A hub of innovation and culture that’s rich in history, famed for food and surrounded by inspiring landscapes – Charlotte, North Carolina is a city on the up.
Charlotte is an easy city to fall for. Often referred to as ‘The New South’ due to its forward-thinking ethos, the North Carolina city is a model of modern living and urban planning. The gleaming skyline of Uptown Charlotte overlooks lush parks, while hiking and biking greenways skim past rivers and through historic and art-filled neighbourhoods.
With a booming population, thanks in part to its growing reputation as a tech hub, the city offers attractions to please pretty much everyone: think motor sports, live music, diverse museums and farm-to-fork restaurants that draw from the region’s rich produce, from peaches to peanuts. Throw in its proximity to the Catawba River and the Appalachian mountains and you have all the ingredients for a fabulous break. Here’s our guide to spending the perfect weekend in Charlotte.
Friday
Check-in: to The Dunhill Hotel. This historic boutique hotel, a member of Historic Hotels of America, is superbly located in Uptown Charlotte (as the main downtown hub is known) so it makes a great base for exploring the city’s best attractions. Built in 1929, the hotel has an elegant Classical-Revival-style façade while the lobby blends the look of an exclusive club with a glamorous speakeasy. A few quirky decor details add an element of fun.
Each room is sleek and modern, with bright splashes of colour and plenty of 1920s references and vintage touches, such as the four-poster beds in the Deluxe Queen rooms. The Penthouse Suite still has its original marble floor as well as incredible views over the city.
Get your bearings: with a Segway tour of Uptown Charlotte. Charlotte NC Tours takes guests around the city from the Bank of America Plaza Retail Mall on Tyson Street.
The 'Markets, Museums and Parks' option takes participants through the Levine Center for the Arts (a cultural hub with several museums), around the charming Victorian Fourth Ward neighbourhood and through the art-filled Romare Bearden Park, named after a 20th-century African-American artist, author and songwriter who was born in the city.
The final stop is the 7th Street Public Market, an indoor market and food hall with a mix of shops, bars, bakeries and stalls perfect for picking up a post-ride snack.
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Take a peek at: the intersection of Tyson Street and Trade Street. This is Independence Square, famous for the bronze statues that adorn each of its four corners. They represent transportation, the future, commerce and industry and were created by American sculptor Raymond Kaskey, who’s best known for the Portlandia sculpture in Portland, Oregon.
The transportation statue is represented by an African-American man, highlighting the Black community’s contribution towards building the railway that turned Charlotte into one of the top transport hubs of the 19th century.
Pick up a 48-hour pass: for the Levine Center for the Arts ($20/around £15). It grants you access to attractions including the Mint Museum, the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art and the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture. Don’t miss the stunning mirrored firebird art installation outside the Bechtler Museum.
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Saturday
Wake up with: a coffee made with locally-roasted beans at Uptown Charlotte’s Coco and the Director, a popular coffee house, shop and hangout spot that also stocks a great selection of pastries.
Take things up a gear: by zooming over to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, a shrine to stock car racing and its heroes. This interactive venue highlights the history, heritage and icons of NASCAR and the racers who made history in this high-octane sport. It’s all about the people, the souped-up cars and racing on banked tracks at top speed. You can also try one of the simulators and pretend to be a driver in your own right.
The sport is said to have originated when Prohibition was at its peak and many farmers and civilians had their own stills for making spirits. Moving the brews around regularly led to high-speed chases through the backhills as the illegal distillers tried to evade local sheriffs.
Keep on motoring: at Victory Lane Indoor Carting, which is just a few miles from downtown. It’s a fun way to let your inner speed demon loose.
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Pick up: an electric bike from Charlotte Joy Rides – there are collection points around the city with real-time availability shown on the website’s map. Passes cost from $5 (£3.60) per half an hour or $30 (£22) for a 24-hour period.
Then pedal along the Little Sugar Creek Greenway, a trail that skims the river and goes through urban parks in the vibrant Midtown district.
Grab lunch: at nearby Calle Sol Latin Café and Cevicheria located on Thomas Avenue, famous for ceviche made with either shrimp or white fish but also its Chino-Latino dishes such as chaufa, a stir-fry with a twist.
Shop until you drop: at Plaza Midwood, where you’ll find House of Africa. Owned by Pape Seydou Ndiaye, originally from Senegal, it stocks jewellery, paintings and statues produced by artists from Africa and beyond. Only a few minutes’ walk away is Moxie Mercantile for vintage finds and work by local artists.
Drink in the city views: from Cloud Bar, atop the Le Méridien Charlotte Hotel. This chic spot, owned by celebrity chef David Burke, is famous for its signature cocktails such as the Peppermint Martini and Spiked Cold Brew, and it’s the perfect place for sunset or just watching the city twinkle through the windows.
Sunday
Have brunch at: Mert’s Heart and Soul Restaurant, which captures the flavours of the South in traditional favourites like red beans and rice and Louisiana-style s po’ boy sandwiches. It also serves Low Country and Gullah dishes such as shrimp 'n’ grits and shrimp Creole.
Head out of town: to the Catawba River for a relaxing afternoon on the water. Travel from Uptown, past the airport to Riverside Marina Paddle and Row in Belmont (around 15 miles/24km from Charlotte), where you can rent a kayak, paddle board or canoe, or join a guided tour. You could also book a half-day session on a pontoon that holds eight with Lake Wylie Boat Rentals, also located in Belmont.
Grab a late bite back Uptown: at Cowbell Burger and Whisky Bar, just around the corner from the Dunhill Hotel. Famous for its ‘dirty’ burgers, loaded with toppings from chilli to shiitake mushrooms, and for its great bar, the restaurant also has a selection of tasty late-night bites depending on when you arrive.
Main image: Susanne Pommer/Shutterstock