Know Your 704

These 3 Charlotte museums are considered must-see visits in North Carolina

ORIGINAL: Uptown Charlotte’s MAX festival will continue today, 04.11.15 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. outside on the Levine Avenue of the Arts between the Mint Museum and the Bechtler Museum. The first performances were Friday night. Performances include those on aerial straps and hoops, hand balancing, contortion, tumblers and students from the UNCC theater department.
Three Charlotte museums are some of the most highly-ranked in North Carolina. Observer file photo

There are dozens of museums across North Carolina, but several of the best ones are in Charlotte, according to a new report.

Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated museums in the state from Tripadvisor, whose rankings are based on ratings and reviews.

The NASCAR Hall of Fame, Discovery Place Science, and Mint Museum Uptown were among the top 30 overall.

All three museums, within a mile of one another in uptown, were rated 4.5 out of 5 on the travel website.

The NASCAR Hall of Fame, which ranked No. 7 on the list, showcases the history and heritage of racing.

A visual representation of Casey Kirwan’s No. 95 car. The eNASCAR driver won the 2022 series championship on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022 in the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte.
A visual representation of Casey Kirwan’s No. 95 car. The eNASCAR driver won the 2022 series championship on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022 in the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte. Provided by eNASCAR

“There was so much to look at, and so many interactive exhibits, that none of us got bored at any point,” an online Tripadvisor review said. “If you’re in Charlotte, even if you aren’t a big NASCAR fan, don’t miss this place.”

Discovery Place Science was also highly ranked for its exhibits, particularly for families. The science museum features aquariums, labs, and an indoor rainforest.

Discovery Place Science had plans to host an adults-only sleepover Feb. 21-22, but they canceled the event after the Mecklenburg County Fire Marshal announced that it would violate the museum’s occupancy classification.
Discovery Place is marking its 75th anniversary by making upgrades at each of its four museums, including uptown shown, in the Charlotte region. John D. Simmons Observer file photo

“The museum as a whole is incredibly diverse…many exhibits have interactive elements, hands-on experiments, and video clips to explain AND make science appealing to children,” one online review read.

The Mint Museum, the first art museum in North Carolina, placed 29th on the list. Several visitors praised the museum for its unique collection of art worldwide.

This is “Foragers,” artist Summer Wheat’s first public Charlotte piece. It’s in the atrium of the Mint Museum Uptown, just a few blocks from “Waterfalls,” her new piece in the lobby at 650 S. Tryon St.   
This is “Foragers,” artist Summer Wheat’s first public Charlotte piece. It’s in the atrium of the Mint Museum Uptown, just a few blocks from “Waterfalls,” her new piece in the lobby at 650 S. Tryon St.    Courtesy of Mint Museum Uptown

“This is a must-see if you visit Charlotte, and you can combine the visit with two other museums just steps away,” a commenter said about the Mint Museum.

Here’s how the three compared to other museums in North Carolina:

  1. Biltmore (Asheville)

  2. Wright Brothers National Memorial (Kill Devils Hill)

  3. North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences (Raleigh)

  4. International Civil Rights Center & Museum (Greensboro)

  5. North Carolina Museum of Art (Raleigh)

  6. Currituck Beach Lighthouse (Corolla)

  7. NASCAR Hall of Fame (Charlotte)

  8. Museum of the Cherokee Indian (Cherokee)

  9. The Folk Art Center of Southern Highland Craft Guild (Asheville)

  10. Wheels Through Time Transportation Museum (Maggie Valley)

  11. Museum of Life + Science (Durham)

  12. Asheville Pinball Museum (Asheville)

  13. U.S. Army Airborne and Special Operations Museum (Fayetteville)

  14. Greensboro Science Center (Greensboro)

  15. Discovery Place Science (Charlotte)

  16. North Carolina Museum of History (Raleigh)

  17. Marbles Kids Museum (Raleigh)

  18. Lexington Glassworks (Asheville)

  19. North Carolina History Center (New Bern)

  20. Oconaluftee Indian Village (Cherokee)

  21. Grovewood Village (Asheville)

  22. Reynolda House Museum of American Art (Winston-Salem)

  23. Whalehead in Historic Corolla (Corolla)

  24. North Carolina Maritime Museum (Beaufort)

  25. Woolworth Walk (Asheville)

  26. River Arts District (Asheville)

  27. Bellamy Mansion Museum of History & Design Arts (Wilmington)

  28. The Andy Griffith Museum (Mount Airy)

  29. Mint Museum Uptown (Charlotte)

  30. Mountain Farm Museum (Cherokee)

Related Stories from Charlotte Observer
Profile Image of Chyna Blackmon
Chyna Blackmon
The Charlotte Observer
Chyna Blackmon was a service journalism reporter for The Charlotte Observer. A native of the Carolinas, she grew up in Columbia, SC, and graduated from Queens University of Charlotte. She’s also worked in local television news in Charlotte, NC, and Richmond, VA. Support my work with a digital subscription
Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER