simulators
- Tons of racing artifacts
- A state-of-the-art theater that can hold up to 278 people
- The NASCAR Gear Shop
There’s also a Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant right in the venue if you get hungry, which you will after circling the venue and admiring the iconic NASCAR drivers, team owners, and crew members of past and present.
2. Truist Field
If you’re not into racing, North Carolina’s Truist Field is an incredible baseball stadium that’s home to the Charlotte Knights — the state’s Triple-A International League minor league team. It’s a great place to bring the family, a date, or to meet up with friends as the venue offers beautiful skyline views, lots of local food vendors, and easy parking.
3. Discovery Place
Discovery Place is one of the most fun things to do in Charlotte, NC, for the whole family. here’s something for all ages here, including:
- Exhibits that bring science to life
- A larger-than-life IMAX Dome theater
- A look into the human body’s life cycle
- A look into the amazing lives of all kinds of species
- An area where you can launch objects into the air, crush garbage cans, and even lie on a bed of nails
- Hands-on labs
- Dramatic photography
It truly is a fascinating place that makes learning about the world of physical phenomena fun and exciting. There’s also a pretty nice restaurant within the premises — although you can find plenty of other places to eat nearby.
4. Carolinas Aviation Museum
The Carolinas Aviation Museum is another excellent place to pass the time for people of all ages. It’s full of Charlotte’s interesting aviation history and exhibits, one of the most popular being the aircraft referred to as the “Miracle on the Hudson”, which was the plane that landed in the Hudson River in 2009.
The venue of the museum itself was once the Charlotte Airport hangar that was built between 1936 and 1937, opening its doors in 1938 with Eastern Airlines offering the first commercial flights into the city. Stepping into the museum is essentially stepping into a lesser-known pocket of Charlotte, NC, history!
5. Carowinds
If you fancy yourself a thrill seeker, then a day at Carowinds will be a day well spent. Carowinds is known as the “Thrill Capital of the Southeast,” boasting 13 world-class roller coasters. It’s also home to:
- Planet Snoopy, a Peanuts-themed section of the park
- Boo Blasters on Boo Hill
- Skytower
- The Rip Roarin’ Rapids
- Dinosaurs Alive, which features 30 life-size animatronic dinosaurs
There are also plenty of food vendors throughout the park to keep you full and satisfied.
6. Carolina History and Haunts Ghost Tour
If you’re a fan of the supernatural — or have run out of things to do — the Carolina History and Haunts Ghost Tour offers a unique experience for those who don’t mind a few goosebumps. The tour takes place in the evening and is led by candlelight for about 90 minutes.
Your guide will walk you through the streets of Charlotte NC, telling you some of the most fascinating stories about the local history and haunts right where they’ve occurred or continue to occur. You’ll learn a lot of interesting things about Charlotte’s history, and the tour is suitable for all ages. (Kids under seven get to come along for free!)
7. ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center
ImaginON is home to the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte as well as a spacious and fun library with lots of attractions for kids to enjoy — making it perfect for families with kids that get bored easily. Some of those attractions include:
- Board games
- A puppet center
- A Lego room
- A magnetic poetry wall
- Touch screens
It’s quite a long list, and it’s safe to say your kids will never get bored here. There’s also an open market just next door with plenty of food options when you get hungry and need a break from all the learning and activities.
8. McDowell Nature Center and Preserve
The nature preserve is the perfect place to spend a day outdoors. It hosts an outdoor amphitheater, an exhibit hall to teach you about the local flora and fauna, plus plenty of trails and play areas. It’s also right on Lake Wylie, which allows you to rent canoes or go fishing, and they also provide water fountains for your four-legged companions.
There are also camping facilities on site that you can book to extend your time there.
9. The Sleepy Poet Antique Mall
For vintage, one-of-a-kind finds, you’ll want to visit this mall. The Sleepy Poet is home to over 250 booths that sell everything from vintage clothing and jewelry to antique furniture. There are also vendors selling modern items and plenty of food trucks to choose from when you need a break from shopping.
It’s one of the best things to do in Charlotte, NC, to support local vendors as well.
Enjoy Charlotte While We Work On Your Roof
There are so many things to do in Charlotte, NC, from nature trails to listening to live music, that it can be hard to decide where to start. We suggest starting with the places that support local businesses, which in turn support our incredible community.
At Tidds Roofing, our community is at the heart of everything we do. So while we’re working on your roof, we encourage you to take the opportunity to spend your time enjoying everything that the city of Charlotte has to offer beyond the commercial and mainstream offerings.
Get in touch with us today for a free roof inspection and to learn more about our contracting services!
