Charlotte Douglas International Airport Overlook has been a popular destination for many years. It had to close to allow for construction of the North End-Around Taxiway and future fourth parallel runway, but the new CLT Airport Overlook has opened (as of Friday, June 7, 2024) and it’s a huge upgrade over the old one. It’s sure to very quickly become a popular spot for families, especially.
Update: The food truck program has expanded, with trucks at the Overlook on Friday to Sunday, for both lunch and dinner hours. None of the currently scheduled food trucks sell full meals, but they are a great option for a snack or treat. Learn about the food trucks!
It’s now a 600,000 square foot area with an aviation-themed playground, a retired military fighter yet, plenty of parking, a memorial to US Air Flight 1016, dedicated spaces for food trucks, a covered picnic area, and lots of engaging informational displays.
There are well-equipped restrooms.
CLT Airport Overlook, at 5130 Airport Overlook Drive, is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day and is free to visit.
We expect to see updates on Charlotte Douglas International Airport’s Facebook page.
Stay on Old Dowd Road until you see the big blue sign for the CLT Airport Overlook. Your GPS might tell you to turn off of Old Dowd Road sooner.
Why the CLT Airport Overlook Is So Popular
The CLT Airport Overlook has, for years, been a peaceful and picturesque destination. It’s offered a close-up, unobstructed look at planes as they took off or landed, with the Charlotte skyline in the background.
The new Overlook offers just as great of a vantage point as the old one. It offers a views of Runway 18C/36C and future fourth parallel runway. If you have kids who like to see construction you’re in luck. We overheard a young visitor asking if there would be dump trucks to see. Answer: yes, at least today!
It’s an ideal place for aspiring artists or photographers to practice their craft. And of course, kids love it.
And aviation enthusiasts can spend an afternoon identifying the different planes that take off or land. Families can bring picnics, or buy snacks from the food trucks.
CLT Airport Overlook
Playgrounds
The overlook features two aviation themed playgrounds, one for toddlers and one for older kids. There are also some fun standalone play elements for young children.
All of the aviation-themed elements of these playgrounds will provide plenty of opportunity for pretend play, but of course, kids can just climb and slide to their hearts’ content too!
Static Displays
Throughout the CLT Airport Overlook there are multiple informational displays, including an actual retired fighter jet.
Kids’ Runways
There are two runways where kids can race on foot, bike, scooter, or wheelchair.
Food Trucks at CLT Airport Overlook
The CLT Airport Overlook has a large area for food trucks and a picnic area.
You can able to see the current food truck schedule at cltairport.com/community/food-trucks/, or on CLT Airport’s social media: @cltairport on Instagram, and cltairport on Facebook.
September 2025 Food Truck Schedule
These food trucks will be at the Airport Overlook in September, 2025
- Friday, September 5, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Geechie Gal and Smallcakes
- Friday, September 5, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Chow A Belle and Rita’s Ice
- Saturday, September 6, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Gouda’s Kitchen and Donut NV
- Saturday, September 6, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.: House of Flavor and Auntie Annie’s
- Sunday, September 7, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: A Little Taste of Chicago and Donut NV
- Sunday, September 7, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.: A Little Taste of Chicago and Smallcakes
- Friday, September 12, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Chow A Belle
- Friday, September 12, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.: House of Flavors and Grobine’s Sipping Serenity
- Saturday, September 13, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Geechie Gal and Donut NV
- Saturday, September 13, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Fried Plantain Exotic Eatery and Churrockers
- Sunday, September 14, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Chow A Belle and Donut NV
- Sunday, September 14, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Fried Plantain Exotic Eatery and Churrockers
- Friday, September 19, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Chow A Belle and Smallcakes
- Friday, September 19, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.: B Cooks and Kimmy’s World of Ice Cream
- Saturday, September 20, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Fried Plantain Exotic Eatery and Kimmy’s World of Ice Cream
- Saturday, September 20, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Atomic Dog and Auntie Annie’s
- Sunday, September 21, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Chow A Belle and Taystee Ice
- Sunday, September 21, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Peace Love & Soul Food and Grobine’s Sipping Serenity
- Friday, September 26, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Geechie Gal and Smallcakes
- Friday, September 26, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Gouda’s Kitchen and Auntie Annie’s
- Saturday, September 27, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Peace Love & Soul Food and Kimmy’s World of Ice Cream
- Saturday, September 27, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Atomic Dog and Rita’s Ice
- Sunday, September 28, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Peace Love & Soul Food and Donut NV
- Sunday, September 28, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Fried Plantain Exotic Eatery and Smallcakes
Do you own a food truck and want to get on the schedule? Learn how here.
There’s a shaded picnic area, as well as a couple picnic tables facing the runways.
Photos from Old Airport Overlook
For old time’s sake, here are some pictures from the old airport overlook.
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Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We make every effort to make sure that everything on Charlotte on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and we are not always notified. It’s also possible that we can make a mistake.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
You might also be interested in:
Upcoming Events in the Charlotte area
Check out our full events calendar, where you can enter any date, or look at the events for the next few days here:
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Jody Mace
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