How to Spend 72 Perfect Hours in Charlotte, NC

Charlotte is North Carolina’s biggest city — one of the biggest in the country, even — but you might not realize that when you visit. It’s rare to find such a fast-growing population hub that still feels like a town in all the best ways, from the sense of community that runs throughout its distinctive neighborhoods to the incredible number of trees that keep the city green.

With enough people to guarantee a scene for just about everyone, Charlotte invites you to decide how you want to spend your days in buzzy Uptown and beyond: immerse yourself in the area’s robust arts, let award-winning chefs be your guides, or anchor your trip in outdoor activities. Better yet, follow this 72-hour itinerary to experience a little of everything that Charlotte has to offer.

FRIDAY: SAY HELLO TO UPTOWN’S ART SCENE

Photo: Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority

So, you’re in Charlotte, and you’re ready to explore. The first thing you’ll need is some fuel. Kick off your trip with sugar-crusted French toast or a Cajun sausage skillet at Community Matters Cafe in Uptown. The chef just scored a James Beard nomination, the pastries are made in-house, and the coffee is strong — plus, the staff are graduates of the Charlotte Rescue Mission, a nonprofit providing support for people seeking help with addiction. The restaurant is open until 2 PM for breakfast and lunch.

From there, you’ll be within walking distance of museums showcasing works by artists from all over the world. Find the mirror-clad “Firebird” sculpture standing as tall as a giraffe outside the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, then head inside to see a Picasso, a Warhol, or an exhibition by a living artist. Across the street, check out whatever global exhibitions and events are on at the Mint Museum Uptown, then celebrate Black creatives at the nearby Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture.

Get to know the ins and outs of Uptown’s cultural scene on a self-guided tour via Art Walks CLT. Choose between several different walks to learn who created the area’s murals, paintings, and sculptures and what makes them significant to the city. Add in a stop at The Market at 7th Street or Monarch Market for a quick bite along the way.

For dinner, reserve a table at the McNinch House Restaurant for an exclusive wining and dining experience set in a historic Victorian residence in Uptown’s Fourth Ward. Alexander Michael’s is another local favorite if you’re more in the mood for comfort food. The neighborhood spot has a surprisingly varied menu, serving everything from blackened catfish to stroganoff and burritos.

SATURDAY: EAT, WALK, SIP, REPEAT

Photo: Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority

In Charlotte, breakfast and brunch are events. And like any serious event, venue matters. Start your Saturday at Uptown Yolk, a South End eatery where all your morning favorites are brought to you by Chef Greg Collier, a multiple James Beard Award nominee and semifinalist, and his wife, Subrina Collier. Pro tip: Add TN fries to your order — these home-fried potatoes, like so many of Chef Collier’s dishes, deliciously reflect his Tennessee roots.

While you’re in South End — an industrial section of the city transformed into pubs, restaurants, and shops — walk or bike on the Rail Trail. The 3.5-mile paved path follows the LYNX Blue Line, a light rail system connecting riders to neighborhoods, and affords a view of murals and sculptures made by local artists. Two rest spots on the trail, Edna’s Porch and Fowler Porch, feature interactive elements like swings and see-saws.

Plenty of food options are easily accessed from the Rail Trail. Try locally sourced eats at ROOTS Café, grab a to-go snack from Salted Melon Market & Eatery, or go for pastries at Vicente Bakery & Bistro. To make a full excursion out of refueling, head to the South End Farmers Market, an outdoor affair at Atherton Mill and Market that showcases wares from local artists, farmers, and businesses every Saturday from 8 AM to 1 PM all year long.

Pair your South End exploration with dinner in NoDa, a neighborhood a few stops from Uptown on the Blue Line that’s known for its restaurants and arts. Drinks in the backyard at The Goodyear House will set the scene for the evening. The cocktail menu, prepared by award-winning mixologist Bob Peters, highlights seasonal flavors with local ingredients. Chief’s Modern Cocktail Parlor, also overseen by Peters, is next door and new in 2025.

Head one block north to share appetizers like hot honey-fried oysters, a PB&J bacon plate, and hush puppies at Haberdish. Then move the party to Ever Andalo, named for a city in northern Italy. Its chef uses a combination of locally sourced and authentic Italian ingredients in his creations. For dessert, wander the streets with a freshly made cake doughnut from Reigning Donuts, which also makes a vegan and gluten-free option.

The day’s not over yet. (It’s Saturday night, after all.) End the evening with a film at The Independent Picture House or a concert at the Neighborhood Theatre. You’ll have time for one more drink or nibble afterward — perhaps craft beer at Salud Cervecería or coffee and a salted caramel brownie from Amelie’s French Bakery & Café.

SUNDAY: PLAY OUTSIDE, THEN RAISE A TOAST

Photo: Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority

Sleep later than you would at home in one of Uptown Charlotte’s luxury hotels — try the Grand Bohemian, The Ivey’s Hotel, or the Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel — before heading out for brunch at Mariposa. Plan your day over pulled duck arepas, tuna poke tacos, and wild berry pancakes.

Sunday’s theme is all about being outside, so start at the US National Whitewater Center. The 1,300-acre outdoor facility is just minutes from Uptown and attracts all kinds of outdoor enthusiasts. Hike a wooded trail, speed overhead on a zipline, try flatwater kayaking or standup paddling out on the Catawba River, or raft some rapids with a guide. Between all that and the climbing walls, mountain bike paths, hammock stands, and Adirondack chairs, there’s something for everyone — even those traveling with their pooches, thanks to the center’s 70-acre Off Leash dog park with covered picnic tables, a porch with rocking chairs overlooking dogs playing in the pond, and a bar for human beverages and doggie treats.

You’ve got options for where to head next. Checking out Charlotte’s extensive greenway system is a good one. It includes the Little Sugar Creek Greenway, which has 17 miles of trail and leads to Midtown and Freedom Park, one of Charlotte’s most popular greenspaces. The trail also connects to Irwin Creek and Stewart Creek Greenways.

Biking is another way to continue seeing the city, and Charlotte Cycles rents all kinds of wheels — electric-assist, hybrid, mountain, even tricycles. Depending on your interests, ask about suggested routes. On the first Sunday of each month, Charlotte Cycles also partners with NoDa Social Ride for a morning or afternoon ride, depending on the season.

No trip to Charlotte feels long enough, but alas, this one is wrapping up. And what better way to say goodbye (for now) than by admiring Uptown’s skyline from a rooftop bar. On the 19th floor of the Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel, Merchant & Trade gives its signature cocktails novel names like the Miss Scarlet in the Lounge, Page Turner, and Rosemary’s Baby. From a comfy couch, the view showcases the cityscape and the Carolina blue sky as it’s splashed with sunset colors.

Seventy-two hours isn’t enough time to experience all that makes Charlotte great, but it is enough time to fall in love with the Queen City. Book your long weekend trip now to see for yourself.