Things to do with kids in Charlotte

Charlotte, NC

Huge outdoor adventure park on the Catawba River. Warm months: whitewater rafting, ziplines, climbing, ropes courses, Wildwoods family play area and 50+ miles of trails. Winter at Whitewater (mid-Nov to mid-Feb): the Southeast's largest outdoor ice rink (24,000 sq ft), a free illuminated Winter Trail, Highland cows, a Christmas tree lot and night zips.

Free entry; parking $13/vehicle. All Access Day Pass $79; Wildwoods pass $18; ice skating $25 incl. rentals

Lancaster, SC

Award-winning family farm (USA TODAY 10Best #9 corn maze 2026). Fall: 7-acre puzzle corn maze, pick-your-own pumpkins, hayrides, goat walk ropes course, gem mine and play areas. Spring: u-pick strawberries. Homeschool days and field trips.

No admission; pumpkins ~$0.70/lb, large maze ~$12–13, hayride ~$4.49; strawberries ~$3.99/lb

Charlotte, NC

Uptown hands-on science museum with labs, live demos, an IMAX Dome theatre, a rainforest and aquarium exhibits. Field-trip planner for groups.

Gastonia, NC

Natural history museum with dinosaurs, NC wildlife halls, a mineral gallery, planetarium, a Catawba Indian village and an 1700s backcountry farm on a nature trail. Free 2nd Tuesday evenings (4–8 pm).

McAdenville, NC

Whole town lit up with hundreds of thousands of lights — free to drive or walk.

Concord, NC

Indoor waterpark resort kept at 84°F year-round — slides, wave pool, a giant tipping-bucket treehouse — plus MagiQuest, arcade and ropes course. Day passes available.

Day passes from about $55 (varies by date)