Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
The basics
Designed by noted Swiss architect Mario Botta, the 4-story building features a terracotta exterior and a soaring glass atrium. Start at the stunning and cantilevered 4th-floor gallery, and work your way down. There’s a strong European focus to the collection, including European Perspective and the School of Paris, which covers a broad range of media, such as drawings, paintings, sculptures, and tapestries. The museum also hosts special events, lectures, and other programs throughout the year.
Join a docent-led tour to learn more about the collection and the Bechtler family. A number of Charlotte sightseeing tours, including by bike and Segway, pass by the museum.
Things to know before you go
- Children aged 10 and under can enter for free, along with active military personnel and their families.
- Don’t miss the outdoor terrace, which offers wonderful views of the city.
- There’s a gift shop on-site.
- The museum is wheelchair accessible, and wheelchairs can be borrowed for free.
How to get there
The museum is easily accessible by public transportation. The closest LYNX station is the 3rd Street Station at the Charlotte Convention Center. A number of local buses also stop nearby. There are several paid parking lots nearby.
Trip ideas
When to get there
The museum is open daily from Wednesdays to Mondays, with holiday closures for Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Past events have included Jazz at the Bechtler and docent-led tours; check the website for dates and details of current offerings.
Art Museums in Charlotte
Art fans have plenty of options in Charlotte, including two additional venues at the Levine Center for the Arts: the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, which showcases art in addition to a rich cultural program; and the Mint Museum Uptown, which focuses on contemporary art, and craft and design. The Mint Museum Randolph is located inside the original Mint building.
- The Green
- Levine Center for the Arts
- Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts & Culture
- Bank of America Stadium
- Old Settlers’ Cemetery
- Carolinas Aviation Museum
- Discovery Place Science
- Discovery Place Nature (Charlotte Nature Museum)
- Fourth Ward
- Freedom Park
- Mint Museum of Art
- Wing Haven Garden and Bird Sanctuary
- Historic Rosedale Plantation
- Independence Square
- UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens