Charlotte, North Carolina is not one of the most popular destinations to visit in the United States, but it is an excellent option for a family vacation. This Charlotte travel guide is the perfect manual for a family planning a visit to Charlotte with kids who enjoys nature and discovering the charm of a city. Included are insider tips from a local mom that lived in Charlotte for many years with her family. She gives us tips on top attractions, hidden gems, family-friendly activities, the best breweries and restaurants to visit, excellent day trip ideas and where to stay. Come along with us and discover what North Carolina has to offer in this family travel guide to Charlotte, NC.
Why Visit Charlotte, North Carolina?
The Queen City is a unique destination for families because of its mix of big city excitement and Southern charm. The most exciting reason to visit is the variety of activities. You can see a Panthers football game and go for a hike on the same day. It is near the mountains and the coast which makes it easy to enjoy a wide range of outdoor recreation, and has a bustling food and brewery scene to keep you fed and happy.
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Meet Our Local Charlotte Expert
This is Katrina! Katrina and her then boyfriend, now husband, moved to Charlotte in the fall of 2010, after a few months working in Manhattan for work. Knowing that the big city life wasn’t for them they made a list of a few new locations to check out and stopped in Charlotte first and never looked back.
Katrina loves Charlotte for its outdoor feel in a big city setting. The Queen City has a lot of greenery for a major city! Parks, greenways and the tree coverage ratio throughout the city and the surrounding areas makes this a haven for outdoor earth-loving enthusiasts like herself.
At the moment, Katrina and her husband are slow traveling throughout the US and Canada. They may even expand into other countries if all goes well. The current plan is to travel for 16 months with their 3-year-old daughter and two dogs.
Best Time To Visit Charlotte With Kids
North Carolina is in a great location that it is really nice to visit year round. The best months to visit are in the spring and fall with nice temperatures, lower chances of rain and the beautiful trees either blooming or changing color. Spring months are between March and May. Fall is September through November with the leaves peaking between mid-October and mid-November.
July and August are actually the wettest months. The temperatures are hot and humid with temperatures in the 80s and 90s.
Winter can be gray with the occasional warm 60 degree sunny day, but due to the weather’s inconsistency, it’s not the best time to visit.
The Keen Explorers
Katrina and her husband own a dog training company based in Charlotte called KeenDog. It is a dog training company that offers on and off leash obedience, therapy dog and service dog training. While they are traveling they run the backend and social media part of the company with an amazing team in Charlotte that continues to work with dog owners! If you aren’t in Charlotte but still looking for dog therapy, they also offer various online courses and virtual training. Be sure to check out KeenDog for all your dog training needs! They are also on Instagram @keendogtraining.
In addition to their Charlotte based business, you can follow their full-time travel adventure too. It is perfect for any families looking to take the leap and hit the road. I love following Katrina’s instagram account @thekeenexplorers. They also have an incredible blog, The Keen Explorers, where they detail their adventures on the road and give some incredible advice along the way. They also have some amazing tips for traveling with a toddler. Go take a look!
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Top 9 Attractions In Charlotte
Like all my local travel guides, I researched multiple blogs and found what are said to be the best things to do in Charlotte, North Carolina. Below are the 9 most popular attractions with Katrina’s ratings and tips.
U.S. National Whitewater Center
photo credit: Katrina Kensington (both)
The U.S. National Whitewater Center is an ABSOLUTE must-do adventure for the whole family. It is hands down one of Katrina’s favorite places in all of Charlotte!
It is an incredible outdoor adventure park. You can spend a whole day there. Some of the activities include rock climbing, mountain biking, paddleboarding, kayaking, courses in the trees, ziplines and of course, whitewater rafting.
The U.S. National Whitewater Center (WWC) has multiple food locations to grab a bite and beer between activities and it is extremely dog friendly. They just opened up a 70 acre off leash section where you can allow your dog to experience complete freedom in the woods, as life should be, as well as water buckets located throughout the other areas of the park to keep your dog hydrated.
In addition to the normal activities, they also have River Jam on Thursday evenings with live music and host weekend events quite regularly. If you enjoy yoga and meditation, plan your trip around Flow Fest which fills an entire weekend with an abundance of various yoga, meditation and other classes.
