If you’re a fan of roller coasters and adrenaline, Carowinds is the place to be. This thrilling amusement park also has a water park for the kids!
Known as the Queen City, Charlotte and its county were named in honor of Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, wife of King George III. The paved highways that began to spread across the region in the 1920s helped Charlotte grow as a regional distribution center.
1. Breweries and Vineyards
In recent years, Charlotte’s breweries have transformed from the preferred hangout of single millennials to the place where entire families spend their days and nights. Try your hand at brewing your own beer at Suffolk Punch Brewing, or create your own self-guided tour by visiting the likes of Olde Mecklenburg, Sycamore, and the enchanting Petty Thieves, all of which feature a unique taproom experience and spectacular beers.
For a refreshing wine tasting, visit the charming Dover Vineyards in Concord. This family-run vineyard isn’t just a winery, but also a working vegetable farm, where you can enjoy a glass of wine and a tasty bite while taking in the gorgeous surroundings. This place is sure to become a favorite for wine lovers.
2. Sports
The city is home to professional football, basketball and hockey teams. The University of North Carolina at Charlotte has collegiate sports programs and hosts the Big South Conference offices.
The Charlotte NC area is also a major high school sports power, with many schools winning state championships over the years. Garinger and West Charlotte were state football powers in the early 1990s and Butler has won three basketball titles.
Nevin Park in northeast Charlotte is a favorite among families, offering five bocce ball courts, four lighted softball fields and three soccer fields, as well as horseshoe pits, shuffleboard, a playground, 18-hole disc golf course and walking trails. The park has a 1.5-mile dog park called Ray’s Fetching Meadow and a 1-mile nature trail. The park has more than 200 acres and is open year-round.
3. Shopping
Shopping in Charlotte is an experience that can take you anywhere from boutiques and artisan studios to home design showrooms and more. From national retailers to a curated selection of local specialty shops, there’s something for everyone in this Southern city that shines when it comes to retail.
Carolina Place Mall offers visitors a deluxe shopping destination anchored by Nordstrom, Belk and Dillard’s as well as popular chain stores like American Diva and Build-A-Bear Workshop. The mall also hosts special events and activities throughout the year.
South End is another must-visit for shoppers looking for local artisan boutiques and homegrown t-shirt companies that you can’t find at your average department store. The neighborhood also features a few of the best restaurants and breweries in Charlotte.
4. Restaurants
If you’re a foodie, Charlotte has a lot to offer. The city’s restaurants focus on elevating local ingredients through farm-to-table preparation and impressive wine menus. You can find everything from a juicy burger or comforting bowl of ramen to a one-of-a-kind tasting experience.
A new addition to the trendy Optimist Park neighborhood is Heirloom, a restaurant that offers a rejoinder to the recent flood of influencer-friendly South End and NoDa boutiques. The menu focuses on locally sourced fare like smoked Gulf shrimp, boudin and a good old-fashioned oatmeal cookie sandwich.
A fun alternative is Tommy’s Pub, which has classic dive bar decor and a come-as-you-are ambiance. The wristband you receive at the door tracks how much beer and wine you pour into your glass, so you only get charged for what you drink.
5. History
Unlike most major inland towns of the time, which developed where waterfalls hindered river navigation or at the mouths of mountain passes or where some natural resource waited to be exploited, Charlotte developed by chance because it stood at the intersection of two Native American trading paths. During the Revolutionary War, Lord Cornwallis occupied the town and received such hostile treatment that he dubbed it “the hornet’s nest of rebellion,” which became the city’s emblem and is still displayed on the city’s cars today.
The first of several railroad lines arrived in 1860, and by the end of the Civil War Charlotte was one of the largest wholesale distribution centers for a vast southeastern region. It also became a center for textile manufacturing and banking, among other industries.