Family Fun in North Carolina

Charlotte, the largest city in North Carolina, is a wonderful place to visit, and has a lot to offer for all ages at any time of the year due to abundant sunshine and warm seasonal temperatures.

 For great family fun at a privately owned and operated exotic animal zoo just located 30 minutes from Charlotte in Huntersville, NC is Lazy 5 Ranch, My wife and I took our daughter for her first birthday and she just loved having the animals come right up to the car, just watch out for the Ostrich’s!! And while in the neighborhood visit Queen’s Landing featuring the Catawba Queen, replica of a Mississippi River Paddle Boat for sightseeing cruises on Lake Norman.

If you want to speed things up a little visit Victory Lane Indoor Karting an indoor race facility located in the heart of Charlotte, NC or you can try NASCAR Speed Park at Concord Mills in Concord, NC. If you visit between April – October make a run for the border to Carowinds North and South Carolina’s Amusement Park, featuring some of the best roller coasters in the Southeast. Make a splash Ray’s Splash Planet or at the new Great Wolf Lodge Concord, NC or drive 90 minutes to Greensboro, NC and enjoy the day at Wet N’ Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park.

For the sports enthusiasts there are some of the finest golf courses in the country which is why we play host to the Wachovia PGA Tour Championship annually at the Quail Hollow Country club. Of course we are also the official home of NASCAR featuring Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, NC and opening in 2010 NASCAR Hall of Fame in Uptown Charlotte!! Professional Sports teams NFL Carolina Panthers, NBA Charlotte Bobcats, Minor league Triple AAA Charlotte Knights baseball, and even Minor League Hockey Charlotte Checkers team. Charlotte is also home of the U.S National Whitewater Center, world's largest artificial whitewater river and an official U.S. Olympic Training Site. If visiting Charlotte in late April head out to Waxhaw, NC for the prestigious Queen’s Cup Steeplechase.

There are many venues that cater to those interested in the Arts, Sciences and Education as well. Discovery Place will satisfy the curious minds and spark the imagination. Pan for gold at the Reed Gold Mine the site of the first documented Gold find in the United States. Visit yesteryear 19^th century at Latta Plantation and Nature Preserve. Visit and learn about birds of prey at the Carolina Raptor Center. If you have a green thumb, don’t forget to visit the Daniel Stowe Botantical Gardens.

For day trips or quick getaways from Charlotte, you can also take a short drive West to Asheville, NC in the Blue Ridge Mountains to explore the Biltmore Estate, drive or hike the Blue Ridge Parkway. Or if you prefer lazy days at the beach, head East and visit Wilmington, NC and Wrightsville Beach.   

Related articles: 

•  Local tips on kid fun around Charlotte

• Places to Hike with Kids Around Charlotte, North Carolina
• Cheap Things to Do in Charlotte, NC with kids
• Kid-friendly Hotels in Charlotte, North Carolina 
• Fun for Dudes, Both Kids and Bigs Near Charlotte, NC
• Best Activities for Kids in the Piedmont Triangle

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Timothy J Reilly is the founder of The Little Out of Towner’s Baby Equipment Rental Company. The Little Out of Towners is here to take traveling stress away, offering a wide variety of clean, quality, baby equipment rentals from cribs to strollers to car seats with delivery and pickup service to your front door.