Charlotte

Charlotte does not always get mentioned first when people start naming Southern weekend destinations, but maybe that is because the city has been quietly building its case. Uptown towers, rooftop bars, professional sports, breweries, restaurants, concerts, shopping and a growing hotel scene have turned Charlotte into one of those cities that works surprisingly well for a quick getaway.

For Black travelers, Charlotte can feel familiar without feeling boring. This is a Southern city with a large Black professional class, HBCU influence, Black-owned businesses, restaurants, nightlife and social scenes that do not require much searching to find. Add CIAA-related events, Panthers and Hornets weekends, concerts, festivals and one of the country's biggest banking centers, and there are plenty of reasons people end up here beyond a traditional vacation.

From BlkTravel’s published hotel rankings