Charlotte, North Carolina, has a lot going for it. It’s a financial powerhouse that’s home to teams in nearly every major sport. Its cost of living hovers right at the national average, and both the mountains and the coast are only a few hours’ drive away.
Charlotte’s history stretches back to the colonial period, and its diverse communities continue to make it a lively city with incredible cuisine. I lived in the area several times throughout my life, but had never spent proper time in the city. Charlotte was a stopping point in between adventures, not a place to be explored. It wasn’t until my most recent return after almost 20 years away that I really dove into the city and started making it my home.
When I moved to Charlotte from Charleston, South Carolina, nearly one year ago today, I appreciated all the new amenities, but lamented the loss of all my favorite museums back in Charleston. Luckily for me, I soon discovered that Charlotte is home to museums of all kinds. I just needed to figure out where to go. So, I set out to explore my new home one museum at a time, and these are the four that delighted me the most.
NASCAR Hall of Fame
Experiencing the roar of the crowd as the ground rumbles beneath your feet and a pack of cars screams past in the blink of an eye is something only Charlotte Motor Speedway itself can bestow upon you, but visiting the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Uptown comes in a close second. This fun museum prioritizes interactive experiences as well as impressive look-but-don’t-touch displays, so you can see historic cars in the fan-favorite Glory Road exhibit and “race” one in a high-tech simulator…