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Things to do in
Charlotte

Our most recommended things to do in Charlotte

Charlotte: Historical City Tour on Eco-Friendly Cart

1. Charlotte: Historical City Tour on Eco-Friendly Cart

Get ready for a whirlwind 90-minute tour of Charlotte's best sights. Meet your tour guide and get ready to learn and explore. Once you’re all checked in it's time to board your electric cart for the day and hit the city streets. Set out on a discovery of Uptown Charlotte’s 4 wards as you learn about the city’s history, as well as its visions for the future. Along the way, see some of Charlotte’s most popular museums, luscious parks, and a number of churches from a variety of denominations. Next, a treat for die-hard sports fans with a visit to each of the sports stadiums in Uptown Charlotte, as well as a stop to take photos outside the Carolina Panthers Stadium. Head into the historic 4th ward next, one of the most popular highlights of the tour. Admire the architecture of 19th-century homes and learn about the rich history of this vibrant district. Throughout the tour, your guide will also make recommendations, enhancing your stay in Queen City.

SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord Aquarium General Admission

2. SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord Aquarium General Admission

Discover the magical underwater world at SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord where you get to explore 10 different zones. Encounter 5,000 undersea creatures including sharks, rays, seahorses, and much more. Journey through the freshwater lakes of North Carolina all the way to the depths of the ocean and meet these amazing creatures. Enjoy the Freshwater Exhibit so you can visit a small part of the Catawba River. The species in this exhibit are residents of the local streams, rivers, and lakes. Make your way to the Harbor Exhibit and make friends with the tropical underwater creatures who live in harbors around the world. Watch as hundreds of schooling fish surround you at the Shoaling Exhibit or see the Seahorse Mangrove Exhibit where you’ll get to witness these mythical creatures. Watch the seahorses grip at seagrass with their curly tails and suck up tiny shrimp with their straw-like snouts. Step inside Stingray Bay and be mesmerized by the happy and smiley rays. Step right into a sunken ship full of mysterious creatures that like to live in the deepest and darkest parts of the ocean. Explore the Tropical Ocean Exhibit where you can stroll under the sea as you pass through the awe-inspiring underwater Ocean Tunnel. Shoals of glittering fish flutter along beside you while sharks, rays, and Neptune, the rescued green sea turtle, glide slowly over your head. Be enchanted by the Jellies Exhibit and watch as these captivating creatures dance through the water. Then enter a kaleidoscope of color at the Coral Reef Exhibit where you’ll witness underwater cities teeming with fish that come in every shape, color, and pattern you can imagine. Last but certainly not least, make sure to check out Conservation Cove where you can learn more about how you can help protect the ocean and all its magnificent creatures.

Charlotte: Queen City Ghosts Haunted Walking Tour

3. Charlotte: Queen City Ghosts Haunted Walking Tour

Join this family-friendly ghost tour to discover the most haunted places in Charlotte, the Queen City. Expect to be spooked as your seasoned US Ghost Adventures guide takes you to 8 ghostly locations around the city. As you explore the city, you'll hear the story of how the Tar Heel State got its nickname and the tales of the spirits who journeyed from Ireland, attached to a bar that was imported from the Emerald Isle. Visit spots of historical importance such as the site of the Battle of Charlotte, where men lost their lives in the struggle for independence. Your guide will recount thoroughly researched and spooky stories that, although creepy, won’t leave you lying awake at night.

Charlotte: Historic Uptown 90-Minute Segway Tour

4. Charlotte: Historic Uptown 90-Minute Segway Tour

Charlotte has interesting sights and attractions befitting its status as one of the 20 largest U.S. cities, but you might not know it. Our 1.5-hour tour will get you started. We give you 15-20 minutes of practice and orientation before heading out on our adventure. The southern part of the city hosts new museums and cultural spaces, so it’s a good place to open your eyes to current development. But Charlotte was already well established during the Revolutionary War, when residents drove out British General Cornwallis. The best place to learn about its history is in the center of town, where we will ride through the Fourth Ward neighborhood. It has Charlotte's oldest homes and cemetery. Of course you also get to see our high-rises and skyscrapers up close, as well as numerous outdoor fountains and public works of art.

