31. Public Library Of Charlotte And Mecklenburg County
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (704) 416-0100
Address: 310 North Tryon St.
Description: The main library and its 24 branches offer a wealth of activities for children throughout the year—storytimes, educational programs, films and videos, family-day programs, and special exhibitions and events. Its facilities offer traditional services and the latest in computer technology. The library has been named Library of the Year and Library of the Future and has received awards for its youth coordinator. Kids can also visit the Bookhive page on the library Web site for children’s literature, books, and reading.
32. Birkdale Village
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (704) 895-8744
Description: A popular pedestrian-friendly shopping center at Lake Norman, Birkdale Village features a center fountain that’s often packed with frolicking youngsters on hot summer days. Treat the kids to a wood-fired pizza at Brixx, a matinee movie, a stop at the ice-cream shop, and a splash in the fountain, or return for outdoor concerts, a Fourth of July parade, an autumn pumpkin patch, trick-or-treating, and visits with Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. Free.
33. Children’S Theatre Of Charlotte
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (704) 973-2828 (box office)
Address: 300 East Seventh St. at ImaginOn
Description: The Children’s Theatre of Charlotte has produced professional performances by and for kids ages 3 to 18 since 1948. The Theatre’s Mainstage productions are for the whole family and include shows such as Madeline, Hansel and Gretel, and The Littlest Angel. Ensemble shows are performed by kids in grades 8 and up. The Theatre also hosts other productions by well-known local and touring performers such as the Grey Seal Puppets and Billy Jonas.Educational programs at the theater teach drama, acting, and musical theater to thespians from ages 3 through high school.
34. Inner Peaks Climbing Center
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (704) 844-6677
Address: 9535 Monroe Rd.
Description: The largest indoor climbing gym in the Charlotte area, Inner Peaks has 8,000 square feet of sculptured climbing walls and 40 top rope stations. Beginning, moderate, and advanced terrain is offered, and beginners can learn in a separate teaching area. Tall, challenging lead climbs, long traverses, and obstacles such as arches, roofs, and cracks give climbers practice for many climbing situations. Open noon until 10 p.m. Mon through Fri; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sat; and noon until 7 p.m. Sun. Individual day passes $14, equipment rental $8. Memberships, monthly discounts for children 12 and under, and birthday parties available. Located in rear of Greylyn Business Park.
35. Laser Quest Charlotte
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (704) 567-6707
Description: Step inside an obstacle-filled room illuminated with black lights for the ultimate game of tag. Birthday parties and special all-night sessions also available. Open Wed through Sun, and available for private events on Mon and Tues. Cost is $8 per person for a 20-minute game. Memberships available.
36. Mecklenburg Aquatic Center
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (704) 336-3483
Address: 800 E. Martin Luther King Blvd.
Description: Among the most under-utilized facilities in the city, the Mecklenburg Aquatic Center is a great place to take the kids. There is lane swimming available in a 50-meter competition pool and a 25-yard instructional warm pool. The center also has relics from your childhood that your kids may have never seen in person—diving boards.Birthday parties are available and the center even offers kayaking classes for children. Daily admission is $8 for non-resident adults and $4 for non-resident children. Resident rates are $5 and $3. Open daily with varying hours of operation.
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Tours & Attractions
38. Paramount’S Carowinds
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (800) 888-4386
Description: What better way to fulfill a child’s fantasy than a day with Scooby Doo, Dora the Explorer, and Boy Genius Jimmy Neutron? Paramount’s Carowinds has big fun for little visitors at Boomerang Bay water park, Zoom Zone with three diving rides, and Animation Station, a special area of more than 15 attractions and shows for families with young children. For the older child, the Southeast’s best selection of roller coasters and adrenaline-packed water-park rides provide a day of fun and excitement. For more information on Paramount’s Carowinds, see our Attractions chapter.
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Tours & Attractions
Address: 215 North Sycamore St.
40. Spirit Square Center For The Arts
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (704) 348-5750
Address: 345 North College St.
Description: There’s just about everything associated with the arts here: seven art galleries with a variety of changing exhibits, three theaters for dramatic and musical productions, and classes galore for adults and children. Spirit Square is located in a renovated church building, creating a unique setting for artistic expression.
41. Mcdowell Nature Center & Preserve
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (704) 588-5224
Address: 15222 York Rd.
Description: McDowell Nature Center serves as the gateway to the 1115-acre McDowell Nature Preserve and is the source for educational programs and information on the preserve’s natural communities, flora, and fauna. The preserve, the oldest in Mecklenburg County, is 90 percent undeveloped and covers forested, rolling terrain along the banks of Lake Wylie.Activities at the nature center include camping, fishing, miles of nature trails, and the indoor nature center. The park sponsors special programs throughout the year: evening campfires and storytelling, moonlight hikes, and nature classes for young and old. No admission charged.
42. Mecklenburg County Park And Recreation’S Ecology Programs
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (704) 598-8857
Description: A number of ecology programs geared to children and adults are offered at various parks in the county. Explore bogs, ponds, and wildlife; join an ecology club; take a canoe ride or hike; or learn about Mecklenburg’s unique habitats in Eco-Explorers Camp.
43. Reedy Creek Nature Center And Preserve
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (704) 598-8857
Address: 2900 Rocky River Rd.
Description: Most of this 700-acre nature preserve in northeast Charlotte is in its natural wooded state. There are several fishing lakes on the property, nature trails, picnic sites, ball fields, and a playground. The Environmental Center has exhibits and hands-on activities to enjoy and explore. For Fido, there’s a four-acre fenced dog park. Free.
44. U.S. National Whitewater Center
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (704) 391-3900
Address: 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway
Description: This 307-acre county-owned play land includes a man-made whitewater river right here in the Piedmont. The center is great for children because they can receive quality instruction in rafting, kayaking, and rock climbing. They can also hike, bike, or zip line. The park and trails are open, weather permitting, 365 days a year from dawn to dusk. For more information, see the Attractions section of this book.
45. Wing Haven Gardens & Bird Sanctuary
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (704) 331-0664
Address: 248 Ridgewood Ave.
Description: Wing Haven is a beautiful garden and bird sanctuary in the middle of Charlotte, the former home and grounds of Elizabeth and Edwin Clarkson. More than four acres are filled with woods, formal gardens, and lovely walks, and the home, designed to bring the outdoors in and highlight the garden, is also open. There is a garden shop, tours of the home and grounds, and special children’s programs throughout the year. The gardens are now the responsibility of the Wing Haven Foundation, a nonprofit corporation. Membership is open to anyone. The gardens are open 3 until 5 p.m. Tues, 10 a.m. to noon Wed, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat. Guided tours may be arranged Tues, Thurs, and Fri mornings. Admission is $5 per person.