10 Things to Do in Charlotte with Kids

Charlotte is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States over the last century and this is because it has become an important financial and cultural hub in the southern region of the country. It has also gained popularity as a home to major local sports franchises and is a popular destination for families, so it also offers something for the little ones to enjoy.

Some of the best things to do in Charlotte with kids include touring the Sea Life Aquarium, having fun at the famous wind tunnel attraction, going on a scavenger hunt tour, having a water experience at Jordan Lake, visiting Discovery Place Science themed exhibits, touring the Carowinds amusement park and checking out the Museum of Dolls, Toys and Miniatures.

The Sea Life Aquarium is one of Charlotte's most popular attractions and also one of the best places in Charlotte to visit with children or as a family. This aquarium, considered the largest in North Carolina, offers a unique underwater journey that combines education, fun and entertainment in the heart of the city.

From tropical fish to sea turtles in the exhibit ponds, and during the tour you can choose, at extra cost, to have a local expert guide to help you learn about the animals here in an interactive way. Children can also take part in quizzes along the tour to learn about the oceans and discover marine wildlife.

One of the highlights of Sea Life Charlotte is the underwater tunnel, where you can walk through the aquatic scenery. Sharks, rays and other species will swim around you, providing an interactive and unforgettable experience.

Note that you can buy individual or group tickets and day or multi-day packages. If you're planning to visit the city as a family, you'll want to book group tickets, which will save you money and include some benefits such as priority entry without queuing, as well as discounts on food and other in-house services.

One of the best indoor experiences you'll find in the city is at Fly Charlotte. Here you can enjoy the wind tunnel, an attraction consisting of a free fall simulator that will give you a unique dose of adrenaline without straying too far from the historic centre of this destination.

Ideal for the whole family, Fly Charlotte's wind tunnel will give you the opportunity to take part in an unforgettable adventure. Children and adults can experience the sensation of unrestricted flight in a simulated parachute freefall experience that includes two flights in its initial alternative, although you can also opt for more tours.

If you fear for the reliability of these attractions, bear in mind that the price of the experience includes safety elements and that you will also be accompanied by instructors. Likewise, the wind tunnel offers options for all levels, from beginners to experts, which makes it an accessible activity for everyone.

Also note that this alternative, being indoors, is also an excellent activity to do with the family during the winter months in Charlotte, which tend to be very cold. This way, you can find an alternative to the city's best tours in the wind tunnel.

A scavenger hunt is a typical experience that never goes out of style. In Charlotte, you can take part in an interactive tour that combines the challenge of accomplishing a goal with the discovery of the city's rich history and culture. These alternatives are ideal for the whole family.

During this tour, you'll learn about Charlotte's history as you solve puzzles and follow clues to uncover hidden treasures in the city's iconic landmarks. From parks to historic buildings, the tour itinerary will take you to the Nascar Hall of Fame, Discovery Place Science, and the Wells Fargo Museum, among other sites.

Not only will participating in this tour awaken the adventurous spirit of the players, but it will also provide a fun and interactive excursion, especially for the little ones, making it an ideal choice if you plan to visit the city with children. In addition, these experiences also encourage the interrelation of the participants, so it will be the ideal excuse to share an activity among all the members of the family.

These activities are usually in groups of no more than 10 people, and are daytime, so you'll have the night in Charlotte free to continue your tour and visit other sites in the city.

Jordan Lake is one of Charlotte's most famous sites and one of the best ways to discover it is to opt to take part in a water activity at the site. One of the most popular ways is to take a ride on a jet ski, which you can rent on your own or use as part of a guided experience.

These experiences allow you to discover the natural beauty of Jordan Lake, which covers an area of over 600 square kilometres and offers beautiful scenery, especially at sunset. Although the jet skis can only be driven by people of legal age, they are equipped with the necessary safety features so that children can ride them and enjoy one of the most interesting activities in the city.

If you choose to rent the jet skis on your own and ride around the perimeter of Lake Jordan, you can include stops at the surrounding piers. In some places, you can even organise a picnic, take a short walk on the surrounding beaches or even discover the local vegetation, which is very changeable. Also, if you plan to visit Charlotte at Christmas time, from this site you can discover a panoramic view of the city's decorative lights.

If you're looking for one of Charlotte's best museums, you can't miss Discovery Place Science. This science exhibit captivates visitors of all ages, but especially the youngest visitors, as it offers an interactive circuit with a variety of themed exhibits that are fun for everyone in the family.

