Charlotte

Understand

Charlotte is the largest city in the state, with a population of 875,000 (2020) residents within the city limits. As of 2020, the Charlotte-Gastonia-Salisbury combined statistical area (CSA) had a regional population of 2.6 million, and Charlotte is the county seat of Mecklenburg County. It is the center of finance, industry, technology, and entertainment for the region. It is a renowned financial powerhouse and banking center, with Bank of America's corporate headquarters and Wells Fargo's East Coast Operations in Uptown. It is regarded as the second most important financial hub in the United States, behind New York City. Primarily known in the past as a leading Southern textile and manufacturing center, Charlotte has modernized and diversified its robust economy through successful applications of urban and economic planning, known as "Vision Plans."

Overview Heavy growth in the past 20 years has made Charlotte one of the South's largest and most successful cities. In many ways, the city is still trying to catch up to its own growth; visitors often comment that it seems understated in terms of culture and development. However, it is changing at a breathtaking speed. A very rapid influx of population and business investment has given it one of the most dynamic urban areas in the region.

Visitor information Charlotte Info Center in Uptown has brochures, souvenirs, and advice Along with the public library, this is the best place to go if you are looking for a concentrated source of information about the city. It is worth checking out the brochures for self-guided walking and driving tours.

History

Origins

Charlotte's earliest settlers were Presbyterians of Scots-Irish descent who built a small courthouse, marketplace and village at the intersection of ancient Native American trading paths (the actual intersection is the Square formed by Trade and Tryon Streets) during the middle of the 18th Century. Both Charlotte and Mecklenburg County were named in honor of the Germanic wife of King George III of England. In addition, the main thoroughfare (Tryon St.) was named in tribute to the English Governor of the day. The establishment of a courthouse made Charlotte the seat of Mecklenburg County, and it was known for little more in its early days.

Revolutionary War Charlotte's early residents were fiercely independent, in accordance with their rural Protestant heritage. The city was known as a hotbed of separatism well before the American Revolution, culminating in the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence (signed a year before the American equ

Getting there

By plane

Charlotte Douglas International Airport CLT IATA has excellent coverage of the eastern half of the U.S. and the Caribbean as well as service to several European and Central American hubs. American Airlines operates the majority of the airport's flights. Sprinter (CATS Route 5) buses run regularly between the airport and Uptown. A one-way ticket costs $2.20. Two additional routes connect the airport with Northlake Mall (Route 590) and LYNX Blue Line Archdale Station (Route 591). Taxis charge a flat $25 rate for a trip from the airport to Uptown (for one or two passengers; additional charges apply for groups).

By train The Amtrak station is on North Tryon near Dalton, on bus route 11 (North Tryon). Charlotte is the southern end of the Carolinian and Piedmont lines, which head north to Raleigh, with the Carolinian continuing to New York City. It's also a stop along the Crescent between New York City and Atlanta and New Orleans, however this train passes through Charlotte very late at night. The neighborhood of the train station is relatively seedy. Though you will be safe in and around the station, it is not a good idea to "wing it" once you arrive. Try to pre-arrange travel from the station to your next destination; walking is not recommended. A #11 bus meets each arriving Carolinian and Piedmont train to take passengers to Uptown.

By car Interstate 85 runs southwest to northeast (officially north to south) and is probably the most important highway in the American south. It connects Charlotte to some of the largest cities in the region with Atlanta and the South Carolina upstate to the south and the Piedmont Triad (Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and High Point) and Research Triangle (Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill) to the north. Interstate 77 runs north south through Charlotte and connects it with Columbia, SC to the south and the mountains in western Virginia to the north. I-77 is free for its entire length but toll lanes do exist north of the city. The toll lanes are made to work with the state's toll pass the "NC Quick Pass" but most toll passes from other states are accepted. US Highway 74 runs east to west through the city connecting it to Asheville to the west and Wilmington to the east. This road has a toll bypass west of the city in Monroe. The same rules apply to this road as with the I-77 toll lanes.

By bus Greyhound. The station is just northwest of Uptown and is served by buses 1 (Mount Holly), 8 (Tuckaseegee), 34 (Freedom Dr), and 7 (Beatties Ford). Megabus. Service from Atlanta, Athens, Durham, Richmond, and Washington, D

Getting around

By foot Uptown is very dense, and almost all attractions in that part of town are easily reached by walking. However, only a few other districts (such as NoDa and Dilworth) are truly pedestrian-friendly. Outer districts, such as Ballantyne and University City, are pedestrian-unfriendly areas. In fact, Charlotte has one of the lowest walk scores for any major American city. If you must walk, give some thought to the weather; summer days in the South are quite hot and it is easy to get dehydrated.

