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Charlotte skyline illuminated at night, photographed in 2016 by Nan Palmero

The Queen City
has it all.

History, music, food, and a day
worth exploring.

Plan my day
Charlotte scenes · Auto

Curated photography, not a live view. Auto starts with the season and time of day. Pause movement or choose a photo to keep it still.

Nan Palmero · 2016 · resized and WebP conversion · CC BY 2.0

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Explore Charlotte’s history

Today in Charlotte

Discover what’s happening around the Queen City.

Your daily briefing: today’s shows, performances, sports, and the latest local reporting.

Today’s listings

Events & live music

7 confirmed listings for Thursday, October 29.

Coming up · next 7 days

35 selected listings to look forward to.

More events Live music

Confirm dates, tickets, and cancellations with the organizer.

Want a personal itinerary? Plan my day

Plan my day

A few hours. A plan that fits you.

Start with your interests, time, and budget. Find a little more of your Charlotte.

Student Family Solo Date night
Personalize my plan

A little inspiration

Sample family afternoon · Confirm hours and availability.

  1. ExploreDiscovery Place Science
  2. Take a breakThe Market at 7th Street
  3. Get outsideFirst Ward Park
Make this day your own

A city with a story.

Southern roots meet a global outlook in Charlotte. Discover its neighborhoods, independent stages, museums, greenways, and a food scene that keeps growing.

History

Founded in 1768, with a story shaped by gold, railroads, and generations of change.

Economics

A major financial center and a growing home for creative businesses.

Location

A Piedmont home base, with the mountains and coast within reach.

Climate

Four distinct seasons bring new ways to explore throughout the year.

Places to know

A fresh selection from Charlotte’s local guide.

History of Charlotte, North Carolina

  • Founded in 1768, Charlotte, North Carolina, was named in honor of Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the queen consort of King George III of England. The city grew slowly at first, with a boom coming after the discovery of a gold nugget in nearby Cabarrus County in 1799.
  • Charlotte's growth accelerated in the 19th century with the arrival of the railroad. The city became a major hub for the textile industry and a distribution point for goods.
  • In the 20th century, Charlotte evolved into a significant US financial center, most notably with the headquarters of Bank of America and the eastern operations of Wells Fargo. Today, it's the second-largest banking center in the United States.
  • Charlotte has also been a player in the Civil Rights Movement, with the Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education case leading to landmark legal decisions on desegregation in public schools.
  • In recent years, the city has continued to grow, with a vibrant arts scene, sports teams like the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte Hornets, and the continued expansion of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.