Seriously if you are visiting Charlotte with kids or without, WWC should be at the top of your itinerary!
Carowinds Amusement Park
Carowinds is a fun amusement park! Best time to visit is during the Scarowinds time in the fall, where the park ties in Halloween fun and scariness. If you’re visiting Charlotte with kids and you are an adrenaline junkie who also loves a good fright this should definitely be on your list! There will be dressed up characters in some sections as well as haunted houses spread throughout the theme park. Their normal rides are open as well, with a lot of rollercoasters to choose from! Katrina’s favorite is Copperhead Strike.
Museum of Illusions
For a rainy or extremely hot day, the Museum of Illusions is a fun, family-friendly activity to do in Charlotte with kids. It is also right around the corner from the NASCAR Hall of Fame, so you could easily do these back to back if that’s something that interests you. It is perfect for a fun hour of experiencing multiple illusions that are sure to trick your eye and provide plenty of entertaining photo ops.
Attend A Sporting Event
There are so many options for professional sporting events in Charlotte; Panthers, Hornets, Knights, NASCAR at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Katrina LOVED going to see the Panthers play when they were undefeated in 2015. The energy in the stadium and in the city during that time was something special.
There aren’t many football teams that have their stadiums right in the city center, but the Panthers’s stadium is downtown along with the Hornets and the Knights. So when the teams are doing well, the whole city is electrifying. Even if you aren’t a sports fan, you’ll feel the energy. The location of the stadiums also makes them really easy to visit on a vacation. NASCAR is out in Concord and brings a big, exciting crowd! If you are a NASCAR fan, it is definitely worth the 30 minute drive.
Lake Norman
When Katrina and her husband first moved to the area, they lived right on Lake Norman in Cornelius and loved it. If you enjoy being on the water, have a boat or jet ski, this is another must visit area in Charlotte. Jetton Park is a great greenway and park to explore in the area. There are paved walking trails along the shore, multiple playgrounds, tennis courts, ample bathrooms, access to a small beach area and picnic spots.
Camp North End
Camp North End is a vibrant, repurposed industrial space that offers art, food, music and community events. It is a cool spot to grab a bite to eat! It has a variety of changing restaurants so if you are visiting Charlotte with kids, there are options for the whole family and outdoor seating.
Another food hall option with some indoor and outdoor seating is Optimist Hall. It is a great choice with some different food options and similar hipster vibe.
Freedom Park
Freedom Park is one of Katrina’s go to parks. It includes a large and shaded playground area, walking trails, a pond, sand volleyball courts, sports fields, basketball courts, and more. The park really has it all! It is also located in the stunning Dilworth and Myer Park area of the city.
If you want to expand your walk or bike ride, make your way to Queens Road from the park. You will thoroughly enjoy the expansive tree canopy of giant Willow Oaks and the beautiful homes that make up this neighborhood.
One of Katrina’s favorite places to eat, Kid Cashew, is also located next to the park. She recommends grabbing a meal there if you venture to Freedom Park.
Fun Fact: The show Homeland was partially filmed in Charlotte and Freedom Park was featured in an episode.
Crowders Mountain State Park
Crowders Mountain State Park is a beautiful natural escape near Charlotte, NC, located only about 40 minutes outside of center city. It provides great views and is nicely shaded until you get to the top. Katrina would highly recommend going during the weekday versus the weekend as she jokes that it is called Crowders Mountain because it’s crowded. There are a few different family-friendly hikes you can do here, but if you prefer to avoid the crowds, it might not be your best option.
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Kid-Friendly Things To Do In Charlotte, NC
If you are traveling with kids, it’s nice to have a few kid-friendly activities to choose from. Here are Katrina’s recommendations for visiting Charlotte with kids.
Rosie’s Coffee And Wine Garden
Between Uptown and NoDa is a magical rose garden tucked away in the big city called Rosie’s Coffee and Wine Garden. This charming garden, surrounded by skyscrapers and apartment buildings, is perfect for whole family to explore or even for a date night or girls outing. You will experience a certified wildlife habitat while sipping on a beverage of your choosing. Bring snacks or purchase some at the bar and tuck yourself away in one of the many secluded pockets throughout the gardens.
