Charlotte

Charlotte, the  largest and most populous city in North Carolina, sits just 20 minutes from Cabarrus County, making it an easy entry point for your visit. There’s plenty to explore there, whether you’re an art aficionado or a racing fan.

Airport

Ranked among the world’s busiest airports, Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is located 30 minutes southwest of Cabarrus County. CLT Airport offers nonstop service to 188 destinations worldwide and  serves as a national hub for American Airlines.  Passenger counts at CLT reached over 58 million in 2024.

Getting to Cabarrus County

By car, you can get to all five communities in Cabarrus County from CLT in no more than an hour. So, whether you’re renting a car or having a friend pick you up from the airport, it’s a quick trip on Interstate 85.

Taking the Train

Traveling by train? Check out Charlotte’s Amtrak Station (CLT), which is open 24 hours day and connects you to the rest of the country. Bonus: For a few more dollars and less than half an hour, you can easily get from Charlotte to the (KAN), a great access point to all that downtown Kannapolis and Cabarrus County have to offer.

Sports

Motorsports fans, make the quick trip from Cabarrus County to Charlotte to knock out a couple of must-visit stops during your racing-themed vacation. Of course, Charlotte Motor Speedway is just a quick drive from CLT, but you’ll want to make time to explore the layers of stock racing history at the NASCAR Hall of Fame, where a guided tour takes approximately two hours.

Sports fans can also enjoy events at Bank of America stadium, home of the NFL’s Carolina Panthers and Charlotte Football Club.

Arts Scene

Charlotte features state-of-the-art performance venues like the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, where you can take in everything from comedy shows and famous speakers to Broadway theater and dance. The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts + Culture hosts workshops, conversations and celebrations that serve local communities and the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art in uptown Charlotte presents a collection of works by many important and influential artists of the 20th century, including Pablo Picasso, Alexander Calder, Andy Warhol and Barbara Hepworth. Meanwhile, the uptown area is adorned with striking works of public art, including the towering bronze sculptures at Independence Square, the sparkling “Firebird” sculpture and the oversized typewriter keys that make up “The Writer’s Desk” sculpture.