A bike ride adds a sense of adventure to a family vacation or day trip. Kids can practice new skills on paved paths and more experienced riders can challenge themselves with more technical rides. Fortunately, the Carolinas and Virginia offer…
Nashville is a prime destination for live music and bachelorette parties, but a night out on Lower Broadway is a bit harder to swing with kids in tow. Fortunately Music City has plenty of kid-friendly spots that aren’t just bearable—they’re…
CLOSE OUT SUMMER AT THE BALLANTYNE The hotel will host a family-friendly line-up of activities for Labor Day weekend, September 3-5. Take a Cookie Workshop ($25 per child) with Executive Pastry Chef Henry Martignago. Head to the Lowcountry BBQ ($24…
Renee Ratcliffe and her husband John founded Cakeable Charlotte in 2019 to offer baking classes and job skills training for students who have different abilities. They fund their classes with donations and proceeds from bake sales, pop-up sales, and…
If you dread the endless lines, overpriced food, and stimulation overload at an amusement park, Dollywood might just change your mind. It’s a 3 hour and 40 minute drive from Charlotte and drops you in the foothills of the Great…
HAVE A ‘HAPPY DAY’ AT OPTIMIST HALL Head over to Optimist Hall to celebrate their second birthday and help kids in our community on Sunday, August 1 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Enjoy a full day of activities including a…
August 1 Grand Carnivale. Carowinds, Visit Carowinds for the final day of Grand Carnivale, which began July 17. This event celebrates cultures from around the world through games, food, crafts, and traditions. See the daily schedule online, and don’t miss…
Each month, our 8-year-old resident foodie visits a different Charlotte-area restaurant that’s kid-friendly—but not a kid-topia. He orders something he’s never tried before and reports back with his recommendations for kids and their parents. Here is his review of YaMe…
As more people continue to get vaccinated and public venues re-open at full capacity, parents are long overdue for a date night. If it’s been so long that you’re stumped on where to go and what to do, we’ve got…
Sixteen months is a long time to be at home with kids. You love them with every fiber of your being, sure, but it can feel suffocating when there’s no time or space to be alone. The freedom to…
VISIT CAMP NORTH BEACH The Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit has gotten a ton of buzz this summer, but that’s not all that’s going on at Camp North End. Take the kids to check out Camp North Beach, a beachy oasis…
Gather a group of fathers, invite grandpa, or grab the kids for a daytrip or weekend getaway. Bad music, tall tales, and dad jokes are encouraged. Here are four destinations for dads, all within driving distance of Charlotte: Banner…
SWIM IN A QUARRY Head to the quarry at Carrigan Farms for Open Swim. Take a dip in the quarry, jump off the rocks, swing off the rope swing, and fish in the ponds. Hours are 10 a.m. to…
June 4 Charlotte Knights versus Nashville Sounds. Truist Field, 324 S. Mint St. 7:04 p.m. $10+. Spend Friday evening with the Knights as they take on the Sounds at Truist Field, and stay for the special Friday Night Fireworks promotion.…
Each month, our 7-year-old resident foodie visits a different Charlotte-area restaurant that’s kid-friendly—but not a kid-topia. He orders something he’s never tried before and reports back with his recommendations for kids and their parents. Here is his review of the…
Saturday CLT Scavenger Hunt. Multiple locations. Go on a Mother’s Day-themed scavenger hunt and collect fun gifts from local businesses for Mom. The two-day event is May 7-8 and includes four hunt locations each day. Mother's Day-themed clues will be…
SPEND FRIDAY NIGHT AT CAMP NORTH END Head to Camp North End for a night of live music, food, and public art. Grab dinner at one of the food stalls or have a beer at Free Range Brewing. Kids can…
Be part of the magic when you help set the night aglow at the Charlotte Water Lantern Festival May 8 at Symphony Park in Southpark! Beautiful Symphony Park is located at 4400 Sharon Road in Charlotte. This family-friendly, one of…
May 1 Bark at the Park. Emmett Scott Recreation Center, 801 Crawford Rd., Rock Hill. 1-4 p.m. Free. Bring your leashed pup for the Paw Parade, contests, onsite pet clinic, vendors, dog play area, and more. Dogs will be available…
Each month, our 7-year-old resident foodie visits a different Charlotte-area restaurant that’s kid-friendly—but not a kid-topia. He orders something he’s never tried before and reports back with his recommendations for kids and their parents. Here is his review of Silverlake…
EAT FRIES FOR DINNER If you’re a fan of this popular food truck and their loaded gourmet fries (and who isn’t?), stop by What the Fries’ new storefront on Park Road. In addition to their legendary fries, burgers, and fried…
Let’s face it. You play favorites … especially when it comes to where to eat, play, explore and learn with your family. Because we know that finding the sweet spots often come by word-of-mouth, we asked Charlotte Parent readers to…
Local Toy Store: Toys and Co. Kid-tested and approved, Toys and Co. has a wide selection of unique toys, hosts special events, offers free gift wrapping and a rewards programs, and several toys are available for playing with on site.…
