Take your pick between more than 30 different land and water activities at the Whitewater Center, a 1,300-acre facility about 15 miles west of Uptown Charlotte along the Catawba River. At the world's largest human-made whitewater river, you'll have your choice of a variety of activities, including kayaking (both flatwater and whitewater), stand-up paddle boarding, and, of course, whitewater rafting. In fact, the center is home to one of the best whitewater rafting tours in North Carolina. If you'd prefer to stay dry, the center can accommmodate you there, too: land activities include mountain biking, rock climbing and zip lining, with plenty of running trails and obstacle courses for those with a competitive edge. Though most of the center's activities require the purchase of a pass, access to its more than 50 miles of trails is free.

Past travelers said the center is a great place to take your family for the day if you're looking for an adventure. However, a few were disappointed with the high cost of activity passes.

An ode to "America's Pastor," the Billy Graham Library sits just a few miles from where Graham grew up in Charlotte. Sprawling across 20 acres less than 10 miles southwest of Uptown, the site allows visitors to explore the Graham family home (restored using 80% of its orginal materials), Graham's personal book collection (which includes nearly 4,000 titles) a Christian bookstore, a "Journey of Faith" exhibit detailing Graham's life, the Memorial Prayer Garden and a lunch eatery, the Dairy Bar. 

Past visitors who were familiar with Graham said this was a must-see and described the grounds as "peaceful" and "moving." Highlights included the library, Graham's personal memorabilia and the garden. Others who were not familiar with Graham said it was a nice stop, but not necessarily a must-do. However, many conceded that the lack of an admission fee made it worth the visit, even if they did not know much about Graham or his family.

As its name suggests, Discovery Place Science is Charlotte's science museum. Past visitors say this kid-friendly playtopia is a great place to spend a day with the family. Here, you'll find interactive, hands-on exhibits that cover a variety of scientific concepts like physics, earth science and the human body. You can design and conduct lab experiments, build mock structures and study different ecosystems with the museum's indoor rainforest exhibit and aquarium. Discovery Place Science also houses an IMAX theater that features an ever-changing program of educational films.

Careful not to forget the needs of its youngest visitors, the museum also offers exhibits for little ones, such as the KidScience section. This early childhood area features soft building blocks, a water table and a sound wall, plus a section designed just for toddlers. It's this exhibit variety that has recent travelers offering so much praise for the museum and learning center. 

If you think the NASCAR Hall of Fame is just a museum full of plaques dedicated to drivers gone by, think again. This 150,000-square-foot site keeps things buzzing with high-tech exhibits, racing simulators and a 278-seat theater, among other features. Travelers say visitors new to the high-octane sport will appreciate the "Heritage Speedway" exhibit, which details NASCAR's seven-decade history using authentic artifacts and educational films. Meanwhile, the "Inside NASCAR" exhibit provides visitors a more intimate and interactive view into how a NASCAR team preps for race day. Here, visitors can take a car apart (virtually) to see how the parts work, call a race as a NASCAR reporter and get behind the wheel of one of eight racing simulators.

If you don't consider yourself much of a car aficionado, you shouldn't be deterred from making a pit stop here, according to past visitors. Reviewers loved the interactive displays and exhibits, especially the "Pit Crew Challenge," which tests visitors' ability to jack up a car, change a tire with a real airgun and fill up the fuel tank just as the real pit crews do. They also highly recommend the simulator, which they feel is worth the extra fee.

U.S. News Insider Tip: This is a great lunch or dinner spot, but if you want to avoid the crowds, stop by in the morning for a latte at Undercurrent Coffee and a pastry at Suárez. – Ann Henson, Assistant Managing Editor

If you love to discover the local food scene while on vacation, then a visit to Optimist Hall is a must. A former textile mill, the hall dates back to 1892. Reopened in 2019, the nearly 150,000-square-foot space now houses a variety of casual food stalls, plus a handful of bars and retail shops. Local favorites include Papi Queso (a must for anyone who loves grilled cheese sandwiches), The Dumpling Lady and Noble Smoke – a popular barbecue spot. You'll also find stalls selling everything from coffee and pastries to smoothies and pizza.

