The 10 Best Museums in Charlotte, North Carolina [2024]

Charlotte, North Carolina, isn’t just one of the state’s biggest metropolitan areas. It’s also a center of art, culture, and education. So, it’s no surprise that the city is home to a number of museums in this part of the country. Whether you’re planning a solo trip, a friends’ getaway, or a family vacation, this Carolina city has a museum fit for your itinerary.

The Best Museums in Charlotte

1. Bechtler Museum of Modern Art

The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art has been one of Charlotte’s most renowned facilities since it opened in 2010. Initially, the museum’s collection consisted of just 1,400 pieces that were acquired by the space’s namesake, the Bechtler family. However, over time, the number of pieces preserved by the space has grown.

Modernism is the primary style represented in the Bechtler, though it features artistic interpretations from creators all around the world . In particular, the museum delves into the differences between the European, Parisian, American, and British schools and perspectives of the 20th century.

Only a fraction of the Bechtler collection is on display at a time, and the space frequently rotates its galleries. Some highlighted artists represented in the exhibits are Eduardo Chillida, Alyson Shotz, and Isabel Quintanilla. Special events and exhibitions are also a frequent part of the event calendar.

Admission is free for children under 11 and military personnel, $5 for kids 11 to 18, $7 for seniors 65 and over, college students, and educators, and $9 for all other adults. The museum waives ticket costs on Wednesday evening for all visitors. Bechtler is open Thursday through Saturday and Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m., and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The nearest bus stop is Tryon Street and 2nd Street.

• Address: 420 South Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28202

2. Charlotte Museum of History

The Charlotte Museum of History preserves and showcases the city’s history through engaging exhibits and artifacts. This facility is on a sprawling 8-acre property that dates back to the Revolutionary War. This campus even includes an estate dubbed Rock House, which was built in 1774.

There are also 6 galleries in the museum structure itself, which combine permanent and rotating exhibits that delve into Charlotte’s regional history and evolution.

“Path of Portraits” is one of the most popular ongoing displays, since it highlights the lives and stories of many residents who made the city what it is today. The grounds also regularly host educational events and tours. Most of these events are suitable for people of all ages, but be sure to check before visiting. It’s also possible to rent the grounds as a private event venue.

Admission is free for members and children under 6; $7 for seniors 62 and over, kids 6 to 17, and students; and $10 for all other adults. The Charlotte Museum of History is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The nearest bus stop is Shamrock Drive at Charlotte Museum of History.

• Address: 3500 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC 28215

3. Discovery Place Nature

Once called the Charlotte Nature Museum, Discovery Place Nature is the city’s top place to learn about the natural sciences. The museum combines static and interactive exhibits and is designed to engage both children and adults.

This structure is able to use both inanimate objects and living things in its galleries. Live exhibits housed on the property include a butterfly pavilion, insect habitats, and specimens of North Carolina’s native flora and fauna. These living galleries are fan favorites, but other daily programs like puppet shows and play areas add to the museum’s learning environment.

Currently, the museum is closed for a yearlong construction project to renew the facility. However, Discovery Place Nature continues to update its website, write enriching blog posts, and host educational events in and around the nearby Freedom Park.

Tickets were $8, but prices may vary when the museum reopens after construction is completed. Discovery Place Nature is typically open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The nearest bus stop is Park Road and Princeton Avenue.

• Address: 1658 Sterling Road, Charlotte, NC 28209

4. Discovery Place Science

Discovery Place Science teaches guests about science and technology. Housing one of the largest IMAX domes in this part of the country, the museum uses multiple types of media to help create an enriching learning experience.

Though many of the galleries in on the property were designed for younger guests, there are a number of spaces geared more toward adults. Special events are also hosted for adults only throughout the year, in addition to the growing number of camps and activity days dedicated to kids.

If you’re visiting with anyone who can be easily overstimulated, be sure to check the calendar to see if there are any sensory-friendly hours available while you’re here. Some popular exhibits include “A New Moon Rises,” “Worlds Alive,” and “Project Build.” A few special galleries are also rotated during the year.

Admission is free for members. Tickets start at $18 for kids, $20 for seniors, and $23 for all other adults. Purchasing tickets at the museum is $5 more expensive than online. Discovery Place Science is open daily with varying hours. The nearest bus stop is Tryon Street and 6th Street.

• Address: 168 West 6th St., Charlotte, NC 28202

5. Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture

First opened in 2009, the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture showcases honors the life and work of John and Vivian Hewitt. Over the course of their lives, the couple amassed one of the most impressive collections of African American art between the 1940s and the 1990s.

Today, this collection continues to grow, featuring African American artists from around the country. The facility highlights 58 pieces and 20 creators. These pieces were so widely beloved that, for years, they toured the U.S. before the Harvey B. Gantt Center was officially founded. The center also houses temporary exhibitions showcasing the work of other artists.

This center is also beloved for its cultural events and programs. Wellness days, workshops, student exhibits, and family activity days are just a few of the many events on the center’s social calendar.

Admission is free for children under 6 and members; $7 for children 6 to 17, college students, educators, military personnel, and seniors; and $9 for all other adults. Gantt Center is open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday from 12 to 6 p.m., Wednesday from 12 to 9 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The nearest bus stop is Tryon Street and Brooklyn Village Avenue.

• Address: 551 South Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28202

6. Levine Museum of the New South

The Levine Museum of the New South takes a unique approach to exploring Charlotte’s history and development. In particular, the museum delves into the obstacles and issues that influenced the city’s growth and its impact on the South as a whole.

