Charlotte, NC header

Archive for the ‘Featured’ Category

25+ Farms Offer Sweet Strawberry Picking: Charlotte, NC (2024)

Posted on by Maria Bassett |

Are you looking for farms where you can go strawberry picking? Charlotte, NC is full of local you-pick strawberry farms and there are even more just a short drive away. Our list includes farms large and small, and some even offer playgrounds and opportunities to interact with animals, enjoy an ice cream cone, or get a delicious lunch! Finishing off this piece you’ll find our tried and true parent tips for strawberry picking with kids. So make your plans to enjoy strawberry season!

Strawberry Picking: Charlotte, NC

Strawberry Farms Near Charlotte, NC

Kicking off this list: the closest strawberry picking to Charlotte, NC. The 14 farms below are 1 hour away or less from Charlotte.

The second half of this list has farms near Columbia, SC, Greenville, SC and Western North Carolina, jut a couple of hours away. Don’t skip those because they make the strawberry season last even longer. Columbia usually has strawberries earlier than we do, and the farms in Western North Carolina often have strawberries after our farms have finished their seasons.

Springs Farm, SC

Fort Mill, SC
This farm in For Mill offers both you-pick and pre-pick strawberries. You’ll want to watch their social media for updates on availability and hours they will be open for you-pick. In addition to strawberries, this farm offers a CSA program and a market that carries produce, jarred items, fresh-made ice cream, slushies, glass bottled soda and more.

1010 Springfield Parkway, Fort Mill, SC
Springs Farm Website
Springs Farm Instagram
Distance from Charlotte, NC: 25 minutes

Wise Acres Organic

Indian Trail, NC: 4701 Hartis Road
If you’re looking to pick your own organic strawberries, Wise Acres in Indian Trail, NC is the place to visit. They are a certified organic farm with u-pick strawberries in the spring by reservation only. That means you do have to plan ahead to visit this farm. However, if you just want to pick up some pre-picked berries you can do that without a reservation at The Green House store beside the farm. They also carry ice cream, snacks, local items, Wise Acres flowers, and sometimes even a food truck. You really could spend a whole afternoon at this farm!

U-pick strawberry reservations will open up very early April as plants get closer to producing berries, the farm typically opens for picking in mid-April.

4701 Hartis Road, Indian Trail, NC
Wise Acres Website
Wise Acres Instagram
Distance from Charlotte, NC: 30 minutes

Lineberger’s Farm

Dallas, NC
Lineberger’s Farm in Dallas, NC is gearing up for strawberries. They’ll be offering strawberries April through June. Similar to other farms you’ll want to follow social media for picking availability. In addition to picking they also have a playground and chicken coop on site for kids to enjoy. There’s also a farm store where you can buy pre-picked produce, jams, jellies, and snacks.

906 Dallas Stanley Highway, Dallas, NC
Linberger’s Website
Linberger’s Facebook
Distance from Charlotte, NC: 30 minutes

Hunter Farm

Weddington, NC
The Hunter Farm is a family-run farm in Weddington, North Carolina. In the spring they offer strawberry picking and fun wagon rides to their animal barn. You’ll want to stay tuned to their Facebook page for official opening information, but currently, they are targeting mid-April 2024 to open for the spring season! They will open reservation slots for picking, and sometimes they have professional photo sessions, food trucks, and more.

13624 Providence Road, Weddington, NC
Hunter Farm Website
Hunter Farm Facebook
Distance from Charlotte, NC: 30 minutes

Deer Run Farm of Midland

Midland, NC
Deer Run Farm plans to open for u-pick strawberries in the second week of April in 2024. One of the totally awesome things about this farm is that have 4 rows of strawberries that are wheelchair accessible! Check their Facebook page in April for more information on picking.

 4664 Hwy 24 27 E Midland, NC (new location for picking in 2024!!)
Deer Run Farm Website
Deer Run Farm
Distance from Charlotte, NC: about 35 minutes

Carrigan Farms

Mooresville, NC
Strawberry picking is available at Carrigan Farms towards the end of April. In addition to strawberries, Carrigan Farms offers swimming in their quarry beginning in May. If you want to know about swimming there, check out our review of The Quarry at Carrigan Farms.

1261 Oakridge Farm Highway, Mooresville, NC
Strawberries at Carrigan Farms Website
Carrigan Farms Facebook
Distance from Charlotte, NC: 40 minutes

The Ivy Place

Lancaster, SC
The Ivy Place offers both you-pick and pre-picked strawberries. They are open for the 2024 season! They also offer blackberries and blueberries later in the season, plus tomatoes, zucchini, and other produce in the summer.

8603 Van Wyck Road, Lancaster, SC
The Ivy Place Website
The Ivey Place Facebook
Distance from Charlotte, NC: 40 minutes

Hall Family Farm

Lancaster, SC
The Hall Family Farm offers u-pick strawberries- no reservation required and no admission fee. Follow their social media page for availability, but they are open for the 2024 season! Don’t miss visiting with the pigs, goats, and chickens, and pick up something yummy to eat at the bakery. Kids can play at a variety of play areas including two ropes courses! Pay per activity.

445 W Rebound Road, Lancaster, SC
Hall Family Farm Website
Hall Family Farm Facebook
Distance from Charlotte, NC: 40 minutes

Patterson Farm

Mount Ulla, NC
Patterson Farm is more than a strawberry-picking destination. They also offer a barn with animals and a playground area with admission, plus a farm store with pre-picked strawberries, kettle corn, and ice cream. There is no admission fee to access the store. You can access both the strawberry fields and the play area and barn with a single admission fee of $11 (paid online or $13 paid at the gate) per person. Tickets for only the strawberry field are just $1 when purchased in advance. Tickets for just the playspaces are also available. It is recommended to purchase tickets in advance, as access to the strawberry fields at the gate depends on availability.

10390 Caldwell Road, Mt Ulla, NC
Patterson Farm Spring Strawberries Website
Patterson Farm Facebook
Distance from Charlotte, NC: 45 minutes

Beaver Farms

Statesville, NC
Pick strawberries at this mountain farm with no admission fee and no reservations required. They also have pre-picked berries for sale. They plan to open for 2024 strawberry picking at the end of April, 2024. Follow them on facebook for opening dates.

270 Beaver Farm Road, Statesville, NC
Beaver Farms Website
Beaver Farms Facebook
Distance from Charlotte, NC: 45 minutes

Bush-N-Vine

York, SC
A York, SC favorite, picking strawberries at Bush-N-Vine is a tradition for lots of Charlotte area families. They opened April 4th, 2024 for the strawberry picking season. No reservations are needed but you’ll want to follow their website and social media for field conditions and availability. In addition to strawberry picking, Bush-N-Vine has picnic areas and a Farm Cafe with ice cream, hot dogs, doughnuts, and lots more yummy options. They also offer additional fruits and vegetables for sale.

