Family-Friendly Adventures in Charlotte

Make it a family day with some of Charlotte’s favorite attractions, with some unexpected stops along the way. Many are accessible attractions in Charlotte that allow family members of all ages and abilities to have a good time.

Full-Family Fun

Family friendly doesn’t just mean kids and parents — it means all family members, even grandparents. The following adventures have something to offer every member of the family, regardless of age.

Anne Springs Close Greenway

Area: Fort Mill, S.C.

Discover new ways to get close to nature at the Anne Springs Close Greenway. The Greenway’s 2,100 acres allow explorers of all ages to experience nature in exciting ways. Try a family-friendly hike around Lake Haigler or a patio lunch at the on-site restaurant. Check out the Forest Playground or hone your technique at the Mountain Bike Skills Park. For animal lovers of all ages, a stop at the Children’s Farm is a must. Find more events and activities on the Greenway’s online calendar.

Carowinds

Area: South Charlotte

For a high-energy adventure, nothing compares to Carowinds. With smaller rides for young children, larger coasters for taller kids and adults, a water park to cool off and indoor shows when everyone needs a rest, Carowinds strives to provide comfort and access for all guests.

Daniel Stowe Conservancy

Area: Belmont

Plan a relaxing day at Daniel Stowe Conservancy taking in the 380 acres of themed gardens, sparkling fountains and the striking Orchid Conservatory. Daniel Stowe also boasts 3.2 miles of walking trails, including the Persimmon Trail that connects with the Carolina Thread Trail.

NASCAR Hall of Fame

Neighborhood: Uptown

At the NASCAR Hall of Fame, explore more than 75 years of racing history through interactive experiences, historic artifacts and cars on display. All ages can enjoy the thrill of the interactive experiences, such as the Pit Crew Challenge and realistic iRacing simulators.

Families with Littles

Looking for ways to direct the energy of the 10-and-unders of your group? Try these adventures for younger kids and the grown-ups who love them.

Lazy 5 Ranch

Area: Mooresville

Buy a bucket of feed and get eye level with emus, giraffes, zebras and Watusi cattle. These are just a few of the animals that you can see on a self-guided, drive-thru tour at Lazy 5 Ranch, home to more than 750 animals from six different continents.

Discovery Place

Neighborhood: Uptown, Myers Park, Huntersville

At Discovery Place Science, kids can design and build projects, participate in science labs and watch a show in an IMAX® theater, the largest screen in the Carolinas. Discovery Place Kids conjures curiosity and activates the imagination through rich play experiences with activities geared toward younger children. Charlotte Museum of Nature, formerly Discovery Place Nature, is set to reopen in 2026 with a focus on animals native to the Piedmont region.

Freedom Park

Neighborhood: Dilworth

Go for a walk or bike ride around the seven-acre lake at Freedom Park. Kids will love the small, fenced-in playground on the Princeton Avenue side of the park, along with the larger playground and NFL Play 60 KidZone near the East Boulevard entrance.

Marion Diehl Park

Neighborhood: Madison Park

Explore the playground and trails at Marion Diehl Park. This 79-acre park offers a concrete walking trail, braille trail for people with visual impairments, giant rope-climb for kids, and cardio and resistance machines for adults. For more playgrounds, spraygrounds and parks in Charlotte, check out this guide.

Quest at Latta Nature Preserve

Area: Huntersville

Quest Center at Latta Nature Preserve features an interactive exhibit hall, a 6,000-gallon aquarium and native animals for up-close and tactile learning. Nearby, kids can marvel at owls, vultures, hawks, eagles, falcons, corvids and bald eagles at the Carolina Raptor Center.

SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord Aquarium

Area: Concord

For an underwater adventure, check out SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord Aquarium at Concord Mills. Get up close with aquatic animals, such as sea turtles and sharks, and get hands on with starfish at the interactive touch pool. Kids will love going through the ocean tunnel and adults will appreciate the ease and accessibility for those in wheelchairs and strollers. 

The Schiele Museum of Natural History & Planetarium

Area: Gastonia

Step back into prehistoric times at The Schiele Museum of Natural History's Dino Safari exhibit. Explore permanent exhibitions that take visitors on a journey through North American wildlife and habitats, then walk down the nature trail to the farm and get lost in the Natural aMAZEment.

Families with Middles

Families with kids 10 and older will love these adventures that engage both the bodies and minds of teens and tweens, allowing them to explore and play with a degree of independence, while still spending time with family.

Frankie’s Fun Park

Area: Huntersville

At Frankie's Fun Park, kids can spend all day riding amusement park rides, playing laser tag, zipping around the go-kart track and battling friends and siblings in arcade games. Frankie’s also offers a virtual reality attraction where you can battle zombies or defend your turf from futuristic Simurai.

Charlotte Motor Speedway

Area: Concord

Get a behind-the-scenes look at Charlotte Motor Speedway when you choose from one of the daily tours. The Fast Pass Tour is an hour-long tour from the comfort of your own vehicle. If your kids are budding racing enthusiasts, select the Feel the Thrill Speedway Tour that includes a ride through two infield racetracks and the NASCAR Cup Series garage area.

District 57

Area: West Charlotte

Tweens and teens can have a full day of fun at District 57, an immersive, themed entertainment complex. Battle through BorderTown, the laser tag area, or put together a team and race against the clock in the Grid, a 30-room challenge arena.

Museum of Illusions

Neighborhood: Uptown

Older kids will get a kick out of the mind-bending installations and images at the Museum of Illusions. Take tons of pictures while touring the museum, then discuss the ways the exhibits played with perspective and perception. Want to visit more of Charlotte’s museums and save while you explore? Pick up an Attractions Pass.

Whitewater Center

Area: West Charlotte

Home to the largest human-made whitewater river in the world, the Whitewater Center has activities older kids will love including rafting, kayaking, rock climbing, mountain biking and ziplining. Outside of regularly scheduled activities, the Whitewater Center also hosts special events and live music that families can enjoy together.

Article originally written by Rosa Sprinkle. Updates made by Arielle Patterson in April 2026.