MEDIA
Accolades
Charlotte continues to earn recognition as a premier destination, celebrated for its vibrant culinary scene, acclaimed attractions, exceptional hotels and growing presence in film. The Queen City’s dynamic offerings and welcoming spirit position it among the South’s most notable places to visit, experience and explore.
Charlotte Added More Residents Than Any Other Major City
U.S. Census Bureau data confirms Charlotte's standing as one of the fastest-growing large cities in the nation (2026)
Population Growth Reported in Charlotte and Across Cities in All U.S. Regions
Charlotte moved up one spot to 14th largest city in U.S. in 2024 and was the 6th fastest growing city in the nation according to the U.S. Census Bureau (May 15, 2025)
Charlotte Named One of the Top Cities for Business Travel in the U.S.
Time Out listed Charlotte among the top 20 cities for business travel (2025)
Charlotte Joins the MICHELIN Map of the American South
Charlotte earns international recognition in the inaugural selection for the MICHELIN Guide American South (2025)
Destination
2026
- Tripadvisor names Charlotte as one of the top 5 trending domestic destinations based on year-over-year growth for Summer Travel (2026): Tripadvisor Summer Travel Index Shows East Coast and Florida Beaches as America's Most Sought-After Summer Destinations
- U.S. Census Bureau data confirmed Charlotte added more residents than any other major city, confirming its standing as one of the fastest-growing large cities in the nation (2026): Growth jolt: Charlotte added more people over the past year than any other US city
- Travel + Leisure named Charlotte one of the South's most vibrant destinations (2026): This Southern City Has Vibrant Arts, Sports, and Culinary Scenes—and the World’s Largest Human-made Whitewater River
- Sports Business Journal ranked Charlotte No. 4 among the nation's Best Sports Business Cities (2026): Best Sports Business Cities: No. 4 Charlotte
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport ranked as the seventh-busiest airport in the world by the Airports Council International (2026): CLT Ranks Seventh in Preliminary ACI World Airport Traffic Rankings
- Etihad Airways announced new nonstop service between Abu Dhabi and Charlotte (2026): Charlotte, Here We Come: Etihad Airways Expands U.S. Network with First Flights to North Carolina
2025
- Charlotte Regional Business Alliance data shows that on average 157 people move to the Charlotte Region every day (2025): 157 people move to Charlotte Region daily
- The New York Times recognized Capitol as one of the 50 Best Clothing Stores in America(2025): The 50 Best Clothing Stores in America
- Guessing Headlights recognizes Charlotte as an easy road trip for weekends and mini getaways (2025): Easy Road Trips From Atlanta for Weekends and Mini Getaways
- Travel + Leisure praised Charlotte as the holiday headquarters of the South (2025): This Southern City Transforms Into a Christmas Wonderland With Over 15 Million Lights—Here's How to Visit
- Islands placed Charlotte on its Best Destinations for a Guys Trip Across The U.S. list (2025): The Best Destinations For A Guys Trip Across The U.S., According To Travel Experts
- U.S. News and World Report ranked Charlotte No. 9 in Best Places to Visit in North Carolina (2025): Why Go To Charlotte
- Lonely Planet ranked Charlotte’s South End neighborhood as Best Weekend Getaway for Foodies (2025): The 25 best weekend getaways across the USA
- Checkr ranked Charlotte No. 8 among the top 100 cities in the U.S. for job opportunities and earning potential – up six spots from No. 14 in 2023 when the previous report was released (2025): 2025’s Best US Cities for Jobs and Earning Potential | Checkr
- Sports Business Journal ranked Charlotte No. 20 on its Which US Cities Do Soccer Best list (2025): SBJ Unpacks: Which U.S. cities do soccer best?
