15 Landmarks in Charlotte, NC, You Shouldn't Miss

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Charlotte was nicknamed Queen City in the 1700s in honor of Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, queen consort of British King George. Today, the city is home to many historical and cultural sites that will appeal to all interests.

Notably, several institutions pay homage to Charlotte's rich history, like the Levine Museum of the South and the Charlotte Museum of History. Should you be a fan of NASCAR, you'll also be interested in visiting the famous NASCAR Hall of Fame. To discover more about all the city has to offer, read on for 15 top landmarks in Charlotte, NC!

Heading to Charlotte and planning last-minute?

Before traveling to Charlotte, book your entrance tickets and tours ahead of time. We've pulled together top suggestions below.

☂️ Top tours and experiences in Charlotte

• Charlotte's Ultimate Southern Charm Historical City Cart Tour (very popular)
• 90 Minute Historic Uptown Neighborhood Segway Tour of Charlotte (very popular)
• Historical City Tour in Guided Shuttle Bus
• Charlotte Haunted Booze & Boos Ghost Walking Tour
• Queen City Ghosts Charlotte Most Haunted Tour

15 Charlotte, NC, Landmarks

Bank of America Stadium

Bank of America Stadium is a 33-acre football stadium with a seating capacity of 74,867. It's home to the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC and was renamed in 2004 after Bank of America purchased the naming rights. The stadium's classic bowl design, vast size, and location make it a hard landmark to miss.

☂️ Discover Bank of America Stadium on a tour

• Charlotte's Ultimate Southern Charm Historical City Cart Tour (extremely popular)
• Historical City Tour in Guided Shuttle Bus

Bechtler Museum of Modern Art

The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art is a Charlotte landmark not to be missed. It was founded in 2010 when Andreas Bechtler generously donated the treasure trove of artistic work his parents had amassed over 70 years.

The collection can be seen in a 36,500-square-foot space and boasts works by many famous and influential artists from the mid-20th century.

☂️ Visit the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art with an experience

• 90 Minute Historic Uptown Neighborhood Segway Tour of Charlotte (widely sought after)

Billy Graham Library

Billy Graham, a famous evangelist, described this unique library as a 'crusade' that will endure for generations. The building, dedicated in 2007, has a cross-shaped entrance and was designed to resemble a dairy barn, recalling Graham's dairy farm upbringing.

Inside, visitors can view personal items and photographs belonging to the Graham family and take a tour that covers "the Man, the Message, the Ministry, and the Mission."

Discovery Place Science

Discovery Place Science, a science and technology museum, opened its doors in 1981. It was an addition to a smaller museum founded by a schoolteacher in 1946. You can find the attraction in the Fourth Ward in Uptown Charlotte.

Visitors can perform experiments and create inventions in multi-laboratory environments with assistance from educators. It also features an IMAX theater with a 79′ diameter screen and 12,000 watts of sound!

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Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Statue

Among the most famous of Charlotte monuments is the bronze statue of Martin Luther King, Jr. Standing at eight feet, the sculpture is situated in Marshall Park and was dedicated on April 5, 1980.

King is posed on two of three steps, stretching his right arm outwards. The stone base also has inscriptions on two sides.

Hezekiah Alexander Homesite

As the oldest house in Mecklenburg County, the Hezekiah Alexander Homesite is one of the historical sites in Charlotte, NC, that has to be on your North Carolina bucket list. Located within the Charlotte Museum of History, The 1774 Alexander Rock House spans 5,000 square feet.

It was even added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. Situated on its original site, the house is complemented by a replica log kitchen, a reconstructed two-story springhouse, and a barn.

Freedom Park

Freedom Park, established in 1948, is a beloved local landmark. The extensive 98-acre park houses many facilities catering to various sports, from tennis to baseball.

Additionally, visitors and locals love to picnic beside the huge seven-acre lake. It's also an ideal place for a romantic date in Charlotte. You and your partner can take a stroll together and enjoy the peaceful ambiance of the park.

Levine Museum of the New South

Renamed after Family Dollar Stores founder Leon Levine in 2001, the Levine Museum of the New South is situated in a contemporary structure with numerous interactive displays.

Following the Civil War, Charlotte was among the earliest locations to adopt the New South. This attraction narrates the tale of the area's past. As you stroll through the permanent exhibits, the city of Charlotte comes to life around you.

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Latta Arcade

The Latta Arcade is a charming Art Deco-style shopping arcade situated on Tryon Street. Constructed in 1914, it boasts a two-story atrium with an array of shops and restaurants. The atrium has a glass skylight initially used to grade cotton using natural light.

In 1975, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Additionally, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission designated the interior of Latta Arcade as one of the historical landmarks in Charlotte, NC.

Cathedral of Saint Patrick

The Cathedral of St Patrick was founded in 1938 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. It serves as the seat of the Roman Catholic Church in Charlotte and features Gothic Revival architecture. This cathedral is one of the famous landmarks in North Carolina you must see if you like beautiful architecture.

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NASCAR Hall of Fame

A fun fact about North Carolina is that it's home to the NASCAR Hall of Fame. If you're a fan of the sport, you'll be pleased to learn that this landmark is located in Charlotte!

The landmark pays homage to the sport's heritage and icons. It is a technologically advanced venue that opened on May 11, 2010 and spans four floors. There is a vast collection of artifacts, a theater seating 287 people, interactive exhibits, and a Hall of Honor, among other attractions.

The Charlotte Museum of History

The Charlotte Museum of History showcases the lifestyles of the past and the diverse cultures that converged to establish Charlotte. Originally established to preserve the historic 1774 Alexander Rock House, it now also provides a history of the city's communities and significant events.

The exhibits also focus on the contributions of the African American, Indigenous, and immigrant communities to Charlotte's rich history.

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The Mint Museum

The Mint Museum is a cultural institution with two museums in Charlotte. The Mint Museum Randolph is located in a federal-style building that previously housed the Charlotte Mint. It opened its doors in 1936, making it the first art museum in North Carolina.

Charlotte's largest visual arts institution, the new Mint Museum Uptown, opened in its current building in 2010 but was founded in 1999. Visitors to both can view vast collections showcasing art and design from all over the world.

☂️ Visit The Mint Museum with an excursion

• Historical City Tour on Eco-friendly Cart (widely sought after)

UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens

UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens were created in 1966 as a living classroom for the University of North Carolina's Biology students. Today, it's a horticultural wonderland that's open to the public.

The landmark comprises 10 acres of outdoor gardens. It also has a 4,500-square-foot greenhouse and a library with over 1,200 books on botany and horticulture. The best time to go to Charlotte to enjoy this landmark is in the spring as flowers are in bloom then. However, it's beautiful all year round.

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Metalmorphosis

Situated outside the Whitehall Corporate Center stands a massive kinetic sculpture of a human head called METALmorphosis. It was inaugurated in 2007, weighs 13 tons, and stands at seven meters tall.

Fashioned out of polished stainless steel, the giant head consists of 40 layers divided into seven pieces that can rotate independently. This is one of the monuments in Charlotte, NC, that should be seen by everyone.

In Conclusion

Having read this article, you should have an idea of all the interesting landmarks that Charlotte offers. Hopefully, you've learned something new and have even been inspired to plan a visit to Queen City!

This article was edited by Alli Sewell.

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