A Local’s Guide To The Best Things to Do In Charlotte NC

Discover the best things do in Charlotte, according to a local. From popular landmarks to hidden gems, explore and experience the best of the Queen City.

I moved to Charlotte in 2012 fresh out of law school, armed with a new job, a lot of student loans, and absolutely no idea that this city would become my forever home. What started as a temporary landing spot quickly turned into the place where my career began, my community formed, and my life unfolded. 

In the spring of 2013, I launched this blog as a way to explore Charlotte one restaurant at a time—telling friends IRL and on the internet where to eat, what to order, and which local spots were worth the hype. More than a decade later, the blog has grown and evolved right alongside me, but one thing has never changed: my love for discovering what makes Charlotte such a special place to live.

Charlotte is where I met my husband (one of our first dates was at the Plaza Midwood institution, The Thirsty Beaver), where we got married (after Hurricane Matthew rerouted our planned Outer Banks wedding, we pulled together a courthouse ceremony at the Mecklenburg County Courthouse in three days flat and threw a big celebration uptown) and where we’ve built our family (both of our kids were born at Presby, and one of our cats literally walked into our lives as a neighborhood stray). 

These are the kinds of roots you don’t plan—but never want to pull up.

Over the years, I’ve explored Charlotte as a single twenty-something, a newlywed, and now as a working mom chasing toddlers between parks, breweries, museums, festivals, and neighborhood events (if you have little ones, this post about toddler activites in Charlotte is a must read).

I’ve eaten my way through nearly every neighborhood, wandered greenways and hidden gems, sat in stadium seats cheering on the Panthers, Hornets and Charlotte FC, and watched the city change while still holding onto the things that make it feel like home. 

This guide isn’t just a list of things to do—it’s a love letter to the city I know inside and out, written by someone who’s lived it at every stage.

Whether you’re visiting for the weekend, new to town, or a longtime local looking for something fresh, this post pulls together the very best of Charlotte—where to go, what to do, and how to experience the Queen City like someone who actually lives here. If there’s something worth doing in Charlotte, chances are I’ve tried it, loved it, and brought friends (and kids) along for the ride.

Annual Festivals, Events and Parades

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade: January

Held each January, this meaningful parade honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with community groups, marching bands, and civic organizations coming together in Uptown.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade: March

Held in Uptown each March, this lively parade features bagpipers, Irish dance groups, colorful floats, and plenty of green—often paired with a full day of festivities around the city.

Rich & Bennett’s St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl: March

Held every March, this massive Uptown bar crawl is one of Charlotte’s most recognizable traditions, drawing thousands of green-clad participants for a high-energy, all-day St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

Charlotte SHOUT!: April

This multi-week spring festival highlights Charlotte’s creative scene with public art installations, live performances, culinary events, and interactive experiences throughout Uptown.

Tuck Fest: April

Tuck Fest blends outdoor adventure with live music, races, yoga, climbing, and river competitions in a lively, multi-day festival setting at the US National Whitewater Center.

Lovin’ Life Music Fest: May

This multi-day music festival features major national acts, local performers, and food vendors, turning Uptown into a massive outdoor concert experience.

Speed Street: May

Speed Street takes over Uptown ahead of the Coca-Cola 600, combining NASCAR energy with live music, fan experiences, food, and family-friendly activities.

Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas: June

Celebrating Black history, culture, and freedom, Charlotte’s Juneteenth Festival in the heart of Plaza Midwood includes live music, vendors, educational programming, family activities, and a freedom march.

Taste of Charlotte: June

Taste of Charlotte is a longtime Uptown festival that brings together dozens of local restaurants, live music, and family-friendly activities for a weekend-long celebration of the city’s food scene.

Charlotte Pride: August

One of the city’s largest annual celebrations, Charlotte Pride brings a colorful parade, festival, live music, and community events in celebration of the Queen City’s LGBTQ+ community to Uptown each summer.

Festival in the Park: September

Held each fall in Freedom Park, this beloved event brings together artists, musicians, food vendors, and families for a relaxed weekend celebrating creativity and community.

Yiasou Greek Festival: September 

Hosted by Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, this festival celebrates Greek culture with traditional food, music, dancing, and warm Southern hospitality.

Carolina Renaissance Festival: November 

Running throughout the fall in nearby Huntersville, this immersive festival features costumed performers, jousting, food, and artisan vendors in a recreated 16th-century village.

Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade: November

A longtime Charlotte tradition, this Thanksgiving Eve parade fills Uptown with floats, marching bands, performances, and holiday cheer.

