Known as Queen City, Charlotte, North Carolina definitely lives up to its name. Though it is not the capital of NC, it is hands down the most up-and-coming city in the state. With its growing food scene and a plethora of activities, Charlotte is a must-go city when visiting North Carolina. Below you will find the ultimate guide to a Charlotte Weekend Trip. I’m hoping it will be the perfect 3-day Charlotte itinerary for easy planning!
This site contains affiliate links to products. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you. There are only products included that I truly love. I APPRECIATE your support!
Table of Contents
How do I get to Charlotte?
The best way to get to Charlotte is through the Charlotte Douglas International Airport, but if you are already in North Carolina, you can take the Amtrak or drive there. Getting around Charlotte is super easy! It is the only city in NC with a fast light rail system that gets locals and visitors around the city with ease. There are also multiple bike-sharing services or buses for travelers to use.
Looking to rent a car? Use the Discover Cars Search Engine to find the BEST DEAL on rental cars in St. Louis!
What is the best time to visit Charlotte?
Spring and Fall are the best seasons to travel to Charlotte since these are the least crowded times. However, I feel that Fall is a bit better only because the changing leaves in NC in October are just breathtaking. September and October also host some of Charlotte’s best festivals like Pride, Charlotte SHOUT, and most famously – Scarowinds!
Where should I stay in Charlotte?
Booking.comThere are many different areas of Charlotte that cater to different kinds of tastes and budgets. If you are staying in Charlotte for a short time, there are two places that are the best to stay in: Uptown and University Place.
Uptown is the heart of the city and has all the hottest spots in Charlotte. There is a multitude of museums and local shops for visitors to explore. Some of the best restaurants in the city are in Uptown as well, so staying here will give you easy access to the most mouthwatering food in the state. Since Uptown is where most activities are, hotels and Airbnb’s here tend to be on the pricier side. However, since there is so much to do in Uptown, you can likely save money on transportation.
For those who want to spend a little less money while in Charlotte, University Place is another great place to stay. Since it is near UNC Charlotte University, accommodations are much cheaper than in Uptown. The demographic here is mostly made up of college students, so that may not be your cup of tea. However, you will be close enough to uptown while spending a lot less on housing.
Full Disclosure!! This site does use ads. I use the money I earn from them to keep creating these free travel itineraries for you to use! My hope is that these weekend getaways and travel itineraries make your life easier AND inspire you to get out and see the world using your limited PTO.
If you would like to downloadable PDF (with no ads) AND a day-by-day interactive map of this trip, you can purchase that download here for just 5 dollars!
Sample 3-Day Charlotte Weekend Trip Itinerary
Day 1 in Charlotte:
Morning:
Enjoy the famous croissant sandwiches at Sunflour Baking Company. This breakfast spot is a local favorite, so expect a small crowd when you visit. Then check out one of the many Uptown museums like the Discovery Place or Mint Museum Uptown. Discovery Place is a fun and interactive science museum that is perfect for families with small kids. For those who do not have children, the Mint Museum is a perfect spot to see unique art galleries, such as their augmented reality artwork. Their gallery changes every so often, so visit their website to see what exhibitions they have when you visit.
Afternoon:
Head over to Mimosa Grill for their modern spin on Southern classics. You can’t go to the South without enjoying some Southern cooking! Walk on, or bike on over to Paddywax Candle Bar and make your own candles. It is a unique experience that will leave you with a one-of-a-kind souvenir. Once you have made your own special candle, take a lovely stroll at Freedom Park or Romare Bearden Park. During the Fall, going to see the leaves changing colors is a must-do activity in North Carolina.
Evening:
When the sun starts to go down, treat yourself to dinner at the famous Haymaker restaurant that has been serving farm-to-table cooking since before it was cool. If you are feeling a bit tired and want something fast, get a local favorite and try Bojangles! End your night with a lovely cocktail at one of the many rooftop bars like Aura or Fahrenheit.
Day 2 in Charlotte:
Morning:
Visit the famous Amelie’s French Bakery for some traditional French pastries and a fantastic cup of coffee. There is a reason every local loves this cafe. If you didn’t get your art fix on your first day in Charlotte, check out the local art at NoDa’s (North Davidson) art displays. Or check out the famous Harvey B Gantt Center, which is an extraordinary museum that celebrates the contributions of African and African-American culture in the United States.
Afternoon:
Spend the rest of the day in Charlotte’s newest hot spot, Camp North End. The once-abandoned factory buildings have been revamped into small, local restaurants and shops. Dine at La Caseta to munch on some of the best Latin American street food in Charlotte. Then visit one of the many stores like Dupp & Swatt or That’s Novel’s Books. Wherever you travel to, it’s important to support local businesses! When you need a break from shopping, there are ping pong tables and corn hole games sprawled around Camp North End for some outdoor fun.
Have extra time? Check out one of these fun self-guided scavenger hunts throughout Charlotte. This one will show you where to find all the best murals!
Evening:
If you want to stay in the Camp North End area during the evening, I highly recommend eating at Leah & Louise. The delicious food is made by James Beard-nominated chef Greg Collier, so you know whatever you eat here is going to be incredible. For those who want to venture elsewhere, Lang Van is a local favorite serving traditional Vietnamese food. Don’t let your day end early, though. Let your inner child have some fun at Pins Mechanical or Queen Park Social. To really get adventurous, test out your aim at BATL Axe throwing!
