Charlotte is a rapidly growing city in the South, and with that growth, the city is seeing an increase in tourism. It’s the largest city in North Carolina and has deep roots in racing; however, there’s been an emergence of culinary and nightlife culture that is bringing a new wave of tourism. Charlotte is easily accessible from anywhere in the US, earning it the nickname of, “the International Gateway to the South.” With a number of districts, some of which are business and finance hubs, it’s not surprising Charlotte attracts a steady stream of business travelers as well.
If you’re planning on making a trip to Charlotte, here are five of the many things to do in this extremely visitor-friendly spot.
Get a Honey Treatment at The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte
Many hotels in Charlotte have on-site luxury spas, but how many can boast treatments utilizing honey produced right on the property? If you were to go up to The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte’s rooftop, you’ll find two fully-contained beehives that produce natural honey. The honey is utilized in a variety of ways, including spa treatments and delicious culinary concoctions.
Be sure to book one of the more interesting treatments, like the Honey Detox and Chocolate Truffle Wrap. Start with a natural honey exfoliation and detox, then indulge in a chocolate truffle wrap. Enjoy a warm shower and then finish off the treatment with a Swedish massage.
For an added bonus after your spa treatment, try The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte’s Rooftop Brandy Sour or the Honey Pecan gelato.
Book a NASCAR Racing Experience
Big races take place here at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, including the NASCAR Spring Cup Series All-Star Race, Coca-Cola 600, and Bank of America 500. Race fans can visit the speedway, but the real thrill comes from booking a NASCAR Racing Experience. You’ll get to drive in cars once driven by NASCAR greats like Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon, hitting speeds of up to 160 mph.
Take a Yadkin Valley Wine Tour
You may not be aware that Charlotte is also home to its own wine country. The Yadkin Valley is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, providing terroir that has been compared to Burgundy, France, and Piedmont, Italy. If you’re a wine lover and unfamiliar with Charlotte’s wine scene, book a Yadkin Valley Wine Tour.
Go Whitewater Rafting in Charlotte
The U.S. National Whitewater Center (USNWC) offers a variety of whitewater activities for adventure enthusiasts. There are over 700 acres offerings everything from whitewater rafting to 25+ miles of mountain biking trails. If you’re apprehensive on whitewater rafting, consider flatwater kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding.
For other ideas on outdoor and adventure activities, check out this curated list on The Outbound Collective.
Get Educated at ImaginOn
If you’re traveling with your children to Charlotte, consider spending a day at ImaginOn. This is a collaborative venture between Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and Children’s Theatre of Charlotte. It features two state-of-the-art theaters, a library for children 11 and under, four multi-use classrooms, a teen-only library, a multimedia production studio, and interactive exhibit space.
This post is in collaboration with Hipmunk for the #CityLoveProject, but as always, all opinions are my own.
