Discovering Charlotte, North Carolina's Uptown Art Museums, and The NASCAR Hall Of Fame
Table of Contents
Stories and photos by Jeanine Consoli (unless otherwise indicated)
Charlotte, North Carolina's Queen City
Charlotte, North Carolina, is one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation because it has so much to offer. One local real estate website estimates that one hundred people move to the city each day. Why so many people are moving to Charlotte? It has seen growth in all business sectors, including banking and technology. There’s an incredible surge of creativity in the culinary, art, and music scene, or maybe it’s simply a great place to live.
And, if you were wondering why it’s called the Queen City, It goes back to when King George III ruled the colonies. The village was named after his wife, Charlotte, and the surrounding county Mecklenburg after her German home.
Charlotte is diverse, young, and creative. It’s gotten a reputation as a foodie city, with new restaurants and craft breweries opening regularly. Many neighborhoods are affordable. There’s plenty of green space or blue ways to get out of the city for fresh air and exercise, attracting a younger crowd. And it’s welcoming. With so many cultures mixing, no one feels like an outsider. What that means for visitors is a variety of things to do. You could come back several times and not see everything. On my recent trip, I settled into Uptown (which is really downtown) to explore a few art museums and The NASCAR Hall of Fame. Since this is Play Stay Eat, in addition to playing, I stayed and enjoyed a meal while exploring the area.
Why is Uptown Called Downtown
Tryon Street is a historic street that predates Colonial times. It used to be a Native American trading route and tends to slope upward as you walk toward Independence Square in the city’s heart. A few years ago, there was a formal declaration to name the district “Uptown.”
Uptown is one of 13 different neighborhoods in Charlotte. It is divided into four wards with an eclectic mix of things to see and do in each ward. It’s where many company headquarters are located, but it’s also where you’ll find the sports stadiums. The Panthers, the Hornets, and the Knights all play Uptown.
You’ll also find world-class museums, theaters, fantastic restaurants, trendy bars, and incredible shopping. During the day, local people head to work while tourists check out the museums. At night, the restaurants, rooftops, and street-level bars fill with patrons—the energy shifts from a working environment to a fun, social atmosphere. If there’s a game or a performance in town, it’s an exciting place to spend your time.
Where to Stay in Uptown
Uptown is a terrific neighborhood to spend a few days exploring. While you do, you’ll need a place to stay. With so many choices, you can pick from a wide range of options.
The Dunhill Hotel is a chic boutique property within walking distance of the attractions and museums and is a historic landmark. A member of the Historic Hotels of America, it was initially built by architect Louis Asbury and opened in 1929 as the Mayfair Manor Apartment Hotel. Back then, it had 100 rooms, with half as permanent residences.
Today, the lobby reflects a 1920’s sophistication with a modern vibe, a full-service bar, and restaurant, The Asbury. There are 60 beautifully appointed rooms smartly decorated in either British or Italian decor with stately writing desks and antique furniture. The beds are incredibly comfortable and dressed with elegant linens. Fluffy robes and Beekman Collection bath amenities make the marble bathrooms feel like a spa. Plus, high-speed Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and Keurig coffee makers are welcome touches. There’s a 24-hour front desk and convenient parking behind the hotel. The staff is accommodating and friendly, which makes it a lovely place to stay. Just check-in and walk to attractions.
The NASCAR Hall of Fame
If you know all about NASCAR or nothing about NASCAR, you will love the NASCAR Hall of Fame. It’s an interactive museum and a high-tech venue designed to educate and entertain all visitors, not necessarily fans. I love cars, but I didn’t know a lot about the history of NASCAR.
My visit started on the first floor in the 278 people state-of-the-art High Octane Theater. Once inside, the film took me on a journey from the historical roots on the sandy beaches of Daytona to present-day NASCAR. The movie displayed on a 64-foot projection screen with surround sound amazed me.
