Five Best Museums in Charlotte, N.C.

If you think museums are boring places with lots of old stuff, you haven’t visited any of Charlotte’s museums. The Queen City is full of interactive, educational opportunities for exploration of some of your favorite subjects. In fact, there’s so much to see and enjoy in Charlotte that it’s impossible to visit all the best museums in a weekend. However, if you’re up for a challenge, here are the stops you need to make:

Discovery Place

This interactive museum makes science fun. You can explore exhibits on anatomy, physics, machines, natural sciences, and more. Don’t miss the planetarium and aquarium.  There’s even an IMAX theater. The museum is open seven days a week; hours vary by day. Adults are $12 and children are $10. IMAX tickets are not included in the price of admission.

NASCAR Hall of Fame

If you have a need for speed, you must visit this shrine to fast driving. The museum includes a theater with surround sound, historic cars, rotating exhibits, and the Hall of Fame inductee bios. Each year in January, five people are inducted into the racing élite. The museum is open seven days a week throughout the year. Tickets are $19.95 for adults and $12.95 for kids.

If you love fast cars, you should also check out Hendricks Motorsports Museum and Team Store.

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

There’s nothing stuffy about this museum. Named by HGTV as one of the nation’s 20 Great Gardens, this 380 acres of beauty on the banks of Lake Wylie provides a tranquil respite from the bustling city. Enjoy the spectacular gardens, the sparkling fountains, and ribbons of walkways. The gardens are closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Adult admission is $12.95 and children are $6.95.

Carolinas Aviation Museum

This museum celebrates the flying machine and has collected and restored vintage aircraft for more than two decades. It is the largest aviation museum between Washington, D.C. and Robbins, Georgia. Here you can see the US Airways 1549 display and film and gaze into the cockpit of a 727. One thing to keep in mind for your visit – the museum is not air-conditioned. The exhibits are in a large hangar with fans, but it can get warm in the summer. The museum is closed on all major holidays. Hours vary by day, but the museum is open seven days a week. Admission for adults is $12 and kids are $8.

Wells Fargo History Museum

Ever wonder what it was like to ride in a stagecoach or mine gold? This interactive experience tells of the area’s history and early banking. It provides an interesting look into historic finance. No boring money talk here! Admission is free and it is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the exception of Christmas and New Year’s Day.

No matter what your interest – flowers, planes, cars, money, science, or more – there is an interactive museum in Charlotte that specializes in it. All ages and all budgets can find something exciting to explore in this fun city.

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