Charlotte Map, North Carolina, USA

Map of Charlotte, North Carolina

Nestled in the sleepy rolling hills of the Piedmont region, Charlotte is a bustling metropolis with the heart of a modern Southern belle. With a knack for keeping up with the global cities, the Queen City is built for speed. It is, in essence, a business town with classic Southern roots. It is the seat of Mecklenburg County and the largest city in North Carolina state.

How to Reach Charlotte

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is a major hub of American Airlines. Amtrak station on North Tryon Street is the southern terminus for the Piedmont and Carolinian, and a stop on the Crescent route. Interstates 85 and 77 traverse through the city. The Outerbelt (I-485) forms the outer loop of the city.

Best Time to Visit

Between March through May and September through November, the city is less crowded, hotels are cheaper, and weather is pleasant. Festivals and events during these months include Queen City Fringe, Tuck Fest, Charlotte Wine and Food Weekend, and Speed Street Festival.

Things to Do in Charlotte

Home of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Charlotte is a buzzing hub of racing fans. Visit museums in ultramodern Uptown early morning, spend the day by shopping in the funky Plaza Midwood area, watch the sun go down from Romare Bearden Park, and taste home-grown produce in the 7th Street Public Market. Freedom Park, Levine Museum of the New South, Mint Museum, and the U.S. National Whitewater Center are other popular places to visit in Charlotte.

Higher Education Institutions in Charlotte

The University of North Carolina (UNC) is the largest university in the region. The metropolitan suburbs are home to notable universities and colleges including Charlotte School of Law, Johnson C. Smith University, and Queens University of Charlotte. The Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC), with six campuses, is the largest community college in the Carolinas. Davidson College is ranked among countrys finest liberal arts colleges..

Facts about Charlotte

• Charlotte is the second largest city in the southeastern United States.
• It was founded as a town in 1768 and named for Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.
• It is also the second largest banking center in the US, behind New York City.
• Before the Gold Rush in California, the region ranked first in America for gold production.
• It is the largest metropolitan area in the US without a zoo.