Light the Knights: December

Each November, the Charlotte Knights transform Truist Field into a holiday wonderland with millions of lights, festive displays, ice skating, and seasonal treats.

Mistletoe Market: December

A favorite holiday shopping event, the Mistletoe Market highlights local makers, artists, and small businesses in a festive, walkable setting.

Breweries

Charlotte’s brewery scene is booming and is one of the best ways to experience the city’s neighborhoods and laid-back social culture. From long-standing favorites to newer taprooms, breweries here often double as community gathering spots with outdoor seating, food trucks, live music, and kid- and dog-friendly vibes. Whether you’re popping in for a quick pint or planning a full afternoon brewery hop, Charlotte’s beer scene offers something for every taste.

Camp North End

Camp North End is a buzzing creative hub spread across 76 acres of outdoor space, public art, curated shops, and lots of great food. This former industrial site has been reimagined into one of Charlotte’s most exciting places to wander, hang out, and stumble into something unexpected.

I highly recommend carving out a couple of hours to explore the campus, letting yourself meander through murals, open-air spaces, and small local businesses (our four-year-old always makes a beeline for That’s Novel Books, while I never skip a stop at Grow for plants) before starting or ending your visit with a bite and a drink. Camp North End regularly hosts pop-ups, markets, live music, and special events, so it’s worth checking their website or social media to see what’s happening.

Throughout the year, Camp North End also shines with seasonal programming, including the North End Farmers Market in the spring and summer, Crossroads Cinema (outdoor movies) during warmer months, and winter favorites like the Mistletoe Market and ice skating. 

Carowinds

Carowinds is one of Charlotte’s biggest attractions and a must-visit for thrill seekers and families alike. Straddling the North Carolina–South Carolina border, this massive amusement park is home to world-class roller coasters, family-friendly rides, live entertainment, and a sprawling water park, Carolina Harbor, during the warmer months. 

Whether you’re chasing adrenaline on record-breaking coasters or spending the day with younger kids in the splash zones and kiddie areas, Carowinds easily fills a full day (or two). 

It’s a classic Charlotte-area experience and a true rite of passage for locals—either because you grow up riding Fury 325 with your friends or because it’s where you end up working your very first job.

Charlotte Motor Speedway

A visit to NASCAR nation wouldn’t be complete without a visit to The Charlotte Motor Speedway. Known as the “Greatest Place to See the Race,” the speedway boasts a remarkable 1.5-mile quad-oval track that has hosted marquee events like the Coca-Cola 600 and the All Star Race. Take a tour (they offer three different options), head to the Speedway Club for lunch, and burn some rubber at the Richard Petty Driving Experience; an exhilarating 160 mph ride in an authentic stock car.

Nascar Hall of Fame

Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just curious about the world of high-speed racing, the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Uptown Charlotte will get visitors of all ages revved up about racing. 

A visit to the NASCAR Hall of Fame will not only let you explore the stories of the sport’s greatest drivers, crew chiefs, and team owners, learning about their achievements and contributions that have shaped NASCAR as you make your way through the museum’s collection of historic race cars (including those driven by legendary figures like Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt) but the interactive exhibits and race simulators will also let you step into the driver’s seat! 

Crowders Mountain State Park

For an easy outdoor escape, head to Crowders Mountain State Park, located about 25 miles southwest of Charlotte. The hike to the summit is less than a mile one way on the Backside Trail, and on a clear day you can spot the Queen City’s skyline in the distance—an especially rewarding payoff for a relatively short climb. 

If you’re looking to explore even more of North Carolina’s natural beauty, Charlotte is also within driving distance of several other fantastic state parks, including Stone Mountain, South Mountains, and Morrow Mountain, making it easy to turn a day hike into a full-on outdoor adventure. 

Daniel Stowe Conservancy

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, now part of the Daniel Stowe Conservancy, is one of the most beautiful places to slow down and soak in nature just outside of Charlotte. Visitors can wander through spectacular themed gardens, admire sparkling fountains, and step inside the magical conservatory dedicated to tropical plants and orchids—an especially welcome escape on chilly or rainy days. The garden has also expanded its family-friendly offerings with a new playground, making it an easy destination for both peaceful strolls and kid-friendly exploration.

Discovery Place

Discovery Place is a beloved Charlotte-based nonprofit focused on education, curiosity, and hands-on exploration, with multiple locations across the area—each offering a slightly different experience for kids and families.

