25+ Family Friendly FREE Things to Do in Charlotte, NC

Table Of Content

• Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort at Golden Valley
• Official Charlotte City Guide
• Discovery Place Charlotte Nature Museum – Walk Among the Free-Flying Butterflies
• Bike the Lake Pine Trail
• BB&T Ballpark — Uptown
• SEA LIFE Charlotte - Concord Aquarium
• Very Best Things to Do in Charlotte with Kids (by a Local Parent!)
• Learn About Credit Cards

There are 7 galleries in total at the museum, which include both permanent and temporary exhibits through which it is possible to learn about 400 years of the city’s history. In addition to that, you can get great food that your child will enjoy here. For example, there is great pizza and there are many other food options, including French fries, salads, and ice cream. At this place, you can find all kinds of arcade games that are fun for children to play. Lots of family events take place at the venues of the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center which can be amazing if you’re looking for things to do with kids in Charlotte. One of these exhibits that can be great to check out is the Tropical Ocean Exhibit.

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort at Golden Valley

I’ve personally experienced these activities in Charlotte, researched extensively, and consulted locals and travelers. The arcade games add another layer of excitement, perfect for friendly sibling rivalries. It’s a great way to engage their critical thinking skills while having a blast, making it one of the most kid friendly things to do in Charlotte. The Charlotte kids activities at Little Sugar Creek Greenway are ideal for kids aged 3 and up.

Outdoor activities in and around Charlotte - Axios

Outdoor activities in and around Charlotte.

Posted: Fri, 14 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Official Charlotte City Guide

Essentially a drive-through zoo, the park is home to 750 animals from six continents, some of which visitors are encouraged to feed as they pass through. One of our favorite things to do in Charlotte during the fall season is a visit to a nearby farm to enjoy a corn maze, pumpkin patch, and more. Challenge your family to a go-kart race at this indoor attraction. A favorite activity in Charlotte is enjoying all the great southern restaurants. This annual festival allows you to sample delicious local food all at once. Amuse your bouche at Amelie's French Bakery for one of the tastier kids activities in Charlotte.

Discovery Place Charlotte Nature Museum – Walk Among the Free-Flying Butterflies

Many are stroller and wheelchair accessible as well as sensory-friendly, allowing family members of all ages and abilities to have a good time. There's a dedicated library space for kids under 11, another for teens, a production studio and two theaters, with a professional theater company on site. With two locations on the north and south ends of the metro, Sky Zone isn’t far from most Charlotteans, which is good for those who have offspring with boundless energy.

20 fun things to do in Charlotte this summer - Axios

20 fun things to do in Charlotte this summer.

Posted: Thu, 08 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Be sure to ask guest services for Scavenger Hunt pages to enjoy while touring the galleries at both locations. Children younger than age 4 are admitted free and teens can sign-up for a free membership. A general admission ticket gives you access to both Mint Museum Uptown and Mint Museum Randolph for two consecutive days.

BB&T Ballpark — Uptown

There are so many different play structures with adorable themes, a spray area, a rock climbing wall, a roller skating ribbon (ice skating in the winter), a Chicago-themed mini golf course and more. The interactive selfie museum is filled with unique art installations, trendy photo ops and exciting surprises. At the beginning of the calendar year, hundreds of Chicago’s top restaurants offer prix fixe menus, allowing families to enjoy acclaimed dining experiences for reasonable prices.

While pricey, the exhibits tend to be massive showstoppers that can leave a lasting impression on your little ones. My now 9-year-old still remembers the special dinosaur T-Rex exhibit she went to when she was 5-years-old! For these types of experiences, it may be worth the rare splurge every now and then.

Very Best Things to Do in Charlotte with Kids (by a Local Parent!)

A visit to SEA LIFE is definitely one of the best things to do with kids in Charlotte NC. Discovery Place Science easily offers some of the best things to do with kids in Charlotte NC. 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. 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 spray-ground at Veterans Park is probably the most popular one in Charlotte because it has a canopy that covers the entire playground, keeping the sun from burning little shoulders.

The Underground Donut Tour is a great way to get your sugar fix while learning a bit about the city’s history and architecture. You’ll walk two miles over two hours while sampling donuts from four shops in either the Loop or West Loop neighborhoods. On a hot day, you can’t go wrong by visiting one of these ice cream shops in Chicagoland. Step out on The Ledge, a glass balcony that suspends guests off the 103rd floor of the Sears — uh, I mean Willis — Tower.

The Discovery Place is Charlotte's hands-on science museum located in downtown Charlotte NC. The Nature Museum is located right next to Freedom Park, making it a great place to spend the day at the museum before stopping over for a picnic in the park. Stop by the Gear Shop on your way out to pick up some souvenirs to take home. Whether a toy car to play with or a onesie for the youngest visitors, it's a small memento to remember the day. This post was contributed to Our Offbeat Life by Sarah of Explore More NC!

You will also find that the Mint Museum has Free admission on Wednesday Nights from 5-9. The exhibits feature permanent collections along with some rotating exhibitions. This is a great option to explore with older kids and teens who can learn while also enjoying the arts. They usually have a craft section set up on Wednesday night as well. Head to ImaginON, where you will find a plethora of free, family-friendly events. They have specialized events for younger kids like storytime, music performances, puppet shows, and so much more!