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As the largest city in North Carolina, there are so many wonderful things to do in Charlotte. With its excellent location at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, there are plenty of outdoor activities near Charlotte as well. If you’re visiting or staying in Charlotte, then it’s important to find fun things to do to fully enjoy this city. Finally, Charlotte does have its own, special activities that are unique to the area.
Indoor Things to Do in Charlotte, NC
For rainy or cold days here are some great indoor activities to do in Charlotte, North Carolina. There are plenty of things, from food to making your own lipstick to learning to blow glass. Charlotte is a unique city with lots to do.
Eat at Optimist Hall
Optimist Hall is a large food hall in Charlotte. Found near uptown, this hall has over 20 food stands, something available for everyone. From coffee shops to an ice cream parlor, there is so much to taste. We love the dumplings from the Dumpling Lady as well as the BBQ from Noble Smoke. Along with food, there is also a pet shop, a stationary shop, and some bars. During the week, you can even stay a while with a laptop and get some work done.
Escape from District 57
District 57 is like an escape room, but instead of one themed room, it’s a bunch of different puzzle rooms. Every room is a different type of puzzle with varying levels of difficulty. The whole place is themed like a zombie apocalypse. Groups of 2-8 are allowed to play together. We found that four people is a pretty perfect amount of people to solve most problem rooms. District 57 also has a restaurant for a fun date night. If puzzle rooms aren’t for you, there is also a laser tag option.
Blow Glass at Hot Glass Alley
Whether you’re interested in a date night or a glass-blowing exhibition, Hot Glass Alley is such a cool place to visit. Date Night events are evening classes for adults to enjoy a 30-minute one-on-one session with the local glassblowers. You get to create your own piece! Along with the new glass piece, you’ll get a beer, glass of wine, or other beverage, as well as a charcuterie board. There are other classes as well that aren’t date night specific. For a free event on the third Friday of the month, the glassblowers get together to create a big piece. You can go see them blow glass and learn all about the process for free.
Create Your Own Lipstick
This is a fun and unique activity in Charlotte to create your own lipstick. You can make your own colors that really match your skin tone and things that you truly enjoy. It is such a fun activity to do as a group as a fun outing. The location will provide everything you need; you just need to show up. Not only can you make your own lipstick, but you can also make lip gloss and lip shimmers.
Splatter Charlotte
This is a fun activity to do that leaves you with your own masterpiece. Going to Splatter Charlotte is a fun session where you get paint, canvases, and protective gear. The session has fun music and all the materials you could need to make your masterpiece. You mix the colors you want then throw them at your canvas. When your canvas is done, then, you’ll leave it behind to dry, and once it’s done, they’ll mail it to you.
Visit the Billy Graham Library
The Billy Graham Library is a 40,000-square-foot experience where you discover the life and legacy of Billy Graham. It is designed to reflect Billy Graham’s journey from a humble farm boy to an internationally renown pastor. Inside the barn, you can take the Journey of Faith, which walks through Billy Graham’s life. Additionally, there is the Graham family home to visit. They have a wonderful Christmas experience as well with a live nativity.
Go to a Checker’s Game
Head to Bojangles Coliseum to enjoy a fun hockey game. With some Bojangles bo’box and head to your seat to watch the game. While the Checkers are not in the NHL, they are in the secondary league. This means that the tickets are also cheaper, making them even easier.
Head to Pinhouse for Duckpin Bowling
For a fun bowling experience, head to Pinhouse. Duckpin bowling is a bowling with smaller pins. It is a cross between candlestick bowling (from Maine) and regular bowling. Pinhouse offers a wide variety of food along with bowling to make it a fun thing to do for the whole evening. They also have events for different holidays and fun activities for more bowling options.
Want to do these things as a part of a fun 48 hours in Charlotte? Check out our itinerary here!
Outdoor Things to Do in Charlotte, NC
Given Charlotte’s location in North Carolina, there are so many wonderful outdoor activities and things to do. Especially with the mountains, two lakes, and a river, there is plenty to do.
White Water Rafting Center
One of our favorite places to go for many outdoor activities. This is where the US Olympic team practices and also completes the Olympic Trials. They have a man-made white water rafting river where you can white water raft. There are also canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddle boarding on the Catawba River.
