Travel Guides > Charlotte, NC

Charlotte, NC Travel

Charlotte is a city full of history. Visitors may be surprised to learn that this Southern city actually played a part in early America's cry for independence (check out the Mecklenburg Declaration) in the 1700s. Later on, of course, it also was an important Confederate city during the Civil War.

Today, however, Charlotte has assumed a role as one of the South's most important business centers, particularly in the banking industry. It's also earned a spot as one of the best places in the southern United States to live and raise a family, thanks to a growing economy, improving city services, and the pleasant North Carolina weather.

Charlotte is a frequent destination for business travelers who are often in search of something to do during their leisure time between meetings and conferences. Charlotte provides a number of fine attractions that are certainly worth a visit while you're spending some down time in the downtown area.

For about 75 years, Charlotte - once a major gold producer - was home to a branch of the U.S. Mint. Today, the marvelous building that housed the Mint is home to an excellent art museum. The Mint Museum of Art is one of Charlotte's must-see attractions. The collection at this museum, which opened in 1936, includes American art, American decorative arts, both American and European ceramics, pre-Columbian art, historic costumes and accessories, African art, Asian art, and photography.

Discovery Place - and its accompanying Charlotte Nature Museum - is touted as one of the best of its kind in the southern portion of the United States. Family members of all ages can explore every corner of the earth and beyond at Discovery Place, from interesting exhibits about outer space to the fascinating world of ocean life. The Nature Museum focuses on animals and plants of the Piedmont region and is also home to a Butterfly Garden.

The Charlotte Museum of History is an excellent civic museum dedicated to teaching locals and visitors about the city's rich past and visions for the future. The Hezekiah Alexander Historic Homestead, on the museum's premises, features costumed docents who educate visitors as to life in 18th century Charlotte.

Need to get some fresh air? The Mecklenburg County Park System is immense and parks spread throughout the city offer fitness and bike trails, fishing, disc golf, swimming pools, and ball fields. Charlotte's also a great place to play golf and boasts a few courses that have been continually touted as among the best in the country.

Performing arts lovers will find Charlotte to be a mecca for music, dance, and theater groups, including the Charlotte Symphony, the Charlotte Philharmonic Orchestra, Charlotte Civic Orchestra, North Carolina Dance Theatre, Opera Carolina, Charlotte Repertory Theatre, Theatre Charlotte, Actor's Theatre of Charlotte, Moving Poets Theater of Dance and Carolina Voices.