A couple of questions- how are you getting to Carowinds without a car? Who is doing your city tour?

Well, I thought the hotel might have a shuttle or we could get a cab. Is it that far? The city tour is one that I saw advertised that runs everyday.

Carowinds is on the NC/SC border - far from town. You would pay MUCH more in cab fare than it would cost to rent a car. The only city tour I know of is Queen City Tours - I think they charge a fee to pick up for their tours. You may wish to check with them to see which hotels they serve. Charlotte is a place you really need a car to get around. Are you looking for upscale hotels, mid-range, budget...... Just to let you know, Taxi rates currently are $2.00 base charge and $2.00 per mile plus time charges for waiting in traffic - it mounts up!

Charlotte is a working town - not really a tourist destination.... but sometimes there is value in just seeing a new and different place. There's not much to see except buildings and neighborhoods. Uptown there is Discovery Place Science Museum and Museum of the New South...but honestly - if you are from Chicago you will find our tourist offering minimal.

I really think you will not be able to get around well without a car or several hundred dollars in cab fare.

Your best hotel choices will SouthPark area or uptown - both have formidable traffic during the week. You will find a few non-chain restaurants in those areas - but most are chains. Your most non-chain eateries are in the Dilworth and Southend areas. but, if you try to take taxis to all these areas you could almost BUY a car! LOL. I'd reconsider the car rental.

Best wishes.

Thanks so much. If that's the case, would we be better getting a place near the mountains or Carowinds and just sticking to that area? We're only staying 4 days and we want it to be relaxing not hectic. What are your recommendations for must see excursions near Charlotte?

Whoa! You are going to the mountains as well? What part? That's about a two hour drive from Charlotte. Are you going to Asheville, Boone...which part?

Thanks so much for the advice! I guess we're renting a car! I was thinking of going to Ashville. If we did excursions to the mountains and Carowinds, would a hotel in DIlworth or uptown still be feasible or would it be easier to avaid traffic and get a hotel closer to these destinations?

If you're doing those two places - look at these options near the airport: Homewood Suites on Yorkmount Rd, Renaissance Suites on Yorkmount or Doubletree. From these locations you can zip down Tyvola Rd to I-77 to get to Carowinds and you can also hop on Billy Graham Parkway to I-85 to get to A'Ville. You can also head down West Blvd to East Blvd to get to Dilworth and South End if you want some unique dining. Additionally straight down Tyvola Rd will take you to SouthPark area - upscale shopping and dining. Best wishes.

P.S. Don't stay uptown - traffic and parking are a hassle. It's geared to business travelers and weekend tourists.

What city tour? There's nothing to see in Charlotte. You'll be bored silly in 48 hours. Go to the mountains. Or the beach. Really wonder why you would choose that place... you'd have more fun in Cleveland.

Rudeness from a New Yorker. How original.