Top Things to do in Charlotte, NC

By Masters Transportation

Charlotte is the largest city in North Carolina, and does not fall short on things to do. It’s also the third-fastest growing major city in the United States. Besides being home to corporate headquarters of Bank of America and other financial institutions, there is plenty of things to do for fun. We’ve outlined what our favorite activities in Charlotte are, separated in categories.

Art/Culture

Mint Museum

The Mint Museum is an internationally-renowned institution dedicated to collecting, preserving, exhibiting, inspiring, publishing and protecting important works of art and design from all over the world.

With 2 locations – Randolph and Uptown – each offering a slightly different experience in art than the other. Mint Museum Randolph has three permanent collections:

  1. Art of the Ancient Americas

This collection showcases more than 2,500 artworks from the ancient Americas. The collection is one of the largest in the United States, spanning 4,300 years of artistic creativity from 2800 BCE to 1500 CE. It presents more than forty of the major societies from ancient Mesoamerica (Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras), Central America (Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama), and Andean South America (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Chile).

  1. Decorative Arts

The Decorative Arts collection houses over 12,500 objects, and includes fine furniture, silver, and glass. According to the museum, its greatest strength is in the field of ceramics. The museum has significant pieces in wares from England and continental Europe, as well as notable pieces of American art pottery and Asian porcelain.

  1. Native American Art

The museum’s collection of modern and contemporary Native arts of the Americas showcases works from Canada, the United States, Mexico, and Guatemala, from the nineteenth century to today.

Mint Museum Uptown has three permanent collections:

  1. American Art

The museum’s collection of art includes paintings, unique works on paper, prints, sculptures, and photographs created from the Colonial Era through WWII. According to the museum, there are three areas of strength in these works: Federal portraiture, 19th century landscape painting, and early 20th century realism.

  1. Craft + Design

Works range in date from the mid-twentieth century to the present, the museum’s collecting focus is on the twenty-first century. The collection contains decorative arts in the areas of glass, fiber art, metal, studio jewelry, design, studio furniture, wood art, and clay.

  1. Modern & Contemporary

This collection consists of works of global significance and vision, representing a perspective that reflects the diverse and vibrant community of Charlotte. The museum is committed to building upon a dynamic foundation of paintings, photography, works on paper, artistic books, sculptures, installations, and new media.

Wing Haven Gardens and Bird Sanctuary

Located in the heart of Charlotte, Wing Haven provides a natural oasis and has been a special part of Charlotte since its creation by Elizabeth and Edwin O. Clarkson in 1927. The garden, designed with beauty and birds in mind, plantings offer interest in all seasons as well as cover, nesting sites, and food for feathered friends. Pools, fountains, and numerous birdbaths provide fresh water.

 

Today, the Wing Haven Foundation is a nonprofit that owns and operates the Wing Haven Gardens & Bird Sanctuary.

 

NASCAR Hall of Fame

The NASCAR Hall of Fame is in Uptown Charlotte, and is an interactive entertainment attraction honoring the history and heritage of NASCAR. The high-tech venue, designed to educate and entertain race fans includes artifacts, hands-on exhibits, a 278-person state-of-the-art theatre, Hall of Honor, Buffalo Wild Wings, NASCAR Fame Gear Shop and NASCAR productions-operate broadcast studio.

Explore the NASCAR Hall of Fame here.

 

Recreation

 

U.S. National Whitewater Center

The 1,300 acres offer a wide variety of activities for all ages and skill levels, including: whitewater rafting and kayaking, flatwater kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, rock climbing, zip lines, ropes courses, a canopy tour, and mountain biking on its 30+ mile trail system.

After whitewater rafting, grab a cold one at one of the Center’s dining venues, The River’s Edge Bar & Grill, Pump House Biergarten, or Adventure Dining Opportunities.

 

 

Carowinds

This park offers shows and entertainment, special events, thrill-seeking rides and a water park. With coasters and other thrill rides, family and kid rides, along with a water park with adult and child rides and slides, something is sure to please someone of any age at Carowinds.

 

 

Food/Drink

 

Charlotte Brews Cruise
The Charlotte brewery tours offer guests the opportunity to safely and easily visit multiple breweries, taste samples, learn the brewing process, see behind-the-scenes where beer is made and talk to the people who make it.

You can customize your own tour, or go on one offered on Saturdays. Click here to learn more about the tours offered.

 

Joe’s Doughs

Joe’s Doughs pumps out glazed masterpieces for the masses. According to Joe’s Doughs, its mission is to provide the community with donuts made only with the finest ingredients. They fry donuts in small batches every hour, making sure patrons get only the freshest and most delicious donuts in Charlotte.

 

8.2.0

This fun concept of a restaurant/karaoke bar/entertainment venue and is a must-visit when in Charlotte. The upscale Karaoke lounge (with proper stage, lighting, sound system, TVs, elevated booth seating, prop box and glitter is for anyone who wants to sing a few tunes and feel like a rock star (don’t worry – the lounge is sound proof).

The bar offers vintage game arcade like 80’s pinball and video games. There are two main bars and a pizzeria.

 

 

 

204 North

204 North Kitchen & Cocktails provides unique flavor combinations and classic mixed drinks that are the perfect accompaniment to its dishes.

Open for Brunch, Lunch, and Dinner, there’s something on the menu for everyone – from Shrimp & Grits or Buffalo Mac & Cheese, to Banana Nutella Toast or Vanilla French Toast.

 

 

It’s clear there’s no shortage of activities in Charlotte, NC. So what’re you waiting for, book your ticket here. And don’t forget, Masters Transportation is here to pick you up from the airport once you arrive and provide all your transportation needs. Book now!