Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around Charlotte

Charlotte's most popular places to take kids in 2026

Every May and June, thousands of local parents, grandparents, and caregivers weigh in on their favorite local places to take kids. This is our page to showcase the 2026 winners for the Charlotte area. (Click here to see the full list of nominees.)

Of course, there are literally hundreds of wonderful places to take your kids in our area, not just this year's winners! What is listed below are just the starting point: Browse through our site and calendar to find lots more, and sign up for our fabulous FREE weekly e-newsletter! And be sure not to miss our Everything Free page to see what there is to do without spending a dime!

2026 Top 20 Places to Take Kids

Charlotte

 

Top 20 Ranking

Category Winners

1. Discovery Place Science 2. Carowinds 3. Gem Theatre 4. Discovery Place Kids-Huntersville 5. The Schiele Museum of Natural History 6. Tiger World 7. Great Wolf Lodge 8. North Carolina Transportation Museum 9. SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord 10. Zootastic Park 11. YMCA 12. Big Air Trampoline Park 13. Children's Theatre of Charlotte 14. NASCAR Hall of Fame 15. Carolina Raptor Center 16. Daniel Stowe Conservancy 17. Blumenthal Arts 18. Anne Springs Close Greenway 19. Sullenberger Aviation Museum (formerly Carolinas Aviation Museum) 20. Charlotte Museum of Nature

Arts Educator: Charlotte Cirque & Dance Center Sports Educator: Carolina Ninja Academy STEM Educator: Brooklyn Robot Foundry-Charlotte Farm Attraction: Zootastic Park Indoor Play Center: Urban Air Adventure Park - Mint Hill, NC Museum: The Schiele Museum of Natural History and Planetarium Nature Center: Carolina Raptor Center Outdoor Fun: Anne Springs Close Greenway Performing Arts: Blumenthal ARts Sports Team: Carolina Panthers

© 2026, KidsOutAndAbout.com. This information may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without the express written permission of KidsOutAndAbout.com.