If you're up to a short drive, Grandfather Mountain is great for kids and adults. You get to be in the mountains with little effort (drive to the top). They have a little zoo-type area with bears, deer, eagles, otters, and cougars (can't remember the type of cat immediately).
Grandfather Mountain It's about an hour and a half from Charlotte. I mention this place since it shows what the proximity of Charlotte has to offer (a reason we moved here). There's also
Chimney Rock Park, also a 1.5 hour drive.
Of course, if you want to do something in the city/region...
There's
Discovery Place downtown...never been, but I think it's a science center type of place for kids. There's the
US National Whitewater Center where you can go rafting in a man-made rapids, go rock wall climbing, mountain biking, kayaking on the Catawba River (non-rapids), or do the high ropes challenge course. It's good for all ages.
I would steer clear of the Concord area due to the races being in town (the weekends of May 17th and 24th). Concord Mills and the surrounding area would be a nightmare...but they're worth checking out when you're here not during race time. Or, if you really wanted to see the area, go at the beginning of the week before the crowds hit town. It has a Bass Pro Shop among other good shops. Plus, a go-kart track and a
Dave & Busters.
If you want to see an area of neat looking large houses...sort of the ritzy district of Charlotte...check out the area around
Queens Road. Having a GPS in the car will greatly aid your navigation, but getting lost in the area will reveal some huge McMansions (I guess they're "real" mansions in this area). I always take family and friends through there when they want to see Charlotte. Uptown is also worth a drive through and around. It's a cool skyline.
If you're into sports, there's the
Charlotte Knights (AAA baseball).
I'm sure there's more...we'll see what others post.
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Visiting Charlotte- what do see and do?
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