edit Charlotte Travel Guide

• Discovery Place - One of the nation's most acclaimed children's museums.
• Levine Museum of the New South - An excellent introduction to the South's history and influences over the past centuries
• Visit one of the many beautiful parks that have made Charlotte known for its "green" appearance

Heavy growth in the past 20 years has made Charlotte one of the southeastern USA's largest and most successful cities. In many ways, the city is still trying to catch up to its own growth; visitors often comment that it seems understated in terms of culture and development. However, Charlotte is changing at a breathtaking speed. A very rapid influx of population and business investment has given it one of the most dynamic urban areas in the region.

By plane

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is located on the west side of town near Billy Graham Parkway. Bus route 5 (Airport) goes there. The airport is a major domestic hub for US Airways, and receives flights from most major airlines.

Though the airport has diversified somewhat in the past few years, US Airways domestic flights are still its primary source of traffic.

Taxis charge a flat $20 rate for a trip from the airport to Uptown (for one or two passengers; additional charges apply for groups).

By train

The Amtrak station is located on North Tryon near Dalton, on bus route 11 (North Tryon). If you arrive by train, be aware that this area is relatively seedy. Though you will be safe in and around the station, it is not a good idea to "wing it" once you arrive. Try to pre-arrange travel from the station to your next destination; walking is not recommended.

By car

The interstate highways through Charlotte are Interstates 85 (northeast-southwest) and 77 (north-south). I-85 takes you to Burlington and Greensboro. N.C. 74 is also a primary route into the city, and links with I-277.

Note that while I-277 (inner loop) has been completed for some time, I-485 (outer loop) is incomplete and still under construction. The northwestern quadrant of I-485 is still missing, but the rest of the freeway is quite useful for circling the perimeter of the city.

Similarly, I-277 is very useful when moving quickly around the center city. However, it is important to understand that one side of the "loop" is actually I-77, which interchanges with I-277 in two places. It is easy to misread the signs and end up moving farther along I-77 rather than circling back onto I-277. When using the loop, be sure to follow signs for "Downtown" in order to stay on the correct path.

Secondary roads in Charlotte are notoriously difficult to navigate. In particular, visitors and residents alike are often befuddled by frequent name changes in the roads. To make matters worse, many roads in the city share similar names. Also, very few of the city's roads are based on a grid or similarly organized system; most of the roads outside the city core are winding avenues that follow the natural features of the land.

The city can be a delight to explore by car, but visitors are strongly advised to pick up a free map or purchase a road map upon arrival.

By bus

The Greyhound station is just northwest of Uptown Charlotte and is served by buses 8 (Tuckaseegee), 34 (Freedom Drive), and 7 (Beatties Ford).

CATS (Charlotte Area Transit System) buses cover most of the city. They depart from the teal-roofed Transit Center in the Uptown business district. Though they are generally clean and safe, they are usually not the most efficient way to get around the city. The Express buses connecting Uptown with the outer suburbs have proven popular among the professional crowd as a way to get in and out of the city without having to fight traffic. Though they only depart and return to their destinations a handful of times per day, they may be a desirable mode of transportation for someone making a day trip to the downtown area.

By boat

By Car

Driving Uptown is laid out in a grid, with numbered streets running east-west with few exceptions. Streets running north-south have proper names. Charlotte's outer suburbs are often difficult to navigate. Most roads are built according to the natural lay of the land; once you leave the I-277 loop, you are likely to find it increasingly difficult to predict the direction (and often, the name) of the road you are travelling on. Therefore, it is a good idea to make certain your directions are specific and trustworthy before venturing into an unknown area. Otherwise, you will likely find yourself relying on the (usually) friendly natives for directions back to your starting point.

By Light Rail

When the Light Rail Southern Corridor (Blue Line) is finished (it is currently scheduled to open in November 2007, it will be a rapid and efficient way to commute from Uptown to the edges of Mecklenburg County. It will include stops at Bobcats Arena, the Convention Center, and other major locations. In the meantime, construction on the line may block certain streets on the eastern and southern ends of Uptown and along South Blvd.

By Bus

You can rent a car or a taxi at any of several places, but if you're willing to take longer to get where you're going, a bus ride is much cheaper. Most bus routes start at the Transportation Center and go toward the suburbs like spokes on a wheel (roughly). Bus fare is $1.30 for a one-leg or two-leg trip, $1.75 for an express bus (these run mornings and evenings and go to an outlying area without stopping), and 60¢ for a shuttle. Allow 45 minutes for a one-leg trip, 2 hours for a two-leg trip. Also, be aware of the colorfully-painted buses in the suburbs that connect neighborhoods to primary routes.

By Foot

Uptown Charlotte is very dense, and almost all attractions in that part of town are easily reached by walking. However, only a few other districts (such as NoDa and Dilworth) are truly pedestrian-friendly. Outer districts, such as Ballantyne and University City, are pedestrian-unfriendly areas. If you must walk, give some thought to the weather; summer days in the South are quite hot and it is easy to get dehydrated.