Glory Road Exhibit at NASCAR Museum
On the second level, I walked along with the Glory Road Exhibit, a partial track with iconic cars on display. Using the digital experience screens, I learned a lot about each vehicle and driver, including Dale Earnhardt’s 1980 Chevrolet Monte Carlo.
In the words of Dale Earnhardt Jr., “We’ve taken the car and had it painted and re-decaled exactly the way it ran the final race of the season in 1980 in Ontario, California. That was the first race in Dad’s career where he had Wrangler as a sponsor.” Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt (2010) had 5 wins, was in the top 5-19 times, and in the top 10-24 times. It was fantastic to see these vehicles in person.
Walking up Glory Road, the Fan Billboard above the track flashed race highlights and social media updates. Below the road, the Great Hall features rotating, curated exhibits. I walked through The Foundation, an informative showcase about the start of NASCAR. On display was a 1935 Ford Coupe owned by NASCAR founder William H.G. France. Before NASCAR, France was a service station operator, promoter, and race car, driver. This car was typical of those the daredevils would race on the Daytona sand. It was history, and I loved it.
The Hall of Honor
On level three, the Hall of Honor explains the Legends of NASCAR. I saw artifacts, videos, and artifact images from the original class of 2010. I also participated in the Pit Crew Challenge and Simulator Racing Experience. Both are hands-on interactive challenges that test your ability against your group or other visitors. The simulations feel like you are at some of NASCAR’s biggest tracks and are thrilling.
On level four, Junior Johnson’s moonshine still is on display. Johnson made his first moonshine run at the age of 14. During prohibition (1920 -1933), cars were modified to move 1,000 pounds of liquor around twisting back roads. Runners had to avoid the Federal Revenue Agents during the week and then went to weekend competitions on local dirt tracks.
Johnson became a race car driver and won 50 premier series races. Later, he became a six-time championship team owner. The completely restored 76 spotter ball is on this floor, as is The Whelen Hall of Champions. It’s a collection of never-before assembled trophies from each of NASCAR’s top three national series, dating back to the first championship in 1948. I spent hours at The NASCAR Hall of Fame and enjoyed every minute. It’s a terrific experience for the whole family, a history lesson as well as a sports temple for NASCAR car racing fans.
Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art is smaller than most art museums I’ve visited, making the experience feel very intimate. It’s located in the heart of the city and is part of the Levine Center for the Arts Campus.
It’s an elegant, light-filled building designed by internationally acclaimed Swiss architect Mario Botta, the second he’s constructed in the United States. The outside is covered in terra cotta tile giving is a distinct look. A mirrored sculpture named The Firebird by Niki de Saint Phalle stands outside on the plaza, welcoming everyone. Passersby take photos with the statue as it is an iconic picture in Uptown Charlotte.
The Bechtler Family of Zurich, Switzerland, collected art for over 70 years. Much of the work was never seen in America before opening this extraordinary museum, thanks to art patron and entrepreneur Andreas Bechtler. Andreas was inspired by his parents, who were avid art collectors of mid- 20th-century modern art and had friendships with many artists in their collection. The private collection features art, books, photographs, and letters with famous artists that include Miró, Giacometti, Calder, Picasso, Warhol, Klee, and others. Opened in January of 2010, the Bechtler hosts an ongoing series of programs and events (check the website for details) and rotating exhibits in the galleries.
Twentieth-Century Women in Art
I toured the exhibit Twentieth-Century Women, an exhibition that focused exclusively on women’s art in the collections of the museum and the Bechtler family. It featured over 100 artworks by 22 artists over a century in many forms, including sculpture, paintings, photography, and drawings. The collection celebrates these artists and details their struggles as women in their field, contributing to the legacy of modern art. It was overwhelming to experience and beautiful at the same time.
