Discovery Place, Charlotte's science museum, is reinventing itself this year. Several brand new exhibits are opening up, as well as a continuously running 3-d theater, and several open-ended, hands-on labs for kids. At one of the labs, kids tackle physics problems. For instance they might be asked to create a building that can withstand an earthquake. After building it, they can test it.

A new area for kids under 7 is opening in February, 2010, and there will be several more permanent exhibits, all opening by May, 2010.

Also new is the much improved cafe, which now focuses on local, healthful food.

If you've got a hankering for gold (and who doesn't?) get yourself to Reed Gold Mine, the site of the first documented gold find in the United States. (Take that, California!) Today you can tour the mine and explore the grounds for free. It costs $2 to pan for gold. It's also just a lovely place. Bring a picnic!

A collaboration between the children's theatre and children's library, this is the place to see kids' plays or browse the expansive racks of kids' books. But besides that, there are loads of free activities, from costume dress-up for preschoolers to sophisticated movie-editing for teens. Did I mention free?

It's a little bit of a drive from Charlotte, but worth it. Kids can go on a carousel or a train ride through the woods for a buck. There's also cheap mini-golf, gem mining, and more. The gem mining is fantastic. You always get gorgeous gems. There's also a nature center and live animals. You can even camp here.

Kids love riding on the vintage trolley from the Historic South End up to (or past) ImaginOn on 7th Street. It just runs on the weekend, and is a fun way to get into the city for weekend activities. Learn about each stop on the website http://www.charlottetrolley.org/. There's even a trolley museum, where you can see trolleys that played a part in Charlotte's past (and maybe future.)