Charlotte, North Carolina, a vibrant hub nestled in the heart of the South, proudly holds its reputation as one of America’s most welcoming cities for families. The Queen City, as it’s affectionately known, offers a delightful tapestry of experiences, weaving together the charm of Southern hospitality with a modern, energetic spirit. From sprawling green spaces and interactive farms to engaging indoor havens like museums and aquariums, both residents and visitors will discover a wealth of activities tailored to spark the curiosity and joy of children of all ages.
When planning a family adventure to Charlotte, be prepared to curate your itinerary with care. The city’s abundant offerings present a delightful challenge of choosing among a multitude of fun-filled options. Imagine the thrill of splashing and playing at a lively spray park on a sweltering summer day, the simple pleasure of picking sun-ripened strawberries at a picturesque farm, or the serene beauty of a sunset paddle on the tranquil waters of Lake Norman. To complete your stay, a visit to a classic soda fountain for a decadent milkshake is an absolute must.
Here’s a curated guide to the 13 best things to do with kids in Charlotte, North Carolina, promising unforgettable memories for the whole family:
1. Rev Up at the NASCAR Hall of Fame
For young enthusiasts captivated by the roar of engines and the thrill of racing, the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte stands as an obligatory pilgrimage. Here, the world of motorsports comes alive, offering an immersive experience that ignites the imagination. Children can marvel at the gleaming, meticulously maintained race cars, getting an up-close look at the engineering marvels that conquer the speedway. But the experience extends far beyond static displays. Interactive driving simulators place visitors behind the wheel, allowing them to experience the adrenaline rush of navigating the track, feeling the intensity of competition firsthand.
One of the most demanding aspects of a NASCAR race is the precision and speed of the pit crew. The Hall of Fame offers an interactive challenge, allowing visitors to step into the shoes of these unsung heroes. Race against the clock or another team, working collaboratively to jack up the car, pressurize the tires, and replenish the fuel tank with lightning-fast efficiency. This hands-on competition provides a unique appreciation for the teamwork and skill required to excel in the world of NASCAR.
Before departing, a visit to the Gear Shop is a must. This treasure trove of NASCAR memorabilia offers a wide array of souvenirs, from toy cars that will fuel hours of imaginative play to adorable onesies for the youngest racing fans. These small mementos serve as lasting reminders of an unforgettable day spent immersed in the world of NASCAR.
2. Head Outside at Discovery Place Nature
Discovery Place Nature is a beloved Charlotte institution when it comes to family-friendly attractions. While the Discovery Place institution has multiple locations, Discovery Place Nature specifically caters to the younger crowd, offering a unique blend of education and outdoor adventure. This outdoor adventure park is designed for children aged 3–7, where they’ll learn all about the wonders of the outdoors and the natural environment through engaging exhibits and interactive experiences.
The Butterfly Pavilion stands as a true highlight, a captivating sanctuary where dozens of free-flying butterflies flutter and dance among lush foliage. This immersive experience allows children to observe these delicate creatures up close, learning about their life cycles and the vital role they play in the ecosystem. The museum also offers opportunities to interact with other fascinating creatures, including insects, turtles, snakes, and more.
The strategic location of the Nature Museum, adjacent to Freedom Park, makes it an ideal destination for a full day of family fun. After exploring the wonders of the natural world at the museum, families can easily transition to Freedom Park for a relaxing picnic amidst the park’s scenic beauty.
3. Get Hands-on at Discovery Place Science
The second gem in the Discovery Place crown, Discovery Place Science, takes center stage in the heart of Uptown Charlotte. This interactive science and technology museum captivates visitors of all ages, seamlessly blending education and entertainment. A multitude of hands-on exhibits beckon, inviting exploration and discovery. A massive IMAX movie screen transports viewers to distant worlds, while diverse activities cater to every interest and age group.
The museum boasts an impressive aquarium section, showcasing a diverse array of aquatic life. A captivating rainforest exhibit allows visitors to wander through a lush ecosystem teeming with exotic live birds, reptiles, and plants.
While Discovery Place welcomes children of all ages, its exhibits are particularly well-suited for those in the third or fourth grade and above. Older children will glean the most from the educational exhibits, which delve into the intricacies of the human body, explore the vast expanse of outer space, and allow them to assume the role of real-life scientists through interactive experiments.
4. Pick Strawberries at Carrigan Farms
A short and scenic drive from Charlotte, nestled in the charming town of Mooresville, lies Carrigan Farms, a haven for agricultural adventures. Here, children of all ages can immerse themselves in the joys of farm life, spending the spring months picking plump, juicy asparagus and strawberries, or the fall season harvesting vibrant, sun-ripened pumpkins. Carrigan Farms also hosts a diverse range of engaging events throughout the year, including spooky haunted hayrides near Halloween and refreshing private swim parties in the summer. Educational tours are available year-round, offering children a comprehensive introduction to every facet of farm life, from planting crops to harvesting the bountiful fields.
