Nicknamed the Queen City, Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. With its proximity to the mountains, the city offers a variety of outdoor activities to get your adrenaline gushing. Home to well-known sports teams like Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Hornets, and Charlotte Independence, the city also hosts some of the most popular car racing competitions and golf tournaments.
To keep up with increasing numbers of residents and travelers, Charlotte has a growing lineup of world-class hotels, restaurants, and shopping centers. Most of them are located in the central area of Charlotte near the U.S. Army Reserve, but accommodation shouldn’t be a problem, even if you plan to stay in some other part of the city. For those of you seeking thrills and excitement during your stay in Charlotte, North Carolina, here are five awesome adventure ideas.
1. Go Hiking
Image via Flickr by thomas pix
Hiking is the perfect way to explore the diverse terrain of Charlotte. Beautiful trails along the mountains and creeks offer memorable experiences. You can hike alone or in a group, as the city has its own share of hiking clubs. Some of the popular spots for hiking and picnicking in Charlotte include Little Sugar Creek Greenway, Reedy Creek Nature Center and Preserve, and McMullen Creek Greenway.
2. Take a Segway Tour
Image via Flickr by HeyRocker
Several tour operators in Charlotte organize guided Segway tours of about one to two hours. Most of these tours include a quick overview on how to run this self-balancing, two-wheeled vehicle. Once you are in control of this tool, gliding through the city museums, parks, and historic places offers so much fun and excitement. These informative tours also give lots of opportunities to click photographs on the way.
3. Enjoy a Motor Speedway Drive
Image via Flickr by Pranavian
Get a taste of NASCAR-themed car racing at one of Charlotte’s famous speedways and racetracks. Get behind the wheel of a high-horsepower racecar and have fun testing your driving skills as you race against your friends. If you are in no mood for competing but just want to get a feel of a dragster, you can choose to drive it at your own pace down the racing strip. And if you don’t want to drive at all but you do want to experience a ride, you also have the option to ride along and feel the thrill of a dragster that speeds up over 200 kph.
4. Tour on a Bike
Image via Flickr by Rob React
If you are familiar with the city routes and comfortable touring the city all by yourself, you can rent a bike and get started on the tree-lined streets of this majestic city. If like most visitors, you also prefer a fully narrated group tour, you will find several options at your disposal. Typical bike tours are two or three hours long and cover a number of predefined attractions. Depending upon what you love to visit, you can opt for a tour package that includes restaurants, museums, entertainment centers, or historical attractions.
5. Plunge into Water Adventures
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With swimming, kayaking, scuba diving, sea life conservation centers, and interactive aquariums, Charlotte has everything a water enthusiast could ask for. Sea Life Charlotte Concord, Open Water Adventures, and Fantasy Lake Scuba Park are just a few attractions to name. With over 5,000 sea creatures, Sea Life Charlotte Concord is an instant hit among kids. You can watch feedings, listen to informative talks, or dive into the water for a firsthand experience of underwater sea life in this world-famous interactive aquarium.
In addition to these popular outdoor adventures, there are several other interesting activities you can indulge in, including golf, horseback riding, mountain climbing, hot air balloon rides, and more. When you visit Charlotte this time, ask yourself how much time you have in front of you instead of what adventure options you have.