You can read more about our visit to Bush-N-Wine in our Guide to York County Things to Do.

1650 Filbert Highway, York, SC
Bush-N-Vine Website
Busn-N-Vine Facebook
Distance from Charlotte, NC: 50 minutes

Bush N Vine orchard in York, South Carolina

Black’s Peaches

York, SC
Strawberry picking starts mid-April at Black’s Peaches. You can expect it to run through mid-June and then peach picking starts! Black’s Peaches also offers a weekly produce basket, farm store, cafe, and bakery.

1800 Black Highway, York, SC
Black’s Peaches Website
Black’s Peaches Facebook
Distance from Charlotte, NC: 50 minutes

Cody Strawberry Farm

Ridgefield, NC
2024 Strawberries are ripening at Cody Strawberry Farm, they anticipate opening for u-pick strawberries as the weather warms and the fruit ripens. This family farms grows lots of different produce and typically offers u-pick strawberries in the spring.

44052 Pauls Crossing Road, Ridgefield, NC
Cody Strawberry Farm Website
Cody Strawberry Farm Facebook
Distance from Charlotte, NC: 55 minutes

Cotton Hills Farm

Chester, SC
Cotton Hils Farm (The Market At Lowry’s) plans to open April 5th, 2024. U-pick is open as available throughout the season. In the summer you can also pick peaches at Cotton Hills. Their store has jar items and local produce, which you can also pick up at one of their two stand locations.

2575 Lowrys Highway, Lowrys, SC
Cotton Hills Farm Website
Cotton Hills Farm Facebook
Distance from Charlotte, NC: Just under 1 hour

Cottle Strawberry Farm

Looking for more places to pick strawberries? 20 More Farms

Hit the road for a delicious day trip!

Discover 20+ more places to pick strawberries within a couple of hours from Charlotte!

Make strawberry season even longer! The season starts a bit earlier in Columbia, then use the Greenville list to find Western North Carolina strawberry patches picking later in the season.

We love the wheelchair-accessible strawberry picking at Lush Acres Farm in Clinton, SC. It’s about 2 hours from Charlotte, but so worth it for this unique option. They also have animals to visit and kids’ activities like a jumping pillow! Check out our full Kidding Around Review of Lush Acres Farm from our recent visit.

Accessible strawberry picking at Lush Acres Farm in Clinton, SC

6 Parent Tips for Picking Your Own Strawberries

Bringing the kids strawberry picking? We’ve done that A LOT. Learn from our experience in strawberry fields and patches with these tips to help you have the most fun with your kiddos!

Strawberry Picking Tip #1: There is little shade in a strawberry patch. To avoid the heat, pick in the early morning or early evening if possible. Be sure to wear sunscreen and a hat and don’t forget water bottles!

Strawberry Picking Tip #2: Some farms do not have restrooms and others may have just a port-a-potty. Use the restroom before you leave the house, and if you’re driving a good distance to the farm, consider a stop at a restroom stop before you arrive.

Strawberry Picking Tip #3: Sandals are cute for photos, but they are not a good choice when picking strawberries. You may find mud, fire ant hills and other insects. Wear closed-toed shoes or even rain boots. You may even want to toss in a plastic bag for dirty shoes so you don’t get mud all over the car.

Strawberry Picking Tip #4: Talk to the kids before you arrive about farm rules such as not stepping on plants and only picking what you plan to keep.

Strawberry Picking Tip #5: Call ahead. Picking is VERY dependent on field conditions, weather, how many visitors the farm hosted the day before, etc. Calling ahead is the best way to ensure you will be able to pick when ou arrive. Also follow the farm’s social media pages for updates.

Strawberry Picking Tip #6: Save your gallon baskets year to year. Most patches ask that you only use approved gallon baskets or buckets. Some farms will provide them for free, others will ask you to purchase the baskets. Usually you can reuse baskets from year to year from local patches and save a few dollars. Plan on spending a little extra money on purchasing approved baskets if you don’t already own some.

Blueberry Picking in Charlotte, NC

Keep that Berry Fix!
Don’t Forget About Blueberries!

Where to Go Blueberry Picking in Charlotte, NC

Spring in Charlotte, NC

Find more spring fun thing to do in Charlotte, NC

Spring in Charlotte, NC: Activities & Things to Do

Posted on by Maria Bassett |

Are you looking for things to do this spring in Charlotte, NC? We have lots of family-friendly ideas to keep you and the kids busy and having fun together. Grab the camera, you’re going to be making some memories this spring.

Spring in Charlotte, NC

We have lots of things to do this spring for you, including Easter Events, spring flowers, parks to explore, and lots more spring fun in Charlotte, NC

Easter in Charlotte, NC

If you’re looking for Easter Egg Hunts and other Easter activities, you’ll want to check out our Kidding Around Guide to Easter Egg Hunts in Charlotte, NC. It’s loaded with Easter Egg Hunts and events all over Charlotte and the surrounding areas. We even have some themed day trip ideas you won’t want to miss!

Easter Egg Hunt: Charlotte NC

Don’t Miss Any of the Easter Fun

Easter Egg Hunts in Charlotte, NC.

Spring Break

If you’re looking specifically for Spring Break things to do in Charlotte, NC, we have an entire guide for that! It’s full of adventures indoors and out so you can have fun together no matter the weather, plus day trip ideas and even some unique travel ideas.

Spring Break Guide to Charlotte, NC

Kidding Around’s Guide to Spring Break in Charlotte, NC

Spring Activities in Charlotte, NC

Pick Flowers!

Springtime means tulips and daffodils are blooming. What better way to enjoy them than an afternoon spent at a flower farm? There are several flower farms near Charlotte and within an easy day trip drive where you can visit and even pick your own flowers. Make a pretty spring bouquet for your home.

Pick Your Own Flowers in Charlotte, NC

Here’s where to pick your own flowers near Charlotte, NC

Play Outdoors

Looking for a place to play outside? Here are a few parks we love!

Village Park in Kannapolis has an antique carousel and a small train in addition to their fun playground. With picnic spots, restrooms on site, and paved walking trails, you can spend the whole day here.

Carousel at Village Green Park

Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park in Belmont, NC is a great spot to enjoy spring by the river. There’s a newly constructed playground on site, plus picnic areas, picnic shelters, and restrooms. Perhaps the coolest part of this park is the beautiful dock with bench swings that extend out into the river. Have your own kayak? You can launch for free from this park!

