Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around Charlotte

The N.C. Transportation Museum is a historic site once home to Southern Railway’s major steam locomotive repair facility located halfway between Washington, DC, and Atlanta, GA.  The museum features all types of transportation history – railroading, automotive, trucking, aviation, and more. Meander through The Bob Julian Roundhouse, the largest remaining roundhouse in North America. It is home to locomotives, passenger rail cars, and a full-size replica Wright Flyer. The massive Back Shop, where steam locomotives were once completely overhauled, now houses vintage rail cars, antique automobiles, fire trucks, and the restoration of the Piedmont Airlines’ Potomac Pacemaker DC-3. The Flue Shop houses the museum’s automotive exhibit. Train rides, lasting 20-25 minutes, are available on the 60-acre property pulled by a vintage diesel locomotive on certain days and times. Special exhibits and events take place all year!. Plan your visit today for a trip into the past at The Museum That Moves You!

The Gem Theatre originally opened on December 31, 1936. A few years later, in 1942, The Gem Theatre was gutted by fire and the theatre was reduced to ashes. The theatre was rebuilt in 1948 and featured a beautiful lobby and 916 seats, including the balcony section. The Gem has been open ever since and is one of the oldest single-screen movie theatre in continuous operation today.

Discovery Place is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and the leading hub for science education and exploration in the Carolinas through four distinct museum experiences—Discovery Place Science, Discovery Place Nature, Discovery Place Kids-Huntersville and Discovery Place Kids-Rockingham. Discovery Place serves more than 750,000 people a year—through Museum visits, interactive educational programming and community outreach initiatives—shaping a future where people embrace science to create opportunities, build hope, solve problems and bring positive change for our world.

Carowinds, a 400-acre amusement park located on the North Carolina-South Carolina state line, is home to top-rated roller coasters, including Fury 325, the world's tallest and fastest giga coaster, as well as more than 60 rides, attractions, and live stage shows. Carolina Harbor, a 26-acre water park, features a variety of water slides, wave pools, large play structures and a three-acre children’s play area. Carowinds Camp Wilderness and SpringHill Suites by Marriott at Carowinds are guest accommodations located on-site. For information on attractions and accommodations at Carowinds, visit www.carowinds.com or call 704.588.2600.

Curious about science and the natural world? Don't miss The Schiele Museum of Natural History. Explore dinosaur fossils, wildlife displays, gems & minerals, American Indian artifacts, and a state-of-the-art planetarium. Get outside and enjoy hiking the beautiful Nature Trail to discover life-size mazes, a replica Catawba Indian Village, and The Farm, a showcase of local agriculture and live animals. There's something for everyone at The Schiele Museum!

Zootastic Park is an educational, interactive zoo that is hands on for both children and adults offering lots of cherished family memories!

SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord is a 26,000-square-foot indoor aquarium. This one-of-a-kind attraction allows visitors to experience the magical world beneath our seas with marine habitats, displays, and close encounters with thousands of sea creatures. Take a fascinating journey from the North Carolina coastline to the ocean depths through 10 interactive zones. Get up close to majestic stingrays, take a walk through our mesmerizing 180° Ocean Tunnel, and find out how it feels to touch a sea star in our Interactive Touchpool. 

"The Broadway of Christian Entertainment," NarroWay features fun, family-friendly dinner shows just outside of Charlotte NC. Enjoy live theatre and dinner year-round, and experience southern hospitality at its best. Original shows come to life with captivating stories, inspiring music, live animals and a magnificent cast. NarroWay is theater for everyone!

Our 84-degree indoor water park offers the best in weatherproof North Carolina family resort fun with over 80,000 square feet of indoor waterpark action including a massive water fort tree house with a 1,000 gallon tipping bucket! Experience jaw-dropping thrill rides like the Howlin' Tornado along with zero-depth-playgrounds including Cub Paw Pool for smaller kids. Make your family vacation unforgettable when you swim and splash the day away here.

The YMCA of Greater Charlotte is the go-to spot for kids of all ages, from toddlers to teens, to have fun all year long! From unforgettable adventures at summer day camp, experiencing the magic of summer at two overnight camps, becoming part of a team in youth sports, gaining lifelong skills in swim lessons, preparing for kindergarten and beyond at preschool or learning without limits in afterschool, they’ll have a blast as they become their best selves at the YMCA.

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is the Carolinas’ Garden for all seasons, providing guests a chance to reconnect with nature and to create lifelong memories with friends and family. Located within 380 acres on the banks of Lake Wylie, spectacular gardens, sparkling fountains, a conservatory dedicated to the display of tropical plants and orchids, a visitor pavilion, a children's garden, a garden store and nature trails await the visitor.

The Anne Springs Close Greenway is a 2,100 acre nature preserve located in the heart of Fort Mill, SC. The mission of the Greenway is to connect people to nature through recreational and educational activities while fostering a passion for environmental conservation, animal habitat, and protection of natural resources.

Ninja Nation is the leading provider of world-class obstacle course arenas and experiences across the country. Come experience what it's like to be a Ninja at one of our classes or open-gym sessions. Our Birthday Parties are one of the most unique and fin experiences a kids can have. Come get your Ninja on!