Inner Peaks
Katrina highly recommends visiting Inner Peaks if you are visiting Charlotte with kids. It is an indoor rock climbing gym that has 2 locations; one in South End and one in Matthews. Both locations offer bouldering and rope climbing, as well as a gym. Inner Peaks is a great family activity to do together, especially on rainy days when you want to stay active.
Visit South End And NoDa
This Charlotte city guide would be incomplete without mentioning a couple of hip areas to check out.
South End is an artsy neighborhood that is enjoyable to walk around and brewery hop. Wooden Robot is Katrina’s favorite spot. She would also recommend grabbing a few donuts from Pepperbox and taking a picture by the iconic heart wall.
NoDa, short for North Davidson, has a couple live music venues and has more of a hipster vibe. It is a fun area for strolling around and seeing the quirky shops. If you’d like a rooftop view of Charlotte, grab a drink or eat at Whiskey Warehouse.
Rainy Day Activity Idea: Charlotte has a plethora of indoor play areas to choose from.
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Additional Recommendations For Visiting Charlotte With Kids
Anne Springs Close Greenway In Fort Mill
Anne Springs Close Greenway is an expansive network of trails that are hiker, bike, dog and horse friendly, depending on the trail. Visit the Anne Springs Close Greenway website for a trail map.
There is also a delicious canteen that offers food and drinks located at the Lake Haigler entrance. You can even enjoy live music at the canteen on Thursdays in the summer.
Besides that, the kids can take joy in the playground and children’s farm area. Plus there’s an off leash dog park for our furry friends.
Veronét Vineyards & Winery
Veronét Vineyards & Winery is a scenic vineyard near Charlotte, offering stunning mountain views, locally crafted wines, and a relaxing atmosphere perfect for a family-friendly day out. A highlight for the kids is the expansive large lawn where the kids can run and play.
Cornelius
A lake day in Cornelius is a fantastic way to enjoy Charlotte’s natural scenery. There are various ways to enjoy the lake including renting a boat, jet skis, paddleboard or kayak. Enjoy the water, walk around Jetton Park and head to Hello, Sailor for a meal.
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Brewery Scene – Top 5 Breweries In Charlotte
In the early 2010s, Charlotte’s brewery scene exploded. Over the last decade, it has become a hub for craft beer enthusiasts and is one of the top craft beer destinations in the Southeast. Because of this, I asked Katrina to name her top 5 breweries in Charlotte.
Wooden Robot
photo credit: Katrina Kensington (left), Madalyn Cox (right)
Wooden Robot is Katrina’s top pick for breweries in Charlotte. It has two locations, the flagship being in South End and their second location called The Chamber, is in NoDa right off the light rail. Katrina personally had the honor of knowing one of the owners and head brewer, Dan Wade, when he decided to train his dog with her about 10 years ago. Unfortunately, the Charlotte community, his wife, and son lost him far too soon in an accident earlier this year. Dan’s sudden passing was a huge reason for Katrina’s family to take a leap and hit the road. A reminder that tomorrow is never guaranteed and there will never be a “right” time.
She was able to witness the opening and success of Wooden Robot over the years and will always recommend this brewery as the best for many reasons. Good Morning Vietnam is her favorite beer in all of Charlotte.
Olde Mecklenburg Brewery
Olde Mecklenburg Brewery is Katrina’s second choice for Charlotte breweries because of its large size, the restaurant on site, and its children’s play and climbing area. They have two locations in Charlotte and are in the process of opening up a third location in Cornelius.
Sycamore Brewery
Sycamore Brewery just did a complete 180 with their vibe last year when they moved locations but it is still a great brewery located right near the light rail in South End. It got a bit fancier, and a little less dog-friendly (still ok to bring your pooch on the bottom outside patio), but has a wide variety of great beers to choose from and easy access to everything.
Lenny Boy Brewing Co
Lenny Boy Brewing Co is a great brewery which offers both beers and kombucha (alcoholic and non alcoholic choices). They also host various events such as the OneFest, comedy shows, live music events, weekly yoga classes and much more.