By car Uptown is laid out in a grid, with numbered streets running east-west with few exceptions. Streets running north-south have proper names. Charlotte's outer suburbs are often difficult to navigate. Most roads are built according to the natural lay of the land; once you leave the I-277 loop, you are likely to find it increasingly difficult to predict the direction (and often, the name) of the road you are traveling on. Therefore, it is a good idea to make certain your directions are specific and trustworthy before venturing into an unknown area. Otherwise, you will likely find yourself relying on the (usually) friendly natives for directions back to your starting point. I-485 is Charlotte's major outer loop. Similarly, I-277 is very useful when moving quickly around the center city. However, one side of the "loop" is actually I-77, which interchanges with I-277 in two places. It is easy to misread the signs and end up moving farther along I-77 rather than circling back onto I-277. When using the loop, be sure to follow signs for "Downtown" in order to stay on the correct path. Secondary roads in Charlotte are notoriously difficult to navigate. In particular, visitors and residents alike are often befuddled by frequent name changes in the roads. To make matters worse, many roads in the city share similar names. Also, very few of the city's roads are based on a grid or similarly organized system; most of the roads outside the city core are winding avenues that follow the natural features of the land. The city can be a delight to explore by car, but visitors are strongly advised to use a GPS.

By public transit

By taxi Available to any part of Charlotte. There are several prominent companies, and unlike larger cities the design of the vehicles is not uniform. However, a taxi is always recognizable by a sign on the roof of the car. If the taxi is vacant, the sign will be lit up; if it has a passenger, the sign will be off. It is customary to give a tip to cab drivers, especially if they help you with luggage or other items. It is usually a good idea to

See

Itineraries Charlotte with children - itinerary for travelers with children

Museums There are numerous museums and historic sites scattered throughout the city, especially in and near Uptown. A "museum district" has arisen on Tryon Street on the south side of Uptown. The highlights of this district are the Mint Museum of Art and the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, both housed in stunning buildings and holding impressive collections of modern and contemporary art. Nearby, adjacent to the convention center, is the new NASCAR Hall of Fame, a slick museum with plenty of interactive exhibits and race cars on view. The north side of Uptown is home to two of the city's best museums, Discovery Place, an acclaimed children's and science museum, and the Levine Museum of the New South, which has a fantastic collection of historical artifacts and displays illustrating the history of the South since the Civil War. The Carolinas Aviation Museum at Charlotte Douglas International Airport is a big attraction for aviation fanatics. This museum features historic and restored airplanes, and air shows. The Charlotte Museum of History in East Charlotte is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the history of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. It also the steward of a number of historical sites in the area including the oldest standing house in Mecklenburg County. Other museums in the Charlotte area include the James K Polk Historic Site in Pineville south of Charlotte.

Zoos and aquariums The Sea Life Charlotte-Concord Aquarium is in Concord.

Do

Venues Bojangles' Coliseum is a historic domed arena in East Charlotte that is used for community events, conventions and smaller musical acts. Memorial Stadium in Elizabeth is used for smaller events such as high school and college football games and band competitions. Carolina Ascent FC play here in the new USL Super League in women's soccer. PNC Music Pavilion is the venue for big shows in Charlotte. It's in University City. The Spectrum Center in Uptown hosts musical and sports-related shows each year.

Theater

There are several major theaters and a few fringe groups scattered throughout the city, especially in and near Uptown: the Children's Theatre of Charlotte stages live theater for young people and families from preschool to late teens, the Charlotte Comedy Theatre is ,made of up of Charlotte's most notorious improvisers, the Collaborative Arts Theatre produces contemporary plays and the Charlotte Shakespeare Festival, and Play!Play! Theatre creates plays specifically for children ages birth to age 3. The Blumenthal and Spirit Square in Uptown features national touring Broadway productions, the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Opera Carolina, North Carolina Dance Theatre, Carolina Voices, the Carolinas Concert Association, ArtsTeach, Community School of the Arts, and the Light Factory. Actor's Theatre of Charlotteis a highly awarded professional theater in Myers Park. Diverse dramas and musicals fill the seasons here. In Elizabeth, Theatre Charlotte is Charlotte's oldest arts organization, and Central Piedmont Community College Theatre performs several times a year and has a professional summer series UNC Charlotte Theatre and Dance performs several times throughout the year in University City. Citizens of the Universe is a fringe theater in Charlotte that specializes in book film translations to stage, performing in various locations around the city.