Go for a Hike

We LOVE heading out on a hike to see a gorgeous waterfall. It’s really one of the best ways to enjoy spring weather that we can think of. If you agree, try one of these Waterfalls near Charlotte. For something really unique, head to Western North Carolina and try this Waterfall Driving Tour.

Little Bradley Falls
Little Bradley Falls
High Falls in DuPont Forest

Or, check out Anne Springs Close Greenway. You’ll find beautiful trails, events and even places to dine at this park.

Crowders Mountain State Park

Visit Crowders Mount State Park for Hikes with Amazing Views of Charlotte!

Visit ZMAX Dragway for the April NHRA Event

The NHRA Four-Wide event returns to ZMAX April 26th-28th, 2024. We got to experience an NHRA Event at ZMAX last year and it was so much fun, especially for our kids. Every ticket is a pit pass at NHRA events which means you can get close to the cars, watch the teams work and even ask questions. Kids’ tickets are just $10!

ZMAX Funny Car being towed

Pick Strawberries!

Want to pick your own strawberries? There are lots of places near Charlotte where you can do just that. Plus there are even more that are an easy day trip away, which means your strawberry season just got a little longer. Check out these farms with strawberry picking in Charlotte, NC!

Things to Do in Charlotte, NC

There are lots and lots more things to do in Charlotte!

Check out our HUGE Things to Do in Charlotte Guide.

Or, try this list of FREE Things to Do in Charlotte, NC

Free Things to Do This Spring

Make some free spring crafts at Home Depot Kids Workshops.

  • March 2nd, 2024: Butterfly House
  • April 6th, 2024: Lattice Planter
  • May 4th, 2024: Bloomin Picture Frame

Or, try these free spring projects at Lowes FREE Kids Workshops

  • March 16th, 2024, Flower Birdfeeder
  • April 20th, 2024, Garden Cart Planter
  • May 4th, 2024: Butterfly Biome

Pick Your Own Flower Farms: Charlotte, NC

Posted on by Maria Bassett |

Would you like to visit a flower farm in Charlotte, NC to pick your own flowers? If you’re looking for u-pick flowers in Charlotte, NC, you’ve come to the right list. We have flower farms in Charlotte and flower farms within an easy day trip where you can pick everything from tulips to sunflowers. You can’t beat a fully blooming flower field when it comes to beauty, and many of these farms invite you to come and enjoy the fields, pick your flowers, and even hang around for a picnic. Go enjoy a beautiful spring day in a field of flowers. Try one of these u-pick flower farms near Charlotte, NC.

Pick your own flowers in Charlotte NC

Dewberry Farm: Pick Your Own Tulips & Sunflowers

Dewberry Farm is ready for its 7th annual U-pick Tulip, springtime farm events. They anticipate opening for tulip picking on March 25th, 2024. They also offer U-pick Sunflowers in the summertime. Both options are ticketed events, so you’ll need to get those u-pick tickets in advance. In 2023 tickets were $8 for adults and $5 for kids over age 2. Tulips were $1.25 each. We will update with 2024 prices when available. You can also follow the Dewberry Farm Facebook page for updates and current picking conditions.

  • Kernersville, NC (About 1 hour and 20 minutes from Charlotte, NC)
  • Spring and Summer Flowers
  • Dewberry Farm Website
  • Purchase tickets in advance

McLawland Farms: Sunflowers & Dahlias

McLawland Farms offers pick-your-own flowers in the summer by appointment. They offer sunflowers and dahlias as well as blackberries, blueberries, and figs when available. Look for summer flowers to be ready in June and July and fall flowers in October. The McLawland Farms Facebook page is a good place to check for field updates.

Aurora Flora: Pick Summer Blooms

Aurora Flora offers a quarter-acre garden of blooms you can pick yourself at their u-pick events on Saturdays which typically begin in May for the summer season. You’ll need to make a reservation before you visit to ensure the garden doesn’t get too crowded. Cut flower prices are $25 for a cup of 20-25 flowers, or $75 for a bulk bucket that holds 60-75 stems.

Curiosity Farm: Pick Tulips, Daffodils, Dahlias, and More

Located in Concord, NC, Curiosity Farm offers spring, summer, and fall you-pick options including tulips, anemones, daffodils in the spring, and dahlias in the summer and fall. This farm also offers cut bouquets and gardening classes at venues in the community. Follow Curiosity Farm on Facebook to see when they will begin their 2024 U-Pick Events, look for tulips, anemones, and daffodils starting in March! Prices vary by season, but in 2023 were $15-20 per jar of picked flowers in the spring.

Blackberry Ridge: Cut Your Own Flowers

Blackberry Ridge offers cut flower subscriptions as well as pick-your-own events in the spring and summer. In 2023 they offered tulips, snapdragons, sunflowers, dahlias, and more. Follow Blackberry Ridge on Facebook to see when they will open their field for you-pick.

Wise Acres Organic

In addition to you-pick berries, Wise Acres Organic Farm offers pick your own flowers by reservation. However, if you just want to pick up some pre-picked flowers (or berries) you can do that without a reservation at The Green House store beside the farm. They also carry ice cream, snacks, local items, Wise Acres flowers, and sometimes even a food truck. You really could spend a whole afternoon at this farm!

Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard: Spring Tulips

The apple farm you know and love also offers tulips in the spring! Pick your own spring tulips at Stepp’s Orchard. We visited this farm in 2023 and it was so gorgeous. Check the Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard Facebook page for tulip picking availability, but look for them to be open in March 2024.

Stepp's tulips

Jeter Mountain Farm: Pick Your Own Summer Blooms

Jeter Mountain Farm is an apple orchard, but they also offer u-pick zinnias in July and sunflowers in early August. That means if you time it right, you can pick your flowers, get apples, and enjoy a coffee on the farm, in one fabulous day trip. Don’t miss their fun (free) indoor play area! We love the wagon rides that bring you around the farm. The views are totally amazing as you approach the flower fields!

Jeter Mountain Farm

Thompson Family Farms

Thompson Family Farms offers cut-your-own tulips in early spring and sunflowers in summer. Follow the Thompson Family Farms Facebook page for updates. We got to experience picking flowers at Thompson Family Farm and we had such a lovely time. Here’s our review of Thompson Family Farms.

Check out our visit to Thompson Family Farm

Find more fun things to do in Charlotte, NC.

Find more flowers!

Valentine’s Day Charlotte, NC (2024): The Premier Guide

Posted on by Maria Bassett |

Are you ready to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Charlotte, NC? Our 2024 Charlotte, NC Valentine’s Guide is full of ideas to help you celebrate. We have date ideas, restaurant suggestions, parent’s night out events for Valentine’s Day childcare, family things to do to celebrate, and lots more!

