things to do in charlotte with kids
Charlotte, North Carolina, is a city that offers a wide range of activities and attractions suitable for families with kids. Here are some things to do in Charlotte with kids:
- Carowinds: An amusement park that offers roller coasters, water rides, and a kiddie land for younger children.
- Discovery Place Science: A science museum with interactive exhibits, a butterfly pavilion, and an IMAX theater.
- Children’s Theatre of Charlotte: Offers a variety of shows and productions geared towards children.
- Uptown Charlotte’s City Plaza: Features a large public square with fountains, walking paths, and plenty of space for kids to run around.
- Freedom Park: A 98-acre park with a 7-acre lake, playgrounds, and plenty of picnic areas.
- Reedy Creek Nature Preserve: Offers hiking trails, a nature center, and opportunities for bird-watching and animal spotting.
- Sea Life Charlotte-Concord Aquarium: An underwater aquarium featuring a variety of marine life.
- NASCAR Hall of Fame: Offers interactive exhibits and a hands-on play area for kids to learn about racing.
- Charlotte Nature Museum: Features a collection of animals, including mammals, birds, and reptiles, as well as a butterfly pavilion.
- The Mint Museum Uptown: Offers family-friendly art exhibits and activities, including a hands-on art studio.
- Charlotte Hornets (NBA) or Charlotte Checkers (AHL) game: Catch a professional basketball or hockey game at the Spectrum Center.
- USNWC (U.S. National Whitewater Center): Offers whitewater rafting, kayaking, and zip-lining for kids and adults.
- Lake Norman: A large lake with opportunities for boating, fishing, and swimming.
- Zootastic Park: A privately-owned zoo with a variety of animals, including tigers, bears, and monkeys.
- The Lazy 5 Ranch: A drive-through zoo where kids can feed and interact with animals from their car.
- The Magic Castle: An indoor play center with inflatable bounce houses, arcade games, and a playground.
- BounceU: An indoor inflatable play center with bounce houses and play areas for kids.
- Laser tag at Tactical Laser Tag: An indoor laser tag arena for kids and adults.
- The Ice Pavilion: An outdoor ice skating rink in the heart of Uptown Charlotte (seasonal).
- Speedway Children’s Charities’ Festival of Speed: An annual event featuring go-kart racing, bounce houses, and other activities for kids.
These are just a few of the many things to do in Charlotte with kids. The city offers a wide range of activities and attractions to suit all interests and ages.