Throughout the year, Levine Museum hosts rotating main exhibitions that delve into particular topics and moments of local history. Some from the past include “States of Incarceration,” “Duke Endowment at 100,” and “Climates of Inequality.” Levine has also undertaken a 50-week online project that highlights different Charlotte locations and their impact on local history.

This is a popular field trip destination for nearby schools, but the facility also hosts summer activities and programs for individual children. These are in addition to the community conversations, author talks, family days, and other cultural events hosted at the Levine during the year.

Admission is free for all visitors, though groups must pay an administrative fee. Levine Museum is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m. The nearest bus stop is Tryon Street and 2nd Street.

• Address: 401 South Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28202

7. The Mint Museum – Randolph

Mint Museum’s Randolph was the first art museum in the state when it opened in 1936. As a result, it’s often considered to be the Mint’s flagship location. Over the years, it’s amassed an impressive collection of American, ancient, Asian, and European art, though it’s also become a renowned contemporary art facility.

In total, there are over 20,000 items preserved by the Randolph location, with some of the oldest pieces dating back over 4,500 to the pre-Columbian period of the Americas. One sizeable department contains thousands of clothing items that show how fashion has changed between the 1700s and the present day.

Admission is free for Mint members and children under 18, $10 for college students and seniors 65 and over, and $15 for other adults. Mint’s Randolph location is open Tuesday and Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m., and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The nearest bus stop is Randolph Road and Sam Drenan Road.

• Address: 2730 Randolph Road, Charlotte, NC 28207

8. The Mint Museum Uptown

Opened in 2010, the Mint Museum’s Uptown location displays a mix of decorative, contemporary, and historic fine arts. The museum uses these exhibits to create cutting-edge visitor experiences and provide an engaging education on art and culture.

Uptown’s 5 floors of galleries provide plenty of space for both permanent and temporary exhibitions. Due to the size of the facility, it’s recommended you set aside at least 2.5 hours for your visit.

Some collection highlights include “Moonlight” by Elliott Daingerfield, “In the Spring” by Grant D. Wood, and “The Road is Open” by Michael Adler-Shalev. However, since the museum often collaborates with the other Mint locations, pieces are frequently rotated between facilities. So the works of art on view are liable to change during the year.

Admission is free for Mint members and children under 18, $10 for college students and seniors 65 and over, and $15 for other adults. Mint’s Uptown location is open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. The nearest bus stop is Randolph Road and Museum Plaza.

• Address: 500 South Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28202

9. Museum of Illusions Charlotte

Museum of Illusions Charlotte (MOI) provides a multisensory experience for people of all ages. Each set on the premises plays with perspectives by using tricks of the light, recreations of popular optical illusions, and more.

There are 3 room sets — “Reversed Room,” “Vortex Tunnel,” and “Tilted Room” — which create fully immersive life-sized illusions. MOI also displays a selection of hologram and optical illusion images that show how easily the mind can be tricked. Last but not least, the museum has several smaller-scale illusion installations, like the “Cloning Table” and the “Head on a Platter.”

While visiting the museum is an experience in itself, MOI also occasionally hosts special events throughout the year. Though MOI is suitable for visitors of all ages, some visitors with sensory concerns might be overwhelmed by some of the sets.

Admission is free for children under 5. Tickets start at $20 for kids 5 to 12, $22 for military personnel and seniors 60 and over, and $24 for other adults. Weekend tickets cost $2 more. The Museum of Illusions Charlotte is open Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The nearest bus stop is Tryon Street and Brooklyn Village Avenue.

• Address: 601 South Tryon St., Suite 138, Charlotte, NC 28202

10. NASCAR Hall of Fame

Officially opened in 2010, the NASCAR Hall of Fame celebrates some of the sport’s most important figures through 4 floors of exhibit space. Using both NASCAR memorabilia and interactive experiences, the museum creates an engaging and fun environment for both longtime and new fans of racing.

Popular parts of the hall include the digital scrapbook guests can make to remember their visit, the virtual tour of NASCAR cockpits and exhibits dedicated to “Glory Road,” and the different teams and racers that helped boost the sport to international acclaim.

When you arrive at the actual Hall of Fame, keep an eye out for names like Matt Kenseth, Joe Gibbs, and Dale Earnhardt Jr., who have all been inducted in recent years. It’s also possible to rent 1 or more of the hall’s event rooms for private functions like parties, ceremonies, and conferences.

Admission is free for members and kids under 4, $20 for military personnel and kids 4 to 12, $24 for seniors 65 and over, and $27 for all other adults. NASCAR’s Hall of Fame is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The nearest bus stop is Caldwell Street and 3rd Street.

• Address: 400 E MLK. Jr Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28202

How To Get Free or Reduced Admission to Charlotte Museums

We’ve indicated with each museum whether or not children, students, or seniors receive free or reduced admission. There are also several other programs that offer similar concessions.

The Museums for All program offers free or reduced admission to museums through the U.S. for those receiving food assistance (SNAP benefits). Participating Charlotte attractions include Discovery Place locations and the Wing Haven.

Bank of America’s Museums on Us program offers cardholders free general admission on the first full weekend of every month to the following Charlotte museums: the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, Charlotte Museum of History, Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, Mint Museum Randolph, and Mint Museum Uptown.

Participation is subject to change. Verify participating museums and entry conditions before your visit.

Final Thoughts

Charlotte has its fair share of museums worth visiting, no matter if you’re a local or a tourist. From celebrating NASCAR to mind-bending illusions and art appreciation, there’s a gallery or exhibit in this North Carolina city for nearly anyone. With any luck, this list has helped you narrow down your options so you know which museums to add to your itinerary.