Location: Charlotte
Top Things to do in Charlotte
What to do and see in Charlotte, North Carolina (NC): The Best Free Things to do
Charlotte /ˈʃɑːrlət/ is the most populous city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. Located in the Piedmont, it is the county seat of Mecklenburg County.
Restaurants in Charlotte
1. Billy Graham Library
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,409 reviews
Journey through history with one of the most influential voices of the 20th century. Learn more about Billy Graham and his message of God’s love. Through multimedia exhibits, films, and memorabilia, you'll relive the historic moments of his life. Tour the restored Graham family home, shop in Ruth’s Attic, and enjoy lunch in the Dairy Bar. The Billy Graham Library will leave you inspired by this amazing man and his message of hope.
Reviewed By SilverStar092
This site is a wonderful experience as it includes the Graham homestead, a building housing displays of key events in Rev. Graham's life and a good dairy bar that is perfect for lunch. The grounds offer some nice walking paths as well. Amazingly there is no charge to visit and this is a great place to spend a couple hours.
2. Foundation For The Carolinas
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By vaporymom - Dallas, United States
Beautiful little find in downtown Charlotte. The glass art is gorgeous - boasting the talent of Dale Chihuly and Jon Kuhn. And it’s free! Stop in and take in the sparkle and shine.
3. Good Road Ciderworks
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 14 reviews
4. SouthPark
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 232 reviews
Upscale shopping district.
Reviewed By JoelKrugler
This is a fine upscale mall, with many of the stores you'd expect to find only in top malls: Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Tiffany, etc. Plus the expected solid restaurants: Cheesecake Factory, McCormick & Schmick, Maggiano, and lots more. There's plenty of parking, although it can get crowded and you may have to walk a bit from one of the parking stacks. There's valet parking, of course, for $5. Bottom line: the best mall in the area, clean, well run, high quality, good variety of department stores and specialty shops. What more do you want from a mall?? (Oh yes - convenient location. Obviously that depends upon where you're coming from. For me, coming from the Lake Norman area, this is a bit of a hike... but worth it.)
5. Charlotte By The Lake Realtors
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 301 reviews
We offer families to find a home here at the largest man-made lake located outside of Charlotte that offers golfing, fishing and boating, with over 500 miles of shoreline and islands you can pull up to and picnic. Enjoy living here or vacationing here. Lake Norman’s communities have a shoreline that rambles through Mecklenburg, Iredell, Catawba and Lincoln counties. It has the cities of Cornelius, Denver, Davidson, Huntersville, and Mooresville, with over 550 miles of shoreline. Lake Norman has islands to explore, parks to hike, new beach to swim, fishing to enjoy golf courses, marinas to store your boat, and restaurants to pull up in your boat. All of this just minutes to downtown Charlotte North Carolina, and Charlotte airport.
6. Hendrick Motorsports Complex
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 450 reviews
Reviewed By movinandgroovin2018 - Atlanta, United States
Located within 5 minutes of Charlotte Motor Speedway, this was a great way enjoy a free museum dedicated to Hendrick's racing team throughout the years. Free to the public, plenty of free parking, and a well stocked gift shop!
7. Fourth Ward
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 100 reviews
Reviewed By 929sues - Normal, United States
We picked up a brochure at the visitor's center downtown and walked the short distance to this area. It was a gorgeous day and we enjoyed seeing the different styles of architecture and reading the short history of each house.
8. Reedy Creek Nature Center and Preserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 83 reviews
Reviewed By Q3633SWteresas
This park is a great place to spend a day outside! There are picnic areas, a fishing pier, a kids’obstacle course, a basketball court and a disc golf course if you’re looking for recreational activities. My favourite part of the park, though, was the nature preserve and its lovely hiking trails. I picked up a map at the nature centre — which also has some interesting displays of local reptiles — and headed out on a 90 minute walk. The trails were well maintained, wide and easy to hike. They were also well marked. I met an eastern box turtle along the way and only came across one other person. It was a very peaceful and beautiful hike. Half the hiking trails are closed right now because of a stream restoration but there are still options to keep you walking for a couple of hours if you are inclined to do so. I would recommend this place to anyone visiting the area who likes to go for walks in the woods.
9. Old Mecklenburg Brewery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 267 reviews
Reviewed By P2968NKlauraw
December at this brewery is so fun.. Santa, Christmas music, decorated trees , fire pits and fun people! Every weekend, lots of vendors with unique gifts for Christmas! I especially loved. The “Good Karma Ranch” alpaca products! Socks, gloves, scarves and beautiful ponchos...sooo soft! And the alpaca ornaments are adorable!
10. McDowell Nature Center and Preserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 150 reviews
Reviewed By mouskamouse - Charlotte, United States
A beautiful park just south of Charlotte,trails,picnic tables and lake Wylie. Not very crowded during the week a great place for a hike, a quiet picnic or just sitting on a quit bench