Date Ideas & Events
Romantic Restaurants
Valentine’s Day in Charlotte with Kids
Childcare: Parent’s Night Out in Charlotte
Valentine's Day Charlotte, NC

Fun Date Ideas

If you’re looking for something a little different for a date night this Valentine’s Day, check out our list of fun & unique date ideas in Charlotte, NC. We have more than 17 ideas to help you plan that no-so-ordinary date.

Our list even has some totally free ideas that really are fun. So, you can get out to celebrate Valentine’s Day, even if you’re on a tight budget.

Unique date ideas: Charlotte, NC

17+ Unique Date Ideas in Charlotte, NC

Special Valentine’s Events

These events would make a great date night!

Valentine’s Paint & Plant at NoDa Brewing Company on January 30th, 2024: Paint a planter and pot your plant, while enjoying a favorite beverage.

Adult Valentine’s Day Cooking Class at Flour Power in Charlotte on February 2nd, 2024. Learn to make chocolate-covered strawberries, Chicken Marsala, and molten lava cakes.

French Macaroon Workshop at Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen, from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm on February 9th, 2024.

Valentine’s Day Comedy Show at Cloudcheck Hookah&Daiquiri Bar on February 14th, 2024 at 10 pm.

Free Comedy Show at Pilot Brewing on February 14th, 2024 from 7 to 8:30 pm.

Romantic Restaurants in Charlotte, NC

If a nice meal out together is more your thing, check out our list of Romantic Restaurants in Charlotte. We have several fine-dining options on the list, plus a few more casual date-night restaurant ideas we love.

If we missed your favorite romantic restaurant, let us know! Pop over to our Kidding Around Charlotte Facebook page and send us a message. We want to hear all about why it’s your favorite!

Date night restaurants near Charlotte, North Carolina

Date Night Restaurants in Charlotte, NC

Valentine’s Day in Charlotte with the Kids

Make a free Valentine’s Basket at the Home Depot Kids Workshop on February 3rd, 2024. Free event

Make a free Cactus Valentine’s Bag at JCPenney Kids Zone craft event on February 10th, 2024 at 11 am. Free event

SAS Cupcakes: Frost cupcakes, enjoy a story and a craft at SAS Cupcakes Valentine’s Story Time on February 9th at 10:30 am and February 10th at 10:30 am.

Confetē Soirée and Play in Huntersville is offering a Valentine event with cookie decorating and a craft, plus open play and snacks on Valentine’s Day February 14th at 10 am. The event is $20.

Watch! Our Valentine’s Ideas for a Family Celebration

We joined Fox Carolina, Access Carolina to talk about Valentine’s ideas for celebrating with the whole family.

Valentine’s Day Childcare: Parent’s Night Out

Parent’s Night Out Programs (also known as Kids’ Night Our Programs) are a great option if you need childcare to get a date night out. These events may not be exactly on February 14th, but you can pick one in February and celebrate a little early or a little late. You’ll likely avoid the restaurant crowds when you go this route anyway, which is pretty great in our opinion.

Flour Power in Charlotte, NC offers a Kids Night Out Program every other Friday. This cooking program includes dinner and dessert!

The Flour Power location in Fort Mill, SC also offers a Kids Night Program every other Friday.

The YMCA of Greater Charlotte offers several Kids Night Our Programs at its locations. You’ll find them arranged by age group on Fridays and some Saturdays. The program includes games, stories, crafts, and more. Current February options are on February 2nd, February 9th, February 10th, February 16th, and February 23rd. Cost and times vary by location but in general they are in the early evening hours and on average $40 for non-members and $30 for members.

The Mecklenburg County Recreation Depart sometimes offers Kids Night Out programs. Their February 16th Kids Night Out event is full, but keep them in mind for future events!

Perfect Balance Training Center in Charlotte offers a Parents Night Out program once a moth on Saturday from 5:30 to 8:30 pm for both members and non-members. the event is $25 when you register in advance and includes pizza, a drink and gym time. The next event is on February 17th, 2024.

Life Time Charlotte offers lots of Parents Night Out options including a Valentine’s Day Party for kids ages 4 to 8 on February 10th, plus other themed nights including a painting party, tween takeover, and superhero event.

GymFit Sports Center is offering a parents night out program on February 10th at 6 pm. The cost is $40 ($30 for additional siblings) and includes dinner, a movie and bounce houses/trampolines.

Charlotte Martial Arts Academy is offering a Dodgeball Party Parent’s Night Out on February 24th, 2024 from 5 pm to 9 pm and the cost is $25.

More Valentine’s Day Content

5 Valentine’s Day Cards Free! Print or Make These EASY cards right now!

The Not-So-Lonely Hearts Club {a single mom’s Valentine’s Day story}

Make These “You Rock” Valentines

Spend the Day: Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park in Belmont, NC

Posted on by Maria Bassett |

Are you thinking about a visit to Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park in Belmont, NC? With a recently updated playground and a beautiful riverfront location, this park has a lot to offer families and anyone who loves the outdoors. Put a kayak in the water, enjoy the wooden bench swings on the dock, or pack a picnic, whatever you choose you can make a full afternoon of fun out of your visit to Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park.

Playground at Riverfront Park in Belmont, NC

The Playground at Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park

The recently updated playground has a fun treehouse theme that my kids enjoyed, with lots of climbing structures and equipment for all ages. We absolutely love the solid ground cover and the ground-level equipment that make much of this playground accessible for all kids.

Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park playground
Playground at Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park in Belmont, NC

The playground is fully fenced, with a larger playground for older kids to one side, and a smaller climbing structure for younger kids on the other side. Swings take up the space in the middle.

Restrooms are conveniently located beside the playground just outside the fence and up the short path. You’ll also find a large pavilion here that can be rented out.

Playing at the playground, Riverfront Park in Belmont, NC

Picnic Spots

In addition to the large pavilion, there are two smaller picnic shelters that can be rented for your events in the park. They are spread out along the park’s sidewalk across from the playground with a view of the river through the trees.

Restrooms at Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park

If you don’t need a whole picnic shelter, there are several other spots where you can enjoy your picnic. Bring a blanket and spread it out on the grass beside the playground or head down to the dock and enjoy your meal from there.

View of the river at Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park

The Dock

The dock has both benches and wooden bench swings so there are plenty of places to sit, relax, and enjoy the view. When we visited this seemed to be one of the most popular spots in the park, and for good reason. It was quite beautiful and spacious.