Discovery Place Kids–Huntersville is the ultimate children’s museum designed entirely around learning through play. Colorful and interactive, this space invites kids to use their imagination and get hands-on with everything. The museum also offers daily programming like story times and science activities, along with sensory-friendly hours, making it a welcoming space for a wide range of families.

Discovery Place Science, located in Uptown Charlotte, offers something for all ages. With interactive science exhibits, rotating installations, and live programming, it’s an engaging place for curious kids, teens, and adults alike—and an easy stop when you’re already exploring Uptown.

The former Discovery Place Nature, now renamed the Charlotte Museum of Nature, is located near Freedom Park in Dilworth and is currently under construction with plans to reopen in 2026. When open, this space will once again offer one of Charlotte’s most beloved nature-focused experiences, where toddlers and young kids can meet live animals, visit a butterfly pavilion, explore shaded nature trails, and play in an outdoor natural play area—an especially magical spot for little explorers.

Farmers Markets

Saturday is the day to experience Charlotte’s vibrant farmers market scene (although there are markets on other days of the week), with markets popping up all across Mecklenburg County. Some of the most popular include the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market, Matthews Community Farmers Market, Davidson Farmers Market, Uptown Farmers Market and the North End Farmers Market (which is hosted at Camp North End on Wednesdays).

Each market offers its own neighborhood feel and mix of vendors. Strolling these markets is a favorite local ritual—chat with farmers and purveyors, sample baked goods and prepared foods, and stock up on fresh, seasonal produce, flowers, meats, and specialty items. Whether you’re shopping with a list or just wandering with a coffee in hand, Charlotte’s farmers markets are a great way to connect with the local food community and start your weekend.

Freedom Park 

Freedom Park is one of Charlotte’s most beloved green spaces, offering a peaceful escape right in the heart of the city. Spanning 98 acres in the Dilworth neighborhood, the park is perfect for walking, biking, picnicking, or simply soaking up the scenery around its ponds and tree-lined paths. It’s also home to the Discovery Place Nature making it an especially great stop for families looking to mix outdoor time with hands-on learning.

Little Sugar Creek Greenway

The Little Sugar Creek Greenway is a key piece of Charlotte’s growing trail network, offering a scenic, paved path that winds through neighborhoods, parks, and natural areas while connecting Uptown to South Charlotte. Popular with walkers, runners, and cyclists, it’s an easy way to experience the city at a slower pace—passing public art, creek views, and shaded stretches that feel surprisingly removed from traffic.

The greenway is also part of the ambitious Cross Charlotte Trail, a 30+ mile trail and greeenway stretching from Pineville to the Cabarrus County line, which a long-term project designed to link the city from north to south through a continuous network of greenways and trails. Together, they showcase Charlotte’s commitment to outdoor access, connectivity, and creating spaces where residents and visitors can explore the city on foot or bike.

Imaginon

Looking for a magical mix of educational play and creative wonder? ImaginOn, a library and children’s theater wrapped into one was designed entirely with kids and families in mind. 

A joint venture between the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, ImaginOn features a kid-focused library, cozy reading nooks, costume and imaginative play areas, and sensory-friendly spaces. Daily and weekly interactive story times make it an easy drop-in activity, while ticketed productions in the McColl Family Theatre and Wells Fargo Playhouse bring professional, award-winning theater to young audiences. 

Lake Norman

Just north of Charlotte, Lake Norman is the go-to escape for visitors and locals alike when you want to get out of the water. Renting a boat for the day is one of the best ways to experience the lake and you can spend the day cruising, swimming, tubing and anchoring in a quiet cove. Pair your lake day with a stop at Hello, Sailor, where waterfront views, breezy vibes, and a seafood-forward menu make it the perfect place for lunch or dinner. 

Latta Nature Preserve

With over 16 miles of nature trails, you’ll be able to explore a variety of terrain while enjoying scenic views of Mountain Island Lake, forests, and streams. Visit the Carolina Raptor Center, an education and rehabilitation facility dedicated to the conservation of birds of prey and home to the Southeast’s largest eagle aviary. 

Levine Center for the Arts

Levine Center for the Arts is one of Charlotte’s major cultural destinations, home to three museums and a theater all within a few steps of each other: the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, John S. and James L. Knight Theater, and the Mint Museum Uptown.

The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art

Designed by the renowned architect Mario Botta, the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art itself is a work of art. Inside, it houses an exquisite collection of mid-century modern art in various media including works by influential artists such as Picasso, Giacometti, Warhol, and Calder. 

