What to do in Charlotte, NC?

[LMA]

We are traveling with dh on business to Charlotte during the second week in February? What are some things one can do with young kids (9 and under)?

[Melora in NC]

We have heard good things about Discovery Place, (http://www.discoveryplace.org/home/discovery_place-dp_kids.php) which is a children's museum. (We haven't actually Been yet, but we plan to go.)

[Tarheel Heather]

Discovery Place is good for kids, we go quite a bit. You could go to Concord Mills, they have the Nascar Speed Park, and large outlet mall. East of town exit 49. We are there daily to get out of the house, we live 5 min away. There is also the Nature Musuem, they have a butterfly room, this is in town also. My kids like going to see that. Not sure how long you are going to be here, the Musuem of the South is in town also. The Whitewater park is west of Charlotte about 15 min or so, can watch the kayakers going down. There is Imaginon in town also, large children's library and depending on your dates you could catch a show put on by the Children's Theatre. BofA Stadium has tours if you are into football. Sad to say we have lived here 9 years and there isn't too much to go see.

Anyway HTH,

[Danestress]

We are traveling with dh on business to Charlotte during the second week in February? What are some things one can do with young kids (9 and under)?

The Carolina Raptor Center which is just north of Charlotte is great. Most of the aviaries are outside, so plan it for a day when they weather is not too bad. But it's really a great place and my boys and I go at least twice a year. It's pleasant. Don't miss this if your kids have any interest at all in birds or wildlife.

Near it is Latta Plantation which has an old plantation house and grounds. Annexed to it is a nature preserve and a nature center with some reasonably interesting exhibits. There is also an equestrian center where you could rent horses, though maybe not with the very young children.

I like visiting Kings Mountain National Military Park, which is in Kings Mountain NC, about half an hour away. There was an important Revolutionary War battle fought there. You can walk about a 2 mile fully paved path (yes, strollers are fine) and it's well marked to explain the battle. I find it a lovely place to be, it gives me a great appreciation for the sacrifices of the battle, and for children who are too young to appreciate the history, it's still a nice walk.

Nearby in Gastonia is the Shiele Museum. I checked to see if they have any interesting exhibits for you, and they do! Check it out here: https://www.schielemuseum.org/ They also have really neat outdoor exhibits including a Catawba Indian village and a part of the park that shows how Stone Age people lived. Very good way to spend a day!

You can take the kids rock climbing at the National Whitewater rafting center. My Ten year old LOVE this.

We are members at Discovery Place, though I don't really love it. It need a major rehab!

I really like the Mint Museum of Art, and it's free to the public on Tuesday nights.

I have other ideas but my husband wants my attention. Feel free to email me at Danestress@carolina.rr.com!

[Tarheel Heather]

About the raptor Center and Latta, that would be good. My in laws are in Kings Mountain and we have only been to the park once. And dh was raised there. That's sad.

The transportation musuem in Spencer, but that may be too far to drive.