Charlotte is the biggest city in North Carolina being one of the fastest growing cities in the United States of America USA. It is located in the southern part of North Carolina and is close to South Carolina. Charlotte is famous for its many rolling hills and a continental climate with hot summers and cool winters.
Table of Contents
Here are the top 20 free things to do in Charlotte:
1. Freedom Park
Freedom Park is a very popular place. This Park is ideal for walking and jogging. It would be great just to stroll or chill around the Park. The Park features a huge lake, walking trails, tennis courts, and playgrounds. Freedom Park also includes grounds for events and special functions, including the annual Festival in the Park, which features artworks and other shows. The green environment and central location make it a great destination for locals and visitors. There are lots of people who come here also to have a picnic.
2. Romare Bearden Park
Romare Bearden Park is in the Uptown city of Charlotte. This Park includes fountains, a garden, and a panoramic view of Charlotte’s skyline. It is a place where people come with their families to rest. Visitors often come for outdoor yoga session, during the fair music is played in the open air for people to enjoy. It is a perfect spot to take a walk or have a coffee while admiring the beautiful city skyline. Usually, there are free performances, such as concerts or live music, and in addition to that, physical training sessions are held in Romare Bearden Park.
3. Charlotte Rail Trail
The Charlotte Rail Trail is famous among the other trails found on the side of the light rail line.This particular rail connects several parts of the city of Charlotte. It is perfect for walking, jogging, biking and other outdoor activities. Visitors can take a bike tour around the city. You will likely encounter murals and more incredible art pieces, cafes, and parks, which helps make the biking tour exciting and adventurous. The rail links neighborhoods such as South End and Uptown among other areas, making it possible to cover the city on foot while observing the city life. If you like to run or jog, it is a perfect place for that as well as to explore new territory in Charlotte.
4. Little Sugar Creek Greenway
Little Sugar Creek Greenway is a nice, long greenway in Charlotte. This Greenway is perfect for walking, biking, and getting attached to nature. It borders Little Sugar Creek and connects several parks, including Freedom Park, which consists of physical features such as water, trees, and wildlife around the area. The Greenway is several kilometers long, and the city’s authorities are considering expanding it to even more kilometers, as it is a perfect place to relax and avoid the city noise. On the way, some places can used by the people for a little picnic with the family and friends, as well as a playground for the little children. It may be used during exercise or simply when one wants to enjoy the pleasant weather outside and view the beautiful scenery in Charlotte.
5. UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens
The UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens is a nice, relatively small 10-acres garden situated on the territory of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. The garden is available to the community and offers native and tropical plant species and colorful flowers. There are three main areas: the McMillan Greenhouse, full of exotic plants; the Van Landingham Glen, for a woodland garden; and the Susie Harwood Garden, for local and international plants. It is perfect for a nature walk, studying plants, or simply stroll in a beautiful, serene environment. It is especially ideal for those who are in love with nature.
6. NoDa Art District
The North Davidson Avenue is mostly referred to as North Davidson or, more popularly, NoDa. It is a beautiful area with graffiti, murals, paintings, music, and art galleries. It is an area for creative music and a place for people with great knowledge of food. It is a beautiful paradise with cool cafes, restaurants, and breweries. It is also a common venue for art lovers, which makes it the perfect place to sample the local art scene in Charlotte. Whether you are out walking and admiring the mural arts or watching a play at a local theater, NoDa can provide artistic entertainment for all.
7. Historic Fourth Ward
Historic Fourth Ward is a neighborhood in the Uptown Charlotte area, with many trees and Victorian-style buildings. This historic area has restored houses, red brick sidewalks, and green gardens to give you an old-world charm. It is a great place for a walk or stroll, which can be special for visitors interested in architectural monuments. The Fourth Ward Park is in the middle of the neighborhood, just blocks away from restaurants, shopping, and theaters.
8. McDowell Nature Preserve
McDowell Nature Preserve is a park in Charlotte with 1,132 acres of land that provides the area with natural facilities, such as forests, wetlands, and lakes. Visitors can witness many tracks for hiking, fishing areas, and outdoor picnic areas while observing wildlife. Different plants and animals can be found in the Preserve to take a short break from the city area. The Preserve is also an education center where visitors can learn about the area.
9. Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
The Bechtler Museum offers one of the best art collections from old 20th century with pieces from artists such Picasso, Calder and Giacometti of the Bechtler family collection. The building design is beautiful and modern which is appropriate for the art displayed inside. It is open to the public on Wednesdays and the exhibitions change each week, the entire collection can be seen for free. It allows visitors to be close to the art and admire it.
10. Charlotte Douglas Airport Overlook
The Charlotte Douglas Airport Overlook is a good place to sit and gaze at the airplanes at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. It is near the airport and visitors can get a good view of the runways and taxiways, which can be very entertaining to watch with children’s. A bench and some tables are available on the overlook so that people can sit down and watch the planes land and take off.
11. U.S. National Whitewater Center (Free Access to Grounds)
It is one of the best places for an outdoor adventure experience in Charlotte. The center provides different activities, like rafting, kayaking, and zip-lining. Most of the activities call for a fee, while the grounds are open to visitors for free. They can hike along the trails, take in the stunning river views, and spend time around the warm fire pits provided in the center.
12. Reedy Creek Park
Reedy Creek Park is one of Charlotte’s wide and open recreational parks that provides various activities. The park has a huge land of 146 acres including walking paths, playgrounds, sports facilities, and picnic sites. It is a popular park with grassy areas and a creek. It is one of the best areas for hiking, jogging, and other family events.
13. Mint Museum Randolph
The Mint Museum Randolph is in Charlotte’s Randolph Mansion. The museum displays American, contemporary, and European art. It is open for free admission every Wednesday and features galleries that contain American arts. The pieces in the museum have a cultural art touch, allowing visitors to experience high-quality art.
14. The Green
The Green is a public open space in Charlotte. It includes large grassy areas for children to play, sitting spaces, and trendy technological attractions such as water splash bodies and artworks. The Green is sometimes used for events, concerts, and other social functions, so it is always active and filled with people from the town and tourists.
15. Historic Latta Plantation Nature Preserve
Latta Plantation Nature Preserve is an historical area that covers an area of 1,343 acres in North Carolina. Latta Plantation was once a cotton farm in the 19th century. There are many nature trails that people can take a walk and watch birds and other wildlife. This place also offers activities like hiking, fishing, and boating
16. McGill Rose Garden
This is a quiet place in Charlotte, North Carolina with many roses and other flowers in bloom. It began in the 50s and 60s as a family garden and has over one thousand rose bushes. People can visit and admire the roses while taking a walk in the garden. McGill Rose Garden was established in the 1950s and is open to the public without any additional fees. Visitors can use the park for picnics, weddings and photo shoots.
17. Charlotte Trolley Powerhouse Museum (Donation-Based Entry)
The Charlotte Trolley Powerhouse Museum is small in Charlotte, which is in North Carolina, USA. It is located in a building originally used to supply the streetcars. Information about the old trolley system with a restored car is on display. This museum does not charge people for admission; rather, people are asked to pay as they wish.
18. Carolina Raptor Center
This Raptor Center is a wildlife center for birds that hunt which are known as raptors. This center includes raptors such as eagles, hawks, owls and falcons. Carolina Raptor Center mainly focuses in treating the injured birds and also the ones that are not capable to survive in the wild. People can walk around this center and see some of these birds. The center also provides education for special occasions so that people can learn about raptors.
19. NASCAR Hall of Fame
The NASCAR Hall of Fame is a museum that was opened in 2010 in North Carolina. It displays automobiles, awards, and other personal items belonging to popular car racers. You will be able to witness different race cars and their history. Visitors must check their website as this museum is free only on particular days.
20. Levine Museum
Levine Museum of the New South is an old museum full of history of the south from 1865 till today. The museum shows history of the development of south and particular events like civil rights movement and change of communities. The museum has photos and stories for visitors to know how the South was transformed. The museum does t charge for entry fees; it does not charges for the first Sunday of the month.
Charlotte has so many cool places you can visit without spending money. Whether you love nature, art, or just exploring the city, there’s something for everyone. These 20 free things to do in Charlotte North Carolina are perfect for having fun and enjoying the city without paying a dime.
