There are many amazing museums in Charlotte. Whether you want to learn about history, modern art, cars, or science, there’s a museum in the city you’ll like.
If you’re in Charlotte, going to one of the city’s museums is one of the best things to do. What’s great about Charlotte is that there’s a large variety of museums to choose from.
I made this guide about the best Charlotte museums so you can decide which one you’d like to visit. I included museums that are great if you want to learn new things or if you want to see art, but I also included fun ones such as a museum that’s all about illusions.
Best Museums in Charlotte, NC
Mint Museum
The Mint Museum is a museum that was created in the year 1936 and it is the first art museum in the state.
The Mint Museum is the largest museum of visual arts in the state of North Carolina, and it has two locations: The Mint Museum Randolph and the Mint Museum Uptown.
You can find a large variety of art at this museum.
For example, you can go here to see paintings, pottery, historic maps, photography, and much more.
This variety is one of the reasons why you should check out this museum.
Also, what’s great is that the art that you can find at the museum comes from all around the world.
Address: 500 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202 and 2730 Randolph Rd, Charlotte, NC 28207
NASCAR Hall of Fame
The NASCAR Hall of Fame is another great museum in the city. Visiting this place is also one of the best activities in the city of Charlotte.
At this place, you can learn about NASCAR.
You can learn about the history of it and much more.
Furthermore, the Hall of Fame honors the drivers of NASCAR.
What’s great is that you can find a lot of different exhibits at the museum.
Some of these exhibits are very interactive. For example, there are racing simulators at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Furthermore, you can find a lot of different historic artifacts that relate to NASCAR. These objects are also very interesting to see.
Address: 400 E M.L.K. Jr Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28202
The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
Another great museum to visit in the city of Charlotte is the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art.
Do you like modern art? Then, this is a museum that you should definitely check out.
At the museum, you can find a large collection of modern art from the middle of the 20th century.
This collection includes a wide variety of genres.
For example, you can see art from the School of Paris here.
Moreover, there are many famous artists whose art is on display at the museum. For example, you can find works by Joan Miró, Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, and a variety of other people here.
Furthermore, you can find objects from all over the world at this museum.
Address: 420 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Discovery Place Science
Discovery Place Science is also one of the best museums in Charlotte.
This is a science museum where you can learn about a large variety of disciplines of science. It is a museum that is part of Discovery Place.
There are many different types of exhibitions here.
For example, there is one exhibition that focuses on human health and anatomy.
Also, there is an exhibition that is completely dedicated to frogs.
Furthermore, there is an exhibition that is all about scientific experiments.
What’s great is that these exhibitions are all very interactive and great for the whole family. So if you are looking for great things to do with kids in Charlotte, this museum is great to check out as well.
Address: 301 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Carolinas Aviation Museum
Want to learn about aviation? Then, you can go to the Carolinas Aviation Museum.
This is a museum that is more than 31 years old and that has a reopening in the year 2023.
This museum is a Smithsonian Affiliate.
At this museum, you can find a lot of historic aircraft that are interesting to see.
Also, you can find a lot of other objects here that relate to aviation.
Furthermore, there are all sorts of exhibits at the museum that focus on a part of aviation history. For example, there is one exhibit that focuses on a passenger airplane that made an emergency landing on the Hudson River in the year 2009.
Besides that, the museum wants to inspire its visitors to pursue their dreams.
Address: 4672 1st Flight Dr, Charlotte, NC 28208
Matthews Heritage Museum
The Matthews Heritage Museum is a museum that is located inside a very old building. It is located in the Massey-Clark House.
This is a house that was built in the year 1879 and when you go to the house it feels as if you step back in time.
At the house, you can find a lot of very old objects. For example, there is a historic bank interior on display at the museum.
Besides great historic objects, there’s much more to see here.
For example, there are exhibits through which you can learn about what life was like in the past.
So if you want to learn about history, you should definitely consider going to the Matthews Heritage Museum.
Address: 232 N Trade St, Matthews, NC 28105
The Charlotte Museum of History
Another great museum, if you want to learn about history, is The Charlotte Museum of History.
At this place, you can learn about all aspects of the history of Charlotte and the surrounding region.
The museum has seven different galleries with all sorts of specific exhibits.
For example, there is a permanent exhibit that showcases some of the most important people in Charlotte’s history.
Also, there are a lot of temporary exhibitions at The Charlotte Museum of History. These temporary exhibitions can be about anything. For example, there was a temporary exhibition of historic signs at the museum.
Furthermore, there are all kinds of events that take place at The Charlotte Museum of History.
Address: 3500 Shamrock Dr, Charlotte, NC 28215
Levine Museum of the New South
The Levine Museum of the New South is a very interesting history museum that you can find in the city of Charlotte.
At this museum, you can learn about a specific part of history. You can learn about life in the North Carolina Piedmont after the Civil War at this museum.
There are several permanent exhibitions that focus on this part of history.
For example, there is an exhibition where you can learn about skyscrapers in the region.
Also, there are often temporary exhibitions here that focus on a specific topic related to this part of history.
What’s great is that you can see many different types of objects here. For example, you can see photography here, but also very large historic artifacts.
Address: 401 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Museum of Illusions Charlotte
The Museum of Illusions Charlotte is a very fun museum that you can go to when you are in the city.
At this museum, there are many different rooms that all contain illusions.
For example, there is one room where it appears you are walking on the wall.
Also, there is one room with an illusion where you can appear to be very large while a friend, or your significant other, can look very small.
Each illusion is a lot of fun to see and each illusion is perfect for photography as well. Because of this, it’s one of the Charlotte museums I definitely recommend going to.
Address: 601 S Tryon St Suite 138, Charlotte, NC 28202
The Schiele Museum of Natural History
The Schiele Museum of Natural History is a museum that is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution.
You can find the museum a bit outside of the city of Charlotte.
At this place, you can find a lot of permanent exhibits through which you can learn about the history of the planet.
For example, you can learn about dinosaurs here, and there is a very large dinosaur skeleton.
Also, you can learn about all kinds of other mammals at this place.
What’s great about this place as well is that there is a planetarium. Here, you can see all kinds of films about the universe, through which you can learn about space and much more.
Address: 1500 E Garrison Blvd, Gastonia, NC 28054
Morrison Motor Car Museum
Do you like cars? Then, the Morrison Motor Car Museum is one of the best museums in Charlotte you shouldn’t miss.
This is a museum where you can find all kinds of vehicles on display. In total, there are more than 50 different vehicles here.
What’s great is that these vehicles vary a lot.
For example, there are very old cars from the 1920s, but there are very modern cars as well.
Furthermore, you can find motorcycles here that are interesting to see.
Besides that, the museum houses a collection of all kinds of memorabilia that relate to cars and motorcycles. Also, you can find many different photographs at this place through which you can learn about history.
Address: 4545 Concord Pkwy S, Concord, NC 28027
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There are many very interesting Charlotte museums to choose from, but they are very different. Which one is best for you depends on a variety of factors.
First of all, you have to decide if you want to learn new things, want to have fun, or want to see beautiful objects. For example, a fun one is the Museum of Illusions Charlotte.
Second, some of the museums can be great to visit with children, so when you are planning on going to the museums with a child, you should consider this aspect of the museum.
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Charlotte has a lot to offer, and if you’re going to a museum in the city, I’m sure you’ll have a great time. I hope you enjoyed my guide to the best museums in Charlotte!