101 Family Day Trips and Staycation Ideas Around Charlotte
**Follow each link to get details about your visit directly from your destination, since some places operate seasonally or by reservation, as well as to check each venue's COVID requirements (masks, limits, social distancing).
Free activities and splurges that are worth it. The coolest stuff for a staycation in town and road trips for less than a tank of gas from Charlotte. Kids Out And About has tons of ideas for family travel, with places to explore, learn, and have fun!
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Take A Deep Breath In the Garden
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Dallas Lavender Land Farm |
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Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden |
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McGill Rose Garden |
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The Duke Mansion |
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Wing Haven Gardens |
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Glencairn Garden |
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Biltmore Estate |
Get Wild on a Hike
Time Travel Today
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Charlotte Museum of History |
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Rowan Museum |
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Horne Creek Farm |
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Fort Dobbs |
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President James K. Polk Historic Site |
Let's Go Chasing Waterfalls
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Sliding Rock |
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Catawba Falls |
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Stone Mountain Falls |
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Hickory Nut Falls |
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Looking Glass Falls |
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Mingo Falls |
Splash Around the Swimming Hole
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Hunt-Fish Falls at Wilson Creek |
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Wintergreen Falls |
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Midnight Hole |
Spend the Day at a Museum
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Discovery Place Kids |
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The Mint Museum |
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Nascar Hall of Fame |
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Discovery Place Science |
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Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts + Culture |
Explore These Cities
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Asheville |
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Lexington |
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Winston-Salem |
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Boone |
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Greenville, SC |
All Aboard Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (and Boats!)
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NASCAR Hall of Fame |
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Charlotte Motor Speedway |
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N.C. Transportation Museum |
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Great Smokie Mountain Scenic Railroad |
Grow Some Fun at the Farm
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Hodges Family Farm |
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Riverbend Farm |
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Red Wolf Farm |
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Devine Farm |
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Darby Acres Farm |
Play Ball!
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Charlotte Hornets |
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Carolina Panthers |
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Charlotte Checkers |
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Charlotte Knights |
Treat Yo' Self
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Two Scoops Creamery |
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Cabarrus Creamery |
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King of Pops |
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Elizabeth Creamery |
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Pike's Old Fashioned Soda Shop |
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Golden Cow Creamery |
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SAS Cupcakes |
Connect with Nature
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U.S. National Whitewater Center |
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Lenux Stables and Riding Center |
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Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden |
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Wing Haven |
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McGill Rose Garden |
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Quest at Latta Nature Preserve |
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Reedy Creek Nature Center and Preserve |
Amuse Yourself at These Amusement Parks
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Carowinds |
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Great Wolf Lodge |
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Frankie's Fun Park |
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Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe |
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Land of Oz |
Talk to the Animals
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Darby Acres Farm |
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Why Not An American Ark |
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Lazy 5 Ranch |
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Zootastic Park |
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Tiger World |
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Sea Life Charlotte-Concord Aquarium |
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Carolina Raptor Center |
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North Carolina Zoo |
Explore the Globe Close to Home
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Culture & Heritage Museums |
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Reed Gold Mine State Historic Site |
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Harvey B. Gantt Center |
Get Active Indoors
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Big Air Trampoline Park |
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Inner Peak Climbing |
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Swimming at Harris YMCA |
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ExTreme Ice Center |
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My Gym Ballantyne |
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DefyGravity |
Challenge Yourself
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Charlotte Symphony Orchestra |
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Bechtler Museum of Modern Art |
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Canaan Zipline Canopy Tour |
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The Escape Game Concord |
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Crazy Dash Digital Adventure |
Shop Your Heart Out
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Park Road Books |
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Paper Skyscraper |
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Rebel Base Comics and Toys |
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Toys & Co |
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Northlake Mall |
Limiting our list to 101 ideas meant some great destinations may have been left off the list - if there is something you’d like to see added, share it with us on Facebook!
Most of these destinations are within an hour from downtown Charlotte. For those that are a bit farther away:
= Less than 1 hour away
= 1 to 2 hours away
= 2 to 3 hours away
= Just over 3 hours away
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