What is Charlotte, North Carolina, known for?
Besides being a banking city and one of the fastest growing cities in the country – North Carolina’s treasure – Charlotte, NC, is a thriving metropolitan area that epitomizes rapid growth, lifestyle, culture, and opportunity; hence it’s the slogan “Charlotte’s got a lot!”.
A ubiquitous place popping up on the radar in the southeast corner of the US for the right reason, an adventure to take! Today, we’ll discuss what Charlotte, NC, is known for and where to visit!
The Queen City: A Historical and Contemporary Icon
In honor of the wife of King Gorge iii, the Charlotte colony was officially dubbed the “Queen City” after being charted in 1768 as an extension of England’s colonial expansion. Located in the southeastern part of the state and regarded as the backwater of the British Empire then, Charlotte has come a long way in being one of the South’s urban prowess and modern behemoths today!
It has since become the second-largest banking center in the United States. The banking industry has brought a significant presence to the region, and there are plenty of things to do and explore if you visit or move here!
6 Things Charlotte is Known and Famous & Known For!
1. North Carolina Sports
Charlotte, NC, is the epicenter or fanfare of sports across North and South Carolina when it comes to football and basketball and is known to be the sports capital of the state!
Carolina Panthers – Bank of America Stadium
Charlotte is home to the NFL’s Carolina Panthers, the state’s only NFL football team which plays in the Bank of America stadium. The stadium was built in 1996 in uptown Charlotte, attracting thousands of fired-up fans!
Charlotte Hornets (Formerly Charlotte Bobcats)
Charlotte also sports North Carolina’s only professional basketball team, the Charlotte Hornets, which plays in the Spectrum Center. For a quick backdrop, the Charlotte Hornets used to be the Charlotte Bobcats until the New Orleans Hornets rebranded and changed their name to the New Orleans Pelicans, thus giving rise to the name change. Michael Jordan currently owns the franchise.
Others sports
Other sports teams that Charlotte sports is Charlotte’s soccer team called the Charlotte FC in the MLS, and the Charlotte Knights, the Triple-A baseball team playing in an uptown Charlotte stadium.
While the Charlotte Hornets are usually not contending for championships these days, NBA games are quite a thrill!
2. NASCAR Hall of Fame
More sports!
The epicenter of NASCAR makes its home in Charlotte, NC, where it sports the fandom and legacy of drivers and their accomplishments in NASCAR racing. Even if you are not too well-versed in the sport, the NASCAR Hall of Fame gives you in-depth exhibits, history, and docufilms in their signature high-octane theater to follow along!
Charlotte motor speedway
On the same note, Charlotte is home to the charlotte motor speedway, which has set the bar high in motorsports entertainment for fans nationwide. It sports the only race vacation destination in the heart of NASCAR country where you can be fully present and immerse in one-of-a-kind races such as the Bank of America ROVAL 400, Coca-Cola 600, etc.
3. Levine Museum of the New South
The Levine Museum of the New South is a staple Charlotte museum chocked full of post-civil war southern history with interactive exhibits to experience what life was like back then! From the agricultural days of the reconstruction era to the rapid growth of its modern-day urban prowess, it showcases Charlotte’s immaculate evolution over time.
4. U.S. National Whitewater Center
U.S National Whitewater Center is Charlotte’s natural treasure in it’s man-made rapids that sports whitewater activities for all levels of expertise with guided instructors available at your disposal along with kayaking, canoeing, and paddle boarding.
Its 1,300 acres also offer you the opportunity to take a full adventure in Charlotte’s nature with mountain biking, running, and hiking trails. Learn more about the Whitewater Center here!
5. Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
The Bechtler Museum is a contemporary art museum that showcases the works of influential artists who pioneered the mid-20th century art movement, including but not limited to Picasso, Calder, Warhol, etc.
Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American arts and Culture
On the topic of art, originally created as an African American Cultural Center, The Gnatt Center now showcases traditional and modern art by African American artists for art lovers all in the Charlotte region in North Carolina and beyond.
6. Belk Theater at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
The Belk Theater is one of the biggest theaters in the Charlotte area and sports a state-of-the-art venue for music concerts, festivals, and theatrical performing arts. Its wonderfully appointed architecture, acoustics,, fiber-optic light display, and size make it a must to visit in Charlotte!
7. Lake Norman and Lake Wylie!
While Lake Norman isn’t in Charlotte and Lake Wylie is actually in South Carolina, both are super close to downtown Charlotte and offer all the lake adventures lake enthusiasts enjoy.
From pristine rentals to extraordinary real estate, the Lake Norman area is full of beautiful homes and plenty of room for lake sports. Boat rentals, kayak rentals, and other outdoor adventures are abundant!
☑️ Learn how to plan a day at Lake Norman which is just north of Charlotte, right here (photo credit).
8. Mint Museum Uptown
In the heart of Charlotte’s city center, once serving as the first branch of the U.S Mint outside of Philadelphia, the Mint Museum Uptown at the Levin Center serves as a cultural and educational icon for live performances and international and American, crafts, and design, traditional, and contemporary art.
The Mint Museum Randolph nearby, on the other hand, offers insight into the ceramics and decorative arts of ancient Americas over time as well as collections of European and African Art, etc.
FAQ
What industries is Charlotte, NC, known for?
Charlotte is a modern-day financial hub. It is home to the second largest banking center in the country, where the likes of Bank of America and Wells Fargo have set up shops in significant ways. Among others include information tech, food, and automotive industries.
What neighborhoods are the best for raising families?
Neighborhood development has taken a significant turn for people who want to raise families in Charlotte. The best neighborhoods from the standpoint of safety, education, and accessible amenities—Old Providence, Ballantyne, Southpark, Provincetown, and Providence Plantation rank among the top!
What’s the Verdict?
The Charlotte area is a city home to an adventure that suits every fancy, from sporting venues to entertainment to cultural centers and history galore!
Nestled in the heart of the southeastern united states, it serves as a beacon, an icon of opportunity to take a chance on a new, prosperous future. If you feel Charlotte, NC, is calling your heart as your new home, give us a call, and we will be more than happy to assist!
If you are moving to Charlotte or thinking about it, be sure to ⤵️⤵️
