Things To Do

U.S. National Whitewater Center

Recreation grounds with whitewater rafting, canoeing, kayaking, rappelling, rock climbing, hiking, and more. Go to River Jam, a free concert Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights by the white water rapids.

Carowinds

Amusement park with a water park

Freedom Park

Great park near uptown with walking/jogging trails and green space for an outdoor picnic

South End

Walkable neighborhood outside of uptown Charlotte which includes many breweries, restaurants, shops, and nightlife

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

Levine Museum of the New South

History museum that features many life like exhibits of southern history

Birkdale Shopping Village

Outdoor shopping village with small shops, boutiques, and restaurants

Crowders Mountain State Park

Moderate hike up a mountain with beautiful views at the end

Lake Norman

Spend a day by the lake! Rent a boat, walk around lakefront trails such as Jetton Park or Lake Norman State Park, or enjoy some lake front dining at Hello Sailor, North Harbor Club or Port City Club.

Lazy 5 Ranch

Interactive zoo you drive or take a wagon ride through. The animals come up directly to the car

Childress Vineyards

NASCAR Hall of Fame Museum

Mint Museum Uptown

Art museum

Restaurant Recommendations

Her Favorites: Caswell Station for casual, bar food Mama Ricottas for Italian Snooze, AM Eatery for breakfast Midnight Diner for traditional diner food Leroy Fox for southern RuRu Tacos and Tequila for Mexican Optimist Food Hall for a little bit of everything STIR for more upscale American Sunflour Bakery for coffee and pastries Jenis for ice cream Port City Club for lakefront dining Rosie’s Wine Garden for wine and ambience Legion Brewery in Plaza - where we first met!! His Favorites: Merchant & Trade for a rooftop bar Hawkers for Asian Fushion Fahrenheit for upscale dining Cafe Monte for brunch Arooji’s for Italian Pinky’s Westside Grill for a dive Midwood Smokehouse for NC BBQ Dilworth Tasting Room for small plates and wine Charlotte Beer Garden for a HUGE selection of draft beer Hello, Sailor for lakefront seafood

Day Trips from Charlotte

Ashboro, NC (home to the NC Zoo, the world’s largest habitat zoo) Asheville, NC (perfect for sightseeing, the Biltmore House - a must see, mountain hiking and trails, and vineyards) Greenville, SC (walk along Falls Park and Reedy River, explore a beautiful walkable downtown with shops and restaurants. One of Kristina’s favorite SC cities) Raleigh, NC (walk around North Carolina’s capital, good restaurants and shopping districts)