13 Reasons to Stay at Hilton Charlotte Center City

Hilton Charlotte Center City is one of the best hotels in Charlotte and among our favorites in North Carolina because, firstly, it’s not just a place where you drop your bags before heading out and about. There’s a lot to do in and around their super relaxing rooms and that’s what we’d love to share with you. We really enjoyed our time at this awesome hotel and want to show you 13 ways it can make your weekend in Charlotte an even better one!

Hilton’s Stay in the City Package is your ticket to REALLY enjoying your time at this amazing hotel!

Hilton Charlotte Center City

Location, Location, Location

Location, location, location. We’ve all heard it before when traveling, and Hilton Charlotte Center City is as close to the center of it all as one can get. As soon as you walk outside, you’ll quickly learn that you’re within walking distance of so many things to do. We didn’t need to drive at all while staying there and used the LYNX Light Rail when venturing out to spots like NoDa and South End.

Note: Parking in Uptown Charlotte can take time to master and gets expensive at some lots. Plus, who has time to search for a spot when you’re late for an event or just don’t want to bother? Guests of Hilton Center City can self-park or have the valet handle things for a bit more. Charges are per day and more info can be found on the hotel’s website.

Inside the Hilton

The Rooms

We were impressed with this Hilton’s super comfy rooms and were happy with all the space that our room on the Executive floor offered. Traveling with a baby means needing a little separation for naps and bedtime, so this was perfect! Oh, and there were nice views of Charlotte from above for us and our little one to gaze at during our stay.

Bonus tip: Stay on the Executive Floor and you’ll also receive access to the Executive Lounge, which comes with a buffet of small snacks, a bar that serves adult beverages ($), and awesome views of Uptown landmarks, including Spectrum Center, where the Charlotte Hornets play!

Friendly staff

The staff at Hilton Charlotte Center City really go above and beyond your typical hotel. Anyone you ask will tell you something fun to do in Charlotte and always have a recommendation on where you should be heading next.

YMCA

The Childress Klein branch of the YMCA is located inside the hotel and guests are allowed to use their facilities while staying at the Hilton. There’s a track that goes around the Y, plus a basketball court, and weights for any type of exercise you could imagine. Of course, there’s a pool, which is our favorite way to “exercise.” Also, make sure you hit the steam room afterward!

Coastal Kitchen

After you’ve burned some calories off either at the YMCA or running in the city, indulge yourself at Coastal Kitchen. Located on the second floor of the hotel, this modern restaurant serves up fresh Southern cuisine. Check out their daily buffet, order room service, or come for dinner. Our recommendation: order the Spicy Tuna Crisp small plate!

Around Uptown Charlotte

Running Routes

Want to get a quick tour of the city while still keeping up with your miles? The Hilton has outlined three running routes from the hotel that have you swing by some of the major attractions. You can pound the pavement in the city and get back to your room before starting your day in Charlotte.

Uptown Arts and Theater

Looking for some culture while in Charlotte? See a play, a Broadway musical, or soak in some art all within walking distance of Hilton Center City. The Levine Center for the Arts includes the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, Knight Theater, and the Mint Museum. All of this is only three blocks from the hotel. You’ll also be close to the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, where you can swing by after sipping on a specialty cocktail at Prohibition Bar.

Nightlife

Whether it’s cocktails and Jazz at The Imperial or catching a flick at the dine-in movie theater Studio Movie Grill, staying at Hilton Charlotte Center City means you can go long into the night and responsibly get back to your accommodation. All within walking distance of the hotel, you have Charlotte’s nightlife right at your fingertips.

Big Games

In town and need something to do nearby? BB&T Ballpark is home to the Charlotte Knights and an amazing place to see a Minor League Baseball game. Try to get a seat on the third base side so you have the city’s skyline as your background.

The Hilton is also a five-minute walk away from Bank of America Stadium, where the Carolina Panthers play. Parking is tough on game day, so spend a night or two at the Hilton and beat the crowds to the game on Sunday. Not to pile on, but you’re also a short walk away from Charlotte Hornets games at the Spectrum Center.

Kids Museums

ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center is also close to the Hilton and a fantastic place to bring the kiddos! It has two state-of-the-art theatres, a dedicated library space for kids aged 11 and under, four multi-use classrooms, a teen-only library, a multimedia production studio, and an interactive exhibit space. Check out one of their story times or get competitive during the Learn, Connect, Play series! A stay in Uptown is not complete without a visit to Discovery Place Science. While it is “technically” a children’s interactive museum, adults can absolutely enjoy this place! With an indoor rainforest and a ton of hands-on exhibits, you can spend a lot of time exploring without having to go far!

Explore the Overstreet Mall

Have a rainy or day or just too cold to search for lunch? Explore Uptown from Overstreet Mall. A network of corridors and passageways allows you to shop, eat, and navigate from Duke Energy Center on Stonewall Street to Hearst Tower on Fifth Street. You can access Overstreet Mall from the Wells Fargo Building attached to Hilton Center City!

Getting Around Charlotte

LYNX Light Rail

With a station at the back of the hotel, there is absolutely no reason to drive around Charlotte and try and navigate a new city. LYNX Light Rail is easy to use and comes every eight minutes during rush hour.

From Uptown, you can hop on down to NoDa to escape the city without going too far. This colorful neighborhood has plenty to eat, see, and drink! Or you can jump on the train to South End and soak up local art. You can also run the Rail Trail from the hotel to burn off some of the calories you’ll be eating at nearby Price’s Chicken Coop (cash only).

Don’t Forget: Stay in the City Package

Pro tip: Take advantage of Hilton’s Stay in the City Package to get the most out of your time staying at this awesome hotel! On top of your comfy room, you’ll get FREE valet and an amazing breakfast buffet at Coastal Kitchen. With this awesome package, you can let the staff there take care of you. Plus, you can stuff your belly at one of the best restaurants before exploring the Queen City!

Our Thoughts and Yours, Too!

It doesn’t matter what brings you to Charlotte. Whether you’re in the city to work, play, or both, you need a place that’s comfortable and convenient for getting around. And that’s why we suggest staying at Charlotte Hilton Center City when in the Queen City. We fell in love with this hotel and can’t wait to return.

Have you ever had the fortune of staying in this amazing place? What did you think of it? If not, what’s the first thing you’d do when staying at the Hilton? We’d love to know your thoughts in the comments section below:)

This post on Hilton Charlotte Center City is a part of our blog’s series on North Carolina travel. It is also a part of our Hotel Guides series. There, we’ve featured places to stay, including the Cardinal Hotel in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Inn on the Square in Greenwood, South Carolina, and more! This post originally appeared on our sister site NC Tripping. Complimentary accommodations and meals were provided by Hilton Charlotte Center City. This post reflects the honest opinion of our experience without outside influence.