Uptown Charlotte: A Self-Guided Audio Tour to the Heart of Queen City
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Non-refundable booking. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
3.8/5
Based on 36 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Uptown Charlotte: A Self-Guided Audio Tour to the Heart of Queen City worth booking?
Uptown Charlotte: A Self-Guided Audio Tour to the Heart of Queen City is a 2-hour experience in Charlotte, United States, from $12 per person. It scores 47 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.8/5 rating across 36 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 47 / 100
- Rating
- 3.8/5 (36)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $12 per person
Explore Uptown Charlotte at your own pace with this affordable walking tour. • Get acquainted with the who’s who of Charlotte’s fearless patriots and hear the controversial and contested story of how North Carolina decl
What you get
About this experience
Explore Uptown Charlotte at your own pace with this affordable walking tour. • Get acquainted with the who’s who of Charlotte’s fearless patriots and hear the controversial and contested story of how North Carolina declared independence from the British a full year before the rest of the colonies • Hear from producer Phil Biedron, an actor with a knack for hosting tours and telling stories. • Do it all in two hours or linger at stops along the way with complete control over when you start and finish • Get unlimited use before your booking date and after it • Use the virtual tour option at home Once you’ve booked, you’ll receive a ticket with instructions and a unique code listed under “Before You Go”. Then simply install the VoiceMap app and enter your code. The app displays directions to the starting point, and when you’re in the right place, just pop in your headphones and tap start. VoiceMap has automatic GPS playback, with turn-by-turn directions. It also works offline.
What's included
Included
- VoiceMap App for Android and iOS
- Lifetime access to this tour in English
- Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
Not included
- Food/Drink
- Smartphone and headphones
- Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route
- Transportation
What you'll see and do
This self-guided audio tour starts opposite Thomas Polk Park. You'll hear the history of the city and see the park before starting your walk.
Pass by without stopping
The tour passes by the First Presbyterian Church, the oldest recognizable structure in the city.
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Old Settlers Cemetery
You'll pass by the Old Settlers Cemetery, where you’ll find the graves of American Revolutionary War heroes, and the predecessors of US Presidents.
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You’ll pass the Dunhill Hotel where a dozen businessmen leapt to their deaths which locals believe is still haunted by their ghosts to this day.
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St Peter's Episcopal Church
The tour passes by St Peter's Episcopal Church. You'll hear about the church and its history while you walk.
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McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square
The tour passes by the small theatre which is housed in the former First Baptist Church.
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Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
The tour passes by Charlotte Mecklenburg Main Library. The main library for the city of Charlotte closed for construction on October 29th, 2021 but you'll hear about it while you walk.
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You'll pass by The Green, Charlotte's literary-themed park where part of The Hunger Games movie was filmed.
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St Peter's Catholic Church
The tour passes by the oldest Catholic Church in Charlotte dating back to 1851, and it was the only Catholic church in the city for nearly 100 years!
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Mint Museum Uptown
The tour passes by the Mint Museum and the original Branch Mint which was moved to this location, brick by painstaking brick.
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Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
The tour passes by the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. You'll hear about the building while you walk.
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Latta Arcade
The tour passes through the Latta Arcade. You'll hear about the arcade while you walk.
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Romare Bearden Park
By the time we reach Romare Bearden Park, where our tour ends, you’ll have a much greater appreciation for the Queen City, its history and its cultural corners.
Pass by without stopping
The tour goes through Uptown in the city center.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Charlotte
Before arrival, please install the VoiceMap mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. This is a self-guided audio tour that you can start, pause, or restart at any time and complete at your own pace. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
The tour ends in front of the fountain in Romare Bearden Park.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- VoiceMap Audio Tours
Know before you go
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Service animals allowed
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 36 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
36 verified traveler reviews for Uptown Charlotte: A Self-Guided Audio Tour to the Heart of Queen City. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great way to explore Uptown!
Great tour! We enjoyed learning about Charlotte’s history while exploring Uptown. The route was easy to navigate.
via Tripadvisor
Good tour
The Uptown Charlotte Self Guided Audio Tour is very good. It took me to various points throughout uptown Charlotte. The tour gave me the history of the area before the establishment of Charlotte and then the reasons for the establishment of Charlotte and showing me different points of interest. Since it was self-guided I started the tour at my convenience. I was unable to finish the last half hour of it because it started to rain so I finished it the next day at a time that worked for me. I recommend this tour and I may look at other cities in their inventory to take those tours too.
via Tripadvisor
Directions Can Be A Bit Confusing
We liked that all we really had to do was walk, and it would automatically play when we were in range of the next talking point stop. Unfortunately it still needs improvement. There are a few parts where the guide doesn’t verbally explain in what direction you need to walk next, so you also need to depend on a visual map in the app. We got confused during one stretch where the route map went up and back on the same street, with different talking stops in each direction, so we thought the app was broken as we passed by some marked points and there was no talking, but we later realized that we needed to walk past those first marked spots and then come back later to those spots to hear the right stuff in order. That wasn’t clear from the map nor the verbal instructions. Once we figured that out, all went smoothly.
via Viator
Very confusing. Not for car driving
I don’t think there was anything wrong with the tour in and of itself, but I contacted customer support to determine if I could do this in my car versus walking and it does not work. This is not good to do other than a walking tour because I was all turned around and confused. I’m not from here so it was very difficult to understand when there’s a lot of one-way streets. I didn’t even complete the tour and just drove myself around in circles.
Response from the operator: Hi, As you pointed out, this is a walking tour and advertised as such. We've matched the audio time to the talk time so it isn't possible to do this tour via a car and have the same experience. It also follows a set route so that we're able to provide clear and concise directions for someone walking. Thanks, Alicia
via Viator
Nice walking tour
Interesting tour of Charlotte. Good information about its history and current life. East walk and just right amount of time. Charlotte is a beautiful city and people are so nice. Got a bit lost a few times--all timing, but system did get you back on track.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $12 to $15
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 13
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 47
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Uptown Charlotte: A Self-Guided Audio Tour to the Heart of Queen City: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Charlotte.
How much does Uptown Charlotte: A Self-Guided Audio Tour to the Heart of Queen City cost?
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Prices start at $12 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Charlotte usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Uptown Charlotte: A Self-Guided Audio Tour to the Heart of Queen City take?
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Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Charlotte is not rushed.
Is Uptown Charlotte: A Self-Guided Audio Tour to the Heart of Queen City worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 47 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.8/5 across 36 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable culture & history in Charlotte, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Uptown Charlotte: A Self-Guided Audio Tour to the Heart of Queen City?
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No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.
Is Uptown Charlotte: A Self-Guided Audio Tour to the Heart of Queen City suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Uptown Charlotte: A Self-Guided Audio Tour to the Heart of Queen City?
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Around 13 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Charlotte can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Charlotte and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Uptown Charlotte: A Self-Guided Audio Tour to the Heart of Queen City start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Charlotte within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Charlotte?
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Charlotte offers NASCAR Hall of Fame and speedway experiences, uptown food and brewery tours, whitewater rafting at the US National Whitewater Center and Blue Ridge day trips. On Outty we rank every Charlotte experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Charlotte's Ultimate Southern Charm Historical City Cart Tour, Charlotte's Original Historical City Tour on Eco- Friendly Cart, 90 Minute Historic Uptown Neighborhood Segway Tour of Charlotte. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Charlotte?
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April to June and September to October. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Charlotte?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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