Amusement Carowinds is one of the Charlotte area's top attractions. This Six Flags-owned amusement park, straddling the North Carolina-South Carolina state line, offers 13 roller coasters and 7 water rides. It features the renowned Fury 325, the world's tallest giga coaster.

Sports

Professional sports are one of Charlotte's most popular forms of entertainment. Though its roots are primarily in stock car racing, the city offers something for fans of nearly every kind of sport. In particular, its success in the NFL and NBA have given it widespread exposure as a growing sports hub. NASCAR events take place at Charlotte Motor Speedway, which is outside of Charlotte in Concord, North Carolin

Buy

One of Charlotte's biggest weaknesses is the relative lack of retail shopping in the center city. Though this will change somewhat in the near future, you will generally have to venture into the suburbs to do your shopping. As with most American cities, most retail is in malls and shopping centers, though some areas (especially the inner suburbs) have stores along the streets. On the outskirts of the city is a family-owned toy store known as ToyMania.

Metropolitan Midtown, just outside the central business district, is the redevelopment of the former Charlottetown Mall. Concord Mills is the largest shopping destination in the region. It's near the northeastern city line in Concord. Carolina Place Mall (Pineville Mall) is a large mall near the southern city line in Pineville, convenient to the southern suburbs and stateline. Northlake Mall is a newer mall in north Charlotte, convenient to the University area and Lake Norman. Northlake is arguably Charlotte's largest and most upscale mall, 10 mi north of Uptown. SouthPark Mall is an upscale mall featuring national retailers along Sharon Road just south of Uptown, features the first and only Neiman Marcus in the Carolinas. Belgate Shopping Center features the first IKEA store in the Carolinas as well as numerous specialty stores. Charlotte Premium Outlets is a new outlet center just off of I-485, southwest of Uptown. If you are looking to shop outside the commercial retail sector, try exploring some of the districts just outside the I-277 loop. In particular, the Dilworth and Plaza-Midwood areas are good places to visit unique, funky stores. East Blvd. (upscale) and Thomas St. (downscale) are both good places to find unusual items. There are several market-style locations scattered across the city. Center City Green Market in Uptown Charlotte sells locally grown fresh fruits & produce in-season, fresh seafood & flowers, jewelry and crafts.

Eat

For the most part, Charlotte's culinary tastes are in line with the rest of the American South. Standards such as grits, sweet potatoes (yams), and greens are common in kitchens and restaurants. Southern food is typically high in fats and carbohydrates, so dieters should be careful to stick to higher-end restaurants that serve a more cosmopolitan fare. Otherwise, dig in and enjoy the richness of the Southern diet. Many of Charlotte's older restaurants are owned by Greek families. Often, you will unexpectedly find Greek items on the menus of restaurants that otherwise serve American fare. North Carolinians have long been fiercely competitive about their barbecue, and Charlotte's eateries reflect that heritage. Outsiders beware: Carolinas "barbeque" is chopped and sauced pork. The sauce will depend on which region it comes from (east or west), and it all works well as a sandwich (though you usually get to choose between sandwich or plate). Barbecue sandwiches are invariably served with slaw (either a vinegar-based red slaw, or a mayonnaise-based white slaw) on the meat, though it will be left out or on the side if you request. This is a local custom and one of the many things that makes Charlotte and more generally NC interesting. "Carolinas style" hamburgers and hot dogs are typically served with mustard, chili, and cole slaw, though some restaurants will vary their toppings slightly to create a "signature".

Fast food chains The Bojangles' restaurant chain which specializes in biscuits and fried chicken is based in Charlotte along with Salsarita's which is a fast casual Mexican chain. In addition both Cook Out and Krispy Kreme are based in nearby Winston-Salem, and are widely available in Charlotte.