Out front of the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art stands Charlotte’s iconic Disco Chicken, an 18-foot-high mirror-ball chicken—a whimsical, larger-than-life sculpture with wings and flared, bell-bottom-style legs that’s become an iconic selfie spot for locals and visitors alike.

Blumenthal Performing Arts Center

Catch a performance at  The Blumenthal Center for the Performing Arts which operates six theaters on three campuses in Uptown Charlotte including performances by the symphony, ballet, opera, or a Broadway show on any given night.

The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts and Culture

The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture’s design was

inspired by Myers Street School that was in the Brooklyn neighborhood, an African-American section of the city in Uptown’s Second Ward, which was demolished in the 1960s. 

Named after Harvey B. Gantt, Charlotte’s first African American mayor, the Gantt Center pays homage to the rich heritage and contributions of American Americans in the arts through exhibitions, educational programs and events. 

Levine Museum of the New South

Learn about post-civil war Southern history and the South’s complex and evolving identity in the modern era at The Levine Museum of the New South. The museum’s centerpiece exhibit, Cotton Fields to Skyscrapers, offers visitors insight on the region’s profound transformation, particularly in the areas of race, the economy and social change, through exhibits, multimedia presentations, interactive displays and artifacts. 

The Mint Museum Randolph

The Mint Museum of Art opened to the public in 1936 as the first art museum in North Carolina, in a federal building that once housed the Charlotte Mint. Its permanent collections include American and European paintings, sculpture and ceramics, African and Spanish colonial art, historic costumes and maps, contemporary art and photography as well as the largest public collection of Charlotte-born artist Romare Bearden’s art.  

The Mint Museum Randolph isn’t just a treasure trove of art inside—its beautiful grounds host seasonal events, outdoor concerts, art fairs, and community gatherings that make it a cultural hub and a favorite place to linger, picnic, and explore year-round.

The Mint Museum Uptown

The Mint Museum Uptown is the second location of North Carolina’s first art museum and opened on October 1, 2010 as part of the Levine Center for the Arts campus. The Mint Museum Uptown is home to the Mint’s extensive craft and design collection as well as features a collection of Amercain, contemporary and European Art. It also has an auditorium, art studios, museum shop and on site restaurant, Mariposa. Admission is free on Wednesday nights from 5 to 9 pm.

McDowell Nature Center

Located inside McDowell Nature Preserve near Lake Wylie, McDowell Nature Center is a fantastic destination for families and nature lovers. The center features interactive exhibits, live animals, and educational programming focused on the region’s ecosystems, while the surrounding preserve offers miles of hiking trails, waterfront views, and picnic areas.

McGill Rose Garden 

McGill Rose Garden is one of Charlotte’s most charming hidden gems, with a story that’s just as lovely as the blooms themselves. The garden traces its roots back to 1950, when Henry McGill purchased the Avant Fuel & Ice Company, an industrial site along North Davidson Street. Wanting to beautify the gritty, urban landscape, his wife Helen began planting rose bushes along the fence line—what started as a personal passion project slowly transformed the space. Over time, more than 500 rose bushes were planted, transforming the once-industrial property into a secret garden.

On Mother’s Day in 1967, the McGill Rose Garden officially opened to the public as a place for the community to enjoy roses, greenery, and a quiet moment of nature in the middle of the city. That tradition lives on today, with Mother’s Day remaining one of the most popular times to visit. 

As you wander the garden, you’ll discover winding paths, hidden corners, and even a striking 34-ton coal hopper from the Seaboard Railroad Company, donated in memory of Helen McGill—a powerful reminder of both the site’s industrial past and the beauty she helped create.

After the Avant Fuel & Ice Company closed in 1976, the garden was sold to the City of Charlotte and became a public park, welcoming weddings, photo shoots, baby showers, and community events for decades. The small brick building on site is now home to Rosie’s Coffee & Wine, where visitors can grab coffee, beer, or wine and enjoy it throughout the garden. Rosie’s also hosts trivia nights, pop up markets, food trucks, and live music—making McGill Rose Garden not just a peaceful retreat, but a vibrant community gathering place year-round.

Music Venues

Charlotte’s indie music scene is thriving, with an impressive lineup of intimate venues that make live shows feel personal, and energetic. From discovering up-and-coming artists to catching established acts in smaller settings, attending a show at one of the local venues is one of the best ways to experience the city after dark. 

