Discover the Old & New in Charlotte

Classic sights and attractions thrive alongside fresh additions in North Carolina’s charming Queen City.

By Patricia Harrison

The past meets the present in Charlotte, an expansive city tucked in North Carolina’s Piedmont region. Charlotte, nicknamed the Queen City, was named after Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. She was queen consort of King George III during the time of the city’s founding in 1768. Over the centuries, the area has grown to be a bustling economic hub, but also maintains its signature Southern charm. Below are six classic and fresh things to see and do in the city to add to your itinerary.

NASCAR Hall of Fame | Felix Mizioznikov - stock.adobe.com

Classic

NASCAR Hall of Fame
Charlotte is synonymous with motorsports history and the NASCAR Hall of Fame is a must-visit pit stop. The impressive 150,000-square-foot facility impresses both speed enthusiasts and novices with a Heritage Speedway exhibit that delves into NASCAR’s seven-decade history and tons of interactive activities, such as high-tech racing simulators and a fan-favorite exhibit that tests your “pit crew” skills.

Freedom Park
To experience the city’s natural beauty, take a stroll in Freedom Park, Charlotte’s answer to New York City’s Central Park. Tons of walking and biking paths weave through the nearly 100-acre green space, which sits between the city’s residential areas (Dilworth and Myers Park). It’s a lovely place to spend a few hours, whether you want to stretch your legs on a jog or let the kids check out the full-size train engine and two playgrounds.

Floyd’s Soul Food
This no-frills restaurant has satisfied appetites for comforting soul food favorites since owner Otis Floyd Jr. opened the restaurant in honor of his mother in 1986. While Floyd passed away in 2014, his legacy lives on in dishes that are still served at the eatery, such as crispy-juicy fried chicken and smothered pork chops. Save room for the banana pudding or peach cobbler.

Charlotte, NC Skyline

Fresh

Urban District Market
Charlotte’s newest food hall (opened April 2023) is home to LaBARatory, a bar and distillery that produces soju (a vodka-like beverage that is popular on the Korea peninsula)—the first of its kind in North Carolina and a rarity in the United States. In addition to unique craft beverages, the food hall also features a bounty of bites, such as sweet and savory dumplings, burgers and fries, and katsu sandwiches.

Museum of Illusions
This chain of museums, which has 40 worldwide locations, brought its mind-bending exhibits to Ally Charlotte Center (near the NASCAR Hall of Fame) in late 2022. At the museum, visitors can explore a series of photo-worthy rooms and installations built around optical illusions that test the senses, including a collection of holograms and tricks that allow you to clone your image or serve your head on a platter.

Wesley Heights
Wesley Heights, an emerging neighborhood near Charlotte’s Uptown area, is booming, thanks to the arrival of several buzzy businesses over the last year. New spots visitors should have on their radar include: Midnight Mulligan Brewing, a sprawling industrial-chic venue serving IPAs, lagers, sours, and even spiked seltzers brewed on-site; Biblio, where chef, owner, and James Beard finalist Sam Hart offers a four-course tasting menu and a selection of over 500 wines; and Twenty Two West, a studio and storefront where you peruse beautiful jewelry and home decor by local artist Mary Hamby.

Where to Stay

Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel
The Tryon has enchanted visitors with stylish accommodations and warm hospitality since 2017, when it opened as Kimpton Hotels and Resort’s first boutique property in Charlotte. Unwind in rooms furnished with soaking tubs or marble showers and sip a signature cocktail, such as the grapefruit-infused Le Vie En Rose, at the rooftop bar.  

Grand Bohemian Hotel Charlotte
In 2020, the Grand Bohemian, an Autograph Collection hotel, debuted at the center of Charlotte’s Uptown district. The eye-catching design-forward property has an Argentinian theme that extends to its rooms, decorated with works by Argentinian artists and dining options, which includes South American-influenced Mico Restaurant.

DoubleTree by Hilton South Charlotte Tyvola
This June, the Hilton Charlotte Executive Park near Charlotte-Douglass International Airport reopened as a DoubleTree property after an extensive renovation and rebrand. Now, the hotel offers guests all the convenient perks that the beloved brand is known for, from warm chocolate chip cookies at check-in to an outdoor pool with a spacious patio.

Book these hotels, and more, using the TSA rate code in the GDS. Non-GDS users can book these hotels using tripXpress.

Banner photo: Freedom Park