Between tree-lined streets and a boom town feel, Charlotte surprises with a deep-rooted history and plenty of must-see spots.
The Secret History & Hidden Wonders of Charlotte, North Carolina

The Mint Museum on Randolph has such a commanding presence as an art museum, it’s hard to imagine it was ever anything else. But the historic building, and the source of its name, prove to be an integral part of Charlotte history spanning nearly 200 years. 

The U.S. Mint in Charlotte was built in 1836 after Mecklenburg County found itself at the center of a gold rush. It was the first branch of the U.S. Treasury outside of Philadelphia, and it minted gold coins until the Civil War, where it became a Confederate headquarters. After the building sat vacant in the early 20th century, a group of passionate citizens, led by Mary Myers Dwelle, successfully petitioned to save the Mint and turn it into North Carolina’s first art museum. The building was relocated to Randolph Road and opened in 1936.

The museum has hosted international shows including Ramesses the Great: The Pharaoh and His Times, which drew unprecedented crowds at the time. The Mint’s other location, built in Uptown in 2010, also attracts major exhibitions – it’s the only venue on the east coast that will show Picasso Landscapes: Out of Bounds, which opens to the public on Feb 11.

Nestled between city blocks and railroad tracks sits one of Charlotte’s best-known secrets. The McGill Rose Garden features winding paths with seating to relax or catch up with a friend.

The garden started out as a way for Henry and Helen McGill to beautify an industrial space after Henry closed his coal and ice business in 1976. On the left-hand side of the garden, hidden amongst the trees, is an old coal train car, a nod to Mr. McGill’s line of work before transforming the space into the urban oasis it is today.

On the grounds is Rosie’s Coffee and Wine Garden, a cozy, quaint cafe serving beverages and a few local snacks. Although the garden used to be privately owned, the space is now open to the public each day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., free of charge.

“There is no space quite like it in the city,” said Rosie’s co-owner Dan Fulco, adding that local gardening clubs have made it their base to grow herbs and help maintain the grounds.

Mecklenburg County marks May 20 as its official day of independence — a celebration filled with historic lore.

Spurred by the battle at Lexington and Concord, Mecklenburg County residents reached their boiling point with Britain and drew up their own Declaration of Independence in 1775 — more than a year before the colonies followed suit.

Known as “Meck Dec Day,” Charlotteans celebrate every year with a public reading of the declaration at Trade and Tryon streets in Uptown. 

Since there is no surviving original document — it was said to have been lost in a fire in 1800, according to historian Robert Ryals — the validity of the story has been debated, but nonetheless, Charlotteans have been celebrating Meck Dec Day since 1825. To go deeper into the history, there are self-guided tours or you can contact the Mecklenburg Historical Association for an arranged guided tour.

Regardless of the disputed legacy, May 20 is written on the state flag, and North Carolina license plates tout “First in Freedom.”

This larger-than-life statue was built to commemorate legendary war hero, Captain James Jack’s, whose legacy is closely tied with the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. The Revolutionary War captain was appointed to deliver the Meck Dec to the President of the Continental Congress in Philadelphia in 1775. 

His ride through enemy lines holding such an important document is heroic, but not much is known about him, except that his family was well-regarded in the area and owned a local tavern.

The statue honoring Captain Jack sits at Elizabeth Park just outside of Uptown. The bronze figure, created in 2010 by Charlotte resident and nationally renowned artist Chas Fagen, is part of the Trail of History on the The Little Sugar Creek Greenway.

Many longtime Charlotte residents can recall fond memories at the Bojangles Coliseum. Dating back to the 1950s, it was the first venue of its kind in the Queen City. The space continues to be a hub for live performances, hockey games, and conventions.

An iconic photo from 1972 captured the versatility of the multiplex and how crucial it was to a growing Charlotte. The black and white picture shows the marquee outside of the Bojangles Coliseum, advertising its upcoming events: Billy Graham was hosting a five-day crusade, followed by wrestling the next night, then an Elvis concert, then two days of ice hockey. 

Acts came from all over the country to perform at the venue, including The Grateful Dead and Jimi Hendrix, and more recently, The Avett Brothers and Chris Rock.

The Coliseum is also home to the Charlotte Checkers, the local minor league hockey team that plays from October through April.

Staying at the Dunhill Hotel is a truly unique Charlotte experience. The city’s last historic hotel is dwarfed by surrounding skyscrapers, but when it was built in 1929, it was one of the tallest buildings in Charlotte.

After its renovation in 2019, the Dunhill won awards and garnered attention as being a one-of-a-kind Charlotte staple. 

Of course, no old hotel is complete without stories of a ghost roaming the halls. According to an article by WCNC, a skeleton was found in the elevator shaft when the hotel was being renovated in the 80’s after sitting vacant for years. This prompted rumors of Dusty, a friendly spirit who is said to live in the hotel.

The Dorothy Counts mural at Camp North End offers a chance to look at Civil Rights history in Charlotte. 

You may have seen her face before — Dorothy Counts was photographed in 1957 being taunted and spit on by white classmates as she became one of the first black students to integrate into Harry Harding High School.

Her determined, unflinching look, painted in vibrant colors on the side of a building, is hard to miss as you arrive in the boileryard at Camp North End, a 76-acre hub of creativity, eateries, and shopping.

“All the historic photos you see are in black and white, and I wanted to bring those moments closer into the present by using bright colors and a modern style,” artist Fabian Williams said.

Williams used UV paint on the mural to paint symbols spelling out the artist and subject’s names, which could be seen only with a black light at night. The sun has since degraded these hidden hieroglyphics, but the idea lives on at Camp North End.

Walking around First Ward Park, you can’t miss the splash pad, fitness equipment, or the spherical jungle gym. But on your next visit, keep an eye out for the nearby poem murals, painted on brick buildings just a block away.

These thoughtfully placed poems were painted by artist and poet Amy Bagwell and feature North Carolina writers, including Carl Sandberg, Charles Olsen and Robert Creeley.

The exact birthplace of America’s 11th president is a bit of a mystery.

James K. Polk’s original homesite was long gone by the 1900s, so The Daughters of the American Revolution compiled as much information as they could find and put a stone marker where it was believed he lived — in Pineville, NC, just 10 miles south of Charlotte.

For decades, this was the only indicator of Polk’s legacy on the land. Later, period-accurate log cabins were built to bring to life Polk’s childhood in Pineville, where you can now visit to learn more about the influential president. Connected to the historic site is the Little Sugar Creek Greenway, allowing visitors the opportunity to bike or walk to this slice of history. 

The Polk family already had its name cemented in Charlotte history when James’ great uncle, Thomas Polk, signed the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. James lived in Pineville until moving to Tennessee at the age of 11.

VisArt Video is the definition of an instant classic. Tucked between typical businesses in a strip mall on the east side of Charlotte, the front half is a traditional video rental store, while the back contains a microcinema with a mini concessions stand. 

Originally opened in 1982, VisArt was saved by Mickey Aberman, a local lawyer who frequented the store with his wife. When he learned it was closing, he bought it on the spot. Today, VisArt houses over 30,000 titles in nearly every genre and boasts one of the largest video selections on the East Coast. It has something for everyone, from fan favorite TV series to the obscure and obscene.

More recently, said Executive Director Gina Stewart, VisArt Video has become a nonprofit, supporting indie filmmakers and teaching the community more about cinema.

To make this stop a true blockbuster, the store has opened a coffee shop next door called Loto, which offers even more food and drink options for visitors.