With a Southern Charm all its own, Charlotte beckons you to explore all that it has to offer. As the nation's second largest financial center, Charlotte has proven itself an aggressive business environment, but the new face of the city will surprise you. Today Charlotte is a magnet for progressive growth and smart development. These initiatives ensure that the crown jewel of the South is prepared to welcome the many more new faces that come here each year—both visitors and residents alike.
Founded in 1769, Charlotte was named for Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III of England. The city was built around the crossroads of two major trading paths. Those paths today are known as Trade and Tryon and they are still at the heart of this ever-changing city. Today Charlotte is home to 648,000 and the Charlotte metro area is home to nearly two million. With beautiful tree-lined neighborhoods, spacious parks, world-class museums and cultural amenities, dining and nightlife offerings for every taste and lifestyle, a bustling Center City, and major league sports, Charlotte truly offers something for everyone. So enjoy yourself as you explore the "Queen City".
Here are some things not to miss on your visit:
Art—The many galleries of Historic SouthEnd and NoDa are a must for art lovers. Offering everything from classical fine paintings to local and regional creations in a variety of styles and media, both communities feature something for every taste and budget. Free gallery crawls are held in NoDa every first and third Friday night, and in Historic SouthEnd every first Friday night. Don't miss out on the Mint Museums, offering two world class facilities—Mint Museum of Art, and Mint Museum of Craft + Design.
Shopper's Paradise—If shopping is your passion, Charlotte offers plenty of options when you feel the urge to splurge. Check out Shops at Founders Hall in Center City or Carolina Place in Pineville. Both offer great shopping, dining, and entertainment options.
Explore History—You can learn all about Charlotte's past in some of our fine museums and historic sites. The Charlotte Museum of History and Hezikiah Alexander Homesite offer you a glimpse into the lives of the pioneers of Charlotte. The Museum of the Waxhaws memorializes the Waxhaw Indians, President Andrew Jackson, and the Scots-Irish settlers of the area. The James K. Polk State Historic Site is dedicated to the memory of our 11th president. Latta Plantation is a living history farm, allowing you to experience what life was like in North Carolina's 19th Century back country.
Live Music—Want to experience some great live music while you're visiting Charlotte? Look no further than the Neighborhood Theatre and the Double Door Inn. Neighborhood Theatre is celebrating their 10th year of bringing everything from rock to jazz to country to their stages. The Double Door Inn was the first live music venue in Charlotte. Since 1973 they have been Charlotte's home for blues and roots rock.
Family Fun—Take a splash at Charlotte's year-round indoor water park, Ray's Splash Planet. This 29,000 square foot facility features water slides, a lazy river, and a fitness center. Feed your mind at Discovery Place, an ever-changing, ever-growing, hands-on science center. Enjoy the excitement of year-round college athletics with the Charlotte 49ers. As part of the Atlantic 10 Conference, the 49ers play host to year-round activity with sixteen varsity sports.
Need for Speed—Explore Charlotte's deep connection with racing by visiting Lowes Motor Speedway. It offers the Over The Wall Tour daily—the only tour of its kind at a NASCAR track. Near the speedway, Hendrick Motorsports offers a look inside the world of a successful multi-team race shop. It is open weekdays for tours and browsing in the 15,000 square foot museum and team store. And after you see how the pros satisfy their need for speed, head over to Victory Lane Karting where you can strap into a competition kart and blast around the 1/3-mile indoor course.
Nature & Recreation—Want to reconnect with Nature? Enjoy scenic views, small lakes and streams, ten miles of hiking trails and more at Reedy Creek Park and Nature Preserve. Freedom Park is a beautiful urban park with paved trails, tennis courts, athletic fields, and playground equipment.
Day Trip Destinations—Experience "Life as it should be" in Historic Waxhaw with antiques, galleries, specialty shops, dining, and more. Shop 'til you drop in Pineville's antique stores, boutiques, malls, and much more—offering "The Best of Both Worlds".
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