SPRING BREAKER: A Charlotte Activities Guide for Staycations At Home
A guide to the kid-friendly sites to explore in Charlotte
Staying put in Charlotte this spring break? Why not experience the Queen City like a visitor? Below are some fun hometown activities for when you want to ditch the day-to-day routine.
Museum of Illusions:
Experience the mind-bending hijinks created by mirrors, lights, and depth perception challenges at uptown’s newest museum. Tickets are $29 for adults (ages 13+), $25 for children (ages 5-12), and $26 for seniors (ages 60+ with ID). Children under 5 are free. 601 S. Tryon St., Ste. 138
Museum of Illusions
Carowinds
Visit the area’s locus of outdoor fun, concerts, and motion sickness-inducing rides. Open 10 a.m.-10 p.m. daily. 14523 Carowinds Blvd.
Carowinds
Courtesy Carowinds
NASCAR Hall of Fame
Car-loving kids will be dazzled by the interactive experiences, realistic racing simulators, pit crew challenges, virtual and augmented reality exhibits, and racecars on display, including Disney’s Lightning McQueen. 400 E. M.L.K. Jr. Blvd.
NASCAR Hall of Fame
Be part of the pit crew at NASCAR Hall of Fame.
The Shoedio
If you have a creative kid, budding fashion designer, or just looking for a really fresh family date or birthday party spot, this is the spot for you. Known as paint-and-sip meets Build-a-Bear, all ages can create a pair of custom sneakers during one of their 3 hour workshops. You bring the shoes, they’ll guide you through the rest! 222 West Blvd.
The Shoedio
UNC Charlotte and Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens
Our area is blessed with a pair of gardens with exotic plants in serene environments. The 10-acre UNCC Botanical Gardens hosts desert and carnivorous (!) plants and “a kaleidoscope of tropical ferns, vines, flowers, and shrubs.” The Stowe Gardens stretch over 30 acres, which include six miles of trails. Check websites for locations and hours.
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
Airport Overlook
Bring the kids to watch all the action of the airport, play on the two age-specific aviation-themed playgrounds, check out the educational exhibits, and have a picnic in the shaded picnic areas. Visit @cltairport for the weekly food truck schedule. 5130 Airport Overlook Drive
The Airport Overlook
Monarch Market
This uptown culinary collective is where you can dine out and satisfy every palate. Find birria tacos, smashburgers, Korean street food, sushi, falafel, and more in this 18,000-square-foot food hall on the ground floor of the newly renovated One Independence Center. 101 N. Tryon St.
Monarch Market
Sullenberger Aviation Museum
The former Carolinas Aviation Museum reopened last summer after five years and a $30 million redevelopment. Along with new facilities and exhibitions, the museum was renamed after Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, the pilot who safely landed US Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River in January 2009—and the Airbus A320 is part of the museum’s immersive “Miracle on the Hudson” exhibit. 4108 Minuteman Way
The Sullenberger Aviation Museum
Camp North End
A century-old former Ford automobile factory and World War II quartermaster depot turned into an adaptive-reuse for offices (including Charlotte magazine’s!), eateries, shops, concerts, and other events. 300 Camp Road
Camp North End
The Charlotte Knights
Take the family out for a night at the ballpark. Want to reserve your seats in advance? The Knights have partnered with Charlotte Parent contributor Molly Grantham on the “Molly Family Plan,” which lets you book three games of your choice and get extra goodies like unlimited sodas for the kids. Truist Field
The Charlotte Knights
Charlotte SHOUT!
This multi-week festival returns to uptown April 4-20—and overlaps with CMS spring break! See more than 200 installations, performances, events, and activations. Nearly all the events are outdoors, free, and open to the public.
Charlotte SHOUT!
