In Charlotte, there is plenty to do! North Carolina’s largest city has museums, breweries, and so much more. Spending time in Charlotte is a treat and one of the things so many visitors love is that it is also a great jumping-off point for a weekend getaway or day trip. With parks and greenways, diners, world-class museums, craft breweries, and quaint boutiques, these towns are perfect for weekend getaways and day trips from Charlotte.
Day Trips From Charlotte
Depending on what you’re looking for, there are a number of options in the region. From history to outdoor adventures, here are some of our favorite day trips from Charlotte.
Matthews
Set between Charlotte and Monroe is Matthews. This cute sleepy railroad town only had 200 residents when it was chartered in 1879. Now, the historic downtown is a perfect place to spend an afternoon. Stop by the old rail car, stop by the hardware store, and explore local the local history museum. Then you can head to one of the many up and coming bars and restaurants.
Past meets present in Matthews and if you have the chance to explore, we suggest you do! Make sure you stop by Jekyll & Hyde Taphouse and Grill for dinner and a beer.
Mint Hill
Mint Hill is a suburb just outside the Charlotte city limits. A trip to this Mint Hill includes dessert at Carolina Creamery – a local favorite – and a beer at Barking Duck Brewing Company where you can order some creative beers.
Davidson
The town was founded concurrently with Davidson College in 1837. Its unique history makes Davidson a charming town with a collegiate flare. Davidson is a close-knit community that attracts scholars, art lovers, and foodies to its historic Main Street. Davidson is adjacent to Lake Norman and is just 20 miles north of Charleston. Make sure you stop by Main Street Books while in town!
Pineville
Pineville has a pretty cool history if I do say so myself! It started as a mule bartering post. It was also a stop along the Charlotte and Columbia Railroad. With a pretty active craft beer scene and lots of entertainment options, this town is a pretty cool place. If you’re looking to step into the past and get in touch with history, stop by the President James K. Polk State Historic Site. There, you can see one of the town’s most famous former residents, the nation’s 11th president.
Cornelius
Cornelius is where you can get wet and wild on Lake Norman. If spending time on the lake isn’t much your speed, you can stop by Forks! The restaurant is located in a 100+-year-old house with a gorgeous wrap-around porch while serving some awesome food.
Huntersville
In Huntersville, The Carolina Raptor Center and Latta Plantation Nature Center and Preserve which are landmarks for the town. Huntersville borders Lake Norman and is full of nature perseveres and outdoor attractions with miles of history-rich trails. For the kiddos, you can spend time at Discovery Place Kids–Huntersville where imaginative exhibits and rich play experiences bring learning to life. And for those craving a little retail therapy, Birkdale Village is full of cute shops and boutiques.
Belmont
Belmont is located near Crowders Mountain, which helps give it its name meaning “beautiful mountain.” You’ll be charmed by the old-time characters and natural landscapes here. The town was originally settled in the 1750s as Garibaldi but in 1833, they changed the name. Today, old meets new in Belmont and you can taste it at Nellie’s Southern Kitchen with some amazing biscuits and killer banana pudding! After some Southern comfort foods, head over to Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden.
No matter which one of these day-trip destinations you pick to go to first, you’re sure to have a great time. Each of these towns offers you a different experience but they all have one thing in common – they are a perfect day trip from Charlotte.