Day 3 in Charlotte:
Morning:
Time to wake up early for your last day in Charlotte! Start your day with a delicious, but filling, breakfast at Eddie’s Place. It’s the perfect no-frills breakfast joint with all of the classic breakfast favorites. Take a drive over to Carowinds and enjoy some insane rides! Depending on when you visit, you may get to see the super spooky Halloween-themed Scarowinds or the Christmas-themed Winter Fest.
Afternoon:
When you are at Carowinds, it’s a full-day event, so get on all of the rides! Their most famous, and exhilarating rides are the Fury 325, Intimidator, and Nighthawk. Carowinds has some of the fastest and tallest roller coasters in the country, so be courageous and enjoy the ride! It is time to scream your face off! Tickets cost $40, and for a fast pass it costs an additional fee that varies in price between weekdays and weekends.
Evening:
After all that adrenaline, you will likely want to rest. Wind down for the night at one of the many local Charlotte breweries. Some local favorites are Legion Brewery, NoDa Brewing Company, and the Wooden Robot Brewery. Most of these breweries have food, so dine on some local goodies while sipping on your new favorite draft beer.
Traveling to Charlotte with your dog? Check out this ULTIMATE dog-friendly Charlotte Guide!
Other Adventurous Things to Do in Charlotte:
- White Water Rafting Center: This attraction is a bit outside of the main Charlotte area, but it is a great escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. For a $64-day pass, visitors have access to over 1,300 acres of protected land. You can enjoy trails, white water rafting, ziplining, rock climbing, and pools. If you only want to do one of these activities, there are single attraction passes as well.
- Skiptown: If you are looking for the perfect place to take your dog, Skiptown is the place to go. This dog-friendly park hosts food stalls and bars for the dog owners to have a bit of fun, too. To go here, you have to download the app and create a profile for your pet. It is also 21+ only, so it may not be a good spot for families with small children.
- Watch a sports game: Charlotte is home to the Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Hornets, and NASCAR race tracks. So, there are many places to check out if you are a sports fan. Check ahead to see how much tickets cost for your favorite game as the prices will vary.
- 7th Street Market: I am huge on supporting local businesses, and 7th Street Market is the perfect place to do this. Created as a non-profit food hall and retail space, this market is filled with small businesses that locals just love. It promotes diversity and inclusion, and has delicious foods and interesting goods from all over the world. Definitely a great place to check out.
- Charlotte Queen City Ghost Tour: Learn all the spookiest tours and interesting facts about Charlotte in this after-dark walking tour!
- Segway tour of the city: Can you think of a more fun way to get aquainted with a new city?! This 90-minute segway tour will take you by all the best spots + introduce you to fun facts and history!
Other Tips to know before visiting Charlotte:
Charlotte is quite vast and spread out, so renting a car might be a good option if you want to explore the many different vibes of Charlotte. I also recommend looking if any sports events are happening when you plan on visiting. If you like sports, then it will be a great time for you to go! However, if you don’t care for sports, you will be stuck with large crowds and high hotel prices.
Charlotte Weekend Trip Packing List:
Even though you are only in Charlotte for one weekend, it is best to arrive prepared to avoid having to waste time by running to the store for forgotten items. Below you will find everything (okay…maybe not everything) you will need for 3 days in Charlotte!
- Comfy walking shoes (for your walking tours, museums, parks). I wear my keens EVERYWHERE.
- Travel sized toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, lotion, face wash, deoderant…you know all your daily essentials). This is a perfect travel case that meets TSA regulations!
- All the clothes (this one is going to be a personal choice as to how much to bring). I am typically good with three nice dinner outfits, my favorite joggers, a comfy shirt, some atheltic shorts, and a swim suit cover up.
- Makeup and hair supplies
- ID and any other travel documents or itineraries needed.
- Phone charger
- Kindle or current reading book
- Any needed medications
- Airplane snacks and water bottle (bring an empty bottle along to save plastic and money at the airport and on your daily adventures)
- Sunglasses! (I always forget this one)
- Andddd of course your camera! A gopro would be fun for these adventures!
3-day Charlotte Weekend Trip Itinerary Recap:
- Day 1: Museums, Candle-making, and roof-top bars
- Day 2: Exploring Camp North End + Axe Throwing
- Day 3: Carowinds and a Brewery
One Weekend In Charlotte Isn’t Enough
As you can see, there’s SO much to do in Charlotte that one weekend would never be enough to see it all. You can customize your 3-day Charlotte itinerary based on what interests you. No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll find plenty of entertaining activities to create your own fun-filled, jam-packed adventure weekend in Charlotte!
What else would you add to this “One Weekend in Charlotte” Itinerary?
Tip! Make sure to follow me on Instagram for more USA weekend getaways and dog-friendly adventures!
Looking for more USA Weekend Getaways?
Check out the following USA weekend itineraries for easy planning!
Want to take this Itinerary with you (and skip the ads)? Click below for a complete itinerary and interactive map to use during your Charlotte Weekend Getaway! + Bonus Blank Planning tools! ONLY 5 DOLLARS!
Recent Posts
One Weekend in Ruidoso, New Mexico: A 3-day Ruidoso Itinerary
Nestled in the Sierra Blanca Mountains, Ruidoso, New Mexico, is an outdoor lover's paradise and quite the hidden gem in the Southwest. From fun hikes to peaceful lakes, this charming town is perfect...
White Sands National Park is a stunning natural wonder located in southern New Mexico. It's one of my most favorite places in the USA and one of the only that I have visited more than once. Known...