Heist Brewery And Barrel Arts
Heist Brewery and Barrel Arts has a large space for the family to play, good beer and amazing pizza in Charlotte. In Katrina’s opinion, it has hands down the best vegan pizza in the whole city.
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Day Trips Or Nearby Overnight Trips From Charlotte, NC
Morganton, NC
Morganton is a cute mountain town about an hour north of Charlotte, nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It has lots of outdoor recreational opportunities, wineries, and a small charming downtown strip to explore. Eat at Root & Vine if visiting!
Asheville, NC
About 2 hours away from Charlotte, is Asheville, North Carolina. This easy going town has a vibrant art scene, the Biltmore estate, music venues, hiking galore and so much more to explore. A beautiful town to visit!
Charleston, SC
Charleston is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful cities in the South. This picturesque coastal town is located roughly 3 hours from Charlotte and would make an excellent overnight stop. You will admire its well-preserved architecture that is full of history and charm while you savor all the southern cuisine. It is definitely worth visiting!
Savannah, GA
Another Southern gem to add to your explorations is Savannah, Georgia. In Savannah, you can delight in its unique and charming features, such as its beautiful squares, historic architecture, the romantic Spanish moss draping down from the trees or take a riverboat cruise down the Savannah River and enjoy the views of the city’s skyline and waterfront.
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Charlotte Restaurant Recommendations
Restaurants With A Remarkable View
Fahrenheit Charlotte – Enjoy the view while eating inventive American cuisine.
Delicious Southern Cuisine
The Flying Biscuit – For mouthwatering Southern breakfast
Haberdish – Perfect for a Southern style lunch or dinner
Top Breakfast Joints
Sugar Donuts – The cinnamon rolls are to die for!
PepperBox Donuts – Get the best donuts here
Oh My Soul – Good ol’ sit down breakfast
Queen City Grounds – Grab breakfast to go or sit down in the restaurant
Best Lunch
Kid Cashew – Cocktails are great, the impossible gyro and brussel sprouts are Katrina’s go to order, but everything she’s eaten has been amazing. It’s great for every type of eater.
Cheat’s Cheesesteak – grab-and-go restaurant with picnic tables, authentic Philly Cheesesteaks, amazingly seasoned fries and a banging vegan cheesesteak option!
Notable Dinner
Pisces Sushi – Order the tree hugger roll!
Bahn Thai – The best Thai Katrina’s had in all of her travels and it was in her own backyard.
Sir Edmond Hailey’s – a hidden gem, hole-in-the-wall Irish pub and restaurant located downstairs at Park Road Shopping Center. It has an extensive and tasty menu. Try the award winning chili.
Good Cheap Food
Yafo Kitchen – Fresh and fast Middle Eastern street food cuisine
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Where To Stay In Charlotte, North Carolina
Photo credit: Katrina Kensington (both)
Charlotte has many different areas that have a very distinct vibe.
If you are in your 20s and enjoy brewery or bar hopping, stay in South End or NoDa. NoDa is actually great for hipsters of all ages.
Uptown is great if you want to be in the middle of it all with great nightlife, fancy restaurants, and stadiums nearby.
Cornelius in Lake Norman is wonderful if you want lake life. If you are interested in a little less expensive lake vibe, the cities around Lake Wylie are great options.
Ballantyne is really developing right now and is great for staying in Charlotte with kids. It is about 30 minutes south of downtown.
Hotel Recommendations In Charlotte
Ballantyne
Aloft in Ballantyne – Ballantyne has many attractions within walking distance of this hotel including a new rooftop restaurant, Hestia, where you can see the Charlotte skyline, Olde Mecklenburg brewery, the McAlpine Creek Greenway, Ballantyne Backyard and more.
Uptown
$$$$ – The Ritz-Carlton
Outskirts – Camping Locations
Hipcamp – One of Katrina’s favorite Hipcamp locations is about 45 minutes to the East of Charlotte, by Gastonia and Crowders Mountain, that provides you private access to your own waterfall.
Hipcamp – This Hipcamp location is more remote, about 1 ½ hours from downtown Charlotte but worth it in Katrina’s opinion!
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