Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around Charlotte - 2020
2020: Best Places for Kids in the Charlotte area!
The best places to take kids in and around Charlotte, based on KidsOutAndAbout's annual reader survey. But there is LOTS more to do in Charlotte! Get great ideas here at KidsOutAndAbout.com! What is listed below are just the starting point: Browse through our site and calendar to find lots more, and sign up for our fabulous weekly e-newsletter! And be sure not to miss our Everything Free page.
Carowinds
Proudly located on the North & South Carolina state line in Charlotte, Carowinds is the premier entertainment destination of the Carolinas. Our lineup of homegrown family fun is full of unique experiences you won't find anywhere else. Complete with over 60 rides and attractions, live entertainment, authentic regional cuisine and Carolina hospitality - you'll see why Carowinds is frequently recognized as one of the best theme parks in the nation.
Tiger World Endangered Wildlife Preserve
Tiger World Endangered Wildlife Preserve is a nonprofit 501c3 animal conservation and educational center dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and preservation of exotic animals. We are open to the public for educational guided tours and walkabout self-guided tours in Rockwell, NC. Our goal is to provide the best environment in captivity for the animals while also providing a stimulating learning environment for visitors. The intimate setting is a great place to bring the family and learn about the animals up close and personally.
Discovery Place
Discovery Place is a 501c3 nonprofit that provides STEM education and learning opportunities to the Carolinas through four distinct museum experiences at Discovery Place Science in uptown Charlotte, Discovery Place Nature adjacent to Freedom Park in Charlotte and Discovery Place Kids locations in both Huntersville and Rockingham, interactive educational programming, professional development training and community outreach initiatives. Discovery Place is supported, in part, with funding from the Arts & Science Council.
Gem Theatre
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. The Gem is also one of only a few movie theatres that offers balcony seating.
Children's Theatre of Charlotte
Nationally recognized for the breadth and strength of its programs, Children's Theatre of Charlotte provides more than 250,000 experiences for children and families a year with technically imaginative productions and wide-ranging education programs for young people and families. Each year they mount professional productions, with the curtain rising more than 600 times during a season – more than any other theatre company in the state. Children's Theatre of Charlotte enrolls more than 2,300 young people in classes and camps per year, teaching confidence and self-esteem while encouraging creativity and self-expression.
Carolina Raptor Center
Carolina Raptor Center is dedicated to environmental stewardship and the conservation of birds of prey, through education, research, and the rehabilitation of injured and orphaned raptors.
Zootastic Park
Zootastic Park is an educational, interactive zoo that is hands on for both children and adults offering lots of cherished family memories!
My Local Library
Of course, the libraries in the Charlotte area are not really ONE place, but MANY places... but it's important to emphasize how valuable libraries are for family learning and fun. The libraries in our area are wonderful about posting their events to the KidsOutAndAbout calendar so you always can get ideas for free things to do with your kids that celebrate education and imagination. KidsOutAndAbout.com takes this opportunity to salute the wonderful children's librarians who serve our community with such dedication. They're proud that locals voted them #3 in best places to take kids this year!
Big Air Trampoline Park
Big Air Charlotte is Charlotte’s premier trampoline park with over 15 different attractions! Climb any of our unique climbing features, navigate through North America’s largest Laser Maze, harness your inner Ninja Warrior on The Gauntlet obstacle course or try your best to hold on in The Bull Pen! We also offer 30+ Virtual Reality experiences in our 3 state-of-the-art virtual reality booths! At Big Air Charlotte, we are more than a trampoline park with attractions for all ages and skill levels! Want to make our child’s birthday unforgettable? Be sure to check out our award-winning Big Air Birthday Party packages!
Great Wolf Lodge Water Park (Concord)
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 Schiele Museum of Natural History
The Schiele Museum is a natural adventure waiting for you! Our mission is to inspire curiosity and understanding of science and the natural world through exceptional educational programs and exhibits. Permanent galleries feature Native Americans, North American wildlife and habitats including live animal displays, and an exhibit hall dedicated to the biodiversity of North Carolina. The planetarium offers a 360-degree immersive experience to discover the wonders of our universe. Go outside and explore the museum’s farm, nature trail, and Catawba Indian Village where you can meet interesting animals, discover native creatures, and learn about our region’s rich heritage. There’s something for everyone to enjoy during a visit to The Schiele!