Boasting nearly 100 acres, Freedom Park is a refreshing and free escape from the Uptown hustle and bustle. Situated between two of Charlotte's residential neighborhoods, Dilworth and Myers Park, (about 3 miles north of the city center), Freedom Park is popular year-round thanks to the various walking and biking paths, not to mention the abundance of open green space. Amidst the dog walkers, joggers and families, you'll find baseball fields, tennis courts and a basketball court, among other recreational facilities. Several events take place here throughout the year, including the Festival in the Park in September, which features local food, entertainment, and arts and crafts. 

Recent visitors praised the park's clean facilities and say the park is a great place to spend a few hours, especially if you have children in tow. Along with two playgrounds, Freedom Park is also home to a full-size train engine that little ones can explore.

U.S. News Insider Tip: After perusing the Mint Museum, consider walking across the street to the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. – Ann Henson, Assistant Managing Editor

One of the many museums representing Charlotte's exploding art scene, the Mint Museum Uptown is home to a wide variety of American and European art. This is the second Mint Museum location; the first – Mint Museum Randolph – occupies the original branch of the United States Mint on Randolph Road (in the city's Eastover neighborhood). The building in Uptown houses many contemporary exhibits, including a traveler-approved collection of fashion and textiles. There's also the world-renowned Craft + Design Collection, a special collection of international studio glass, jewelry, furniture, wood and clay art.

Daniel J. Stowe was a former textile executive who set aside 380 acres of meadows, woodlands and lakefront property to develop a world-class botanical garden. Today, the garden sprawls across 30 acres and encompasses annual and perennial displays, fountains, walking paths, an 8,000-square-foot tropical plant and orchid conservatory, and a children's garden.

Recent visitors used words like "beautiful" and "peaceful" to describe the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. Many suggested timing your visit for the garden's annual Butterfly Bungalow event, which usually takes place from Memorial Day to Labor Day and allows visitors to learn all about butterflies native to North Carolina.

For a taste of the local Charlotte dining scene, head to The Market at 7th Street in Uptown. At this indoor food court, you'll find a variety of local vendors selling everything from coffee and smoothies to pizza and gourmet cheeses. Favorites include Not Just Coffee, a coffee shop with multiple locations throughout Charlotte; Mad Dash, which offers sandwiches and burgers; and Orrman's Cheese Shop, known for its various iterations on the classic grilled cheese. You'll also find a wine shop.

Past visitors said the market is a great place for lunch, though they cautioned that tables are hard to come by in this relatively small space. Some reviewers said it's not worth going out of your way to visit the market, but said it's a convenient stop if you're visiting other attractions within the area, such as ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center, Discovery Place Science or First Ward Park.

U.S. News Insider Tip: If you don't have much time to spend in the Lake Norman area, stop by Hello, Sailor for a meal or drinks. You'll enjoy beautiful lakefront views paired with delicious food. – Ann Henson, Assistant Managing Editor

For a fun daytrip, consider visiting Lake Norman. This human-made lake was created in 1963 and stretches for 34 miles, with 520 miles of shoreline. Situated about 15 miles north of Charlotte, Lake Norman is a popular weekend retreat for locals. The lake's luxurious, waterfront mansions are also known to attract professional athletes and NASCAR drivers. But you don't have to be a millionaire to enjoy your time here. 

Home field for the Charlotte Knights – the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox – Truist Field is a hit with locals and visitors for its incredible skyline views, delicious food and affordable seats. Situated in Uptown, the ballpark is easily accessible from any of the city's Uptown hotels. 

Past visitors raved about the park saying there are no bad seats. Visitors were also pleased with the food options and recommended attending an evening game to see the skyline lit up. If you time your visit for a Friday night game, you can also catch some post-game fireworks.

If you're hungry for a taste of NASCAR culture at its finest, take the 16-mile drive northeast of Uptown Charlotte to Concord, where you can catch a race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Keep in mind that a visit here is more of an experience – it's normal for die-hard fans to camp near the speedway. It's best to snag your tickets at least a month ahead of race day; last-minute tickets are a possibility, but you'll have a tough time purchasing them without breaking the bank. And if you're planning to attend the annual Coca-Cola 600 event, which takes place every Memorial Day weekend, you'll want to buy your tickets several months in advance as this a popular event. Tickets generally start at approximately $50 per person.

