Guided Tours in Charlotte
The best way to explore everything the Queen City has to offer is on a guided tour with an expert.
by Arielle Patterson
City Highlights
Whether you’re a seasoned Charlotte resident or are just visiting for a few days, these tours offer high-level highlights of the city’s character and charm in an intimate, friendly fashion that will leave you feeling right at home.
If you find yourself here for only a few days, or are just looking for a quick summary of this shining Southern city, grab a walking map at the WelcomeCLT Visitor Info Center Uptown. As you navigate the streets of Charlotte, you’ll find a city on the move, with modern skyscrapers standing tall among treasured landmarks. Your perfectly plotted foray through Uptown includes some of the most beloved Charlotte sites, like The Green, Romare Bearden Park and the Queen Charlotte Statue.
Or, pedal your way around the Queen City on a self-guided tour when you rent an electric bike from Charlotte Joy Rides. The company has established more than 20 bike docks around the city where you can simply swipe your credit card and grab an e-bike. After your ride, return the bike to any of the conveniently located docking stations.
Catch a lift on the Funny Bus Comedy City Tour for a satirical spin on the sights and sounds of the Queen City. The 90-minute tour options include a PG-13 and R-rated version that take you through some of Charlotte’s most interesting enclaves, highlighting history and architecture while cracking jokes along the way. The Funny Bus even allows you to bring your own beer and wine to sip during the tour.
C-Charlotte Tours specializes in daily driving tours of the Queen City and its surrounding suburbs, led by guides who are all Charlotte natives. Discover Charlotte’s interesting background, celebrated dining locales, entertainment venues, galleries, museums and much more, all while admiring the city’s distinctive architecture on this two-hour tour.
Venture around North Carolina’s largest city from the comfort of a golf cart or passenger van with Queen City Rides. Hop on an open-air golf court and cruise the streets of Uptown. Along the way, you’ll learn about Charlotte’s history, from past to present. To see even more, the Guided Van Tour spends two hours exploring historic landmarks in Uptown, along with neighboring Plaza Midwood, NoDa and South End.
History & Culture
Learn about Charlotte’s colorful past and how it has shaped our city today or get a little creative with a tour that spotlights Charlotte’s unique art and culture.
Glide through Uptown on a Segway, taking in the city’s sights, sounds and history via Charlotte NC Tours’ 90-minute Historic Uptown Neighborhood Tour. Or experience Charlotte’s noteworthy museums and scenic parks on the two-hour Markets, Museums & Parks Segway Tour.
Add a little spook to your step during Carolina History and Haunts’ Beyond the Grave Tour. Offered year-round, this ghostly walking tour guides you by lantern through storied Uptown haunts that carry spine-tingling tales of allegedly eerie pasts.
For a deeper dive into the Queen City’s riveting role in the Revolutionary War, follow along the self-guided, half-mile Charlotte Liberty Walk, which features significant city landmarks that help trace Mecklenburg County’s role in the American Revolution.
Hop on one of Southern Charm Rides' golf carts and cruise around Uptown to learn about local history. A 90-minute tour takes you from charming Fourth Ward to Romare Bearden Park and more, with plenty of time for photos along the way. Haunted evening tours offer a glimpse into the spookier side of Charlotte's history.
Learn about Charlotte culture with Uptown Funk Tour. This family-friendly, one-mile, one-hour tour takes you around Uptown's Center City, highlighting Charlotte history, arts and culture, and sports.
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the history of race car driving with a guided tour at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Hall storytellers will take you behind the scenes throughout the building for an exploration of NASCAR’s history and heritage, detailing the specific cars and artifacts chosen for display, and sharing personal anecdotes and unique facts about inductees.
Food & Drink
Sip and savor your way through the Queen City on a local culinary tour.
Enjoy one of the tastiest walking tours in North Carolina with Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tours. Go behind the scenes to chat with local chefs and culinary artisans, then enjoy their delicious food on a weekend brunch or dinner and drinks tour.
Craving the wind in your hair along with amazing city fare? Explore Charlotte by Segway, indulging in tasty treats along the way, on Charlotte NC Tours’ Taste and Glide Segway Tour. Sample famed Charlotte fare from three beloved local eateries on this two-hour tour. The tour cost covers tastings at The Market at 7th Street, Mert’s Heart & Soul and Alexander Michael’s.
In case you haven’t caught the buzz, Charlotte is a booming brewery town. Tap into some of the city’s best craft beer offerings by leaving your car at home and taking a self-guided tour on the NoDa Craft Beer Trail. Walk or bike your way from NoDa to the Belmont neighborhood, sampling from Charlotte’s craft beer offerings along the way. You can even make a pit stop at Optimist Hall to grab a bite to eat.
Embark on a pedal-powered pub crawl with friends via Trolley Pub. Cruise through South End, where the Trolley Pub will make stops at two to three of Charlotte’s breweries, bars and restaurants.