YMCA of Greater Charlotte
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.
Anne Springs Close Greenway
Anne Springs Close Greenway is a 2,100-acre nature preserve that promotes recreation and learning activities for the entire region. Located in Fort Mill, SC and nestled amid beautiful lakes and hardwood forests, the Anne Springs Close Greenway serves as a natural buffer from urban development and provides a wide-open space for countless activities – from hiking, biking and horseback riding to picnics, kayaking and more.
Blumenthal Performing Arts
Blumenthal Performing Arts brings the world's best shows and artists to Charlotte, North Carolina with six theaters in Charlotte, presenting the largest Broadway season in the Carolinas with more than 18 weeks of Broadway shows annually, along with a large array of special attractions and festivals, from concerts to comedy to dance to the Charlotte Jazz Festival. More than 150,000 students participate annually in our student-focused programs ranging from internships to specially priced show tickets to The Blumey Awards, which celebrates excellence in high school musical theater in our region.
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
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.
Sky Zone
Jump into Sky Zone - the world's first all-walled trampoline playing court! Sky Zone features an array of fun, fit and low-impact activities ranging from Freestyle Jump, Ultimate Dodgeball and SkyFit fitness classes to birthday parties!
Ray's Splash Planet
Splash into fun at Ray’s Splash Planet! Slide down our two story Blue Comet Waterslide, hang out in the Lazy River, or enjoy the many different features at the Saturation Station. Our one-of-a-kind indoor water park is open year round and offers birthday parties and group reservations. For adults, we also have a fitness center complete with an aerobics and dance room, cardio equipment, free weights, and a weight room. Hours of operation vary throughout the year so be sure to check out website or give us a call prior to your visit. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Carolina's Aviation Museum
Founded in 1992 and located at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, the Carolinas Aviation Museum is home to aircraft and artifacts from the advent of aviation, including the iconic award-winning "Miracle on the Hudson" exhibition featuring the famed passenger jet that crash-landed safely in New York's Hudson River in 2009.
Charlotte Regional Farmers Market
The Charlotte Farmers Market is one of four regional Farmers Markets owned by the STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA and operated by the NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & CONSUMER SERVICES. These Farmers Markets are strategically located across the state to serve North Carolina farmers, both large and small. They provide modern, well maintained facilities, in prime locations that are inviting to sellers and buyers.
Hodges Family Farm
The Farm is located on 180 acres of land in Mecklenburg County. It is family owned and operated. The farm is listed on the National and State Historic Registries. It was previously used as a dairy farm, and has now been turned into an educational farm.
Favorite Arts Education
Children's Theatre of CharlotteNationally recognized for the breadth and strength of its programs, Children's Theatre of Charlotte provides more than 250,000 experiences for children and families a year with technically imaginative productions and wide-ranging education programs for young people and families. Each year they mount professional productions, with the curtain rising more than 600 times during a season – more than any other theatre company in the state. Children's Theatre of Charlotte enrolls more than 2,300 young people in classes and camps per year, teaching confidence and self-esteem while encouraging creativity and self-expression.
Favorite Sports/Physical Education
Charlotte Family Yoga CenterCharlotte Family Yoga Center is a unique yoga studio for many reasons. Our on-site Kids Play offers a stimulating, and inviting space for children to play while Moms and Dads practice yoga. We offer smaller class sizes! We max out our cozy heated room holds at 25 students and our front room holds 15 students. Smaller class sizes give our teachers a chance to get to know their students.The ages of our students range from babies to 80 years old. To benefit from yoga, you don't have to touch your toes, you don't have to lose weight, you don't have to stand on your head, and you don't have to be anyone other than who you are right now. Yoga meets you where you are. Yoga is for everyone! We currently have virtual and socially distanced in person class around the community.