Supermarkets The dominant local grocery chains are Harris Teeter, Publix, Food Lion, Aldi, and Lidl. Publix and Harris Teeter are relatively expensive but more upscale. Food Lion is a middle-class favorite, and usually has an extensive ethnic section. The city is also dotted with dozens of ethnic groceries, especially Hispanic, Indian and Vietnamese. Check out Compare Foods stores dotted around the city. The specialty grocery store scene is also growing, as Charlotte has three Trader Joe's stores, a Whole Foods Market, two Earth Fare stores and two Fresh Markets. These stores specialize in natural and organic foods. For something a little bit more local, try the Home Economist or the quaint Berrybrook Farms. One spot particularly popular with locals is Amelie's French Bakery on North Davidson Street in NoDa. Amelie's is open 24/7 and has a wide selectio

Drink & nightlife

Liquor is available by the drink in the city of Charlotte. However, some smaller towns in the region prohibit liquor sales. If you plan to explore nearby counties, there is a chance you may encounter a "dry" area. Open containers of alcohol are never permitted on the street; if you order a beverage you must finish it before leaving the restaurant or bar. If you want to buy liquor by the bottle, you must do it at state-run ABC (Alcoholic Beverage Commission) stores, rather than at traditional liquor stores. Beer and wine are available for purchase at most markets, grocery stores and gas stations. Cheerwine, a cherry-flavored soft drink, is a local favorite. Sundrop, available in a unique citrus blend and cherry-lemon, is based out of Gastonia and is a favorite among locals. R.C. Cola is also a "traditional" Southern soft drink. If you are not from the American South, you may be surprised to see sweet iced tea is the predominant non-carbonated drink (and is arguably sweeter). The city's nightlife is centered in Uptown, which is host to a wide variety of nightclubs. The largest concentration of clubs in the city is around College St. near its intersection with 5th St.; however, a quick check of local listings reveals plenty of alternatives for those who are seeking a more reserved atmosphere. See district listings for more details. There is also a large cluster of bars on Montford Dr. in Myers Park. These bars often run cooperative "bar crawl" events with one another.

Sleep

If you are not driving or renting a car during your visit, try to find lodging near the center city (these can be found in the district articles). Otherwise you will be stuck paying cab and bus fares, and you will find it quite difficult to move around as freely as you'd like. Most of the city's large hotels are either uptown, near the airport, or in the University area. There are also some luxury hotels appearing in Ballantyne, and there are the typical options off the highways and interstate exits.

Go next

Charlotte benefits from a highly centralized location in the Carolinas, giving visitors the option of driving to either the beach or the mountains if they choose. Cities within day-trip range include Asheville, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Greenville, and the Raleigh/Durham area. If you are interested in seeing much smaller Southern towns, consider a short drive to Matthews, Davidson, Rock Hill or Huntersville; all are within 20 minutes' drive on the interstate.

Concord Mills - see Malls. Charlotte Motor Speedway, just out of northern Charlotte in nearby Concord, off I-85. Home of near-constant racing events including NASCAR's All-Star race and the Coca-Cola 600. Occasional home of concerts and other special events. Among other special attractions, includes the opportunity to drive around the track or attend racing school. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. In Belmont (just west of Charlotte), this is one of the most acclaimed attractions in the area. The natural beauty and serenity of the gardens make it a favorite for romantic day trips and family outings. Guided tours offered. North Carolina Zoo. In Asheboro, about 60 miles (100 km) northeast of Charlotte. The largest zoo in North Carolina, featuring over 200 species of animal and many more botanical species. Highlights include gorillas, elephants, lions and an aviary. Reed Gold Mine . Pan for gold in the USA's first gold mine. Very kid-friendly and educational, besides being pretty fun. In Cabarrus County, about 45 minutes from Charlotte. Schiele Museum of Natural History. A surprisingly high-quality museum in Gastonia, just west of Charlotte. Includes a planetarium, an aviary, and many special events and exhibits. Southwest of Charlotte are the Catawba lands. See how this Native American tribe used to live and lives today. South of Charlotte along Route 16, in Waxhaw, is the Mexico Museum. Items of cultural and historical interest include pottery, costumes, and photographs. Carowinds. Large theme park with a focus on movies. Many roller coasters and other such attractions; coasters include The Afterburner, The Intimidator, and The Fury. Give strong consideration to eating beforehand, as concession prices are very high. Go south on I-77 and get off at the state line. Bring sunscreen as most of the park is unshaded. Take I-85S to US-321N to Hickory for excellent furniture shopping at a host of furniture outlets. Two such are Hickory Furniture Mart (huge) and the Hickory Furniture Mall (quieter and less expensive). Chimney Rock Park. Part of the highly scenic Blue Ridge Mountains in the Appalachian chain