If you like paddling, there is a wide dock where you can put a kayak, canoe, or even paddleboard to explore the river. Access to the Catawba River here is free.

Dock for kayaks at Kevin Loftin Park in Belmont, NC
Dock swings in Belmont, NC

More at Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park

This park also offers a short but paved walking trail that is accessible, perfect for taking in the river views after a bit of playtime or lunch. Plus, there’s an amphitheater for public events.

The annual event, RiverFest, is hosted annually in May at Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park with live music, kayaking, local vendors, food trucks, and more. In 2024, the event is scheduled for May 18th.

Swings at Riverfront Park
Village Park Kannapolis

Want to visit another awesome park? Check out Village Park in Kannapolis, NC.

Free things to do in Charlotte, North Carolina for families.

Find lots more FREE Things to Do in Charlotte, NC in our list!

Enjoy Winter in Charlotte, NC: The Premier Guide

Posted on by Maria Bassett |

Are you looking for things to do this winter in Charlotte, NC? Winter has arrived! That means it’s time for all the activities the cooler weather lets us enjoy, from winter hikes to snow tubing, great family dining to awesome indoor play places. We created our Kidding Around Charlotte Winter Guide to help you plan your family’s fun! No reason to stay home and be bored!

Charlotte, NC Winter Things to Do
Outdoors: Winter in Charlotte, NC
Things to Do Indoors in Winter
Our Full Things to Do Guide

Outdoor Things to Do This Winter: Charlotte, NC

Snow Tubing

The ultimate family-fun winter day, snow tubing. There are lots of places about a 2-hour drive from Charlotte where you can head for a day of winter fun on a snow tube.

Here’s our list of places to go snow tubing near Charlotte, NC.

Moonshine Mountain tubing
Sliding down in a tube at Black Bear Tubing
Black Bear Snow Tubing
On the snow tube pully at Black Bear in Hendersonville, NC

Ice Skating

Charlotte’s Whitewater Center is the place to go for ice skating in the winter. They offer skating from mid-November through mid-February, making it a true winter season offering. Day tickets for skating are $25 and that includes the skate rental and use of the 24,000 square foot skating space. The ice is unlike other rinks and is made up of 4 distinct skating areas, connected by ice trails.

Ice skating at the Whitewater Center

Sledding

Even if there’s no snow on the ground in Charlotte (and let’s face it, there probably isn’t), you can still enjoy some free winter fun with a day of sledding. You’ll just have to drive into the mountains a bit. So toss those sleds in the car and grab the kids’ winter coats. It’s time to go find some snow.

❄️Here’s where to go sledding near Charlotte, NC.

Winter Hikes

Cooler weather can make for some much more enjoyable hiking conditions- less sweat, no humidity, and open views without leaves on the trees. There are places near Charlotte where you can enjoy a cooler weather hike or walk, and of course there are some fabulous day trip hikes you can take in the mountains.

Want to check out some of our winter hikes and see what you’re in for? We made a video for that, because these hikes are seriously gorgeous.

Indoor Things to Do This Winter: Charlotte, NC

Unwind Indoor Play Cafe

With a climbing wall, sandbox, and loads of sensory spaces, the Unwind Indoor Play Cafe is definitely a spot to check out for indoor play time. They even have snacks, coffee and other tdrinks available for purchase so you can make a whole afternoon of it.

Kidding Around Charlotte got to visit to review the play cafe, and we had a great time! Check it all out in our review: Unwind Indoor Play Cafe

Unwind Indoor Play Cafe playground
Climbing wall at Unwind Indoor Play Cafe in Pineville, North Carolina
Large sandbox at Unwind Indoor Play Cafe

Ninja Nation

Head up to Huntersville, NC for open gym time at Ninja Nation. Kids (and adults) can try out all their ninja skills on Ninja Nation’s course equipment in their super clean gym. We loved the friendly staff.

Here’s our full review of Ninja Nation.

Open Gym at Ninja Nation is for ages 5 and up. They offer open gym Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 7 pm, Monday through Thursday from 4 pm to 7 pm and Friday from 4 pm to 8 pm.

Open gym prices start at $20 for an hour of gym time with options for 2 hours and a full day pass.
14120 Statesville Road Huntersville, NC 28078

Discovery Place Science Museum

Any Charlotte area indoor list would not be complete without Discovery Place. The kids (and adults) will enjoy playing and learning here for hours.

You’ll save a few dollars if you purchase your tickets online. If you plan to visit more than once, a family membership is probably the way to go.

Online ticket prices: $18-19 for children, $23-24 for adults (Children under 2 are free)
Buy tickets online
301 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte

Discovery Place
Discover Place exhibits

Gibson Mill

Get everyone something to eat that they’ll love at the food hall at Gibson Mill. Hang around and play games or visit the small arcade for a little family fun.

Gibson Mill outdoor seating

Here’s our full review of Gibson Mill.

Still Need More Options?

Things to Do in Charlotte, NC

Discover lots more things to do in our HUGE Charlotte, NC Things to Do Guide

Discover More to Do in Charlotte, NC

Walter Y Elisha Park Offers Outdoor Family Fun: Fort Mill, SC

Scratch-Made Breakfast & Lunch at Sunflour Baking Company in Charlotte, NC

13+ Places To Go River Tubing Near Charlotte, NC

Delightful! Where To Go Blueberry Picking In Charlotte, NC (2024)

20+ Places To Splash This Summer In Charlotte, North Carolina

Cool Off! 35+ Places to Swim & Splash: Charlotte, NC

25+ Farms Offer Sweet Strawberry Picking: Charlotte, NC (2024)

AMAZING Views: Hiking Up Crowders Mountain Near Charlotte, NC

Discover Gold and a Nugget of History at Reed Gold Mine in Midland, NC

Unwind Indoor Play Cafe: This Indoor Playground Has a Giant Sandbox!

Posted on by Erin Gorges |

If you are looking for an epic indoor play place, then Unwind Indoor Play Cafe is an excellent idea for your next play day! The indoor playground in Pineville, NC has a play structure, ball pit, and several other sensory-enriching features that will keep your young kids busy while you enjoy something delicious from the cafe.

Unwind Indoor Play Cafe near Charlotte, North Carolina

Special thanks to Unwind Indoor Play Cafe for providing play passes for this review!

Check out these 20+ Things to Do Near Charlotte, NC to have some wonderful family fun!

Things to Do in Charlotte, NC

What to Expect at Unwind Indoor Play Cafe: Review

When you enter the play cafe, you’ll head straight to the counter to purchase your tickets and socks. If you have been before, you can bring along the socks from your first visit to save you a few bucks. The play area is open to kids 7 years old and younger, so keep that in mind before your visit.

