Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Charlotte?

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Charlotte?

Many travelers spend one to three days in Charlotte during their visit. After all, the up-and-coming city has plenty to explore such as the famous sights and museums, the big city activities, and the restaurant scene.

Charlotte is a large city in North Carolina. It has grown a lot over the past few decades and the Uptown area has gained popularity as a trendy and interesting place to visit. There are museums around town as well as Carowinds and the National Whitewater Center.

Do you have one or two days to visit Charlotte? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Charlotte?

Charlotte is a great place to visit if you want to avoid the tourist crowds. It has some interesting activities and attractions. So with one day, you'll probably feel rushed to see the main attractions around the city. You really need more time to appreciate everything that the up-and-coming city has to offer. Many visitors prefer to have one to three days to fully enjoy the city even though it's not huge. If you have one day or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're in town.

How to spend a day in Charlotte

Perhaps the most famous place in Charlotte is the NASCAR Hall of Fame, so don't miss it. It might not be at the top of your list, but it's worth experiencing during your trip.

You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. The food scene continues to grow and change around town. You'll find the latest trendy restaurant changes regularly, but dishes often include upscale southern faire or classic American. There are also many international restaurants, particularly Mexican, Thai, and Chinese.

Public transit in Charlotte is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the city quite easily. There's a light rail system as well as buses that travel around town.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Charlotte?

Many weekend travelers visit Charlotte, as 2 days is a good amount of time to explore this medium-sized city and check out the famous sights and museums, the big city activities, and the restaurant scene. If you're planning a weekend getaway here, we have a few suggestions of things to do below.

Charlotte, North Carolona

How to spend 2 days in Charlotte

With a weekend (two to three days) in Charlotte, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.

This city offers some good museums and historic landmarks, so it's worth your time to spend a day exploring a few of them. Pick the ones that appeal to you the most and get started. The Mint Museum is a popular place to visit, as is the Gantt Center for African American Arts. Art enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art and sports enthusiasts will enjoy a stop at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

This city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. Head Uptown for some of the best nightlife. The city has many bars and clubs that keep things fun late into the night.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Charlotte, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.