| Charlotte rolls out the red carpet showering visitors with southern hospitality complemented by 101 things to do in Charlotte. The city has earned several nicknames through the years. Originally Charlotte was called the “Queen City,” in honor of Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg, wife of King George III of England. Later, when General Cornwallis was repelled from the city during the American Revolution, he called Charlotte “a rebellious hornet’s nest.” Intrepid residents considered it a compliment. The nickname stuck and was adopted by today’s Charlotte Hornets basketball team. Another little known claim to fame: Charlotte was the site of the first verified gold find in the U.S and led the nation in gold production until the California find in 1848. Today, Charlotte boasts being the “International Gateway to the South.” The city is within a two-hour flight of over 55% of the U.S. population. Charlotte/Douglas International Airport (CLT) offers service to 117 destinations worldwide and is home base for U.S. Airways. Amtrak’s Crescent and Carolinian/Piedmont trains connect the city with major metropolitan cities like New York, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Birmingham and New Orleans. As a modern day financial center, Bank of America and Wachovia are headquartered in Charlotte home along with other Fortune 500 companies and 340 international firms. Three city meeting and convention facilities and a host of hotels with meeting rooms make Charlotte a natural choice for large conferences, business retreats, special events and family reunions.
Taxis and Charlotte rental cars are available at the airport and inner city agencies.
Charlotte transportation is provided by a large and efficient transit system (CATS) operating historical trolleys, express shuttles and bus service. And, getting around Charlotte is getting even easier. The first phase of a new light rail project is nearing completion, connecting a 10-mile corridor from I-77 to South Boulevard.
Things to Do in Charlotte
Hop on the Gold Rush trolley service for a quick introduction to the energetic Queen City. Charlotte is also a walking city with leisurely guided or self-guided strolls around the City Center, Arts and Science District and historic Fourth Ward lined by the delightful graciously renovated 1800’s homes called the “Grand Old Ladies.” Get a Charlotte travel guide so you won't miss any of the fun.
Oozing southern charm and hospitality, Charlotte is a family-friendly town. Kids and parent enjoy the amazing interactive exhibits at Discovery Place or Imaginon: The Joe & Joan Martin Center. Get wet-and-wild at Carowinds or Ray’s Splash Planet. Visit the Charlotte Nature Museum and Butterfly Garden. Pan for gold at Reed Gold Mine in the same creek where it was first discovered. Meet the marvelous mammals at Schiele Museum of Natural History and Planetarium in nearby Gastonia and get energized at Duke Power Energy-Explorium along the shores of Lake Norman. Go artsy with a tour of The Mint Museum of Art and Mint Museum of Craft & Design, Levine Museum of the New South or head for the Gallery Crawl at NoDa (Charlotte’s art neighborhood).
Charlotte is an outdoor and sports city. Over 210 city parks offer cool respites around town. U.S. National Whitewater Center is the world’s most unique outdoor environmental learning center. Tee off at 80 area golf courses. Cheer for NFL and NBA professional teams or NASCAR winners at Lowes Motor Speedway. Charlotte dining and nightlife earned the city a spot on “Top 50 Cities That Sizzle” by Nation’s Restaurant News. And, the Charlotte calendar also sizzles with year-round festivals, cultural performances, sports and special events.
Places to Stay in Charlotte
With over 30,000 hotel rooms in the area, it’s not difficult to find Charlotte accommodations. Most visitors to Charlotte are pleased to find plenty of hospitality, amenities and some of the most reasonable rates in the country. Hotels in the City Center offer convenient access to downtown attractions and activities. Some of the leading Charlotte hotels around City Center include: Marriott City Center, Hilton City Center, Omni Charlotte, and Westin Charlotte. All-suite lodging is available downtown and around Charlotte University for extended stays.
And, for royal treatment in the Queen City, check into Ballantyne Resort. In addition to impeccable service and luxurious accommodations, The Spa at Ballantyne ranks in the top spas of North America and Ballantyne golf is legendary.
|