At the counter, you can also purchase yummy snacks and treats while your kids get their wristbands and head through the gate to play. The entire play area is visible from the cafe area, or you can find a seat inside that’s comfortable.

The Playground Area

Let’s just say this playground is truly Instagram-worthy! The main playground features a climbing tunnel and twisty slide that my daughters loved going down over and over into the ball pit below. The ball pit is filled with hundreds of balls, so your kids can play along the ground and make ball snow angels if that’s their vibe. The area is lined with soft padded seating, making it easy for parents to sit along the edges and interact with their kids.

The Sensory Floor

This was my favorite! They have an entire section covered in sensory flooring. It’s like the floor is colorful lava that you can press and watch the colors morph. You will also see several Rody ride-on horses here, a color-changing wall, and several other things your kids (and you!) can enjoy playing with.

A Section Just for Babies!

Thankfully, Unwind wanted to make sure babies had a separate, safe section to play. There are developmentally appropriate climbing toys and soft blocks to enjoy. Parents can sit around the edges and watch their little ones explore without worrying that a big kid will come along and bump them.

The Sandbox

If you head toward the front corner of the play area, you’ll find a huge sandbox. The sand in the box is so soft, and my tactile toddler loved running her hands through the sand. You can get into the sandbox if you would like, but there is also space in front where parents can hang out and chat. Unwind has utility brushes right outside of the sandbox where you can brush down your kid’s clothes and feet so that they do not track sand to the other areas.

The Climbing Wall

In the back corner, there is a climbing wall I couldn’t keep my four-year-old out of. She loved it! The wall has rock climbing grips so your kids can climb and then jump into a pit of foam blocks. If you have younger kids, just be mindful of the bigger kids jumping off the walls onto them.

Large sandbox at Unwind Indoor Play Cafe
Climbing wall at Unwind Indoor Play Cafe in Pineville, North Carolina

Cost of Admission and Hours

Passes for Unwind Indoor Play Cafe are $12.99 per hour of play. Two adults are free per child. You will need to purchase socks if you do not already have Unwind-branded socks. Parents are required to fill out a waiver online or in person before their child can play. 

The play cafe is open Monday through Friday from 9 am – 6 pm, Saturday from 9 am – 7 pm, and Sunday from 1 pm to 5 pm.

The Cafe at Unwind

It wouldn’t be a play & cafe without delicious snacks! The cafe has several options for prepackaged snacks, coffee, a selection of lattes, hot chocolate, tea, and a variety of drinks. They occasionally have some yummy items like empanadas, tequenos, and sweet treats like cheesecake and milhojas. If you forget your kid’s snacks, they have items like veggie straws and juice. There are several tables throughout the venue to eat your snacks.

Birthday Parties

Looking for a place to host your kid’s next birthday? Unwind has several birthday party packages to choose from. Prices range from $350 for a party rental room, to $1500 if you would like to rent out the entire venue. Party packages do not include play passes, so keep that in mind when budgeting your party. Contact Unwind directly if you have any questions or concerns before your next party!

Things to Know Before You Go

  • There are bathrooms at the venue, so no need to worry if you need to rush your potty-training toddler to the restroom.
  • The weekends are popular, and it gets very busy. This means that older kids may be running around, so keep that in mind if you want to put your baby in the ball pit.
  • If you live in the area, monthly memberships to Unwind Indoor Play Cafe are available and could save you money if you plan to attend regularly.
  • Outside food is prohibited.
  • Parents must stay with their children as the play area is not equipped for drop-off childcare.
  • You can find all the rules and policies on the Unwind regulations page.
Unwind Indoor Play Cafe playground

Unwind Indoor Play Cafe
601 North Polk Street Suite A
Pineville, NC 28134

8 Spots for Snow Tubing: Charlotte, NC

Posted on by Kidding Around Team |

Thinking about taking the kids snow tubing? Charlotte, NC is close to some great options that will make a wonderful family day trip. So, if you’re looking for a dose of epic winter family fun, just pick one of these snow tubing slopes near Charlotte. We’ve been to lots of these spots ourselves and you’ll find our reviews with each listing. We always have a great time and we’re fairly certain you can’t go wrong!

Winter Golly, snow tubing
Why Snow Tubing?
Video: Our Snow Tubing Adventure
Where to Go Snow Tubing: Charlotte, NC

What’s so great about snow tubing?

Snow tubing is simple, family fun. Almost everyone can go and have fun, no special skills required. And we do mean you, parents. Watch the delight on your kids’ and teens’ faces when you join them at the top of the hill.

Snow tubing is vastly more affordable than a ski day, and (most of them) have snow. We realize that sounds weird, stick with us. Snow is a rather exciting and rare item in a southern winter. So, if you want to get out of the ho-hum-drum of January and get a change of scenery, snow tubing could definitely be the way to go.

Take a peek at our trip to Black Bear Snow Tubing in this video if you still need to be convinced!

Where to Snow Tube Near Charlotte, NC

Jonas Ridge Snow Tubing Park

9472 Highway 181, Jonas Ridge, NC
828.733.4155
2 hours from Charlotte, NC
Open now for 2024 season: requires reservations

Jonas Ridge Snow Tubing offers snow tubing that even the little ones will love. Jonas Ridge allows kids to tube as long as they can sit up in their own tube, though they do recommend ages 3 and up. Parents or accompanying adults can go down with young children by hanging on to their tube.

This snow tubing destination has staff photographers to capture action shots of your family so you can remember your fun day without being stuck behind the camera on your phone.

  • $30/ages 7+ $20/age 6 and under for an hour of tubing
  • $45/person and $30/age 6 and under for two hours of tubing.
  • Kids must be able to sit up on their own to go down in a tube. No lap riding.

Black Bear Snow Tubing

373 Kerr Road, Hendersonville, NC
828.685.1155
2 hours from Charlotte, NC
Open now for 2024 season, reservations are recommended

We love Black Bear Snow Tubing in Hendersonville, NC. The people are super friendly, there’s a pulley system that tows you to the top of the run, and then you’re ready to slide down the 600 feet of tubing lane that drops 80 ft. It’s a fast ride and our families love visiting here.

Kids must be 4 years old to ride down the slope, but they also have a small playground and snow area where little ones can enjoy the snow slope-side.

  • Tickets are $40 per 2 hours of tubing or $30 for one hour.
  • Children under 4 or under 40 lbs are not permitted to tube and kids ages 4-6 must be accompanied by an adult (on their own tube).
  • They accept cash and credit cards and, to save time, sign your waiver online.