Police

Fire Department

Hospitals

Crime

Smoking

North Carolina is known as "Tobacco Road", and cigarettes are almost ubiquitous in Charlotte. However, smoking is prohibited in most indoor public areas, including public transportation and many restaurants. It is still legal to smoke on the street, though you may want to be considerate of others if you are in a crowded area. Smoking is permitted at most bars and nightclubs, and most restaurants have designated smoking sections. At concert venues (such as Bobcats Arena) there are outdoor decks for smokers.

One of Charlotte's biggest weaknesses is the relative lack of retail shopping in the center city. Though this will change somewhat in the near future, you will generally have to venture into the suburbs to do your shopping. As with most American cities, most retail is located in malls and shopping centers, though some areas (especially the inner suburbs) have stores along the streets.

• Concord Mills - Though not technically located in Charlotte, this is the largest shopping destination in the region. Only minutes from the Charlotte city line. Over a linear mile of outlet-sized stores; if you can think of it, you can buy it here. 200 factory-size stores, a 24 screen theatre, large NASCAR-themed race track/arcade, and many restaurants, this Mall's motto is "Eat. Drink. Play". This is the largest tourist attraction in North Carolina.
• Carolina Place Mall - Large mall near the southern city line, convenient to the southern suburbs and South Carolina. This is a somewhat more middle-class alternative to SouthPark, and extremely popular among teens in the southern part of the city. Its location off I-485 puts it in the middle of traffic, but also locates it near a large number of other shopping centers and restaurants (though the food court is more than adequate to feed a family). Anchors include Belk, Dillard's, Sears, J.C. Penney, and Hecht's.
• Eastland Mall -An older Charlotte mall, a good place to go for bargains at the Dillard's Clearance Center and Burlington Coat Factory. The center features an ice skating rink inside the mall.
• Northlake Mall - Brand-new mall in north Charlotte, convenient to the University area. On the same price level as Carolina Place. Anchors are Belk, Dillard's, and Macy's. Includes an AMC movie theater.
• SouthPark Mall - Charlotte's largest and most upscale mall, located in eponymous neighborhood of Charlotte approximately 6 miles south of center city. Stores include Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Dillard's, Macy's and a flagship Belk, and many shops and botiques are unique to the Carolinas such as Louis Vuitton and Burberry.
• If you are looking to shop outside the commercial retail sector, try exploring some of the districts just outside the I-277 loop. In particular, the Dilworth and Plaza-Midwood areas are good places to visit unique, funky stores. East Blvd. (upscale) and Thomas St. (downscale) are both good places to find unusual items.

Charlotte benefits from a highly centralized location in the Carolinas, giving visitors the option of driving to either the beach or the mountains if they choose. Cities within day-trip range include Asheville, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and the Raleigh/Durham area. If you are interested in seeing smaller Southern towns, consider a short drive to Matthews, Davidson, or Huntersville; all are within 15 minutes' drive on the interstate.

• Lowe's Motor Speedway - Located just out of northern Charlotte in nearby Concord, off I-85. Home of near-constant racing events including NASCAR's All-Star race and the Coca-Cola 600. Occasional home of concerts and other special events. Among other special attractions, includes the opportunity to drive around the track or attend racing school.
• Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden - In Belmont (just west of Charlotte), this is one of the most acclaimed attractions in the area. The natural beauty and serenity of the gardens make it a favorite for romantic day trips and family outings. Guided tours offered.
• North Carolina Zoo - Located in Asheboro, about 60 miles northeast of Charlotte. The largest zoo in North Carolina, featuring over 200 species of animal and many more botanical species. Highlights include gorillas, elephants, lions and an aviary.
• Reed Gold Mine -Pan for gold in the USA's first gold mine. Very kid-friendly and educational, besides being pretty fun. Located in Cabarrus County, about 45 minutes from Charlotte.
• Schiele Museum of Natural History - A surprisingly high-quality museum in Gastonia, just west of Charlotte. Includes a planetarium, an aviary, and many special events and exhibits.
• Southwest of Charlotte are the Catawba lands. See how this Native American tribe used to live and lives today.
• South of Charlotte along Route 16, in Waxhaw, is the Mexico Museum. Items of cultural and historical interest include pottery, costumes, and photographs.
• Carowinds - Large theme park with a focus on movies. Many roller coasters and other such attractions; coasters include Top Gun, The Hurler, and the beloved Thunder Road. Give strong consideration to eating beforehand, as concession prices are very high. Go south on I-77 and get off at the state line. Bring sunscreen as most of the park is unshaded.
• Take I-85S to US-321N to Hickory for excellent furniture shopping at a host of furniture outlets as well as the Hickory Furniture Mart (huge) and the Hickory Furniture Mall (quieter and less expensive).
• Chimney Rock Park - Part of the highly scenic Blue Ridge Mountains in the Appalachian chain. One of the region's most visited parks, primarily because of its unusual rock formations and waterfalls.
• Nantahala Outdoor Center - About 3-4 hours west of Charlotte in the heart of the Appalachians. Excellent whitewater rafting and tubing for all experience levels; the river runs particularly well after big rains. Charlotte's own rafting center (the U.S. National Whitewater Center) is currently under construction, but will struggle to match the natural splendor of the Nantahala. Also an excellent place to hike, bike, birdwatch, etc.