- Wallet Hub ranks Charlotte No. 4 among large cities and No. 7 overall all on its Most Diverse Cities in America lists (2025): Most Diverse Cities in the U.S. (2025) - Wallet Hub
CommercialCafe placed Charlotte on its Top 15 Primary Markets for Green Office Spaces list (2025): Top U.S. Markets for Green Office Spaces | CommercialCafe - Charlotte Douglas International Airport recognized as the most financially efficient airport in North America for the third year in a row by the Airport Transport Research Society (2025): CLT Named Most Financially Efficient Airport for Third Consecutive Year
- Charlotte is home to seven Fortune 500 companies with a total of 19 companies on the Fortune 1000 list in 2025: 19 companies in the Charlotte Region make 2025 Fortune 1000 list - Charlotte Regional Business Alliance
Culinary
2026
- Forbes Travel Guide recommended Gallery Restaurant at The Ballantyne among Charlotte's standout dining experiences (2026): Forbes Travel Guide's Charlotte Recommendations
- Southern Living recognized Charlotte as “The South's Next Great Food City” (2026): How Charlotte, North Carolina, Quietly Became The South's Next Great Food City
- Bravo's Top Chef showcased Charlotte as a featured destination during Season 23 (Top Chef: Carolinas), highlighting the city's culinary talent and dining scene (2026): Top Chef Season 23
- James Beard Foundation named Chef Robin Anthony of Omakase by Prime Fish a semifinalist for Best Chef: Southeast (2026): In just a few years, this Charlotte sushi chef has risen to James Beard heights
- USA Today ranked Manolo's Bakery No. 2 in Best Cake Shop in the U.S. (2026):Savor every bite at the 10 best cake shops in the US
- USA Today 10Best ranked Optimist Hall and The Market at 7th Street among the Top 10 food halls in the nation, placing No. 8 and No. 9, respectively (2026): Best Food Hall Readers' Choice Awards 2026
2025
- Men’s Journal named Dot Dot Dot as the Best Speakeasy Whiskey Bar in America (2026): 11 Best Whiskey Bars in America to Visit in 2026
- Esquire named Seaboy as one of the Best New Restaurants in America (2025): The Best New Restaurants in America, 2025
- Food & Wine named Olde Mecklenburg Brewery & Biergarten (Lower South End location) No.6 on its list of America’s Best Beer Gardens (2025): America’s Best Beer Gardens
- Rada was included in the New York Times 'The Restaurant List 2025' highlighting the 50 best places in America (2025): America’s Best Restaurants 2025 - The New York Times
- Esquire named Lorem Ipsum as one of the 15 Best Bars in America (2025): 15 Best Bars in America 2025
- Garden & Gun placed Albertine on its Hot List 30 Restaurants to Try Now (2025): G&G’s Hot List: 30 New Restaurants to Try Now – Garden & Gun
- Southern Living praised the fried green tomatoes at Haberdish as one of the top tomato dishes in the South "Tomato Dishes Worth Reservations" (2025)
- 50 Top Pizza USA ranked Charlotte’s Pizza Baby No. 41, moving up two slots from 2024 (2025): 50 Top Pizza USA 2025
- USA Today ranked Olde Mecklenburg Brewery & Biergarten No. 7 in 10 Best Beer Gardens in the U.S. (2025): Sip, savor, and socialize at the 10 best beer gardens in the US
- USA Today ranked Charlotte No. 9 in Best Beer City (2025): Discover the hoppiest havens: 10 best beer cities in the US
Attractions
2026
- Carowinds broke ground on Rip Roarin' Falls, a record-breaking water attraction, while expanding family experiences with new Camp Snoopy additions (2026): Carowinds Announces Rip Roarin' Falls and Camp Snoopy Expansion
- NASCAR Hall of Fame unveiled major renovations designed to enhance the guest experience through new interactive exhibits and immersive storytelling (2026): Our House. Remodeled for the Future.
2025
- Travel + Leisure named the NASCAR Hall of Fame as one of the best car museums in the U.S. (2025): The 8 Best Car Museums in the U.S.
- Forbes recognized SCarowinds at Carowinds as a family-friendly way to enjoy Spooky Season (2025): A Mini Guide To The Tricks, Treats And Thrills Of SCarowinds
- Amusement Today awarded Fury 325 rollercoaster at Carowinds the Golden Ticket Award for “Best Steel Coaster,” marking the ninth consecutive year it has won the award (2025): The Golden Ticket Awards | Presented by Amusement Today
- Time Out named Carowinds to their list of Best Water Parks (2025): 14 Best Water Parks in the USA To Cool Off This Summer
- USA Today ranked Truist Field No. 9 in Best Minor League Ballpark (2025): Minor league, major experience: 10 best ballparks in the game
Hotels
2026
- Forbes Travel Guide named The Ballantyne, The Ivey’s Hotel and The Ritz-Carlton Charlotte as 2026 Star Award Winners (2026): Forbes Travel Guide's 2026 Star Award Winners
- MICHELIN Guide awarded The Ivey's Hotel a One MICHELIN Key distinction for the third consecutive year (2026): MICHELIN Guide Hotels
2025
- Forbes Travel Guide named The Ballantyne, The Ivey’s Hotel and The Ritz-Carlton Charlotte as 2025 Star Award Winners (2025): Forbes Travel Guide’s 2025 Star Award Winners
- Cardinal & Pine recognized The Ballantyne among 13 places for High Tea in North Carolina (2025): 13 places in North Carolina for afternoon tea or high tea
Film
2025
- MovieMaker recognized Charlotte among “Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker” (2024): The Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker, 2024