Agree with Bz - we don't know anything about you or your likes and dislikes. But, yes - I think you'll need a car unless you plan to just stay uptown and walk around.

Oops! Sorry to be so vague. In my excitement, I failed to think . . . Since I know so little about Charlotte (up to now, I'd probably admit that I simply knew it was in NC), I have been researching as much as I could in the last 24 hours. For instance, I have been trying to select lodging (economical, but a good value); so far, I am leaning toward a Residence Inn or the Holiday Inn Express. I decided that we would tkae the 2+ hour tour offered by Queen City Tours. I like to shop but my husband abhors shopping (I was thinking that he could enjoy the fitness center-if the hotel has one-while I do a little shopping.) We probably will not visit any museums. Generally, I think we'd like to see what we "should" see in the time we have in the city. RE: car rental, I need to learn how far away the airport is form the hotel and if there is public transporation available or if we should rely upon our own transportation.

Which RI or HIE are you looking at - there are several. Sounds like SouthPark area might be a good place. There are good hotels there, great restaurants and an upscale mall. It's 20 minutes or so from the airport. The Hampton Inn at Phillips Place near there is nice. So is the Residence Inn Southpark.

If you are doing the Queen City Tour- you'll see what you need to see. There are not many attractions in Charlotte. Since you are not museum people, that's about all you could visit ( places like the History Museum or Museum of the New South) to see what Charlotte USED to be. It really doesn't have an identity anymore. The Billy Graham Library is near the airport and is free. You can tour his childhood home and they have a cool exhibit on Ethel Waters through April - it's all free.

Best wishes.

Thanks, bud41! I appreciate your advice. I shall check out the SouthPark area. Sounds like it may be the place for us to stay.

Good to know that we shall see all we should see on the tour.

You will be bored out of your mind. You will spend the night in the middle of a mall. Why, oh why do people think that Charlotte is a vacation spot?

I disagree w/ the previous post for obvious reasons. A vacation, no matter where or for how long, is what you make of it. I think you will find our city an enjoyable place to stay and play. =)

NYC - I enjoy visiting your abode. It's a great place. I am a native Charlottean and I am proud to be from this area. I lament what our city has become,and I agree it is not a "vacation spot". But, I think we are just trying to help people who are visiting here have a good experience. Sometimes just going to a different place is fun. Would you call Albany a vacation spot? I wouldn't - but I caught an e-saver up there once just to ride around and look and I had a good time. The poster is not vacationing here - just visiting one day. Your "New York" attitude is showing :)

I have family/friends come visit at least 1 weekend a month, and everyone leaves loving the area.

Besides all the shopping, we take them places like the Whitewater Center, Lake Norman boat cruise, lately the Epicenter (love the bowling there!) sporting events, concerts/shows, Raptor Center, Spraygrounds, etc.