For a more affordable – albeit less adrenaline-fueled – visit, consider taking one of the daily tours. The Feel the Thrill Speedway Tour, which travels by van around the Superspeedway, allows travelers to see areas that are off-limits during race days, including the Winner's Circle. Past visitors say this tour, which costs $15 per person, is an informative introduction for uninitiated race fans.     

Carowinds is one of North Carolina's favorite local amusement parks. Past visitors highly recommend a stop at Carowinds if you're traveling with your family. Though reviewers commend Carowinds for its ability to appeal to a wide range of age groups, visitors aren't as pleased with the number of extra expenses for parking and food and drinks.

You'll have your pick of family and thrill rides at Carowinds. If you've got little ones in tow, head to the Camp Snoopy area of the park, which features mild "Peanuts"-themed rides like the Snoopy's Junction train and the Kite Eating Tree miniature drop ride. Meanwhile, thrill-seekers will want to try the park's roller coasters like the Intimidator, which features seven drops and travels at speeds up to 80 mph, and Fury 325, North America's tallest, fastest, longest giga coaster.

Named after Harvey Bernard Gantt, the first African American student admitted to Clemson University and Charlotte's first African American mayor, this center aims to celebrate the art, history and culture of Black Americans and those of African descent. The center's collection includes nearly 60 artworks from John and Vivian Hewitt, who spent 50 years building their personal collection. Among the collection's 20 featured artists are Henry Ossawa Tanner, Elizabeth Catlett and Jacob Lawrence. The center also displays temporary exhibitions. Past exhibitions have included a photography exhibition by Alvin C. Jacobs Jr. that documents Charlotte's Brookhill Village neighborhood, a historically Black community that is under threat from the city's rapid gentrification.

In addition to its collection and temporary exhibitions, the art and culture center also hosts events, such as a monthly live jazz series and a "Classic Black Cinema" film screenings.

Modern art lovers will want to plan a visit to the Bechtler Museum. Housed in a building designed by Swiss architect Mario Botta, the museum houses the personal collection of the Bechtler family, who lived in Zurich and amassed an impressive collection of modern art over the course of 70 years. Artists you'll see on display here include Alberto Giacometti, Joan Miro, Jean Tinguely, Andy Warhol and Barbara Hepworth, among others.

Past visitors described the museum as small, and said it took about one to two hours to see all of the displays. Despite its size, reviewers were impressed with the museum's collection.

Formerly a traditional museum with exhibits that focused on post-Civil War life in the North Carolina Piedmont, the Levine Museum of the New South sold the space it had occupied since 1996 and opened in an interim space in 2022. Though the museum still displays traveling exhibitions, its main focus is now digital experiences and community programming. Visitors can engage with the museum's digital programming through its free smartphone app, KnowCLT. With the app, users can embark on an immersive GPS-based experience of Charlotte's Brooklyn neighborhood, which was once the largest Black community in the Carolinas. App users can also redeem rewards at Black-owned businesses in Charlotte.

Though the museum's focus may be more skewed to Charlotte and the surrounding Carolina Piedmont, recent visitors said you don't need to be a resident of the Queen City to appreciate the temporary displays or the smartphone app.

U.S. News Insider Tip: Stop at the Market at 7th Street, which sits across the light rail tracks from ImaginON, before or after your visit for a kid-friendly meal or snack. – Ann Henson, Assistant Managing Editor

If you're traveling with kids, consider a stop at ImaginON: The Joe & Joan Martin Center. Spread across 102,000 square feet, the facility is part library, part performance space. It features two theaters, a library space for kids 11 and younger, a teen-only library, a production studio (complete with blue screens, 3D printers, computers, a recording booth and more) and an interactive exhibit space.

Situated about 15 miles northwest of Uptwon Charlotte in Huntersville, North Carolina, the Carolina Raptor Center operates largely as a rehabilitation center for injured, sick and orphaned raptors. The facility also serves as an education and conservation center where visitors can see these fascinating creatures up close. The center is home to more than 35 different species of birds, which you can see and learn about on the nearly mile-long outdoor nature trail that is set up similar to a zoo.

Past travelers said a visit to the center makes for a great daytrip, especially if you're traveling with kids.