Expanded Food Truck Schedule at CLT Airport Overlook in May

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.

Sign for CLT Airport Overlook — Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC

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

Plane taking off against backdrop of the Charlotte skyline, from the vantage point of CLT Airport Overlook — Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC

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.

Playground at CLT Airport Overlook — Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC

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

F4 Phantom II display at CLT Airport Overlook — Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC

Throughout the CLT Airport Overlook there are multiple informational displays, including an actual retired fighter jet.

Kids’ Runways

Kids racing on runway of CLT Airport Overlook — Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC

There are two runways where kids can race on foot, bike, scooter, or wheelchair.

Food Trucks at CLT Airport Overlook

Food truck area at CLT Airport Overlook — Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC

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.

May 2025 Food Truck Schedule

These food trucks will be at the Airport Overlook in May, 2025

May 2, 4 to 8 p.m.: Kimmy’s World of Ice
May 3, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Smallcakes
May 3, 4 to 8 p.m.: Kimmy’s World of Ice
May 4, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Donut NV
May 4, 4 to 8 p.m.: Kimmy’s World of Ice
May 9, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Churrokers
May 9, 4 to 9 p.m.: Kimmy’s World of Ice
May 10, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Smallcakes
May 10, 4 to 8 p.m.: Churrokers
May 11, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Donut NV
May 11, 4 to 8 p.m.: Taystee Ice
May 16, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Churrokers
May 16, 4 to 8 p.m.: Kimmy’s World of Ice
May 17, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Smallcakes
May 17, 4 to 8 p.m.: Donut NV
May 18, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Auntie Anne’s
May 18, 4 to 8 p.m.: Taystee Ice
May 23, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Churrokers
May 24, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Donut NV
May 24, 4 to 8 p.m.: Auntie Anne’s
May 25, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Smallcakes
May 25, 4 to 8 p.m.: Taystee Ice
May 30, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Auntie Anne’s
May 30, 4 to 8 p.,m.: Churrokers
May 31, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Donut NV
May 31, 4 to 8 p.m.: Kimmy’s World of Ice

Do you own a food truck and want to get on the schedule? Learn how here.

Covered picnic area at CLT Airport Overlook — Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC

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.

Plane taking off from old Overlook. Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC

Plane taking off with Charlotte skyline in distance — Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC

People in folding chairs watching planes take off. — Old Airport Overlook. Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC

Charlotte skyline during sunset, from the old Airport Overlook. — View from old Airport Overlook. Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC

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.

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: