How to enjoy a layover at Charlotte’s airport, from live music to local eats

For many frequent fliers, a layover in Charlotte is more of a hassle than a chance to relax, especially with the anxiety of connecting flights, lost luggage and the potential for unexpected weather delays or technology glitches.

But the bright side is having extra time to explore one of the country’s busiest airports — instead of just counting the minutes to your next boarding call.

In fact, Charlotte Douglas International Airport ranks as the world’s sixth-busiest airport for aircraft operations. So if you have a layover, here’s how to make the most of your time at Charlotte Douglas.

Tune out the travel blues with live music

Music is a great antidote to the stress of rush hour for drivers. And at CLT, it can soothe a weary traveler too. Inside the Atrium, the soothing sounds of live piano music fill the air.

The pianists who perform for passengers are required to audition for the volunteer program. They even engage with the audience.

The music has caught the attention of big names, including one of the Beach Boys and YouTube star Rob Landes, who held a spontaneous concert during his layover.

You might even hear from a future star. One of the pianists, Josh King, is a local singer-songwriter who competed in the 23rd season of “American Idol” and made it all the way to the top eight.

‘First in Flight’

Before you step on a plane for your next flight, take a moment to learn about the two pioneering brothers who made flying possible.

The Wright brothers’ story is told inside the Concourse A Connector. It features bronze plaques on the floor, connected by lines that represent the distance of their first powered flights at Kitty Hawk.

As you walk through the connector, an interactive light wall mirrors your movements. Paired with this is a re-creation of the 1903 Wright Flyer sound that soars overhead, transporting you back to the dawn of flight.

Grab a bite at the airport

After a long flight, why settle for another small bag of peanuts or pretzels?

Charlotte’s airport has a variety of places to eat for layover passengers. Some options include Brookwood Farms’ Carolina Pit BBQ, Midwood Smokehouse or Bojangles, which is a home-grown Charlotte staple.

Coffee lovers can also stop by Starbucks, Dunkin’ or Commonspace.

For passengers 21 and over, CLT offers several bars with alcoholic beverages. These options include Wicked Weed, Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, Sammy Hagar’s Beach Bar, and Beaudevin. Additionally, several lounges offer a quiet escape, including Club CLT, Admirals Club, Delta Sky Club, and AmEx Centurion Lounge.

It’s game time at CLT

For gamers or novices, a gaming lounge is available to help you pass the time. Gameway, which opened a few years ago in Concourse E, is filled with PlayStation and Xbox consoles, as well as Razer gaming PCs and accessories.

The cost is $17.99 for 30 minutes, $27.99 for one hour, or about $50 for unlimited time. Gameway is open daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Relax and reflect

Charlotte Douglas is well known for its big, white rocking chairs, where passengers can read, listen to music, or scroll on their phones. But there are also several other places to stretch your legs and relax.

One is the Be Relax Spa, which offers massages, manicures and pedicures in the Connector A and D sections of the airport.

And if you’re looking for a quieter place to meditate or pray, the airport’s chaplaincy program has a chapel space that welcomes believers of all faiths. It is open from 5 a.m. to midnight and is above the Atrium between concourses B and C.

With so much to do, your layover could be worthwhile before you get to your final destination.

This story was originally published August 25, 2025 at 5:41 AM.

Chase Jordan

The Charlotte Observer

Chase Jordan is a business reporter for The Charlotte Observer, and has nearly a decade of experience covering news in North Carolina. Prior to joining the Observer, he was a growth and development reporter for the Wilmington StarNews. The Kansas City native is a graduate of Bethune-Cookman University.