Charlotte Performing ArtsAAA/iStockphoto.com
The Charlotte Symphony, Charlotte Ballet, Opera Carolina, Community School of the Arts and Caroline Calouche & Co. all are resident companies at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. With no shortage of things to do, the center, which also presents Broadway musicals and various performing artists, includes the Belk Theater, Booth Playhouse and Stage Door Theater. Plan your trip ahead of time, and make reservations for a show and dinner at one of the nearby restaurants.
Vacation Destination for the Arts
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In search of things for couples to do? The Knight Theater at Levine Center for the Arts, 430 S. Tryon St., the Duke Energy Theater at Spirit Square (home to On Q Productions) and McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square, both at 345 N. College St., and Ovens Auditorium at 2900 E. Independence Blvd., also come under the auspices of the Blumenthal organization, staging concerts and other performing arts programs and sponsoring art exhibits. The box office for all Blumenthal theaters is in Belk Theater; phone (704) 372-1000.
Fun Places to Go with Children
The Children's Theatre of Charlotte, 300 E. 7th St., presents classic and new plays geared toward ages 3-18. The box office is open Mon.-Fri. noon-5. Performances take place throughout the year; for schedule information during your trip, phone the box office at (704) 973-2828.
Charlotte, NC
AAA’s in-person hotel evaluations are unscheduled to ensure the inspector has an experience similar to that of members. To pass inspection, all hotels must meet the same rigorous standards for cleanliness, comfort and hospitality. These hotels receive a AAA Diamond designation that tells members what type of experience to expect.
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Hyatt Place Charlotte Airport/Billy Graham Parkway2950 Oak Lake Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28208
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Courtyard by Marriott-Charlotte Airport/Billy Graham Parkway321 W Woodlawn Rd. Charlotte, NC 28217
Book NowCity Population
731,424
Elevation
734 ft.
Sales Tax
North Carolina has a 4.75 percent state sales tax; Mecklenburg County levies an additional 2 percent sales tax. Mecklenburg County also levies an 8 percent occupancy tax for lodging, a 1 percent prepared food and beverage tax and an 8 percent tax for rental cars.
Emergency
911
Police (non-emergency)
(704) 336-7600. Info hotline: 311
Fire (non-emergency)
(704) 336-4174
Hospitals
Atrium Health University City, (704) 863-6000; Carolinas Medical Center, (704) 355-2000; Carolinas Medical Center-Mercy, (704) 304-5000; Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center, (704) 384-4000.
Visitor Information
501 S. College St. Charlotte, NC 28202. Phone:(704)339-6040 or (800)231-4636
Air Travel
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is 6 miles west of the city on Josh Birmingham Parkway, and is accessible from Billy Graham Parkway or Wilkinson Boulevard. A hub for American Airlines, the airport is served by other major airlines as well; phone (704) 359-4910. If you're looking for things to do this weekend, check AAA.com or ask a AAA Travel Agent about airline tickets—sometimes available as part of a AAA Vacations® package.
Rental Cars
Hertz, 5489 Josh Birmingham Pkwy., offers discounts to AAA members; phone (704) 359-0114 or (800) 654-3080.
Rail Service
Amtrak, (800) 872-7245, has a station at 1914 N. Tryon St.
Buses
A Greyhound station serves Charlotte at 601 W. Trade St.; phone (704) 372-0456.
Taxis
Cabs are metered and charge a base fare of around $2.50, plus approximately $2.50 per mile or 50c per minute when the vehicle drops below 15 miles per hour. These companies operate from the airport's queue—City Cab, (704) 333-3327; Crown Cab, (704) 334-6666; Green Cab, (704) 777-1117; and Yellow Cab, (980) 785-1405; they all increase the base fare $2 per person for more than two passengers.
Public Transportation
Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), (704) 336-7433, serves the city with more than 70 local and express routes. One-way fare is $2.20; $1.10 (children in kindergarten through grade 12, ages 62+ and the physically impaired); free (ages 0-5). Express fare (buses pick up in a limited area and travel directly to Uptown) is $3; $1.50 (children in kindergarten through grade 12, ages 62+ and the physically impaired); free (ages 0-5). Transfers from local to express are 80c; local to local transfers are free.
As a AAA member, you'll save even more. Your AAA Travel Agent will check to see if AAA Vacations is combinable with other AAA member benefits, plus cruise and tour past passenger discounts and benefits.