There are so many things to do in Charlotte with kids. Are you new to the area or just visiting? Welcome! Here are our favorite spots right here in the Queen City and our favorite day trip destinations.
Welcome to Charlotte, NC and the lovely metro Carolina area! Our family has made this our home for the last several years and we've enjoyed getting to know our new city.
We seek out all the family friendly things to do in Charlotte and have pulled them together just for you.
We know you have a lot of choices for things to do in Charlotte with kids, we want to help point you towards the best ones.
Best Things to Do in Charlotte, NC with Kids
From museums to roller coasters, Charlotte's got a lot!
We love taking the kids to one of these family-friendly fun spots in Charlotte:
1. Discovery Place Science
We are lucky enough to have an amazing children's museum here in town. You can read our top 25 favorite things to do there and take a peek inside here!
2. Carowinds
Like to have a thrilling time on roller coasters? You won't want to miss Carowinds, our local amusement park.
We love to visit during the fall festival. You can read our tips for taking young kids to Carowinds here.
3. The Mint Museum
Explore art with your kids and this family friendly art museum. Don't miss their Sunday Funday's with free admission for kids.
I love to take my kids on one-on-one adventures to the museum. You can read more about our visit here.
4. Carolina Raptor Center
Experience hawks, owls, vultures and more all in a natural environment. These amazing winged creatures will fly right over your head during live performances.
Prep ahead before you visit with our best tips for visiting the raptor center with kids here.
5. SeaLife Aquarium Concord
Take a fun day trip with the kids to the amazing Concord Mall to visit Charlotte's only indoor aquarium. It is just the right size for spending a morning with your young ones.
Take a peek inside with our video from our visit here.
6. Daniel Stowe Botanic Garden
This gorgeous botanic garden has a newly built garden just for kids. Open all four seasons of the year with special events you won't want to miss.
You can take a peek inside the gardens with our video here.
7. Riverbanks Zoo
Technically, Riverbanks Zoo is in Columbia, SC but it is the closest zoo to uptown Charlotte and one of my very favorite places to take the kids every year.
You can read about my favorite things about visiting Riverbanks and then check out the video from our visit here.
8. Go Golfing at Top Golf
Looking for an activity that is fun for both the adults and kids in your group? Spend an afternoon at TOPGOLF with your kids.
9. Go Bowling at 10 Park Lanes
Introduce your kids to this fun and classic game at the old school bowling lanes near the Park Road Shopping Center. Come for the bowling but be sure to stay for the food. Check out how we spend our New Year's Eve bowling with kids here.
10. Apple Picking at Sky Top Orchard
Take the kids apple picking at Sky Top Orchard in Flat Rock, NC. It's a short day trip away from Charlotte with gorgeous mountain views. Be sure to grab some fresh, hot apple cider donuts while you're there!
11. Taste the Treats on the Sonker Trail
Did you know that North Carolina is the home to the original blueberry sonker?? There's a trail that begins just outside of Charlotte and links together the best locally owned and operated restaurants serving homemade sonkers. Pick a sunny weekend for a lazy drive with plenty of sweet sonker treats.
12. The Best Ice Cream in Charlotte
One summer my girls and I challenged ourselves to finding the best ice cream in Charlotte. Take the taste test with your kids and decide for yourselves which place has the best ice cream in town!
13. Pancakes as Big as Their Heads
Looking for a fun way to start the weekend? Take the kids for pancakes as big as their heads at Metro Diner.
Leave a Reply