Things to Do in Charlotte

1. Wing Haven Gardens and Bird Sanctuary

Founded in 1927 by Elizabeth and Edwin Clarkson and later donated to the Wing Haven Foundation, the Wing Haven Gardens and Bird Sanctuary is a beautiful public garden and bird sanctuary that is open year-round. The well-kept gardens were designed to resemble a Cross of Lorraine, with shorter perpendicular paths crossing a longer central path, and are home to a wealth of ornamental trees, shrubs, and flowers as well as pools, fountains, sculptures and a beautifully preserved English sundial dating back to 1705. The gardens also feature a poem by Japanese pacifist Toyohiko Kagawa and a statue of Saint Fiacre, the patron saint of gardeners. If you are looking for fun things to do in Charlotte NC with kids, the Wing Haven Gardens and Bird Sanctuary is a beautiful place to visit.

248 Ridgewood Ave, Charlotte, North Carolina 28209, Phone: 704-331-0664

2. The Mint Museum

The internationally-renowned Mint Museum is at the forefront of Charlotte’s arts and culture scene, inspiring creativity through an unrivaled collection of art. The Mint is the oldest art museum in North Carolina and home to a globally significant collection of works and ground-breaking exhibitions housed in two locations in the city: Mint Museum Uptown and Mint Museum Randolph.

Mint Museum Randolph is located in the original branch of the United States Mint and has incredible collections of European and African art, ancient American art, ceramics and decorative arts, and fashion. Mint Museum Uptown features outstanding collections of American, European, and contemporary art as well as a world-renowned craft and design exhibition. The Mint Museum offers guided tours of the permanent collections in both buildings and special exhibits and presentations throughout the year. If you are wondering what to do in Charlotte, North Carolina with kids on a rainy day, this is a great place to visit.

2730 Randolph Road, Charlotte, North Carolina 28207, Phone: 704-337-2000

3. NASCAR Hall of Fame

Located in Uptown Charlotte, the NASCAR Hall of Fame documents, celebrates and honors the history and heritage of NASCAR. One of the city’s most popular attractions, the 150,000-square-foot state-of-the-art venue features a variety of interactive exhibits, informative displays, and hands-on presentations about the cars, the races, and the fans.

The modern, 278-seat High Octane Theater plays an exciting informational film about the history of NASCAR. More video, innovative graphics, and rotating displays greet visitors in the Great Hall. Induction ceremonies take place in the outdoor ceremonial plaza. Glory Road is lined with historic cars while Race Week is an interactive area which provides a behind-the-scenes look at the preparation a NASCAR team goes through before race day. The Hall of Fame’s racing simulators are a popular attraction where visitors can take the driver’s seat and experience racing first-hand.

400 East Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Charlotte, North Carolina 28202, Phone: 704-654-4400

4. Sullenberger Aviation Museum

The Sullenberger Aviation Museum at Charlotte Douglas International Airport is dedicated to educating visitors about the importance of aviation to society. Founded by Floyd and Lois Wilson in 1992, the museum aims to preserve aviation heritage with a collection of more than 50 stationary aircraft and smaller historic aviation-related items. The museum also boasts an array of still-operational historic aircraft such as the B-17, B-24, B-29 and Berlin Airlift C-54.

The Carolinas Aviation Museum is home to an extensive research library - the 9,000-volume Dolph Overton Aviation Library-- and the Bat Cave Storage and Restoration Facility. The museum also presents a variety of educational exhibits, programs, and activities and resources for classroom learning.

Sullenberger Aviation Museum, 4672 First Flight Drive, Charlotte, North Carolina 28208, Phone: 704-997-3770

5. Discovery Place

Discovery Place is dedicated to promoting exploration of the natural world and is one of the top family attractions in Charlotte NC. The center’s wealth of outstanding exhibits and dynamic displays inform, challenge, and engage audiences of all ages. One of the leading hands-on science centers in the country, Discovery Place also operates the Charlotte Nature Museum next to Freedom Park.

At the Nature Museum, visitors can get close to nature by observing live animals including free-flying butterflies and other insects. Another satellite of Discovery Place is the newly-opened Discovery Place KIDS museum in Huntersville. Discovery Place KIDS provides a rich and rewarding play experience that engages children’s imaginations and inspires learning.

301 N Tryon St., Charlotte, North Carolina 28202, Phone: 704-372-6261

6. ImaginOn

ImaginOn is a children’s library and theater that brings stories to life. Inspiring, encouraging, and educating children, the center is home to two state-of-the-art theaters, a multimedia production studio, a dedicated library for kids under 11, and a teen-only library. The center also features four multi-use classrooms and an interactive exhibit space.

Library services at ImaginOn and drop-in program participation are free of charge; however, tickets are required for the shows and pre-registration is required for children’s theatre classes and some library programs.

300 East Seventh St., Charlotte, North Carolina 28202, Phone: 704-416-4600

7. Sea Level NC

Sea Level NC is one of Charlotte's premiere seafood restaurants, opened in 2016 within the city's Hearst Tower by noted restaurateur Paul Manley. The restaurant is North Carolina's only destination for farm-to-fork oysters on the half shell, serving up a full menu of fare focusing on non-threatened species catches from regional farms and coastal fishers. Diners can enjoy a wide variety of Southern seafood favorites, including delectable entrees such as Thai-fried grilled salmon, fried North Carolina catfish, and squid chow chow with sweet and spicy sauce or shareable platters of Maine mussels or Calabash shrimp. At lunch, diners can choose from lighter coastal fare favorites such as catfish reubens, shrimp po'boys, and classic lobster rolls. An extensive regional draft beer list is offered, along with refreshing cocktails and mocktails perfect for enjoying on the restaurant's low-key outdoor patio.

129 E 5th St, Charlotte, NC 28202, Phone: 704-412-2616

8. Bechtler Museum of Modern Art

The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, located inside the Levine Center for the Arts, is dedicated to modern art. Housed in a beautiful 36,500-square-foot space designed by Mario Botta, the museum features a collection of more than 1,400 artworks. The downtown museum is named after the family of Andreas Bechtler, who assembled the collection of works by famous artists such as Léger, Matisse, Degas, Warhol, Mirò, Picasso, and Le Corbusier.

Visitors are welcomed to the museum by the awe-inspiring, 17-foot Firebird (Le Grand Oiseau de Feu sur l’Arche) by artist Niki de Saint Phalle, made of over seven thousand mirror mosaics.

Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, 420 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28202, Phone: 704-353-9200

9. Blumenthal Performing Arts

Blumenthal Performing Arts is the heart of Charlotte’s performing arts scene and is home to such outstanding organizations as the Charlotte Ballet and Symphony, the Community School of the Arts, and Opera Carolina. The Blumenthal has six theaters under its management.

The Booth Playhouse, the Belk Theater, and Stage Door Theater are in the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center building while the Duke Power Theater and McGlohon Theater are both in Spirit Square. The Knight Theater is also under Blumenthal management, and the company presents additional performances at the Ovens Auditorium. If you are looking for romantic date night ideas in Charlotte, look up the Blumenthal Performing Arts schedule. The Blumenthal provides performing arts courses, classes, and events throughout the year.

Blumenthal Performing Arts, 130 North Tryon ST., Charlotte, North Carolina 28202, Phone: 704-372-1000