Charlotte Layover Guide (CLT)

Electric Cart City Sight Seeing

Set out on an exploration of Uptown Charlotte’s four wards while learning about the city’s history and future plans. See some of Charlotte’s most popular museums, lush parks, and a variety of churches from all denominations along the trip. Following that, a treat for die-hard sports lovers with a visit to each of Uptown Charlotte’s sports stadiums, as well as a photo stop outside the Carolina Panthers Stadium. Next, visit the historic 4th ward, which is one of the tour’s most popular stops. Admire the architecture of 19th-century homes while learning about the district’s rich history. » book this tour

SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord Aquarium Tour

At SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord, you may discover a fascinating underwater world in ten different zones. Meet 5,000 aquatic species, including sharks, rays, and seahorses, among others. Meet these incredible species as you go across North Carolina’s freshwater lakes to the ocean’s depths. Enjoy the Freshwater Exhibit, which allows you to see a portion of the Catawba River. This exhibit features species that live in the area’s streams, rivers, and lakes. Step inside Stingray Bay and be enchanted by the friendly rays. Enter a sunken ship full of weird creatures that choose to reside in the ocean’s deepest and darkest depths. » book this tour

iFLY Charlotte First Time Flyer Experience

At iFLY Charlotte, defy gravity with talent, style, and courage. If you’ve always wanted to fly, now is your chance to do it in a skydiving simulator. Flying has never been easier because to safe, cutting-edge technology. The iFLY wind tunnel will provide you with an amazing experience. Professional flight instructors will teach you one-on-one how to control how you fly inside the tunnel by changing your body posture. Get free skydiving gear and the actual flight experience for a fraction of the price of a tandem jump, but with a far longer freefall time. The flight itself is 2 minutes long and defies gravity. » book this tour

7th Street Public Market

Head to 7th Street Public Market, about half a mile west of the city centre, for a sample of Charlotte’s homegrown produce. Local fruit, wines, flowers, and sweet and savoury delicacies are available at this indoor marketplace. One of the city’s favourite pizza eateries, Pure Pizza, is among the merchants selling local goods. Pure Pizza is noted for using ingredients purchased directly from the market. If you visit the market in the morning, swap out your typical Starbucks drink for a cup of freshly brewed coffee from Not Just Coffee, another permanent market seller. Enjoy the lively atmosphere while sipping your coffee and eating a breakfast sandwich from The Yolk.

Time required: 1 to 2 hours.

Airport to here: 14 minutes via private transport.

Freedom Park

Freedom Park, which spans approximately 100 acres, is a welcoming place free from the hustle and bustle of Uptown. The “Central Park of Charlotte,” located on the east edge of the Myers Park neighborhood (approximately 3 miles north of the city center), is popular all year because of its numerous walking and bike pathways, as well as its availability of picnic spaces. There are four baseball fields, 12 tennis courts, and a basketball court, among other recreational facilities, among the dog walkers, joggers, and families. The Festival in the Park in September and the Kings Drive Art Walk in May are two events that take place here during the year. Travelers highly recommend making an afternoon trip here, despite the fact that it might get crowded.

Time required: 1 to 2 hours.

Airport to here: 17 minutes via private transport.

U.S National White Water Center

At the US National Whitewater Center, a 1,300-acre property northwest of Charlotte along the Catawba River, you may choose from more than 30 different land and water sports. You can choose from a number of sports in the world’s largest man-made whitewater river, including flatwater and whitewater kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and, of course, whitewater rafting. In fact, the center is home to one of North Carolina’s greatest whitewater rafting tours. If you’d rather keep dry, the center can accommodate you as well: land activities include mountain biking, rock climbing, and zip-lining, as well as lots of running paths and obstacle courses for competitive athletes.

Time required: Half day to Full day.

Airport to here: 14 minutes via private transport.

NASCAR Hall of Fame

If you believe the NASCAR Hall of Fame is just a museum with plaques honouring past racers, you’re wrong. High-tech exhibitions, racing simulators, and a 278-seat theatre, among other features, keep this 150,000-square-foot complex bustling. Visitors new to the high-octane sport will enjoy the Heritage Speedway display, which uses actual artifacts and informative films to highlight NASCAR’s six-decade history. Meanwhile, the Race Week display allows visitors to get a closer and more interactive look at how a NASCAR crew prepares for race day. Visitors can practice pit stops, stroll through a full-size NASCAR Lowe’s hauler, call a race, and drive one of eight racing simulations here.

Time required: 1 to 2 hours.

Airport to here: 15 minutes via private transport.

Carowinds

Carowinds is a popular local amusement park in North Carolina. Fury 325 (the world’s highest and fastest Giga coaster) is one of the many family and thrill rides available. Carowinds also has its own water park, Carolina Harbor, if you need to cool off. Among the park’s attractions are a 27,000-square-foot wave pool, a 3-acre kids pool, and a lazy river. In addition, your Carowinds entry includes admission to Carolina Harbor.

Time required: Half day to Full day.

Airport to here: 15 minutes via private transport.

Levine Museum of the New South

The term “New South” refers to persons, places, and a time period from 1865 to now. The Levine Museum of the New South is one of the country’s most extensive museums of post-Civil War history. Permanent displays, such as the 8,000-square-foot “Cotton Fields to Skyscrapers,” focus on Charlotte-area history, with six separate “environments,” or rooms, that use careful set design to depict how the South has transformed since the Civil War. Visitors can observe the Good Samaritan Hospital chapel, one of the first Black hospitals in the South, sit at a lunch counter, and hear firsthand accounts from local sit-in leaders, among other things, while touring the exhibit.

Time required: 1 to 2 hours.

Airport to here: 14 minutes via private transport.

Discovery Place

Charlotte’s scientific museum is called Discovery Place. This family-friendly playland, according to previous visitors, is a terrific spot to spend the day. Interactive, hands-on exhibits covering a variety of scientific themes such as physics and earth science can be found here. With the museum’s rainforest exhibit and tank, you may create and conduct lab experiments, build fake structures, and study diverse ecosystems. Discovery Place also has the Carolinas’ largest IMAX screen, which shows a rotating selection of educational films. The museum also has exhibits for children, such as the KidScience section, to ensure that the requirements of its youngest visitors are met. There are soft construction blocks, a water table, and a sound wall in this early childhood area, as well as a space specifically for toddlers.

Time required: 2 hours to Half day.

Airport to here: 14 minutes via private transport.

Billy Garaham Library

The Billy Graham Library, a tribute to “America’s Pastor,” is located just a few miles from Graham’s childhood home. The Graham family home (restored using 80% of original materials), a Christian bookstore, a “Journey of Faith” display recounting Graham’s life, the Memorial Prayer Garden, and a lunch eatery, the Dairy Bar, are all located on 20 acres about 10 minutes southwest of Uptown. Previous visitors who knew Graham stated it was a must-see and that the grounds were “calm” and “moving.” The library, Graham’s personal memorabilia, and the garden were all highlights. Others who were unfamiliar with Graham felt it was a pleasant stop, but not essential.

Time required: 1 to 2 hours.

Airport to here: 11 minutes via private transport.