Charlotte, North Carolina’s “Queen City,” blends Uptown arts with motorsports heritage and family attractions. The Levine Center for the Arts gathers several museums around the Knight Theater, and the Mint Museum holds one of the Southeast’s largest collections.
The NASCAR Hall of Fame explores the sport’s bootlegging roots downtown, and nearby Charlotte Motor Speedway hosts marquee races and behind-the-scenes tours.
Carowinds amusement park straddles the North Carolina-South Carolina line with more than 60 rides. March through May and September through November offer the mildest weather.