Along with the water activities, there are also rock climbing walls, zip lining, a huge dog park, a restaurant, and many hiking trails. You can rent mountain bikes to cycle on the trails. It is incredibly dog-friendly as well. Finally, the white water center hosts many activities and events. Our favorite one is the build-your-own raft. In the summer, they have artists play music every Friday for Friday River Jam. Most events are free, with only the parking fee.
Charlotte Speedway
The Charlotte Speedway is the NASCAR racetrack near Charlotte. They host many events, from NASCAR races to concerts there really is so much to do at the Charlotte Speedway. During Christmas they have a Christmas light event as well. It is such a fun environment to go to a NASCAR race. It is such a unique thing to do in Charlotte.
Mural Art Tour of Charlotte
Uptown Charlotte is a fun and young area that is easy to walk. Over the bridge, you make it into South End. The Mural Art Tour of Charlotte lets you get to see all the murals in the area. This tour lets you get to learn about the local artists and the important things to the locals. It truly adds to the beauty of the city.
Golf Cart Tour of Charlotte
For the ultimate historical tour of Charlotte, we highly recommend doing this golf cart tour. Not only is the tour incredibly informative, but it is also so much fun! By spending time in a golf cart, you really get to feel like you’re a part of the city. The
Camp North End
This former industrial park is now turned into a fun event space mixed with restaurants and offices. Camp North End has plenty of events throughout the year, culminating in the Mistletoe Market during Christmastime. Throughout the year, they offer plays and movies for a nice long weekend. Since the space is outdoors they have fireplaces to keep warm in winter. Then, in spring through summer, you’ll find the best local farmers market there.
A Funny Ghost Tour
I don’t like being scared, so scary ghost tours aren’t usually for me (even if they are in Salem for Halloween), but if you want a fun tour to learn about Charlotte’s ghost, check this one out. This is a hilarious storytelling book that includes lots of laughter and fun actors. They’ll crack jokes and keep the ghosts not scary. Important note: this tour is only for adults 17+.
Go to a Knights or Panthers Game
Charlotte is full of sports teams, from the Checkers to the Knights and the Panthers. The Knights play baseball at the stadium in the middle of Charlotte. The Panthers play football at their own stadium in Charlotte. Knights games are fun, plus they launch fireworks after some games in the spring and summer. It is such a fun way to enjoy a baseball game. Finally, the tickets are cheaper, making it even more accessible to go to the games.
Things to do near Charlotte, NC
Ride the Roller Coasters at Carowinds
With more than 60 roller coasters and a waterpark, Carowinds is a great park nestled between North and South Carolina. They have a mix of thrilling rides and family-friendly rides. It is such a fun activity to do together. I love roller coasters, while Larry isn’t the biggest fan, so we like the mix. Additionally, the admission prices aren’t all that expensive, making it even more accessible.
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
Head out towards Christmastown USA, but first stop at the Botanical Gardens near Charlotte. With 8 different distinct spots within the garden, you have plenty to explore. The botanical Gardens are not dog-friendly, but they are family and kid-friendly. They also host a wide variety of activities throughout the year. There are scarecrow competitions, date nights, 5K races, and even summer camps available in the gardens. It is also a romantic place for a picnic date.
DogWorld Dog Park
Heading over to Kannapolis, you’ll find the DogWorld dog park. If your dog likes swimming like ours does, then this is the place for you! It is essentially a large waterpark for dogs. They get to play, swim, and enjoy time outside. If you enjoy traveling with your dog, then this is definitely the one you’ll want to check out.
Flower Picking at McLawland Farms
Are you a fan of locally grown flowers and berries? same! This farm has several flower-picking seasons from Spring through Fall. Then, you can reserve a time slot and head over to pick your own flowers. They have a flower club and even their own bees. If you want to learn about how farms run and what else they’ve got, then you can take the farm spring workshops.
Final Thoughts about Things to Do in Charlotte
Charlotte is a bustling city with many things to do for everyone. There are so many indoor and outdoor activities, which makes it great for all travelers and visitors. As a young and up-and-coming city, it is full of fun and unique activities. We enjoy spending time exploring Charlotte and seeing what it has to offer (including some amazing BBQ).