Exhibits at Discovery Place Science range from physics and biology to technology and ecology, giving visitors the opportunity to participate in hands-on activities in a variety of ways. From simulated experiments to live demonstrations, this museum offers a different perspective on science and invites you to discover it.

The IMAX Dome Theatre is the largest IMAX theatre in North Carolina, where you can watch documentaries and thematic films during your visit.

Plus, this science museum is located in downtown Charlotte, so after a visit that will be fascinating for the little ones, adults can enjoy some of the city's best tours starting in Downtown, such as ghost tours and brewery tours.

The Schiele Museum is one of Charlotte's most interesting museums and it's largely due to its intriguing planetarium, which is a perfect choice for a visit with the little ones during your trip. This museum captivates visitors of all ages by combining scientific exploration with interactive experiences that allow you to discover a more fun approach to the mysteries of the universe.

One of the highlights of the Schiele Museum is undoubtedly its planetarium, where you can embark on a journey into the secrets of the universe. The immersive and educational projections offer children a unique view of space, which will awaken their curiosity and admiration for astronomy.

In addition to the planetarium, the Schiele Museum houses a variety of exhibits ranging from biology to palaeontology, providing a complete overview for the whole family and for children of all ages.

If you want to discover one of the epicentres of fun in North Carolina and also one of Charlotte's most famous amusement parks, you can't miss Carowinds. With its unique combination of dizzying roller coasters, live entertainment and a variety of adrenaline-pumping rides, this park has earned a reputation as one of the most thrilling experiences in the region.

Carowinds stands out for its collection of roller coasters, ranging from the dizzying drops of Fury 325 to the twists and turns of Afterburn. Adrenaline junkies will find their paradise on these gravity-defying, pulse-racing rides.

But the fun doesn't stop at roller coasters, as Carowinds offers a variety of family rides, including carousels, themed areas for the little ones and water rides that are ideal for cooling off the day, especially if you're planning a summer visit to Charlotte. The park also features live entertainment, with musical shows and animated characters bringing the park to life.

Tiger World Nature Reserve in Charlotte is a sanctuary that offers an unforgettable experience by putting the world's biggest cats in front of you in their natural habitat. This reserve, which is dedicated to the conservation and protection of various species of tigers and other big cats, is one of the most outstanding of its kind in the United States.

At Tiger World you will have the opportunity to admire these animals in environments that recreate their natural surroundings. From Siberian tigers to African lions, you'll find a variety of species in this space designed to provide comfort and well-being for the animals.

The reserve not only focuses on providing an up-close look at the felines, but also promotes awareness and education about the care of these endangered species. Through educational tours, visitors of all ages can learn about conservation efforts, the importance of preserving natural habitats and how they can contribute to the protection of these endangered animals.

Unlike other attractions in the city that are focused on a certain age range, Urban Air Trampoline Park in Charlotte is a place that stands out for offering unlimited fun for all ages. This trampoline park is very popular in North Carolina and is also one of the most visited amusement parks by tourists.

Urban Air Trampoline Park features a variety of jumping areas, from interconnected trampolines to trampolines of various sizes, allowing visitors to enjoy acrobatic jumps. In addition, the park has additional activities such as aerial adventure parks, climbing walls and interactive play areas, providing a complete entertainment experience for the whole family.

Also, something that sets Urban Air apart is its focus on safety. The park's staff is spread throughout the complex and compliance with the rules is an essential condition for staying on the playground. In addition, the park offers special events, making it a versatile destination for celebrations and holidays, which you can experience if you plan to visit Charlotte during Christmas or New Year's Eve.

For a nostalgic tour that kids will love too, you can't miss the North Carolina Doll, Toy and Miniature Museum in Charlotte, a destination that sparks the imagination of visitors of all ages. This museum celebrates the history of play and the evolution of toys, offering a fascinating look through the decades of dolls and miniatures.

In the exhibits you'll discover a collection of antique dolls, classic toys and detailed miniatures spanning diverse eras and cultures. From costumed porcelain dolls to meticulously recreated model trains that travel through meticulously recreated landscapes, every corner of the museum tells a unique story about the evolution of play over time in different parts of the world.

The North Carolina Museum of Dolls, Toys and Miniatures is not only a journey into the past, but also offers interactive opportunities for visitors to immerse themselves in fun and creativity. Workshops and hands-on activities allow children and adults to explore their imaginations as they lose themselves in the magical world of toys and miniatures.