Day 1
- Park spaces almost outweigh the pavement in and around Charlotte. Spots like the novella-themed “The Green” are perfect for the little ones. With a giant fish fountain, hopscotch, and curving paths that ribbit, purr, and chirp as people walk by, this spot in Center City is especially kid-friendly. Don’t miss stunning area green spaces like Marshall Park, Freedom Park, Independence Park, Reedy Creek Park, and others.
-Explore the Billy Graham Library. Combining iconic- memorabilia, multimedia technology, and good plain fun, visitors are transported into the life and faith of this beloved evangelist. Exhibits feature powerful montages of Billy Graham in action, photos with notables from around the globe, Ruth Graham and family, and much more. A country kitchen and replica of Graham’s boyhood home complete this not-to-be-missed experience.
-Charlotte is home to 80% of- NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers. Go behind the scenes and see how they prepare for race days at race shops like Hendrick Motorsports Museum and Dale Earnhardt Inc., which offer free self-guided tours. In addition, the "Dale Trail" is a self-guided free tour of Earnhardt landmarks in his nearby hometown of Kannapolis.
-Embark on a free- gallery crawl every first and third Friday of the month hosted by NoDa, Charlotte’s fringe art neighborhood. Browse the area’s swanky galleries, enjoy a bite to eat and relax to smooth music played by local street musicians in this growing artistic community.
Day 2
- Check out the U.S. National Whitewater Center. Aside from braving class III-IV rapids on the world’s largest manmade whitewater river, visitors can enjoy the facility’s many hiking and biking trails or flatwater paddling ( cost of rental) on the Catawba River free of charge. Alongside the main competition channel, visitors can sit on the rocks at the water’s edge to take in the scenic surroundings, groups of rafters, or Olympic-caliber athletes. The Center offers several bargain rafting and climbing packages and hosts a variety of free outdoor music concerts and events. $5.00 parking charge.
-Set out on a walking tour showcasing Charlotte’s- many historical and public art gems. A Center City tour highlights works of art by the local sculptor Raymond Kaskey, architectural gems, and frescoes by renowned painter Benjamin Long. A nearby Fourth Ward walking tour in Center City highlights charming Victorian Southern estates appropriately nicknamed the “grand old ladies.”
-Take the- family to ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center. One of Charlotte’s first LEED designed buildings, this innovative and fun facility combines a library and the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte. Stay for story time, allow the theatre troupe to take you to faraway lands, or explore the many multimedia-oriented displays and exhibits geared towards kids and teenagers.
-North Carolina was “First in- Flight,” so to mark this occasion while in the area, pack a picnic and head to the airport. At the Overlook Park at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, visitors can watch planes take-off and land just yards away. Shady trees with picnic tables and benches sit close to the runway.