Charlotte is a bustling city, but with all of the excitement, the Queen City can get pretty noisy. Based on research conducted by Earth.FM, Charlotte ranked as the No. 68 loudest city in the US — but that doesn’t mean you can’t find some peace and quiet.
The study also found places where locals can escape noise pollution by identifying the top quiet places in big cities. To do this, researchers assessed 3,000+ parks and nature spaces across 245 cities with populations over 250,000 and assigned them “Quiet Scores.” The methodology considered:
- Reviews of attractions that include words like “quiet,” “peaceful,” or “tranquil”
- The average visitor rating at each location
- The attraction’s popularity and how that impacts its peacefulness
So, where can you go to find tranquility? Here are the five best spots to get some peace and quiet, ranked in order of their Quiet Scores.
- Wing Haven — This sanctuary isn’t just for the birds; humans will be able to find a sense of calmness as they explore the space’s natural beauty.
- UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens — Stop and smell the roses, and many more plant species, at this 10-acre garden and greenhouse.
- Romare Bearden Park — Head out for a walk in this ~5.4-acre park that features green spaces, multiple gardens, art installations, and plenty of spots to sit and relax in the middle of Uptown.
- Freedom Park — This 98-acre park is home to many events, but there’s still plenty of space for long walks, strolls by the pond, and relaxing in the shade.
- McDowell Nature Center and Preserve — If you love the outdoors, the county’s oldest nature preserve offers hiking trails, places to relax by the lake, and camping areas.