Josef Albers: The Interaction of Colors
Another show, Josef Albers: The Interaction of Colors, was breathtaking. The inspiration for this exhibit was a selection of works from a handbook and teaching aid written by Albers. He was considered one of the most influential artist-educators of the 20th century—his study of color theory altered arts education in the United States. The exhibition features 42 double-page screen prints that demonstrate how colors can interact and influence each other. The color studies were hung next to each other in long rows. They made a powerful statement—a breathtaking experience.
The Mint Museum Uptown
The Mint Museum Uptown is a renowned Craft + Design and an American, contemporary, and European art museum. The building, designed by Machado and Silvetti Associates of Boston, is five stories high. With cutting-edge art and design, it creates an incredible experience inside and out. It is also part of the Levine Center for the Arts Campus.
Once inside, I immediately noticed the windows to my right. The art installation called “Foragers” by artist Summer Wheat was installed on the glass windows. The 96 panels, 62 foot by 60-foot hand-cut collage in jewel-toned vinyl, celebrate women craft-makers and providers’ traditions throughout history. It is one of the most significant transformational public works of art ever showcased in Charlotte.
Walls: Defend, Divide, and the Divine
That was only the beginning of an inspiring experience. There were exciting exhibits in design and powerful paintings from contemporary, American, or European artists on various floors.
I experienced an exhibit called Walls: Defend, Divide, and the Divine. It examined the history and artistic treatment of walls over the centuries. It brought together 67 makers from around the world with 132 images, the earliest from 1897 and the most recent from 2019 from walls worldwide. There was also a 26 minute documentary about walls by award-winning director Jeremiah Zagar. This exhibit blew my mind, especially by this incredible fact. “In 1989 when the Berlin Wall fell, there were 15 border walls around the world; in May 2018, there were nearly 80, according to Elizabeth Vallet, a geography professor at University of Quebec- Montreal. Over one-third of the world’s nation-states now define their borders with a barrier.”
I will never forget this memorable exhibit.
Charlotte is A Culinary City
After a day of wandering around the museums, you are sure to work up an appetite. No matter what type of meal you desire, Charlotte has restaurants with international flavors.
Uptown has world-class cuisine right in the neighborhood. I had a tasty dining experience at Fin and Fino, right in the arts district. You will be enchanted by the beauty of the restaurant. The gorgeous white stone bar with its oyster shell chandelier and the coastal décor sets the mood. My husband and I perched there and began our evening with drinks. Bar Manager Brittany Kellum leads a team of mixologists that create exceptional craft cocktails – listed on the menu or not. You can tell them your flavor profile, and they will shake up something unique. They are known to have one of the best wine and cocktail programs in the city.
The raw bar has beautiful oysters and shellfish sustainably caught or raised and delivered fresh daily. Local farms deliver produce to keep things fresh.
If you are a vegetarian, the vegetable plate on the menu sounds terrific. If you aren’t a seafood lover, there are steaks and other non-fish items like a portion of pasta with lamb ragu or a seared duck breast with Israeli couscous.
We adored our oysters and split an entrée of grilled octopus with a sunchoke latke, scallops ceviche, and French fries with kewpie mayo and Furikake seasoning. This salty seasoning is used a lot in Japan and it’s flavor is fantastic. The food was so fresh and delicious. We were stuffed.
Fin and Fino has a lively atmosphere with indoor and outdoor seating—an unforgettable night out in an exciting city.
Charlotte Has Something for Everyone
Charlotte has something for everyone with varied neighborhoods to explore. It’s easy to get out of the city to get into nature and then go back and experience all the other exciting things there are to see and do. Needless to say, I must return because there’s a lot left on my list.
Jeanine Consoli is a freelance travel writer, photographer, and foodie based in Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania. A retired elementary school teacher, she used her summers to feed her passion for travel and kept journals of all the destinations she explored. Today, Jeanine is working as a writer full-time. She loves uncovering the history and understanding the culture of each location, including the local flavors of each unique place. She has traveled extensively in the United States and Europe and is excited to keep adding to the list, finding unique sites that are off the beaten path both at home and abroad.