Charlotte’s city tours pack plenty of bang for your buck, with well-organized options covering all the essentials. The most practical choice is the eco-cart tour through downtown – it’s efficient and lets you hop off at key spots. History buffs will appreciate the Southern heritage walks, offering genuine insights into the city’s past without the usual tourist fluff.
For something different, the evening ghost tours are surprisingly informative, mixing historical facts with spooky tales. The guided shuttle bus tours work especially well for first-timers wanting a good overview without too much walking.
Let’s explore the best tours worth your time and money in Charlotte:
Good To Know
- Charlotte offers a diverse range of city tours, including historical, eco-friendly, ghost, and self-guided experiences that cater to different interests and budgets.
- The Ultimate Southern Charm Tour and the Comprehensive Historical Tour are highly rated, providing in-depth insights into the city’s heritage and landmarks.
- For a unique perspective, the Queen Bee City Tour focuses on African American history, while the Queen City Ghosts Tour explores the city’s haunted sites and paranormal activities.
- Self-guided audio tours, like the Uptown Charlotte Audio Tour, offer the flexibility to explore the city at one’s own pace and discover untold tales.
- Scavenger hunt experiences, such as the Crazy Dash Scavenger Hunt and Wacky Walks Adventure, combine sightseeing with interactive challenges, making for a fun and engaging group activity.
Historical City Tour on Eco-Friendly Cart
Visitors exploring Charlotte’s vibrant downtown can embark on a delightful historical city tour aboard an eco-friendly golf cart. Rated 4.9 out of 961 reviews, this small-group tour showcases the city’s renowned landmarks, including the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Discovery Place Science Museum, and Mint Museum Uptown.
Led by knowledgeable local guides, the 90-minute journey provides personalized attention and fascinating historical insights. The tour is priced at $39 per adult, with discounted rates for children and infants.
While not wheelchair accessible, the tour operates in all weather conditions, with a heated/cooled van available for inclement weather. Offering a unique and sustainable way to experience Charlotte’s rich history, this tour is a must-do for visitors to the city.
Read our full review: Historical City Tour on Eco-Friendly Cart Review
Book now: Check availability
Charlottes Ultimate Southern Charm Historical City Cart Tour
Charlotte’s Ultimate Southern Charm Historical City Cart Tour offers visitors a unique way to experience the city’s rich history and vibrant culture.
Rated 4.9 out of 928 reviews, the tour is recommended by 98% of travelers and priced at $39 per person, with free admission for children under 4.
Guests ride in brand-new, comfortable carts, accompanied by knowledgeable guides who share insights on the city’s history, dining, and attractions.
The tour includes a meal discount at a local restaurant and switches to a tour bus in case of inclement weather.
With its personal touch, educational content, and exploration opportunities, this cart tour provides a memorable way to discover Charlotte’s Southern charm.
Read our full review: Charlottes Ultimate Southern Charm Historical City Cart Tour Review
Book now: Check availability
Historical City Tour in Guided Shuttle Bus
The Charlotte’s Premier Historical City Bus Tour offers visitors a comprehensive exploration of the city’s rich history and vibrant culture.
This highly-rated tour takes guests on a journey through Charlotte’s key landmarks, including the NBA Charlotte Hornets arena and the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
With a maximum group size of 13, the tour provides personalized attention from knowledgeable guides who engage guests with engaging storytelling and historical insights.
Guests appreciate the comfortable air-conditioned van, which helps beat the Southern heat.
While some have noted visibility concerns for taller attractions, the overall feedback is overwhelmingly positive, making this tour an ideal choice for first-time visitors and history enthusiasts alike.
Read our full review: Historical City Tour in Guided Shuttle Bus Review
Book now: Check availability
Charlotte Historical City Tour
This comprehensive Charlotte Historical City Tour offers an immersive exploration of the city’s rich past.
Led by knowledgeable and passionate local guides, the tour takes visitors through four uptown wards, sharing fascinating insights into the city’s historic neighborhoods and its captivating history.
Traveling in a comfortable, air-conditioned van, guests can enjoy the tour’s features, including a 15-minute restroom stop.
With a maximum of 13 travelers per tour, the experience promises an intimate and personalized encounter.
Highly recommended by 96% of travelers, this 5-star rated tour is an excellent way to discover Charlotte’s heritage and charm.
Read our full review: Charlotte Historical City Tour Review
Book now: Check availability
Queen City Ghosts Charlotte Most Haunted Tour
Set out on a spine-tingling journey through the Queen City’s most haunted sites with the Queen City Ghosts Charlotte Most Haunted Tour.
This eerie excursion takes you to the city’s most haunted locations, where you’ll hear chilling tales of ghostly encounters and unexplained phenomena.
