The nonprofit Common Heart is working to Make a Difference this Thanksgiving.

Things to Do in Charlotte, North Carolina

Whether you love live music, the latest culinary trends or long-standing holiday traditions, Charlotte has something for everyone. This thriving metropolis is the top travel destination in the Carolinas. Music lovers will enjoy a variety of venues, including the PNC Music Pavilion, The Fillmore Charlotte and Spectrum Center. You can also find live entertainment at local bars.

Charlotte is home to 175 public and private elementary and secondary schools, including charter schools. There are also scholarship programs for low-income children to attend private schools. Charlotte is also home to Johnson & Wales University and Central Piedmont Community College, and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Residents can get to and from the airport with ease.

Charlotte was home to the first African-American library in the state. The Brevard Street Library for Negroes was opened in 1905 in the historically black Brooklyn neighborhood of Charlotte. It was the state’s first African-American library and the first of its kind in the southeast. It was named after a black community that grew up in the neighborhood.

The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art is another important Charlotte attraction. With nearly a million pieces of art on display, this museum is a top destination for art lovers. It is open every day except Tuesday and is free to visit. During the week, the museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. On weekends, the museum is open until 10 p.m.