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If you're wondering how to spend a 7-hour layover at Charlotte Airport, you're in luck! Charlotte Douglas International Airport is one of the most compact and efficient airports in the US, so you won't have to worry about getting from one place to another within the airport. The airport itself offers plenty of dining options, from local breweries to NASCAR-themed cafes. If you're looking to explore beyond the airport, Uptown Charlotte is just a short bus or Uber ride away, offering cultural experiences such as museums, art galleries, and fine dining. For those seeking a tranquil escape, the charming downtown area of Belmont is about 15 miles eastward, with local shops, parks, and the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden nearby. With 7 hours to spare, you'll have plenty of time to discover the best of what Charlotte has to offer!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Explore Charlotte | Uptown Charlotte, Levine Avenue of the Arts, Mint Museum, Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, Harvey B. Gantt Center, Levine Museum of the New South, Belmont, Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, Queen City, Ayrsley, Freedom Park, Crowders Mountain |
| Eat | Rhino Market, Tikka Shack, Valhalla, Nefelie’s Greek Kitchen, Honeycomb Café, Heirloom Restaurant, Crown Diner, NoDa Brewing Company, Sycamore Brewing, Broken Spoke, Great Wagon Road, Captain Jack’s Tavern, Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar, Fahrenheit restaurant, Amelie’s French Bakery, Chili's, California Pizza Kitchen, Black n Blue Bar, Uptown Minibar, Midwood Smokehouse, Waterman Fish Bar, Beatrix Market, PZA, Auntie Anne’s, Starbucks, Cinnabon, Dunkin’, Jamba Juice, Panera Bread, Smashburger, Wendy’s, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Ciao Gourmet Market, Hissho Sushi |
| Shop | CNBC Smartshop, Charlotte News & Gifts, Charlotte’s Landing, 704 Shop, Market Place, TripAdvisor shop, Johnston & Murphy |
| Relax | Minute Suites, USO Lounge, Be Relax Spa, The Club CLT, Interfaith Chapel |
| Entertainment | NASCAR Hall of Fame, Levine Center, U.S. National Whitewater Center |
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What You'll Learn
- Explore Uptown Charlotte, home to the city's cultural arts institutions and fine restaurants
- Visit the US National Whitewater Center for outdoor activities and dining
- Check out the NASCAR Hall of Fame and its interactive racing exhibits
- Experience the city's best food and beverage offerings inside the airport
- Take a short trip to Belmont for a small-town feel, dining, and parks
Explore Uptown Charlotte, home to the city's cultural arts institutions and fine restaurants
If you're spending 7 hours in Charlotte Airport, you can explore Uptown Charlotte, home to the city's cultural arts institutions and fine restaurants. Here's a suggested itinerary:
Levine Avenue of the Arts
Take an Uber to Levine Avenue of the Arts, located in Uptown Charlotte, just 7-8 miles from the airport. This pedestrian-friendly area boasts beautiful architecture and peaceful green spaces, along with cultural institutions and fine dining options.
The Mint Museum
The Mint Museum, established in 1936 as North Carolina's first art museum, is a leading cultural institution with two locations. The Mint Museum Uptown, located in the Levine Center for the Arts, boasts an extensive collection of international art and design.
Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
Also located on Levine Avenue of the Arts, the Bechtler Museum showcases modern and contemporary art. Together with the Mint Museum, it is part of the Levine Center for the Arts, which offers a $20 arts access pass valid for two days.
Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts & Culture
The Gantt Center, named after Charlotte civic leader and former mayor Harvey Bernard Gantt, is an iconic award-winning structure. It features fine art exhibitions from around the world, including the nationally celebrated John and Vivian Hewitt Collection of African-American Art.
Knight Theater
The Knight Theater is a performing arts venue located next to the Harvey B. Gantt Center. It showcases a variety of acts, including Broadway favourites and touring performances.
Dining Options
After exploring the cultural institutions, indulge in some of Uptown Charlotte's culinary offerings. Options include Mariposa, Fin & Fino, Angeline's for authentic Italian cuisine, and McNinch House for elegant dining and vintage wine pairings in a Queen Anne-style house. For panoramic views, try Merchant & Trade, or La Belle Helene for classic French dishes.
With a range of cultural attractions and dining options, Uptown Charlotte offers a rich and diverse experience for visitors spending time between flights at Charlotte Airport.
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Visit the US National Whitewater Center for outdoor activities and dining
If you're looking for outdoor activities and dining options within a 15-minute Uber ride of Charlotte Airport, the US National Whitewater Center is an excellent choice. This 1,300-acre outdoor recreational facility offers a plethora of exciting adventures and dining experiences.
For thrill-seekers, the center provides various water activities, including whitewater rafting, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and rodeo rafting. If you prefer to stay dry, there are miles of hiking, running, and mountain biking trails to explore, as well as zip lines, rock climbing, and a ropes course with nine different challenges. The center caters to all ages and skill levels, with activities tailored for both adults and children as young as five.
The US National Whitewater Center also offers Adventure Dining packages, allowing you to combine your outdoor excursion with a unique dining experience. Their Paddle to Table option includes kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding to a fireside dinner, while the Zipline and Dine package lets you soar through the air before enjoying your supper. Both adventures offer the option to purchase beer or wine, and the menu changes weekly.
In addition to the outdoor activities, the center hosts several festivals throughout the year, such as the River Jam event, a free outdoor showcase featuring live music, food, and drinks during the summer months. You can also enjoy craft brews and live music on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, with fireworks displays on certain nights.
With so much to offer, the US National Whitewater Center is an ideal destination for those seeking outdoor thrills, dining adventures, and entertainment within a short distance of Charlotte Airport.
