The 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, promises to be an unforgettable gathering of golf’s finest talent. While watching the world’s top golfers compete for the Wanamaker Trophy is the main attraction, the Queen City and surrounding areas offer plenty of activities for visitors to enjoy during tournament week. Beyond the pristine fairways and challenging greens, Charlotte boasts a vibrant mix of cultural attractions, outdoor adventures, and culinary delights.
Here is a list of 20 fantastic activities to experience while you’re in town for the 2025 PGA Championship, ensuring your trip is memorable both on and off the course.
U.S. National Whitewater Center
This 1,300-acre outdoor recreation facility offers thrilling whitewater rafting on artificial rapids designed for the 2012 Olympic trials. Visitors can enjoy zip lining, rock climbing, mountain biking, and hiking trails across the expansive outdoor playground.
NASCAR Hall of Fame
Located in Uptown Charlotte, this interactive attraction celebrates the history and heritage of NASCAR racing. Racing enthusiasts can explore exhibits featuring historic vehicles, try their hand at realistic racing simulators, and learn about the legendary drivers who shaped the sport
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Carowinds Amusement Park
Just 13 miles from Uptown Charlotte, this 407-acre theme park straddles the North Carolina–South Carolina border. Thrill-seekers will love the collection of world-class roller coasters, including Fury 325, one of North America’s tallest and fastest steel coasters.
Mint Museum
Charlotte’s initial art museum is comprised of two sites that exhibit American, contemporary, and European collections of art. The Uptown site has cutting-edge exhibitions in a beautiful modern building, while the Randolph site contains decorative arts in a historic former U.S. Mint building.
Discovery Place Science
This children’s science museum provides interactive exhibits on topics ranging from physics to rainforest ecosystems. Children and adults alike can enjoy hands-on displays, an IMAX theater, and live shows that introduce scientific principles in a fun and engaging way.
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Freedom Park
Spanning 98 acres between Charlotte’s historic Dilworth and Myers Park neighborhoods, this urban oasis features walking trails, sports fields, and a scenic 7-acre lake. The park is perfect for morning jogs, afternoon picnics, or simply unwinding after a day at the tournament.
The Billy Graham Library
Located on 20 acres just minutes from where Graham grew up, this library chronicles the life and legacy of one of America’s most influential religious figures. Visitors can tour Graham’s childhood home, explore multimedia exhibits, and stroll through the peaceful Memorial Prayer Garden.
Levine Museum of the New South
This history museum examines post-Civil War Southern history through compelling interactive exhibits. Its centerpiece exhibition, “Cotton Fields to Skyscrapers,” traces Charlotte’s transformation from an agricultural center to a banking powerhouse through over 1,000 artifacts and images.
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Uptown Charlotte Food Tour
Explore the city’s culinary scene through guided walking tours featuring some of Charlotte’s most beloved restaurants. Food enthusiasts can sample Southern classics with modern twists while learning about the city’s history and architecture between delicious bites.
Daniel Stowe Conservancy
Located 30 miles west of Charlotte, these spectacular gardens feature stunning horticultural displays across 380 acres. Visitors can wander through themed gardens, a conservatory filled with tropical plants and orchids, and seasonal exhibits highlighting nature’s beauty.
Carolinas Aviation Museum
Aviation buffs will appreciate this museum, which houses over 50 aircraft, including the “Miracle on the Hudson” Airbus A320 piloted by Captain Sully Sullenberger. Interactive exhibits detail the evolution of flight and Charlotte’s significant role in aviation history.
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Lake Norman
As the largest artificial lake in North Carolina, Lake Norman offers 520 miles of shoreline for boating, fishing, and water sports. Visitors can rent pontoon boats, paddleboards, or kayaks to explore the crystal-clear waters just 20 miles north of Charlotte.
Crowders Mountain State Park
Located about 30 miles west of Charlotte, this natural area features challenging hiking trails leading to breathtaking summit views of the Piedmont region. Hikers can see the Charlotte skyline from peaks rising 800 feet above the countryside on clear days.
Breweries of NoDa
Charlotte’s historic arts district, North Davidson (NoDa), has transformed into a craft beer haven. Numerous breweries are within walking distance of each other. Beer enthusiasts can sample creative local brews while enjoying the neighborhood’s colorful street art and live music venues.
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Charlotte Motor Speedway
Car racing enthusiasts should not miss visiting this legendary 1.5-mile oval track, which hosts NASCAR races throughout the year. The speedway provides behind-the-scenes tours that reveal areas not usually accessible to the public, such as victory lane and pit road.
The Harvey B. Gantt Center
Through thought-provoking exhibitions and community programs, this cultural center celebrates African-American arts, history, and culture. The striking four-story building houses multiple galleries featuring permanent collections and rotating exhibitions from renowned artists.
Blue Ridge Parkway Day Trip
A two-hour drive from Charlotte brings visitors to America’s favorite scenic highway winding through the Blue Ridge Mountains. The parkway offers spectacular overlooks, access to waterfalls, and hiking trails through some of the oldest mountains in the world.
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Wing Haven Gardens
These beautifully maintained gardens in the Myers Park community are havens for birds, bees, and butterflies. Designed in 1927, the gardens combine formal English design features, native flora, and serene walkways ideal for morning meditation or afternoon walks.
Asheville Day Trip
Located 130 miles from Charlotte, this mountain town is a perfect day trip for architecture lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors can tour the magnificent Biltmore Estate, explore the vibrant downtown arts scene, and sample award-winning cuisine from local farm-to-table restaurants.
Charlotte Knights Baseball Game
If the PGA Championship coincides with baseball season, catch a minor league game at Truist Field in uptown Charlotte. The stadium offers spectacular views of the Charlotte skyline and provides family-friendly entertainment with fireworks displays after Friday night games.
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Beyond the Fairways: Charlotte’s Lasting Appeal
Charlotte’s transformation from a tiny crossroads to a vibrant metropolitan hub parallels the development of golf in the American South. The city that once saw modest tournaments now welcomes one of golf’s premier events, illustrating the area’s devotion to sporting greatness.
Travelers who visit Charlotte for the 2025 PGA Championship will find that the city’s southern hospitality reaches far beyond the golf course, building experiences that complement the on-course action.
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