Black Bear Snow Tubing

Check out our full review of Black Bear Snow Tubing.

If you’re headed to Hendersonville for either Black Bear Tubing or Moonshine Mountain, don’t forget to check out what else Hendersonville has to offer on your day trip! There are some really fabulous gems there like the awesome donuts at McFarlands Bakery and a super free model train museum. Find it all in our guide to Hendersonville, NC.

Moonshine Mountain

5865 Willow Road, Hendersonville, NC
828.696.0333
2 hours from Charlotte, NC
Open now for the 2024 Winter Season

Moonshine Mountain in Hendersonville, NC was is always mentioned by several Kidding Around readers when we ask you where to go tubing. 

  • Two hours of tubing for $40 per person. Cash only.
  • Be sure to check their current hours before making the trip.
  • Minimum height is 36″.

Read our Moonshine Mountain review for special tips on making the most of your time there.

Moonshine Mountain tubing

Crowders Ridge Chutes

4914 Linwood Road, Kings Mountain NC
35 minutes from Charlotte, NC
Open now, make reservations in advance

Remember when we said “most” of these places had snow? It was true. This place has snowless snow tubing at their camp, which they call Chutes. It looks really fun and it’s only about half an hour from Charlotte. So it’s perfect if you don’t have the whole day to dedicate to your snow tubing adventure. There are 4 lanes, 225 feet long and they’ll get you going pretty fast, up to 15 mph.

  • Each ticket includes 3 hours of tubing time and proceeds support the camp.
  • No official age limit but they suggest kids need to be at least five years old (younger kids can tube at the discretion of their parents).
  • Tickets are $25/person.
  • Open Friday & Saturday nights with slots at 5:30, 6:30, and 7:30 pm.

Hawksnest Snow Tubing

2058 Skyland Drive, Seven Devils, NC
828.963.6561
2 hours and 15 minutes from Charlotte, NC
Open for the 2024 winter season

Hawksnest Snow Tubing is a larger snow tubing park with 30 lanes. There is no hiking up the slopes here, just hook up to the magic carpets that allow you to save your energy for the tubing. Tubers must be at least 3 years old.

  • Tickets are $35/person on weekdays
  • Tickers are $40-47/person on weekends and holidays
  • One ticket is good for an hour and 45 minutes of tubing.

Sugar Mountain Resort: Tubing

1009 Sugar Mountain Drive, Sugar Mountain, NC
800.SUGAR.MT
2 hours and 15 minutes from Charlotte, NC
Open for the 2024 season

You’ll find four tubing runs at Sugar Mountain which also offers skiing on its 20 slopes. Its a good spot for a full ski trip close to home and they also offer multiple lodging options, some slope side, so you don’t have to pack up the car when you’re done in the snow for the day. But Sugar Mountain is also a good spot to head for some tubing higher up in the mountains.

Sugar Mountain Resort is just 10 minutes from Banner Elk, NC.

  • Tubings costs: $36 weekdays, $45 weekends and holidays
  • Kids ages 3 and 4 ride free!
  • The minimum age is 3, and kids 6 and under must ride with an adult sharing a tube.

Beech Mountain

1007 Beech Mountain Parkway, Beech Mountain, NC
828.387.2011
Open for 2024, tickets are first come first serve

Beech Mountain Resort, is the highest ski resort in the Eastern United States. They offer skiing, snowboarding, a terrain park, ice skating, and of course snow tubing.

Like Sugar, Beech Mountain offers multiple lodging options.

  • Tubing guests must be at least 42″ tall
  • Tickets are $34/weekdays and $42/weekends and holidays

BONUS! There is also a free sledding hill right in the center of town. You can’t miss it as it’s on the main road that goes through the small town.

Zip n Slip

10725 US Highway 23 North, Mars Hill, NC
828.689.8444
2 1/2 hours from Charlotte, NC
Open now for the 2024 season, reservations can be made online

Located just outside Asheville in Mars Hill, NC, Zip-n-Slip has snow tubing plus a solarium with a fireplace and views of the runs. You can also enjoy hot chocolate and sometimes even food trucks on-site.

  • Prices start at $30/pp for an hour (it’s $22.50 for military, police, fire, and EMS persons) and go up to $45/pp for two hours.
  • Kids 5 and under are free.
  • Zip-n-Slip allows kids ages 3-5 to ride in the same tube as an adult.
  • Kids must be at least 3 years old for tubing.

Light the Knights

Truist Field
Festival has concluded- check back for Holiday Season 2024

The Light the Knights Festival offered an ice rink for ice skating, snow tubing, and a walk-through lights display at Truist Field to celebrate the holiday season in 2023. The event concluded on January 1st, 2024.

Charlotte, NC Winter Things to Do

Love Winter?

Here’s our Kidding Around Winter Guide to Charlotte!



Gibson Mill in Concord, NC Has Delicious Dining & Unique Vintage Shopping All in One Place

Posted on by Erin Gorges |

Have you experienced Gibson Mill? Concord, NC is no stranger to exciting shopping and dining, but Gibson Mill has all of that in one unique place, a refurbished textile mill! Learn about what dining options are available and more about the antique vendors, breweries, and entertainment you will encounter when visiting this wonderful gem in Concord, NC.

Gibson Mill and Market in Concord, North Carolina

We visited Gibson Mill to grab lunch at the market and were blown away by all of the vintage items at the antique depot and other things to do, including an escape room, breweries, and an ax-throwing venue.

Special thank you to Explore Cabbarus for recommending Gibson Mill as a dining option and putting together an excellent guide to the mill while we were visiting Concord, NC!

Breweries & Restaurants at The Market at Gibson Mill: Concord, NC

Restaurants in the Gibson Food Hall
Breweries & Drinks at Gibson Mill

From pizza, burgers, and tacos to ice cream and even a board game cafe, Gibson Mill Market has a little bit of everything for diners looking for a meal. You can even grab a coffee and a beer here! Our family tried out Taco Street and loved their El Cabon and Calabonzitas tacos, which were fresh and had a delicious sauce to top it off. 

Plus, the food hall has both indoor and outdoor seating, so you can head outside on a nice day, or hang out inside when the weather isn’t so great. Indoor seating is cafeteria style, so your family can grab whatever you want from the vendor that looks the most appetizing, and meet up at a table in the center of the food hall. We’ve listed out each restaurant with a little about what they offer, so you can place your next visit with ease.

Dining Options

We tried out Taco Street when we visited Gibson Mill and were not disappointed. They have trompo tacos, Birria tacos, and a variety of other tacos to choose from. They also have specialty drinks that pair well with Latin-inspired foods!