Venues like The Music Yard, Basement, Black Box, The Evening Muse, Neighborhood Theatre, and Visulite Theatre each offer their own vibe while showcasing everything from indie and rock to hip-hop, folk, electronic music and even comedians and open mic nights.

Pop up Markets

Charlotte’s pop-up markets are a fun way to experience the city’s creative side while supporting local makers and small businesses. Events like Front Porch Sunday, Nebel’s Alley Night Market, and Vintage Charlotte bring nontraditional shopping spaces to life with rows of vendor tents, live music, food trucks, and a lively, community feel. 

Whether you’re searching for handmade gifts, locally made art, candles, jewelry, vintage finds, or unique home goods, these markets make shopping feel personal and social. They’re perfect for a casual weekend stroll and discovering new local favorites.

Professional Sports

The Queen City is home to five professional sports teams: the Knights (baseball), Panthers (football), Hornets (basketball), Checkers (hockey) and Charotte FC (soccer). 

Carolina Panthers

Football fanatics can catch the Carolina Panthers, Charlotte’s professional football team, in action during fall home games at Bank of America Stadium. On game day, the atmosphere of Uptown is electric with pre-game tailgates and festivities (if you don’t have your tailgate gear with you, plenty of bars and restaurants around the stadium offer game day specials).

Charlotte Checkers

For hockey fans, the Charlotte Checkers bring fast-paced action to Bojangles Coliseum. As Charlotte’s professional hockey team, the Checkers are known for their passionate fan base, affordable tickets, and electric game-night experience (tt’s a great outing for families and casual sports fans alike).

Charlotte Hornets

The Charlotte Hornets are the city’s professional basketball team and a big part of Charlotte’s sports identity, instantly recognizable by their iconic teal and purple color scheme and their high-energy mascot, Hugo. Home games are played at the Spectrum Center in Uptown, making a Hornets game an easy add-on to a night out—grab dinner, catch a game, and soak up the buzz of the city all in one place.

Charlotte Knights

Charlotte’s skyline is a beautiful backdrop to Truist Field’s outfield on a summer night. Truist Field, in the heart of Uptown, is home to the Charlotte Knights, a Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, where you can catch a game during the baseball season or attend a special event, like the Light the Knights during the holiday season. 

Rail Trail

The Charlotte Rail Trail is a popular urban pathway that runs through South End, connecting breweries, restaurants, shops, and apartments along a walkable stretch of former rail line. It’s ideal for walking, jogging, people-watching, or bar-hopping on foot, and it plays a huge role in shaping South End’s energy and accessibility. 

Restaurants

Charlotte’s food scene has grown tremendously over the past decade, with standout restaurants spread across nearly every neighborhood. From casual local favorites to elevated dining experiences, the city offers an impressive range of cuisines and vibes. I’ve rounded up my favorite spots—and exactly what to order—in my Charlotte restaurants guide, which you can explore if you’re planning meals around your visit or just looking for your next great bite. My Charlotte restaurants guide includes Charlotte’s best brunch, the best pizza in Charlotte, the best wings in Charlotte, the best patios in Charlotte, best breweries in Charlotte and best BBQ in Charlotte.

Romare Bearden Park

Romare Bearden Park is an Uptown green space that blends art, design, and city energy into one beautifully landscaped park. Named after the renowned artist, the park features fountains, open lawns, skyline views, and frequent events, making it a popular spot for lunch breaks, festivals, and pre-game gatherings.

Sleepy Poet Antique Mall

Sleepy Poet Antique Mall is a treasure hunter’s dream and one of Charlotte’s most beloved vintage shopping destinations. This massive, warehouse on South Boulevard is packed with dozens of vendor booths selling everything from antique furniture and retro home décor to vinyl records, artwork, quirky collectibles, and one-of-a-kind finds you didn’t know you needed. Part nostalgia trip, part design inspiration, the Sleepy Poet is the kind of place where you can easily lose track of time while wandering the aisles—and walk out with a story (and maybe a very cool lamp).

SouthPark Mall

SouthPark Mall is one Charlotte’s premier shopping destinations, blending high-end retailers with an easy, polished mall experience that is family friendly (we love hanging out at the Suffolk Punch brewery attached to both the mall and the outdoor playground…perfect post shopping pit stop for both parents and kids!)

Anchored by stores like Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and southern staple, Belk, and surrounded by excellent dining options both inside the mall and nearby, it’s a go-to spot whether you’re running errands, meeting friends for lunch, or making a day of it. W

ith its central location and mix of luxury brands and familiar favorites, SouthPark is as much a social hub as it is a shopping center—and a place many Charlotteans have spent countless afternoons wandering, browsing, and people-watching.

