Known for its diverse neighborhoods, award-winning beer and food, rich history, and one-of-a-kind shopping centers, Charlotte, North Carolina, is the ideal vacation spot for adults and kids alike. However, before you start checking off the list of must-visit tourist attractions in the Charlotte area, you’ll need to get your hands dirty and attend to the less-than-exhilarating vacation preparations. Otherwise, your once in a lifetime vacation has the potential to go awry.
Before jetting off to your extended vacation in Charlotte, you’ll need to unplug appliances, spray insecticides, and lock all doors and windows. You’ll also need to scour the internet for car shipping services. For those travel-hungry visitors, you may be on the fence about investing in auto transportation services, especially with rideshare services a few taps away. However, shipping your vehicle to its final destination eliminates the risk associated with storing your car for a prolonged time.
Once you take care of the preparation basics, you can push household responsibilities to the back of your mind and spend your Charlotte vacation exploring what the city has to offer.
Discovery Place
Discovery Place offers a fun-filled experience for families, as it has something for visitors of all ages. For example, your little ones can enjoy incredible interactive exhibits that bring science to life at Discovery Place, like the IMAX Dome films. World’s Alive, specifically, is perfect for learning about diverse species’ behaviors and habitats.
Crowders Mountain State Park
Crowders Mountain State Park is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. With canoe rentals, 11 trails, bouldering, rock climbing, fishing opportunities, and backcountry camping sites, tourists can enjoy hours of uninterrupted fun. Not to mention, a climb to the top reveals breathtaking views, showcasing the Charlotte skyline.
Freedom Park
Freedom Park is a 98-acre park located between the Myers Park neighborhood and Dilworth neighborhood. With a seven-acre lake, Freedom Park is ideal for swinging, feeding the ducks, and playing tennis, baseball, soccer, basketball, and volleyball. You can also lounge around on the grass, watching the cloud formations, and unwind.
NASCAR Hall of Fame
If you’re a NASCAR superfan, you should make your way to the 86,500 square feet hall of fame. It has a 278-capacity art theatre, rare artifacts, and unique interactive exhibits. For those tourists interested in all that the Nascar Hall of Fame has to offer, you can also grab a quick bite to eat at Buffalo Wild Wings and buy NASCAR merchandise at the gear shop.
Carowinds
Popularly referred to as the Thrill Capital of the Southeast, the Carowinds is the place to be for thrilling rides. It has 13 state-of-the-art roller coasters like the Planet Snoopy, Boo Blasters, Rip Roarin’ Rapids, and Skytower. Additionally, there are plenty of meal options, ranging from treats to mid-day snacks to dining options.
Lake Norman
As Carolina’s largest human-made lake, Lake Norman offers visitors and locals ample room for watersports, boating, fishing, and relaxing. Suppose you’re looking to escape Charlotte’s hustle-and-bustle. In that case, this is the ideal spot to embark on various water-related adventures like kayaking, wakeboarding, and paddleboarding and connect with Mother Nature.
Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
Blumenthal Performing Arts Center is a must-visit location. That said, don’t board the plane headed for home before purchasing tickets to a musical or play. Built in 1992, the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center prides itself on its superb facilities, comfortable seating, and impressive acoustics. Each seat offers an excellent stage view, ensuring that you don’t miss a second of the action.
Wrap up
Your extended vacation in Charlotte can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience with the right preparations. Whether you plan on spending the weekends exploring local breweries or playing outdoors in the temperate weather, make this vacation one you (and your family) will never forget.