Sleepy Hollow: Washington Irving Self-Guided Audio Drive

5. Sleepy Hollow: Washington Irving Self-Guided Audio Drive

Washington Irving immortalized the legendary towns of Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown in his 1820s short story The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. On this driving tour, you’ll chase down the ghostly and headless figure on horseback from the story, while you take in the iconic and haunted sites that inspired it. Our drive starts outside Philipsburg Manor where you’ll hear how the famed author mixed Sleepy Hollow lore, local characters, and material he collected, borrowed, and stole from a range of sources to create the legend of the Headless Horseman. From there, I’ll show you the mill where a young Irving first heard the tale of a Hessian soldier who lost his head during the American Revolution. It was here, too, that the galloping goblin later raced and, using his detached head, brained schoolmaster Ichabod Crane. You’ll hear stories about the many spirits that are still believed to inhabit the town and its neighbor, Tarrytown, before ending at the site where the soldier is said to have lost his head! On this driving tour through the Hudson River Valley, you’ll also: • Find out what the 1685 Old Dutch Reformed Church graveyard has to do with the Headless Horseman • See Sleepy Hollow Cemetery where Washington Irving is buried, and hear the ghostly tale of the Bronze Lady • Pass through the often eerie roadways of Sleepy Hollow Country Club which are known stomping grounds for the galloping goblin • Cruise by Sparta Cemetery which was scarred by British cannons during the American Revolution and now is haunted by the mysterious “Leatherman” • Find out about the British spy, Major John Andre, who haunts Tarrytown’s Patriot’s Park • Hear heart-breaking tales about the three Wailing Women whose cries penetrate storms • Discover the other legend of Sleepy Hollow, Mother Hulda • Take in the historical site of the author’s former home, Washington Irving’s Sunnyside • Learn the name of the headless soldier that inspired countless iterations Join me, Jonathan Kruk, Historic Hudson Valley’s “best storyteller”, as I show you the area’s most haunted spots. I’ve performed “the Legend” a thousand times in the last twenty-five years and look forward to bringing Irving’s stories to life on this tour. By the end of this hour-long tour, you too will be under Sleepy Hollow’s spell!

Charlotte: Historical City Tour by Shuttle Bus

6. Charlotte: Historical City Tour by Shuttle Bus

Discover the best of the Queen City on a guided tour of the city of Charlotte. See some of the most important cultural landmarks in the city, such as the Mint Museum, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, and the Spectrum center. Explore the trendy district ofSouth End. Start the tour by boarding the van in Uptown Charlotte. Star by passing the Spectrum Center, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, the Mint Museum, and other cultural and historic landmarks. See some of the oldest homes in the city in the 4th Ward. Your knowledgeable tour guide will provide plenty of insight and fun facts about what makes Charlotte special.

Charlotte: Self-Guided City Highlights Audio Tour

7. Charlotte: Self-Guided City Highlights Audio Tour

Step into the shoes of the Queen City’s earliest residents on a walking tour departing from Independence Square, the highest point in Uptown Charlotte, and the rumored cradle of American liberty. Just download the smartphone app and begin your self-guided journey whenever you wish. Visit the Old Settlers Cemetery, where you’ll find the graves of American Revolutionary War heroes, and the predecessors of US Presidents. See where the original Branch Mint was and where it was later moved, brick by painstaking brick. Discover several churches, including both St. Peter’s Catholic Church and St Peter’s Episcopal Church, and the former First Baptist Church, which is now the McGlohon Theater. Along the way, pass the building where a dozen businessmen leaped to their deaths, the Dunhill Hotel. Learn about the North Carolina drink of Cheerwine and which Hunger Games scenes were filmed in the Green Park, among other interesting facts. By the time you reach Romare Bearden Park, where the tour ends, you’ll have a much greater appreciation for the city, its history, and its cultural corners.

Charlotte Ghost Walking Tour: Smartphone Audio & GPS Tour

8. Charlotte Ghost Walking Tour: Smartphone Audio & GPS Tour

This tour, on our smart phone app, is professionally produced with a spooky voice, themed music and sound setting the mood. Go at your own pace, stop anytime. Want to stop at Al Mike's for a pint? Go for it. Or want to roam the cemetery longer for pics? No Problem. Just press play to continue. Why take our tour? - Best deal in town - Professionally produced - Go at your own pace, no need to follow a guide in a large group and struggle to hear. - Listen again after taking the tour. On this tour you'll explore the streets of the Fourth Ward, you'll see cemeteries, pubs, restaurants and hotels and learn their spooky story. The tour takes about one hour and you can take it anytime.

