Charlotte

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Charlotte, NC – Boutique Hotels & More

North Carolina’s largest city spreads out 15 miles in every direction from its glimmering skyscraper-adorned downtown, which is referred to as ‘Uptown.’ The city is unique in that it becomes what you make of it. If you’re looking for a laid-back, small town feel there are plenty of things to see and do that fit the bill. Conversely, hit the town for the high-end, trendsetting, and cosmopolitan experiences you’ll love to show off on social media and you’ll be the envy of your friends. Let’s check out the best way to do Charlotte.

Check out our picks for the best boutique hotels Charlotte, NC to make your North Carolina stay extraordinary.

Charlotte Travel Guide

When to Go

We’re calling spring (March-May) and fall (late September-November) the best time to head to Charlotte, as temps and precipitation levels are usually pretty comfortable. Also, rates tend to be lower and the city is less crowded. Summer (June-August) brings more visitors, higher prices, and the heat and humidity can be downright miserable for many people. However, summer is also a great time to head to the mountains, about 2.5 hours away. Winter brings comfy weather for most visitors, and hotel and activity prices plummet, making it a great time for budget-conscious travelers.

Climate
Festivals & Celebrations

The Queen City loves to celebrate! Here are a few of the most popular annual festivals:

  • February: Queen City Brewers Festival- A popular local celebration of area’s best craft breweries. As an added bonus, proceeds support autism spectrum disorders
  • March: Charlotte Goes Green- Charlotte’s Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade featuring bands, dancers, horses, dogs, leprechauns, and loads of fun.
  • April: Moo & Brew Festival- Juicy hamburgers, stellar craft beer, live music, and fun for all.
  • April: BOOM Festival- A multi-day artist-led festival featuring works in musical theater, spoken word, contemporary visual art, dance, and more. Focuses on diversity and inclusion.
  • April: Tuck Fest- Big multi-day festival for lovers of the outdoors. Participate in (or just observe) competitions such as trail runs, kayaking, paddle boarding, and mountain biking. Enjoy live music, craft beer… and bring your dog!
  • May:  North Carolina Brewers and Music Festival- Celebrate the history of NC brewing with dozens of craft breweries, plenty of live local bands, food trucks, vendors, and kid-friendly activities.
  • May:  South End Hops Festival- Winner of the Best Charlotte Beer Event. Celebrate local craft beers, enjoy live bands, and yummy food trucks. Bring your dog. Proceeds benefit animal rescue.
  • May:  600 Festival Speed Street- Better known as simply Speed Street, this event brings together thousands of race fans to meet some of NASCAR’s top drivers, see stock cars, and enjoy music, games, and vendors.
  • June:  Taste of Charlotte- Three-day Uptown celebration of local restaurants with delicious samples, plenty of live music, dancing, vendors, and kids’ activities.
  • August:  Charlotte Pride Festival and Parade- The culmination of Charlotte Pride Week with concerts, vendors, a colorful parade, and art exhibits celebrating Charlotte’s LGBTQ+ community.
  • September:  Festival in the Park- A Queen City tradition since 1964, celebrating good music, good art, and good times. Enjoy live music, food, and a variety of works from local artisans. Plenty of art-centric things to do for the kiddos, too.
  • October:  Carolina Balloon Fest- An annual tradition in nearby Statesville, NC, this festival is a can’t-miss celebration of colorful hot air balloons. Wine and craft beer tastings are a hit with adults.
  • October/November:  Carolina Renaissance Festival- Step back into a 16-th century village with a visit to “Fairhaven” and tantalize your senses everywhere around the village. Jousting competitions, vendors of medieval fare suited to today’s palate, an artist marketplace featuring blacksmiths, candlemakers, and other time-honored traditions. Fun for the whole family.
Instagram-Worthy Spots
  • Confetti Hearts Wall – Beautiful mural along Camden Rd. in South End. Artist Evelyn Henson encourages everyone to “do good,” “be kind”, and “love others” in this joyful mural.
  • The Firebird –   Mirrored disco ball-esque sculpture by French-American artist Niki de Saint Phalle. Located in front of the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, locals fittingly call it the Disco Chicken 
  • City Lights Rooftop Bar –  Stunning 360-degree views of the city skyline. The eclectic food and drink menu makes for some great pics, too.
  • Magic Carpet Murals – Vibrant sidewalk paintings, located along the Rail Trail, by artists Jessie Unterhalter and Katey Truhn.
  • Confetti Stripes Wall – Another great mural by Evelyn Henson, with a reminder to “make people feel loved today.” Located beside Confetti Hearts.
  • Freedom Park – So much natural beauty in this 98-acre park about 3 miles from downtown. Great sunrise and lake pics, but the Freedom Bridge might be the best spot.
  • Camp North End –   Huge that once produced Model Ts and Army missiles. Photo ops include colorful murals, abandoned train tracks, old warehouses, and a striking skyline view.
Map
Photos

Airport Information
Airport Name City Airport Code Distance from City Airlines
Charlotte Douglas International Airport Charlotte, NC CLT 6.2 mi. CLT Airline Directory

Airport Name
Charlotte Douglas International Airport

City
Charlotte, NC

Airport Code
CLT

Distance from City
6.2 mi.

Airlines
CLT Airline Directory

Charlotte Video Tour

“The Queen City”, “Crown Town”. No matter what you call it, Charlotte is hot right now. It’s been named one of the most up-and-coming cities in the U.S and is a great place to visit. Culture lovers will appreciate the many museums such as modern art, science, living history, nature, motorsports and more. Tip: Don’t miss Discovery Place Science and Mint Museum Uptown.

Maybe a show is in order? Ballet, opera, live music; the entertainment is spectacular here. And nature lovers rave about the U.S. National Whitewater Center and its rafting, rock climbing, and miles of hiking trails. Another highlight? Public art is nearly everywhere. Take a walking tour to find the best displays. And with packed stadiums, fields, and courts year round, sports lovers will feel right at home. Check out what makes Charlotte a winner.

Charlotte Blog

 

Our Charlotte travel blog is where we’ll be talking about what makes the city unique. We’ll cover topics like: Charlotte restaurants and bars; things to do in Charlotte with kids; best places in Charlotte for nature lovers, history buffs, and romantics; how to do Charlotte like a local; and a lot of random yet interesting tidbits about the city and its surrounding areas. 

And if you can’t find what you’re looking for, please be patient. We’re growing and working on adding good stuff we think you’ll love. 

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