Barco’s Sports and Seafood offers a relaxed vibe, snacks, steamers, salads, and boat rolls. A lot of their menu features seafood and they have a couple of kid-friendly options, including hand-breaded chicken tenders.

Craving a scoop or two of ice cream? Churn Buddies has several options that you can pick from their case of ice creams. They also have sundaes, yum!

Cara’s Cookie Co has a yummy selection of cookies, cookie push pops, and cookie cakes that look delectable. They take custom orders and also offer birthday party packages.

Need a pick-me-up? Defined Coffee has brewed coffee, craft lattes, espresso, seasonal drinks, and tea. They even have kid’s hot chocolate and kid’s steamers.

Johnny Roger’s has BBQ and burgers, so this would be an excellent option if you are looking for American cuisine.

Looking for a fresh, delicious slice of pizza? Livy’s Neapolitan Pizzeria has a lot of savory options, including Margherita, Siciliana, and several other specialty pizzas along with the traditional cheese pizza.

Drinks & Breweries at the Gibson Mill Market

Right as you walk into the Gibson Mill Market, you’ll find The Market Bar. They have a large selection of draft cocktails, hand-crafted cocktails, beer, and wine to choose from.

High Branch Brewery is located on the bottom level of the market. It is a family-owned brewery with drinks, food, and space for special events!

Cabarrus Brewing Co. is where to be when looking for a great time. They have lots of special events, and an expansive outdoor seating area perfect for warmer weather. They consider themselves a “brewpub” with lots of delicious food available as well. The pig fries are calling my name!

Though technically not a brewery, Luck Factory Games has a decent selection of craft draft beer and canned beer for sale, along with a light snacks menu. This place is excellent because you can grab a drink and play some board games for a few hours.

Antique Mall: The Depot at Gibson Mill in Concord, NC

My daughter and I were immediately blown away when we walked into the doors of the antique mall. And it’s easy to see why this antique mall is considered the largest in the Southeast.  There is cool stuff everywhere! The Depot is home to over 750 vendors that take over the 88,000-square-foot sales floor. 

Everything is organized, clean, and purposely placed so that you can walk down the long aisle and browse, yet captures the “more is more” vibe of maximalism design. We visited during the Christmas season, so there were tons of vintage decorations, ornaments, and classic toys that caught our eye. My daughter was particularly drawn to a set of midcentury green glass reflector ornaments that screamed retro. I couldn’t be more proud of her design choices! 

You will find furniture, home goods, unique decor, art, and homemade goods, so you can easily spend hours here enjoying looking at all the neat stuff and finding pieces to curate every room in your home with your unique style. Another great furniture of the way the depot is set up is that it easily accommodates strollers, so you can lug along your toddler without having to worry about wandering hands. 

The Depot is open from Monday through Saturday, 10 am to 7 pm, and Sunday from 1 to 6 pm.

Entertainment and Things to Do at Gibson Mill

Though the food hall or the antique mall may be what draws you into Gibson Mill, they also have some other resident businesses that are fantastic! So, grab a bite to eat then head out to enjoy one of these resident entertainment venues.

If you have never tried ax throwing, you’re in for a thrill. Iron Ax Society at Gibson Mill has ax throwing starting at $26 per person per hour. One great thing is that when you play longer, you pay less. They offer group pricing if you want to take a group of 7 or more.

Looking for a mystery to solve or a way to show off to your boss? Then The Valcarol Missions Escape Room is where you should go for your next date night, family night, or team-building event. They have three escape room missions to choose from, along with a game show-style time travel mission that looks awesome! We recommend booking online so you don’t show up and have to wait.

Luck Factory Games is more than just a place to kick back, relax, and enjoy some friendly competition with your friends while you demolish them at your favorite board game. They also have snacks and beer to purchase, so you can enjoy game night with your friends. They do require reservations Tuesday through Sunday for larger groups planning to play (please reserve five days before!).

What’s your favorite thing to do at Gibson Mill: Concord, NC?

Gibson Mill
325 McGill Ave NW, Concord, NC 28027
704.787.9351

Grab A Sweet Treat From OMG Donuts in Concord, NC

Posted on by Erin Gorges |

If you haven’t visited OMG Donuts in Concord, NC, then what are you waiting for? We visited for breakfast and knew we were in the right place when we saw how happy customers were going in and leaving the bakery. Find out why we highly recommend OMG Donuts & Bakery the next time you want a sweet dessert or breakfast treat.

OMG Donuts & Bakery in Concord, North Carolina

Special thanks to Explore Cabarrus for their excellent recommendation to visit OMG Donuts & Bakery during our visit to Concord, North Carolina!

Only the Best at OMG Donuts: Concord NC

When you walk into OMG, you are instantly drawn to the glass display cases of donuts, pastries, and fritters. And it smells divine! My kids literally ran to the case to look inside and were giddy with excitement trying to figure out what they wanted.

We were quickly helped by staff, who were super friendly and answered all our questions before we decided to settle on a variety pack of donuts. This way, we could all try a little of each other’s donuts. The donuts themselves are pretty large, bigger than the donuts you would get from Krispy Kreme, which is always a plus. You can choose to get a few to share with your friends or family or enjoy them yourself (we aren’t judging).

Case of donuts and pastries at OMG Donuts & Bakery in Concord, North Carolina

The shop prides itself on offering handcrafted and yeast-raised donuts. This makes the dough soft and easy to pull apart, not gummy like some chain donut establishments. They top each one with special toppings, including strawberry sprinkles and strawberry cheesecake, both of which were my favorite.

They have other toppings like chocolate Oreo, chocolate M&M’s, and the traditional glazed along with a lot of other flavors to choose from. I spotted a maple bacon one that I will give a try another time. We didn’t get to try the apple fritters, but from the reviews I have read, they would be worth a try! Keep an eye out for their seasonal flavors each season, because their menu is always adding new things.

Are you ready for a delicious treat from OMG Donuts & Bakery?

OMG Donuts & Bakery
Open Tuesday – Sunday, 6:30 am – 4:30 pm
10005 Weddington Road Ext, Concord, NC
980.819.5804

Things to do in Concord, NC with kids

Fun With The Family!

10+ Things to Do with Kids Near Concord, NC in Cabarrus County

More Places to Eat Near Cabarrus County, NC

Scratch-Made Breakfast & Lunch at Sunflour Baking Company in Charlotte, NC

10 Best Romantic Restaurants in Charlotte, NC

Grab A Sweet Treat From OMG Donuts in Concord, NC

15+ Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free (or Cheap): Charlotte, NC

Charlotte Guides

Family Fun Near Charlotte, NC

Get our FREE monthly bucket list packed with family fun!