Uptown Funk: 1 Hour Guided Walking Tour of Charlotte

9. Uptown Funk: 1 Hour Guided Walking Tour of Charlotte

This is a typical itinerary for this product Stop At: Romare Bearden Park, 300 S Church St, Charlotte, NC 28202-1913 A fun fact-filled start of the tour featuring Queen Charlotte, King Haigler, Romare Bearden and Hugh McColl. -- in the beautiful park setting. Duration: 10 minutes Stop At: The Bank of America Stadium, 800 S Mint St, Charlotte, NC 28202-1518 For the sports fans in the group, here's where we cover the Charlotte Panthers, Hornets, Knights and the latest - Major League Soccer, Charlotte FC. Duration: 10 minutes Stop At: Old Settlers Cemetery, 200 W Trade St, Charlotte, NC 28202-1623 We get hands-on when we search for markers of early Charlotte settlers and American Revolutionary heros - one with a tie to Steph Curry! Duration: 10 minutes Stop At: Bank of America Corporate Center, 100 North Tyron Street Suite 3120, Charlotte, NC 28202-4000 Get ready for a marble - palooza experience when we pass through this Forutne 500 lobby and learn how Charlotte went from small farms to banking empires. Duration: 10 minutes Stop At: Mint Museum Uptown, 500 S Tryon St Levine Center for the Arts, Charlotte, NC 28202-1811 Charlotte's Arts & Culture scene is hotter than ever.. Here is the epicenter, and we find out what's fueling the Arts renaissance in the Queen City. *We do not go inside the museum. Travelers can visit on their own either before or after our tour. Please check the website of the museum for hours and pricing. **We offer add-on guided group tours to the museum. Please check our website for more information. Duration: 5 minutes Stop At: The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, 551 S Tryon St Levine Center for the Arts, Charlotte, NC 28202-1839 With a look back to Romare Bearden, we tell the story of the how The Gantt Center became one of nation's most important resources for African American Art and Culture. *We do not go inside the museum. Travelers can visit on their own either before or after our tour. Please check the website of the museum for hours and pricing. **We offer add-on guided group tours to the museum. Please check our website for more information. Duration: 5 minutes Stop At: Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, 420 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202-1937 A big finish with The Bechtler, one of Charlotte's most important buidlings archtecturally and ane of most the Queen City's most iconic instagrammable photo ops! *We do not go inside the museum. Travelers can visit on their own either before or after our tour. Please check the website of the museum for hours and pricing. **We offer add-on guided group tours to the museum. Please check our website for more information. Duration: 5 minutes

Asheville: Blue Ridge Parkway Self-Drive Tour w/ Audio Guide

10. Asheville: Blue Ridge Parkway Self-Drive Tour w/ Audio Guide

Explore the scenic wonders of the Blue Ridge Parkway from Asheville to Blowing Rock at your own pace with an in-app audio guide. Cover approximately 165 miles of awe-inspiring natural beauty, cultural attractions, and outdoor adventures. Along this iconic route, start with a stop at the must-see Craggy Gardens (Milepost 364.4), admiring vibrant rhododendron blooms and panoramic views. Continue to the Folk Art Center (Milepost 382), experiencing Appalachian heritage through handmade crafts and artisanal demonstrations. Then, witness the raw power of cascading waterfalls and explore scenic hiking trails at Linville Falls (Milepost 316.4). At Grandfather Mountain (Milepost 305.1), conquer the Mile High Swinging Bridge for breathtaking vistas and encounter wildlife in the nature preserve. Conclude your journey in this charming town of Blowing Rock, named after its iconic rock formation. Discover quaint shops, dining, and relaxation with a view. All throughout, get turn-by-turn directions, insightful commentary, and local tips.

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What people are saying about Charlotte

Overall rating

4.7
(157 reviews)

We took the tour last year on the shuttle bus, which was great! But we enjoyed the golf cart tour even more. It was more intimate and we were able to get up close and go down some places we couldn’t get to with the shuttle bus. Adrian, our tour guide, was very knowledgeable considering she has only been living in Charlotte for a couple of years. Her affection for the Queen City was apparent and it was wonderful to see the city through her eyes.

We really learned a lot about the city and its history from our guide, David. We felt this came from the heart of a 10th generation Charlotte-an who clearly loves the city. We really appreciated also learning about the history of the Brooklyn neighborhood and contributions of African Americans

It's great for eSIM-enabled cell phones. I had no problems unlocking it. I had a normal SIM card in my German cell phone and have now also activated the eSIM for vacation in America. Works great. Thanks

Never travelling from Europe to NYC again without a eSIM. So easy, sooo simple.

Very enjoyable and informative tour of Charlotte NC