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Check out the NASCAR Hall of Fame and its interactive racing exhibits
If you're a fan of NASCAR, Charlotte is the place to be. The NASCAR Hall of Fame, located in Uptown Charlotte, is an interactive entertainment attraction that showcases the history and heritage of NASCAR. The high-tech venue, which opened in 2010, offers a range of hands-on exhibits, artifacts, and interactive experiences for both race fans and non-fans alike.
The Hall of Fame features a state-of-the-art 278-seat High Octane Theater with high-back seating and a massive 64-foot-wide curved projection screen. The theater provides an immersive experience with surround sound and direct-from-track in-car video feeds of two drivers, giving visitors a unique perspective of the race.
One of the highlights of the NASCAR Hall of Fame is its extensive collection of historical race cars and memorabilia. Visitors can learn about the vehicles, important races, and drivers through detailed exhibits and interactive screens. The exhibits are well-curated and provide a wealth of information, making it a great experience even for those who are not NASCAR fans.
For those seeking a more hands-on experience, the Hall of Fame offers a range of interactive activities, including racing simulators and a Pit Crew Challenge. You can test your driving skills on a simulated track, seated in an actual NASCAR vehicle, and participate in a pit stop tire change and fuel refill race. These interactive exhibits are sure to get your adrenaline pumping and provide a fun and engaging experience.
The NASCAR Hall of Fame also features a Hall of Honor, celebrating the icons of NASCAR, including drivers, crew members, and team owners. The venue also includes a Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant, a gear shop, and an attached parking garage, making it a convenient and enjoyable destination for visitors.
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Experience the city's best food and beverage offerings inside the airport
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) offers a wide variety of dining options for travellers with long layovers. For those craving a hearty meal, Charlotte-born Bad Daddy's Burger Bar serves enormous juicy burgers, while the Black and Blue Bar in Concourse A offers oysters, calamari, tacos, quesadillas, burgers, salads, and veggies. If you're in the mood for something more upscale, the 1897 Market, developed in partnership with celebrity chef Todd English, offers a range of dishes from grits to oysters to wood-fired pizzas.
For travellers who want a taste of local flavours, Charlotte's NoDa Brewing Company serves local craft beer alongside flatbreads and tacos, while the Broken Spoke cocktail bar offers a selection of whiskeys and vodkas from the local distillery, The Great Wagon Road. Olde Mecklenburg Brewery's satellite concept, Captain Jack's Tavern, also offers a selection of their famous foods and draughts. Charlotte's ties to NASCAR are reflected in the Stock Car Cafe, which offers a unique racing-themed dining experience.
For those looking for a quick bite, fast-food options include Cinnabon, Jamba Juice, Panera Bread, Smashburger, Wendy's, and Starbucks. Rhino Market & Deli, a Charlotte staple, is open 24/7 and offers a wide variety of local treats, including coffee, beer, wine, and baked goods. Concourse B is home to Summer House, which offers a California-inspired menu with fish tacos, avocado toast, grilled salmon, and California wines.
If you're craving seafood, The Waterman Fish Bar's airport location offers succulent seafood dishes. For healthier options, Beatrix Market provides grab-and-go food with gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian choices. Sushi lovers can indulge in fresh sushi at Hissho Sushi. For something sweet, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory offers a range of treats.
With so many options, travellers can easily experience the best food and beverage offerings that Charlotte has to offer without even leaving the airport.
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Take a short trip to Belmont for a small-town feel, dining, and parks
If you're looking for a change of scenery during your layover in Charlotte, why not take a short trip to the charming town of Belmont, just a stone's throw away from the airport? Settled in the 1750s, Belmont exudes a friendly, small-town vibe and offers a relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Here's how you can spend your 7 hours in and around this quaint destination:
Getting to Belmont
Belmont is conveniently located just 10 minutes from Charlotte Douglas International Airport by car. If you prefer to use a ride-sharing service, Uber can get you there in about 15 minutes. With such easy access, you'll have plenty of time to explore and enjoy all that Belmont has to offer.
Dining in Belmont
Belmont boasts a variety of culinary delights, ranging from classic comfort food to fine dining experiences. Start your day with a hearty breakfast at the Honeycomb Café, where you can indulge in some Southern classics. For a taste of old-time charm, head to Nellie's Southern Kitchen, a venture by Kevin Jonas Sr., serving up cocktails and comfort food. Their menu features dishes like biscuits and banana pudding, and they even have a stage for live music. If you're craving something more upscale, Heirloom Restaurant offers a truly authentic Southern fine dining experience. Their menu showcases complex dishes crafted with locally sourced ingredients and a constantly evolving seasonal menu, including a chef-curated six-course tasting menu.
Exploring Downtown Belmont
Stroll through the quaint streets of Downtown Belmont, just across the river from Charlotte. Immerse yourself in the small-town ambiance and discover a plethora of locally-owned shops and restaurants. The Historic Downtown, the Chronicle District, and the East End all showcase a blend of Belmont's rich textile heritage and modern entrepreneurial spirit. You'll feel a sense of community and charm that sets this town apart.
Parks and Nature
Belmont is known for its parks and natural attractions. Take a relaxing walk through the local parks, or venture a little further to the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, just a short Uber ride away. This garden paradise offers beautifully designed gardens and greenhouses to explore. If you're feeling adventurous, head to Crowders Mountain, located about 30 minutes south of the airport. Here, you'll find calming paths among huge trees, providing the perfect opportunity for some exercise and nature therapy.
With its dining, small-town charm, and natural attractions, Belmont offers a refreshing and memorable experience during your layover in Charlotte. So, whether you're a foodie, nature enthusiast, or simply seeking a tranquil escape, Belmont is well worth the short trip from Charlotte Airport.
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