Visiting Charlotte soon and not sure what to do?  Charlotte has plenty to offer but if you want to hit the top tourist spots, Planet Ware has compiled a list of the 12 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Charlotte.  Here is a handful of those must-see attractions:

NASCAR Hall of Fame

I’m sure it comes as no surprised that the NASCAR Hall of Fame made the top of the list in NASCAR Country’s Uptown Charlotte.  Opened in May 2010, this year marks the 10th class and 50 legends inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.  The Hall of Fame includes 40 square feet of artifacts and hands-on exhibits, a 278 person state-of-the-art theater featuring informational film about the history of NASCAR, Hall of Honor, Gear Shop, and a Productions-operated broadcast studio. 

Carolinas Aviation Museum

Located near Charlotte Douglass International Airport, the Carolinas Aviation Museum is home to aircraft and artifacts, including an award-winning exhibition featuring a passenger jet that safely landed in the Hudson River in 2009.  In 2018, the museum added a new immersive exhibit that allows visitors to join the pilot in the cockpit on their journey using a flight simulator.  The museum seeks to inspire visitors through the history of aviation, hosting more than 50,000 visitors a year for tours and private events.

Paramount’s Carowinds

For more than 45 years, Carowinds Amusement Park has offered world-class rides and entertainment right in the heart of the Carolinas.  The park features 14 world-class rollercoasters and over 60 rides, shows and attractions.  The park evolves into SCarowinds in September for Halloween and WinterFest for the Holidays, offering holiday specific exhibits for visitors to enjoy.   Traveling with pets?  A pet kennel is available for your furry friends!

Discovery Place

Located in Uptown Charlotte, Discovery Place was renamed in 2016, providing educational programming and extensive professional development throughout the community.  The museum has inspired visitors for more than 70 years, constantly changing interactive exhibits and offering immersive experiences through the museum’s IMAX Theater.  This month, the museum is offering an Imprint Fossils exhibit where visitors can unearth how fossils are made and make their own!

Billy Graham Library

The 40,000 square foot Billy Graham Library located on 20 acres, is a ministry planned to communicate the message of Jesus Christ to visitors.  Visitors can take part in a tour that begins and ends with presentations that walk you through the library’s many exhibits. 

Freedom Park

Take a walk through the 98-acre Freedom Park featuring an NFL Play 60 KidZone, 12 tennis courts, four soccer fields, four baseball fields, two volleyball courts, and more!  The park is centered on a 7-acre lake and contains a steam engine open for visitors to explore the cab.  Enjoy the outdoors and explore Freedom Park for the day!

Hendrick Motorsports Museum

If you enjoyed the NASCAR Hall of Fame, chances are you’ll enjoy the Hendrick Motorsports Museum.  Located just one mile from the Charlotte Motor Speedway, the facility features state-of-the-art facilities and technology.  There’s no cost to visit and fans can see famous stock cars, championship trophies, and famous cars like Jeff Gordon’s Daytona 500 car.

For the full list of attractions, visit Planet Ware’s List of Top-Rated Attractions and plan your Charlotte Trip today!