Parks
Fourth Ward Park
(http://www.charmeck.org/d...). though small, this central park is one of the city's most attractive. tucked between the central business district and the fourth ward historic neighborhood, it is heavily traveled and safe at almost any hour. it features brick walking paths under shade, a gorgeous view of the skyline, and a booth with free maps for a walking tour of the ward.
Marshall Park
Located in second ward near the government center, marshall park is a vestige of 1960s urban renewal. though it offers an excellent view of the skyline and is a good place to eat carry-out lunch from nearby restaurants, it lacks the vibrance of some other city parks. though it should not be considered dangerous, wise travelers will find a way around it at night.
Third Ward Park
(http://www.charmeck.org/d...). this park has recently been approved, and is not yet landscaped. it currently consists of a few blocks of grass near bank of america stadium. when completed, it is expected to be a center of development in third ward.
Sports
Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers NFL. 800 S Mint St Almost no on-site parking; several lots are adjacent but fill quickly on game days, +1 704 358-7000, (http://www.panthers.com). The local NFL team, playing uptown in the 73,000 seat Bank of America stadium. Due to a sudden surge in popularity, it is becoming more difficult to find tickets to home games. This is especially the case late in the season, when the team is expected to be in the playoff hunt. Scalpers roam the sidewalks in front of the stadium, so it is possible to find game day tickets at a premium cost. It is technically illegal to charge more than a small percentage above the face value of a ticket, though this law is generally unenforced. $49-80.
Charlotte Bobcats
Charlotte Bobcats NBA. 333 E Trade St, park in adjacent lots and decks; they are generally easy to spot, Tickets or +1 704 688-8600 Arena, (http://www.nba.com/bobcat...). Charlotte's new NBA team plays in the brand-new Time Warner Cable Arena located Uptown. Support for the team has been inconsistent due to an ugly divorce with the Charlotte Hornets franchise in 2003. Ticket prices are being lowered for the upcoming season, and it is generally not a problem to purchase a ticket on game day. $15-85.
Charlotte Checkers
Charlotte Checkers Ice Hockey. 333 E Trade St It is usually easy to find parking in adjacent lots and decks for hockey games, +1 704 342-4423, (http://www.gocheckers.com). Minor-league hockey team, playing in Bobcats Arena uptown. This is perhaps the best entertainment value in Charlotte, with very low ticket prices for a relatively upscale experience. Charlotte was the first city south of Baltimore to host professional hockey, and has had a team for most of the last 50 years. The team is an affiliate of the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes. $10-27.
Annual events
Speed Street
In mid-May, Speed Street (http://www.600festival.com) brings half a million people to Uptown for major musical acts and events related to the NASCAR All-Star Race, which is held at nearby Concord. This event shuts down several major streets, and covers the entirety of Uptown with crowds after sundown. Parking is usually stretched to the limit, and hotels will be difficult to find. However, this is an excellent time for hard partiers to see the city at its most active.
Taste of Charlotte
(http://www.tasteofcharlot...) festival in june is far and away the best time to bring an appetite to the city. tryon st. closes down for the weekend and many of the city's best restaurants are represented with samples of their signature dishes.
Heroes Convention
Also in July, comic book collectors meet for the annual Heroes Convention (http://www.heroesonline.c...) at the Convention Center.
CIAA Basketball Tournament
(http://www.ciaatournament...) will come to charlotte in early march for the next several years. historically-black colleges from across the country bring their teams, alums and fans to uptown for a week of games, which are held in bobcats arena. other events take place throughout the city, including a festival along tryon st.
Fourth of July Fireworks Display
Has shifted locations several times lately, but is always located somewhere in uptown. this event draws nearly 100,000 visitors to the center city at once; be prepared to sit in gridlock, especially during the display when streets will come to a complete halt. if coming in from another district, using public transit to park-and-ride is recommended.
St. Patrick's Day Parade
(http://www.saintpatricksd...) is not on the scale of boston or nyc, but always well-attended and a fun time to visit the irish restaurants uptown. the parade goes up tryon st., and the best place to view is at the square.
Charlotte Pride
(http://www.pridecharlotte.com/) is a general gay-pride festival in august. it has shifted locations, most recently to the gateway village area on the edge of uptown. it has grown significantly since its inception.
September
Is one of the best times to visit the city. the city's labor day parade along tryon st. is modest, but a well-established annual event. the month-long charlotte shout (http://www.charlotteshout.com) collaboration includes not only cultural festivals and events, but also a day of free admissions to important cultural locations. the new charlotte film festival (http://www.charlottefilmf...) is a collaboration between the city's most prominent theaters in and around uptown.
Charlotte International Auto Show
The Charlotte International Auto Show (http://www.charlotteautos...) brings various dealers and buyers together. Located in the Convention Center and usually in November. Adults $8, kids free.
Carrousel Thanksgiving Day Parade
(http://www.carrouselparade.org) is one of the city's most beloved annual events. televised regionally, this parade has run along tryon st. for half a century. a great time to visit.
Meineke Car Care Bowl
For college football fans, the Meineke Car Care Bowl (http://www.meinekecarcare...) is a chance to catch a great game as well as a football-themed festival. An ACC team and a Big East team close out their seasons in Bank of America Stadium. Price varies year-to-year.
Tours
Carriage Tours
Picks up in front of discovery place on tryon between 6th and 7th streets. +1 704 301-5111, (http://www.southernbreeze...). this is a slightly slower-paced and more unique alternative to a walking tour. the traditional horse-drawn carriages take you around uptown and through the historic fourth ward neighborhood. be sure to allow enough time for the casually-paced tour.
Driving Tours
(http://www.queencitytours.com/). queen city tours covers most of the center city and surrounding area. note that they offer different types of tour service for different group sizes. this tour shows you uptown, dilworth and myers park.
Walking Tours
330 s tryon st, +1 704 847-3302. main street charlotte is an information center in the middle of uptown that offers guided walking tours around the center of the city. also, they offer three brochures for self-guided tours.
Time Warner Cable Arena
333 e trade st, +1 704 688-9000, (http://www.charlottebobca...). this venue has become the primary destination for big-name concerts in charlotte, especially in the colder months when an indoor venue is necessary. the location in the heart of uptown's entertainment district makes this a great place to catch a show. even "nosebleed" seats aren't very far from the stage.
Johnson & Wales University
(http://www.jwu.edu) - the most centrally-located university in the city, only blocks from the central business district. this culinary arts university is only a few years old, but has already spurred major redevelopment in third and fourth wards, with its location in the gateway village complex.