Sullenberger Aviation Museum

The Sullenberger Aviation Museum (formerly the Carolinas Aviation Museum) is a fascinating stop for aviation enthusiasts and curious kids alike. Located near Charlotte Douglas International Airport, the museum explores the science, history, and future of flight through interactive exhibits, aircraft displays, and hands-on learning experiences. It’s best known for housing US Airways Flight 1549—the “Miracle on the Hudson” plane piloted by Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger.

Tours 

From history and architecture, to food, breweries and local haunts, there are a variety of Queen City tours that offer an easy, engaging and entertaining way to learn more about Charlotte.

Arts & Science Council’s Public Art Walking Tour

The Arts & Science Council is dedicated to fostering arts and cultural initiatives throughout Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. Offering a self-guided tour comprising 30 stops, both outdoors and within public buildings, this experience unveils the city’s distinctive culture, varied communities, storied history, and civic enthusiasm through murals and public art. You can access the map online and explore at your leisure, or enhance your journey by downloading the 45-minute podcast, which serves as your informative guide.

Charlotte Funny Bus Comedy City Tour

The Funny Bus tour is a laugh-out-loud way to see the Queen city, combining sightseeing, stand up comedy and storytelling (plus guests can bring their own beer and wine for the 90 minute drive through town). Led by local comedians, the tour highlights quirky history, neighborhood facts and cultural tidbits about Charlotte. 

Charlotte Liberty Walk

The Charlotte Liberty Walk offers an educational experience for tourists, residents, and students to delve into the city’s historical roots and its pivotal role in the American Revolution. You can spend a few hours wandering through Uptown on this self guided tour, stopping at a variety of different bronze plaques and monuments and uncovering the captivating narrative of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County’s contributions to the American Revolution. Complementing these markers, interactive digital maps and downloadable PDF guides offer a deeper understanding of Charlotte’s rich history. 

Fourth Ward Historic District Walking Tour

Uptown Charlotte is divided into four neighborhoods, or wards, that were originally the city’s first voting precincts. Fourth Ward experienced a revitalization in the latter part of the 20th century leading to what is now a bustling mix of Victorian style homes, contemporary condos and apartments, and restaurants and parks in the shadows of Charlotte’s skyline. Visitors can download a free map that will take you through nearly 50 designated spots offering insight to the historical neighborhood’s architecture, landmarks and more. During the holiday season, the Friends of the Fourth Ward, a non-profit community organization, hosts the Fourth Ward Holiday Sip and Stroll and Holiday Home Tour where you can celebrate the season by strolling through the neighborhood on a porch-crawl-style tour with food and beverage tastings and seasonal live music after the neighborhood has decked the halls!

Ghost Tours

Ghost stories aren’t just for Halloween; through a tour with Queen City Ghosts or Carolina History and Haunts, spooky season lasts all year long. These sixty-to-ninety-minute walking tours blend local history with chilling legends through stories of restless spirits, unexplained happenings and moments from the city’s past that still seem to linger. 

Trolley Pub

Perfect for birthdays, bachelorettes, brewery tours or a fun afternoon out, the Trolley Pub is portable pedal pub on wheels, where the riders power the pub (just like a bike) to its next destination. Based in South End,  which was originally a manufacturing district, you can pedal this vibrant part of town full of amazing restaurants, bars and breweries with your friends. Most groups opt for two stops on their Trolley pub tour, but your route is entirely customizable based on your group’s preferences and the Trolley Pub host’s expertise.

U.S. National Whitewater Center

Spend the afternoon whitewater rafting, kayaking, standup paddle boarding, zip lining, rock climbing, mountain biking and traversing ropes courses at the USNWC in West Charlotte along the Catawba River. Once you hang your lifejacket up to dry, kick up your feet and enjoy a local beer at the Pump House Biergarten (there are over sixty to choose from) or a meal from River’s Edge Bar and Grill. The outdoor adventure complex also hosts free concerts, known as River Jam, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from May through September. 

Wing Haven Gardens

Wing Haven Gardens is a peaceful retreat tucked away in the heart of the Myers Park neighborhood, offering a surprisingly serene escape just minutes from busy roads. This intimate garden is designed as a bird sanctuary, with winding paths, shaded seating areas, seasonal blooms, and plenty of opportunities to spot native birds. They also host an annual plant sale each spring and fall, which is a great way to take a piece of the garden home with you and support their mission.