Explore the historic Fourth Ward, stroll through the tranquil Elmwood Cemetery, and uncover the dark secrets of the Mecklenburg County Jail.
Along the way, your knowledgeable guide will share the stories behind the paranormal activities that have made these places notorious.
Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, this tour promises an unforgettable experience that will leave you questioning the boundaries between the living and the dead.
Read our full review: Queen City Ghosts Charlotte Most Haunted Tour Review
Book now: Check availability
Uptown Charlotte: A Self-Guided Audio Tour to the Heart of Queen City
Uptown Charlotte beckons visitors to enjoy the city’s vibrant history through a self-guided audio tour.
Hosted by actor and tour guide Phil Biedron, the tour highlights the untold tales of Charlotte’s fearless patriots, including North Carolina’s early declaration of independence.
Participants can explore at their own pace, with the tour offering offline access to audio, maps, and geodata through the VoiceMap app.
While reviews are mixed, with some users experiencing technical difficulties, the tour’s positive feedback emphasizes the fascinating narratives and ease of use.
Priced at $11.99 per person, the tour operates daily until October 2025 and is accessible for most, except for wheelchair users.
Read our full review: Uptown Charlotte: A Self-Guided Audio Tour to the Heart of Queen City Review
Book now: Check availability
Charlotte Historic : Queen Bee City Tour
Enjoy the captivating history of Charlotte on the Charlotte Historic: Queen Bee City Tour. This highly-rated 4.7-star experience takes you through the heart of the city, led by knowledgeable and friendly guides.
The tour provides engaging insights into Charlotte’s African American heritage and local architecture, earning it a 90% recommendation from travelers. With private transportation, snacks, and a maximum of 26 participants, it’s a great choice for first-time visitors.
While the tour isn’t wheelchair accessible, service animals are allowed, and most travelers can participate. Just be mindful of potential issues with the meeting point or tour cancellations, and take advantage of the free 24-hour cancellation policy if needed.
Read our full review: Charlotte Historic : Queen Bee City Tour Review
Book now: Check availability
Charlotte City Scavenger Hunt Excursion by Crazy Dash
For those eager to explore Charlotte at their own pace, the Charlotte City Scavenger Hunt Excursion by Crazy Dash provides an engaging and budget-friendly activity.
Participants can solve clues, complete challenges, and find objects while competing against other groups virtually through an easy-to-use app. With a remote host available for assistance, the 2-hour scavenger hunt is ideal for families, offering a fun way to spend time together.
The experience includes all activities, GST, and private transportation, with a meeting point at the Stage Door Theater. Priced from $10 per person, the scavenger hunt receives an overall rating of 3.0 based on 2 reviews, though no 5-star ratings have been given.
Read our full review: Charlotte City Scavenger Hunt Excursion by Crazy Dash Review
Book now: Check availability
Charlotte City Scavenger Hunt Excursion by Wacky Walks
Wacky Walks’ Charlotte City Scavenger Hunt invites participants to don the mantle of royalty and embark on an adventure through the city’s vibrant landscape.
The two-hour experience takes explorers on a journey of discovery, solving clues and completing challenges to find and photograph 60 items across popular attractions and hidden gems.
With no time limit, participants can take turns playing the roles of King or Queen as they navigate the city.
While the activity is suitable for most travelers, potential participants should consider feedback on safety and clarity of instructions.
Read our full review: Charlotte City Scavenger Hunt Excursion by Wacky Walks Review
Book now: Check availability
Charlotte City Scavenger Hunt Excursion by Operation City Quest
Through Operation City Quest‘s interactive app, participants in the Charlotte City Scavenger Hunt embark on a lively exploration of the city’s vibrant landmarks and hidden gems.
Teams compete against each other nationwide as they solve riddles, find objects, and complete challenges over 2 hours with a remote guide. The hunt includes all activities, use of a smartphone, and taxes.
While not wheelchair accessible, the hunt is stroller-friendly and near public transportation. Though lacking in educational depth about Charlotte’s history, the experience provides an amusing, group-oriented adventure suitable for most travelers.
With an overall rating of 3.0 from one review, the scavenger hunt offers a fun, if not entirely structured, way to discover the city.
Read our full review: Charlotte City Scavenger Hunt Excursion by Operation City Quest Review
Book now: Check availability
The Sum Up
Charlotte offers a variety of engaging city tours that showcase its rich history, vibrant culture, and unique charm. Whether you prefer an eco-friendly cart tour, a guided shuttle bus, or a scavenger hunt adventure, there’s something to suit every traveler’s interests. Discover the city’s haunted sites, explore its Queen Bee heritage, or simply learn about the Southern hospitality that defines Charlotte’s allure.