Charlotte is a metropolitan area and large city in North Carolina. Its historic city center (Union Square) is home to The Levine Museum of Modern Art, which explores twentieth-century art from the south, and the North Carolina Museum of Art. Union Square is also home to the North Carolina General Assembly building, where the state legislature meets. Uptown, however, is known for its booming nightlife and many residents live here. Uptown also boasts of some landmarks, such as the American Tobacco Campus, a former industrial site that now serves as a prominent center for higher education.
There are a variety of landmark attractions in the downtown area. Among the most important of these is the Charlotte Museum of Art. This museum has an impressive collection of works of art and architecture, including an exhibit on the history of art. The Charlotte Museum of Modern Art is also located within the Union Square area, which has numerous other attractions, such as the Charlotte Symphony and Opera. Other notable landmark attractions include the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, and the Raleigh Aquarium. Another notable landmark in Charlotte’s Uptown district is the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, home to many notable academic and research institutions.
Several of Charlotte’s historic areas have been designated by the United States government as National Historic Landmarks. Among these is Charlotte’s Civil Rights Museum, which documents the struggles of African Americans in Charlotte in the 1950s. The Civil Rights Museum was established by Congresswoman Corrine Brown, who also serves as Chairperson of the House subcommittee on civil rights. Other historic landmarks are the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, the John Lewis Museum, the William T. Henry House, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Building. These historic areas offer a rich look at life in the past that can be enjoyed by visitors today. Many visitors to Charlotte come here year round, as there are numerous great things to see and do.
