A group of friends explore the gardens of the Orchid Conservatory, an 8,000-square-foot, five-story glass house dedicated to orchids and tropical plants.
Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority | Daniel Stowe
Your insider guide to the best fun to be had with your crew.
Charlotte is brimming with fun things to do with your crew. Whether you're toasting with bubbly at The Nail Bar, shopping for your next look at Vestique, or brunching at Ruby Sunshine, the Queen City offers playful options for a perfect girls’ day out.
A robust culinary scene is one of many reasons Charlotte draws more than 31 millions visitors annually.
Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority | Kate Magee Photography
It’s your time to relax and recharge; let these top spots in Charlotte help. Treat yourselves to some indulgent beauty treatments at Toska Spa and Facial Bar. The high-tech spa uses a skin analysis system to take an in-depth snapshot of your skin and tailor a personalized skin care solution. Opt for one of the many innovative facials and you’ll leave radiant. Group mani-pedis are fun and come with a splash of bubbly on the side at The Nail Bar in Dilworth. Blowouts that make you feel instantly glam are best at Drybar, which has multiple locations throughout the city. Head to OM Spa Charlotte for some of the city’s best therapeutic massages, helping to ease tension and promote relaxation. Stop by one of the three Not Just Coffee locations for an iced Caramel Sea Salt latte or matcha between treatments. After all the pampering, Dilworth Tasting Room (with three locations throughout the city) is the place for some excellent craft cocktails, gourmet eats, and conversation. AAA Members can enjoy cash back savings when they book their Charlotte spa treatments on SpaFinder using this link.
Charlotte’s boutique scene is the ideal blend of charm and edge, with local labels and fun-to-discover curated gems. At the charming Boem in Dilworth, you’ll find Boho styles and pieces that are locally loved. Girl Tribe Co. is one of the most color-filled shopping spots in town. The bright shop has custom-made shirts, gifts, and unique brands that add a cute and quirky touch to your look. Head here for well-designed Taylor Swift merch, excellent bridal party squad merch, and cute looks for NASCAR days. Vestique in Dilworth is where you’ll find trendy, affordable looks for your next night out. The friendly staff is eager to help dress you up with a few mix-and-match options, and with the boutique’s fair prices, you just might take them all. There’s great retail therapy at Camp North End, where funky artist markets, vintage booths, and pop-ups feature unique artisan finds. Paper Skyscraper is one of Charlotte’s retail gems, filled with quirky gifts, witty greeting cards, and cool books.
Lovers of plants build their own terrariums at PlantHouse Charlotte, a DIY workshop open seven days a week.
adobe stock
Celebrate being out and about by making something beautiful together. Crafting can be a relaxing group activity, letting your creativity shine. Pick up a paint brush and a glass of wine at City Art Room Sip & Paint, the city’s premier spot for group painting fun. No experience is necessary as you pick out a canvas or glassware and choose your design. There’s even a karaoke machine if you want to become part of the entertainment. Get behind the wheel at Village Studio and Gallery and enjoy the creative freedom to shape and shift your clay into a work of art. Don’t wear your best clothes for this activity, though; you’re guaranteed to get dirty here and have lots of fun while doing it. Enjoy the satisfaction of pouring a scented candle at Paddywax Candle Bar. The shop offers multiple time slots daily to experience the step-by-step candle pouring process. Pick a base, create a custom scent blend, and enjoy putting your stamp on your newest home decor. The beautifully green PlantHouse Charlotte offers daily terrarium building workshops, which are easy to build and maintain, with no gardening experience required. For more adventurous crafting, AR Workshop is where you’ll find a long list of workshops, including chunky blanket knitting, embroidery workshops, hat burning, jewelry, hand-lettering, and charcuterie. If you’re up for hosting a girls’ night at home, Crafty Chick Studio will bring all its fun to you. This DIY crafting experience is available for private parties, perfect for creating fun seasonal décor and handmade gifts.
A large group enjoys morning yoga at the U.S. National Whitewater Center where a variety of fitness programs and wellness workshops are available.
Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority
When it’s time to hit pause, Charlotte’s chill scene—from yoga hubs to botanical gardens—is just what the doctor ordered. Gather the group and book a class at Khali Yoga Center in NoDa, Charlotte’s most soulful yoga and meditation studio. The relaxed, nature-forward environment is mirror-free and tech-free, with unique garage studios that allow an indoor/outdoor setting. The U.S. National Whitewater Center has an extensive fitness and yoga program, all great for a group outing. Highlights of the fitness destination’s classes include outdoor yoga for all levels, stand-up paddleboard yoga, pilates, and sound bath yoga. Off the beaten path, the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens are a serene oasis for an escape into nature. The gardens are always free, with impressive collections of orchids, desert succulents, carnivorous plants, and even a rare Titan Arum, known by those who’ve had the misfortune of smelling it in full bloom as the corpse flower. The giant plant only releases its malodor every few years, with much local fervor, so your visit will likely be much more fragrant. McAlpine Creek Greenway in Southeast Charlotte is a 4-mile round-trip trail that traverses through lots of greenery if you're more eager to get your steps in.
A glistening 17-foot-5-inch-tall whimsical sculpture greets visitors at the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art.
charlotte Regional Visitors Authority
You’re all glammed up and ready for the perfect photo op. Luckily, you won’t have to go too far in Charlotte to spot a cool, photo-worthy spot. Perhaps the most iconic Charlotte photo op is the “Firebird” (or lovingly referred to by locals as the Disco Chicken) sculpture outside The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art in Uptown. Take one of the city’s renowned ArtWalks, and you’ll find stunning murals, especially "Bloom" by Osiris Rain in NoDa, Confetti Hearts Wall by Evelyn Henson in South End, and "Equity" by Nick Napoletano in Uptown. Head for a colorful stroll along the South End’s Light Rail Trail, and you’ll find photo-worthy city views and many fun art stops.
