How to Spend an Extra Day in Charlotte

Fondly nicknamed the Queen City, Charlotte, North Carolina, is a destination that thrives on many fronts. Visitors can look forward to year-round mild weather, a robust food and drink scene that includes more than 40 breweries, and an ever-growing cultural lineup of museums, public murals and music performances. With its 52 miles of greenways, three main lakes, and an abundance of parks, Charlotte offers a multitude of outdoor pursuits.

The metropolis is also a key filming location, and a place where business travel is a mainstay industry. Many large hotels have a great deal of meeting space, while the Charlotte Convention Center spans more than 600,000 square feet. The venue features a pedestrian walkway connecting to The Westin Charlotte and Lynx light-rail station where you can hop on for a short trip into the heart of town. Many of the city’s diverse neighborhoods are walkable and prime for exploring.

Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture

Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture / Photo: Courtesy of Cody Hughes/CRVA

Among the preeminent cultural venues in the country, this center is an homage to the achievements of African Americans and people of African descent in the arts, featuring a standout collection. The center also hosts events such as movie screenings and live performances.
ganttcenter.org

Mert’s Heart & Soul

Mert’s Heart & Soul / Photo: Courtesy of Mert’s Heart & Soul

Soul cuisine is ingrained in Charlotte’s history and integral to its identity. Mert’s Heart & Soul is renowned for serving the best in town. Owned and run by James Bazzelle and his wife, Reneé, the restaurant stands apart for its dishes. Must-tries include shrimp and grits and macaroni and cheese. Don’t skip dessert: The cakes are well worth the splurge.
mertscharlotte.com

The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte

The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte / Photo: Courtesy of Cody Hughes/CRVA

At the top of the city’s luxury hotel game, The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte, features regional art, a rooftop garden and minibars stocked with local artisanal snacks. The property also offers a spa, coffeehouse Bar Cocoa and a glamorous bar. Given the event spaces, meeting rooms and amenities that make working on the go convenient, it’s no surprise that the hotel is a business traveler favorite.
ritzcarlton.com

NASCAR Hall of Fame

NASCAR Hall of Fame / Photo: Courtesy of Don Riddle Images

You don’t need to be a racing fan to appreciate the rich history and spectacle showcased at the NASCAR Hall of Fame Expect an engaging excursion: Racing cars from past and present, simulators, interactive exhibits, and stories of famous figures from the sport are all part of the fun to be had.
nascarhall.com

Whitewater Center

Whitewater Center / Photo: Courtesy of U.S. National Whitewater Center

Spanning more than 1,300 acres, Whitewater Center is a playground where you can enjoy outdoor pursuits such as rock climbing, zip-lining and a ropes course that stretches more than 700 feet across a canyon. But for us the star is the pulse-racing white-water rafting that includes advanced Class IV rapids. Tamer types can stick to the 50 miles of walking trails.
whitewater.org