Cheap Flights To Charlotte

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Cheap Flights To Charlotte

Overview
When to Go
Airport Information
Weather
Things to Do
Local Attractions
Must See Sights
Insider Tips
Getting Around

Overview
A big small town, Charlotte is the largest metropolitan area in the Carolinas. Following New York, “Queen City” is the second largest banking center in the United States. It is also home to 10 car racing tracks and major auto racing events, including the Coca Cola 600 and NASCAR races. However, Charlotte is much more than just a business and racing city; here you will also find a wide array of museums, architecture, galleries and an active nightlife.

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When to Go
High Season
Summer is high season, drawing several tourists to the city, especially during NASCAR race week. Spring is a great time to visit Charlotte, when travelers can head to either the beach or the mountains. The fall is also a nice time of year, with a bounty of autumnal colors and mild climate conditions.

Low Season
In December, January and February, fewer tourists visit due to colder weather. Hotels, restaurants and attractions offer lower rates and are easier to get into.

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Airport Information
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CTL)
Distance: 10 miles from downtown Charlotte
Drive time: 15 minutes

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CTL) is the main gateway to the city. As the 10th largest hub in the US, the airport sprawls over 1.7 million-square-feet. Most ground transportation is located on the lower level of the main terminal with the exception of city buses operated by the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS). The Sprinter Service provides direct bus service between the airport and the city center. Taxis into the city center average $20 one way. Various rental car agency counters can be found at the airport, including Avis, Budget, Enterprise and Hertz, all located near the baggage claim area. Also in the baggage area is the Carolina Transportation Airport Express, providing shuttles to the Uptown area, major hotels and most business districts.

Alternative Airports
Piedmont Triad International Airport (PTI) - 82 miles from Charlotte
Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) - 84 miles from Charlotte

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Weather
Summer months bring bright sunny days and clear skies, with high humidity late in the season. Some showers occur during summertime, but March is the wettest month of the year. Winter months can bring snowstorms and chilly weather and late August and September often bring hurricanes.

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Things to Do
Paramount’s Carowinds Theme Park
This world-class 108-acre theme and water park features over 50 thrill rides, shows and movie-themed experiences for all ages. The park houses 11 roller coasters as well as train rides and carousels for younger thrill seekers. Boomerang Bay, the adjacent water park, is an Australian-themed 15-acre H2O playground with a tropical lagoon and a 1,000-foot lazy river.

Discovery Place
One of the country’s top hands-on science and technology museums, Discovery Place includes permanent and changing exhibits, an IMAX theater, a 79-foot domed planetarium, three-story rainforest aquariums and various computer labs. Kids of all ages can gain a greater understanding of the basics of science, technology, engineering and mathematics in this fun interactive setting.

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Local Attractions
NASCAR Hall of Fame
The new NASCAR Hall of Fame is scheduled to open in May 2010. The 150,000-square-foot attraction is an interactive entertainment attraction honoring the history and heritage of NASCAR and includes artifacts, exhibits, a state-of-the-art theater, restaurants and retail outlets.

LOWE'S Charlotte Motor Speedway
Located 12 miles northeast of Charlotte, this 2,000-acre speedway hosts auto racing shows year-round, including three main attractions, the Nextel Cup, Coca-Cola 600 and Bank of America 500. If you aren’t visiting the speedway during race weeks, you can take an on-track tour with close-up views of the 60-foot wide track, pit road and winner’s circle. The Richard Petty Driving Experience is also housed here, where visitors can learn all about professional race car driving through a hands-on experience. Real drivers and pit crew members provide tips and instruction.

Historic Trolley Museum
Kids of all ages will delight in this museum, where conductors share the history of trolleys which transported Charlotteans between Uptown and the city’s first suburbs from 1887 until 1938. In addition to rides, photos and exhibits are part of the nostalgic experience.

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Must See Sights
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
Named one of the Nation’s “Top 20 Gardens” by HGTV, Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is located along the banks of Lake Wylie. Outdoor rooms include a variety of themed gardens, including the Cottage Garden (housing heirloom plants), the Four Seasons Garden (with year-round flowers, fauna and foliage), and the Canal Garden (housing changing displays of perennials and annuals). Be sure to also visit the 13,500-square-foot visitor pavilion, gift shop and woodland trails.

McDowell Park and Nature Preserve
One of the country’s largest preserves, the park encompasses 1,108 untouched acres on Lake Wylie. Lovers of the outdoors can hike, camp, fish and picnic here year-round. Housing over seven miles of nature trails, the park offers a variety of landscapes and habitats to admire. Make sure to stop by the McDowell Nature Center to stroll through the butterfly gardens, bird-feeding stations and exhibits.

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Insider Tips

• Riding and walking tours are a great way to learn about Charlotte’s history and view the city’s sites. Queen City Tours, a minibus excursion, visits 50 sites over a two-hour period. Gallop through the streets of the historic Fourth Ward on a 30-minute horse drawn carriage tour by Southern Breeze Carriage Tours. Tours pick up on Tyron Street in front of Discovery Place.
• Tired at the airport? Head to the glass enclosed atrium where travelers can take a load off and rock and relax in one of many free rocking chairs.
• If you are heading to the auto races, be sure to get tickets early as many events sell out in advance. Opt for higher seats in front of the stretch for the best views and be sure to bring along a seat cushion for optimal comfort.
• Car racing fans can attend Speed Street, a three-day street festival held during mid-May which offers driver appearances, autograph signings, interactive exhibits, food vendors and live entertainment.
• Stay at the Duke Mansion for a taste of Charlotte charm and history. Possibly the best known home in Charlotte, this Colonial Revival-style bed and breakfast is located in the heart of the city and has 20 guest rooms.
• Locals often speak in terms that only Charlotte residents understand. Get to know these sayings and you can comprehend any conversation. “Halfbacks” are people form the northeast who move to Florida, don’t like it and move halfway back to Charlotte. “The Lake” means Lake Norman and “The River” means Lake Wylie to locals. Also, iced tea here is always sweet, so if you don’t desire the sugar be specific when you order.

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Getting Around
If the weather is nice, touring the city by bicycle is a good option. If traveling to many spread out attractions, a rental car is probably the best bet. Public transportation options include the LYNX Blue Line Light Rail which connects South Charlotte to Center City museums, nightlife and sporting events. The Charlotte Trolley travels only two miles and includes stops from Tremont Street to Ninth Street. Cost for both of these options is $1.50 each way. The CATS bus system also offers transportation throughout the city.

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