Charlotte North Carolina NASCAR Hall of Fame and South End

Why visit Charlotte

Charlotte often surprises visitors who expect only office towers. Uptown has a cluster of strong museums within a few blocks of each other, including modern art, African American art and culture, and the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Beyond the center, neighborhoods such as South End, NoDa and Plaza Midwood have converted mills and warehouses into breweries, food halls, galleries and music venues, while older areas like Dilworth and Myers Park are shaded by huge willow oaks.

Uptown museums and parks

Uptown is divided into four wards around the intersection of Trade and Tryon streets, known as Independence Square, where four bronze statues represent the city's history in commerce, transportation, industry and the future. Most of the sights below are within a fifteen-minute walk of this point.

NASCAR Hall of Fame

Even if you are not a racing fan, this museum is an engaging introduction to a sport with deep roots in the Carolinas. Exhibits include historic race cars, a banked ramp showing the angle of real tracks, interactive pit-crew challenges and racing simulators that let you try a virtual race.

Levine Center for the Arts

On South Tryon Street, a cluster of cultural venues share a central plaza. The Mint Museum Uptown focuses on American art, contemporary art and craft and design.

Romare Bearden Park and Truist Field

Named for the celebrated collagist who was born in Charlotte, Romare Bearden Park has gardens, waterfalls and lawns that draw office workers at lunch and families on weekends.

Discovery Place Science

This hands-on science museum on North Tryon Street is the top choice for families, with exhibits on the human body, the natural world and engineering, plus live demonstrations and a large-format theater. Allow two to three hours.

Neighborhoods worth exploring

Mint Museum Randolph and Eastover

Southeast of Uptown, the original Mint Museum occupies a building that began as a branch of the United States Mint, created after gold was found in the region in the early nineteenth century.

South End and the Rail Trail

Once a district of textile mills and rail yards, South End has become one of the most energetic neighborhoods in the city. The Rail Trail is a walking and cycling path that runs beside the LYNX Blue Line, lined with public art, apartments, breweries, restaurants and shops.

NoDa

North Davidson Street gives NoDa its name. This former mill village turned arts district has murals, independent galleries, small music venues and a lively bar scene, especially on weekend nights.

Plaza Midwood and Camp North End

Plaza Midwood, east of Uptown, has vintage shops, dive bars and an eclectic mix of restaurants. To the north of Uptown, Camp North End is an adaptive reuse project in a historic industrial complex that once housed a Ford assembly plant, now filled with local food vendors, studios, events and public art.

Outdoors, faith and racing

U.S. National Whitewater Center

West of the city along the Catawba River, this large outdoor center has a man-made whitewater channel for rafting and kayaking, along with ziplines, ropes courses, climbing and miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking.

Freedom Park

Southeast of Uptown, Freedom Park has a lake with a walking loop, playgrounds, ball fields and a historic steam locomotive on display.

Billy Graham Library

West of Uptown, this museum traces the life and ministry of the evangelist Billy Graham, who was born on a dairy farm in Charlotte.

Charlotte Motor Speedway

In Concord, northeast of the city, this major oval track hosts NASCAR races including the Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend. On non-race days, tours are often available.

Food and local flavors

North Carolina barbecue is a point of regional pride. Charlotte sits between the vinegar-based whole-hog tradition of the east and the Lexington style of the Piedmont, where pork shoulder is served with a tangy, tomato-tinged sauce, red slaw and hushpuppies.

Charlotte's dining scene is diverse, with excellent Vietnamese, Mexican, Korean, Indian and Ethiopian food along Central Avenue and in the suburbs.

Where to stay

Uptown: Most large hotels are in Uptown, steps from museums, arenas and the light rail.

South End: Boutique hotels and apartment rentals put you on the Rail Trail with restaurants and breweries outside your door.

Dilworth and Myers Park: These historic residential neighborhoods offer bed-and-breakfasts and rentals in gracious old homes.

NoDa and Plaza Midwood: Rentals and small hotels here suit travelers who want an artsy, local feel and live music nearby.

Best time to visit

Spring, from late March to May, brings flowering dogwoods and azaleas, comfortable temperatures and a busy calendar of festivals and outdoor dining.

Summer is hot and humid, with regular afternoon thunderstorms, though it is a good time for whitewater rafting, baseball games and lake trips.

Getting there and getting around

Charlotte Douglas International Airport, a major hub for American Airlines, lies about fifteen to twenty minutes west of Uptown by car.

Within the city, the LYNX Blue Line light rail runs from the south of the city through South End and Uptown to NoDa and UNC Charlotte, and the CityLYNX Gold Line streetcar runs east to west through Uptown.

A suggested itinerary

First day

Start at Independence Square, then spend the morning at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. After lunch, visit the Bechtler and the Gantt Center, then relax in Romare Bearden Park.

Second day

Visit the Mint Museum Randolph and drive through Myers Park, then walk the lake loop at Freedom Park.

Third day

Spend the day at the U.S. National Whitewater Center rafting or hiking.

Practical tips

• Check the event calendar before booking, since hotel rates jump during races, conventions and big games.
• Use the LYNX Blue Line to move between South End, Uptown and NoDa instead of hunting for parking.
• Reserve activities at the Whitewater Center and dinner tables on weekends in advance.
• Check museum websites for current hours and fees, as several close on certain weekdays.
• Carry water and sunscreen in summer, when heat and humidity are high even in the evening.
• Plan extra driving time at rush hour, especially on Interstate 77 and Interstate 485.

Find local businesses in Charlotte on WiserMap

Looking for restaurants, shops or local services in the Queen City?

Explore local businesses