5. Cool Off at a Splash Park
During the balmy summer months, there’s nothing more appealing to children than the refreshing thrill of water play. Charlotte‘s extensive public park system boasts several spray-grounds – miniature water parks featuring playful jets that shoot water out of the ground. Children can frolic, splash, and play in a safe and stimulating environment, while the padded ground helps prevent injuries.
Veterans Park is home to the most popular spray-ground in Charlotte, distinguished by a canopy that provides ample shade, protecting delicate skin from the sun’s harsh rays. Beyond the official spray-grounds, several other parks in Charlotte feature delightful water play areas, including Romare Bearden Park, The Green Uptown, Little Sugar Creek Greenway, and Birkdale Village.
6. Visit a Nature Center
For families seeking to immerse themselves in the beauty of the natural world, Charlotte‘s three nature preserves offer an enriching experience. As part of the city’s public park system, these preserves combine traditional park amenities like playgrounds and picnic areas with ample opportunities to explore nature along scenic walking trails. The preserves – McDowell Nature Preserve, Latta Nature Preserve, and Reedy Creek Nature Preserve – provide a diverse range of habitats to discover, from dense forests and tranquil lakes to rolling meadows and meandering streams.
7. Grab a Book at ImaginOn
Ask any parent in Charlotte about their child’s favorite destination, and ImaginOn is sure to be mentioned frequently. Located Uptown, ImaginOn is a library designed for kids and teens that’s been named one of the best children’s libraries in the nation. In fact, it even has two theaters on site: the Wells Fargo Playhouse and the McColl Family Theater.
As part of Charlotte‘s public library system, ImaginOn is completely free. The library is divided into several areas, each catering to a specific age group. The main Spangler Library is a traditional children’s library geared toward kids from infants to fifth grade. Here, you’ll find a vast collection of books available for checkout, along with cozy spaces for reading. "The Loft," located on the third floor, is exclusively for teenagers. This space offers quiet study areas, as well as an award-winning sound and animation studio available for free use.
8. Hold Birds of Prey at the Raptor Center
The Carolina Raptor Center is an aviary rehab facility and an excellent spot to see incredible birds that you usually wouldn’t be able to see anywhere else. Here, visitors can rub wings with one of America’s largest collections of birds of prey, many of which are endangered in the wild, such as owls, eagles, hawks, and vultures.
There is a charge to visit, but children aged 4 and under are free and students are admitted with a reduced ticket price. One of the best things about visiting the Raptor Center is that there are several shows throughout the day, and they’re all included in the price of admission. The facility has a mission of bird conservation through education, research, and rehabilitation, and over 20 species of birds are on display along the walking trail through the center.
9. Feed Sea Creatures at the Aquarium
The SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord Aquarium is a great place to take the kids for an afternoon of education and fun. Children will enjoy attending talks and feeding times for a variety of aquatic creatures as well as a series of special events like the LEGO Sea Explorers build-and-play event in June each year.
The aquarium also features behind-the-scenes experiences, an interactive touch pool filled with sea stars and crabs, and an ambassador animal program that brings aquatic animals to local schools. The SEA LIFE Aquarium is open daily throughout the year.
10. Go Paddleboarding
If you want to teach your kids how to take to the water standing atop a paddleboard, head out to Lake Norman in Cornelius, North Carolina, where you can enjoy a day on the water.
Aloha Paddle Sports has two locations on Lake Norman—one in Cornelius and one at North Harbor—both of which offer kayak and paddleboard rentals as well as special tours of the lake and lessons on stand-up paddleboarding. For a special treat, stick around for sunset paddle tours throughout the summer or head out to the lake on the night of a full moon for a special moonlight paddle tour.
11. Ride a Rollercoaster at Carowinds
Featuring world-class rides, authentic Carolina cuisine, coaster thrills, and seasonal events and entertainment throughout the year, Carowinds is North Carolina’s premier amusement park and a great destination for kids of all ages. Located on the border of North and South Carolina just southwest of Charlotte, Carowinds is easily accessible from the city.
Don’t miss the Harbor Waterpark in the summer to make a splash against the heat, and be sure to ride the Coperhead Strike, the Carolinas’ first double-launch coaster, which opened in 2019.
12. Feed the Ducks at Freedom Park
Located between the historic Dilworth and Myers Park neighborhoods, Freedom Park is a 98-acre park centered around a seven-acre lake that’s full of activities that are perfect for kids—including feeding the resident ducks. An old-time steam engine from an out-of-use train is also on display in the park and kids are allowed to climb into the cab—perfect for make-believe games of being a train conductor. Freedom Park also hosts a variety of family-friendly events throughout the summer.
13. Attend a Performance at Children’s Theater
Featuring dozens of family-friendly productions throughout the year, the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte is a great destination for an afternoon of entertainment. Additionally, you can enroll your kids in educational programs throughout the year (especially in the summer) or get them involved in the Kindness Project, which engages kids with community-building projects and activities all year long.
