Science, Nature & Kids Museums located in Uptown (what Charlotteans call their "downtown" area).

There are a LOT of breweries in Charlotte, but this is one of our favorites. Most of the breweries do not have kitchens, however they do have food trucks. You cannot go wrong with a food truck. The atmosphere here is very laid back, come-as-you-are type of place. Highly recommend it if you have the time!

This is very close to the airport. Fun fact: The airplane that crash landed in the Hudson River in NY (Miracle on the Hudson) was headed for Charlotte, NC. The remains of the plane are here at the Aviation Museum.

This brewery is closer to our wedding venue with good beer & food! Their 'biergarten' is a great place to take the family and grab a bite. Unlike Sycamore, this brewery does have a restaurant section where they serve their own menu.

There are two different locations of the Mint Museum. The location provided here is for the one in the heart of Uptown (again, what Charlotteans call the 'downtown' area). There are parking garages available, however, we generally will Uber or park & take the Light Rail (see note on the Light Rail in the Transportation section).

This is on the southern edge of Uptown. There is also a Buffalo Wild Wings in the same building where you can grab a bite after taking a tour.

A theme park with roller coasters, water park & various rides. It is located on the boarder of North and South Carolina.

This is a really fun outdoor experience. There are bike trails (you can rent gear!), various water activities (whitewater rafting or flatwater), climbing walls, jumps & zip lines. You can also grab a bite and a cold one for a break in between activities.

Another museum located in Uptown. The 'Levine' name is from Leon Levine, the founder of Family Dollar whose headquarters is in the Charlotte area.

For the Shoppers - the Outlet Mall is also near the venue (and the hotels where we will block rooms). This mall is outdoors - so be prepared for the heat when you come!

Definitely the upscale mall of the Charlotte area, but it does have your typical department stores - Neiman Marcus, Macy's, Belk (headquartered in Charlotte & stores are generally located in the south), and Dillard's.

This restaurant has a great brunch. I'd recommend reservations though, because it can get crowded, depending on the time. You can make reservations through their website, but might have to call in depending on the party size.

This is one of our favorite BBQ places. Consistently good food and they will have nearly any sporting event of the season on TV. They also serve a good selection of local beers. There are two locations in Charlotte, the address provided here is to their Steele Creek location, which is closer to the wedding venue. Both locations have nice outdoor patio spots if you're feeling up to it.

One of Tara's favorite Saturday morning outings for breakfast. A very casual spot - but they serve a great steamed bagel. It is located in South End (south of Uptown...creative, I know - but really, a great part of town) and parking can get a little tight, but these bagels are worth the trip!

Check out this site for other things to do in Charlotte if you find yourself with time on your hands.

Looking to extend the vacation, Asheville is only a 2 hour ride from Charlotte!

Looking to extend your vacation, check out Charleston a 3 hrs by car to a historic coastal town in the Carolinas.