Charlotte
Charlotte is the most populous city in the U.S.
state of North Carolina. With a population of 874,579 at the 2020 census, it is the 14th-most populous city in the U.S., seventh-most populous city in the South, and second-most populous city in the Southeast. The Charlotte metropolitan area, with an estimated 2.88 million residents, is the 21st-largest metropolitan area in the U.S. and lies at the center of an 18-county combined statistical area with an estimated population of 3.47 million as of 2024. Charlotte is the county seat of Mecklenburg County.
Getting to Charlotte
Charlotte Douglas International Airport CLT IATA has excellent coverage of the eastern half of the U.S. and the Caribbean as well as service to several European and Central American hubs. American Airlines operates the majority of the airport's flights. Sprinter (CATS Route 5) buses run regularly between the airport and Uptown. A one-way ticket costs $2.20.
Worth seeing
Charlotte with children - itinerary for travelers with children There are numerous museums and historic sites scattered throughout the city, especially in and near Uptown. A "museum district" has arisen on Tryon Street on the south side of Uptown.
Things to do
Bojangles' Coliseum is a historic domed arena in East Charlotte that is used for community events, conventions and smaller musical acts. Memorial Stadium in Elizabeth is used for smaller events such as high school and college football games and band competitions. Carolina Ascent FC play here in the new USL Super League in women's soccer. PNC Music Pavilion is the venue for big shows in Charlotte.
Where to eat
For the most part, Charlotte's culinary tastes are in line with the rest of the American South. Standards such as grits, sweet potatoes (yams), and greens are common in kitchens and restaurants. Southern food is typically high in fats and carbohydrates, so dieters should be careful to stick to higher-end restaurants that serve a more cosmopolitan fare. Otherwise, dig in and enjoy the richness of the Southern diet.
Getting around Charlotte the local way
- Go nextThe natural beauty and serenity of the gardens make it a favorite for romantic day trips and family outings.
From Wikivoyage: Charlotte, CC BY-SA. Not yet checked by us. Last edited 2026-09.
Text adapted from Wikipedia and Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photograph: Wikimedia Commons (see file page), Wikimedia Commons.