This is the Queen City, baby! Here, anyone can be royalty. We’re talking about one of the best cities in the entire U.S.A. We’re talking about the birthplace of NASCAR, the locale for half a dozen historic museums and theaters, and the home of the legendary Carolina Panthers. In short, dear reader, we’re talking about Charlotte, North Carolina.
Now, it will take a bit of planning to get the royal treatment in Charlotte. First of all, you’re going to need a nice base of operations, something that puts you close to the best parts of Queen City and offers the latest amenities. To achieve this, just pick one of these Charlotte vacation rentals. Charlotte is a fantastic city for soaking up some rays, so be sure to bring your tanning lotion and sunscreen!
Essential Charlotte Attractions
So hey, obviously, different people want different things from their vacations. It’s a harsh reality that not every vacation activity can be enjoyed by all group members. For example, if I had a dollar for every time my partner took me to a new city’s local antique shop, I’d still be broke because of all the money we spent at those antique stores.
But I digress.
The main point here is that Charlotte actually does have a whole bunch of attractions that everyone can enjoy. Check ‘em out.
Hezekiah Alexander Rock House
History buffs will be especially fond of the displays at the Charlotte Museum of History, but it is the presence of Hezekiah Alexander’s Homestead that makes the museum a must-see. Two years before America as we know it existed, in 1774, Hezekiah Alexander built himself a home that is still standing today. Listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, this homestead is one of the oldest pieces of history that you can still touch!
Belk Theater
Speaking of history, the Belk Theater is one of the oldest and most sophisticated theaters in the country. If the Queen of England were to visit the Queen City, only Belk Theater could offer the standard of polished entertainment that would meet her expectations. The theater is host to any number and style of shows, so you’re guaranteed to find something that appeals to your whole squad. Hard rock shows? They’ve got it. Aladdin? Go to that, too. Romantic opera? You said it. As long as you’re a fan of stunning performances, the Belk Theater will never disappoint.
NASCAR Hall of Fame
Admittedly, this one is about as far from the beaten path as you can get. The path leading to Charlotte’s NASCAR Hall of Fame is more of a well-worn road. And deservedly so. The hall offers more than just the history of NASCAR, although it certainly covers that. Enjoy up to 50 interactive experiences, including voice recordings and a NASCAR simulation ride! Even if you have no interest in cars, museums, history, or competitive sports, there’s a nice restaurant within the Hall where you can nosh to your heart’s delight.
Queen City Gems
With so many sweet activities to choose from in Charlotte, it can be hard to know what to prioritize. You can easily fill all your time with the most popular, no-open-seats attractions in the Queen City. But once you’ve had a taste of the popular stuff, it can be nice to get away and appreciate Charlotte without the presence of other tourists. For that part of your Queen City experience, try one of these quirky places.
Discovery Place Science
Are you a fan of wriggling, crawling, or eyeball licking? If reading that sentence didn’t give you a panic attack, you might like Discovery Place Science. This kid-friendly museum appeals to the science enthusiast in all of us. The museum has hands-on displays on topics ranging from weird animals to the human body to architecture. If you like technology, construction, or just learning strange facts, Discovery Place Science deserves a top spot on your list.
King’s Kitchen
Charlotte is home to innumerable delectable restaurants. Just walking a block or two from your vacation rental is likely to take you past an eye-grabbing bar or eatery. But there’s no restaurant in Queen City quite like King’s Kitchen. At King’s, you get treated like a visiting noble. This nonprofit sources all its food locally and even donates its profits to help the hungry. When you dine at King’s Kitchen, you get to taste authentic and traditional Southern cuisine and support the people of Queen City at the same time. There’s no more satisfying meal in all of North Carolina.
Unfortunately, we haven’t got time to discuss all the awesome places you can go in Charlotte. There simply isn’t enough room on this webpage. We haven’t even gotten to the wondrous parks or the bumping nightclubs… Ah well, that just means there’ll be plenty for you to discover in person. Enjoy your time as a visiting dignitary in Queen City!
