Charlotte NC is the largest city in North Carolina with a population according to the 2016 U.S. Census Bureau of 842,051 which makes it the 17th largest city in the US. It is the 2nd largest city in the S.E. United States behind Jacksonville, Fla. Charlotte residents are affectionately known as “Charlotteans”.
The town itself was incorporated in 1768 but earliest European records indicate Catawba Native Indians settled in what now is Mecklenburg County around 1567. Charlotte is considered the home of Southern Presbyterianism but due to the number of additional churches established; Baptist, Methodist, Episcopalian, Lutheran and Roman Catholic – it is known as the “The City of Churches”
Charlotte is a hub of sport activity including most major sports teams. For basketball fans we have the Charlotte Hornets, with a very famous owner, Michael Jordan. How about NFL football? Charlotte has the Carolina Panthers with the star quarterback Cam Newton.
Here are some other interesting places to visit and events to attend while visiting the “Queen City”:
Stroll through the tranquil grounds at Charlotte-area gardens like Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, McGill Rose Garden, Wing Haven Gardens & Bird Sanctuary or UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens.
Soccer: Charlotte Independence – http://www.charlotteindependence.com/
NASCAR: NASCAR Hall OF Fame – http://www.nascarhall.com
Business contacts: Charlotte Chamber of Commerce – https://charlottechamber.com/
Discover the passion of performance when the Charlotte Ballettakes the stage at Knight Theater, Belk Theater or the Patricia McBride & Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux Center for Dance.
Billy Graham: Billy Graham Library – https://billygrahamlibrary.org/
Shopping: Concord Mills – http://www.simon.com/mall/concord-mills (The number 1 attraction in North Carolina)
Find some of the most sought-after, luxurious brands around at SouthPark Mall. Anchored by Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus, the mall carries cult favorites like Lululemon, Burberry, Tory Burch and American Girl.
Pan for gold at Reed Gold Mine, the location of the nation’s first gold discovery in 1799. Admission and tours are free; panning for gold is $3
Relive the region’s heritage on guided tours of its plantations: Learn about the area’s cotton kingdoms at Historic Latta Plantation, see beautiful Federal period architecture at Historic Rosedale Plantationor retrace Revolutionary War roots at Historic Brattonsville.
Take on the class II-IV rapids by raft or kayak at the U.S. National Whitewater Center, home of the largest man-made whitewater river in the world.
Ride the world’s tallest and fastest giga coaster, the 325-foot-tall Fury 325, at Carowinds amusement park.