Archive for the ‘Featured’ Category

5+ Places for FREE Sledding: Charlotte, NC

Hoping for some snow for a little sledding? Charlotte, NC doesn’t get a lot of snow so if you’re tired of waiting, you can plan a totally free little day trip up to the mountains for some sledding. Really! These spots are just a couple of hours’ drive from Charlotte, and they are A LOT more likely to have snow.

Is it going to snow? YAY! Here’s where to get sleds in Charlotte plus some sled alternatives that might work instead of buying one!

Of course, if you want a “guaranteed” snow-ish experience you can visit any of the snow tubing places near Charlotte, NC. But if there’s snow in the mountains, and you come armed with a sled and a good sense of fun (and maybe a thermos of hot cocoa and some favorite snacks) you can have a great time without spending any more money than the gas it takes to chase down that snow.

Check out these free sledding hills you can visit, for free sledding near Charlotte, NC.

Free Sledding Hill in Beech Mountain, North Carolina

About 2 1/2 hours from Charlotte, NC

In addition to the Beech Mountain Ski Resort, the city offers a free sledding hill behind the Brick Oven Pizzeria at 110 Bark Park Way, Beech Mountain. This new sledding hill location is considered much safer than the previous hill behind the visitor’s center. There is more parking, the hill is fenced in, and there is no longer a power pole in the middle of the run. You’ll also find a bathroom and playground, so you can stay all day.

The Sledding Hill is open seven days a week, weather permitting. And, the city will often make snow for this hill, giving you lots more opportunities for sledding even if nature isn’t being cooperative. This is the only free sledding hill we know about that makes snow.

You must have a plastic sled on this hill If you don’t have one handy, you can purchase or rent one from several of the ski shops around the mountain.
NEW: View the sledding hill live right now! Beech Mountain Sledding Hill Web Cam
You can see weather conditions before you go by checking out the live Beech Mountain webcam, and the Buckeye Lake webcam.

Blowing Rock, North Carolina Sledding

1 hour and 45 minutes from Charlotte, NC

Blowing Rock, North Carolina has several parks that offer a great opportunity for snow play!

Blowing Rock Memorial Park: This park offers open flat areas perfect for playing in the snow and building snow forts. It also has surfaces for older kids to sled down.
The Julian Price Memorial Park in Blowing Rock is also a great place for sledding.

Boone, North Carolina: Sledding Spots

2 hours from Charlotte, NC

Boone, NC sees a fair bit of snow, which means they have several parks used for winter fun. If snow is on the ground, these parks would be fun to visit for sledding. Of course, Boone is a fun town for a day trip anyway, so just pack your sleds and boots and be ready for an adventure.

Check conditions before you go: Use the town of Boone’s webcam so you can check up on the snow status in real-time!

Moses H. Cone Memorial Park: Hills for sledding and even cross-country ski trails
Daniel Boone Park is a public park that offers sledding on Strawberry Hill. (Be sure to stop for a bathroom break before you head to the park because the restrooms are closed during the winter months.

Getting to some of these spots can be a challenge at times due to the weather. The Blue Ridge Parkway often closes during inclement weather, making spots along this highway difficult to access.

But, this road closure can actually be really fun. When the road closes to traffic, it is open for walking, using snow shoes, and it even offers families a unique opportunity to sled right on the road. For road closure information, visit the Road Closures on the Blue Ridge Parkway page. To take a peek at what Milepost 241 on the Parkway looks like, head to the Bluffs Restaurant Webcam.

For more safety tips and info about The Blue Ridge Parkway in winter, head to the Blue Ridge Parkway Facebook page.

Brevard, North Carolina: Sledding Spots

2 1/2 hours from Charlotte, NC

Calvary Baptist Church: One reader suggested the area behind Calvary Baptist Church for the perfect sledding hill.
Pisgah National Forest: The forest offers visitors plenty of space to play in the snow and pull sleds around.

Go back to the Winter Guide for Charlotte, NC for lots more winter fun.

Enjoy Winter in Charlotte, NC: The Premier Guide

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 winter activities in Charlotte, NC! No reason to stay home and be bored!

Outdoors: Winter in Charlotte, NC

Things to Do Indoors in Winter

Our Full Things to Do Guide

Outdoor Winter Activities: 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 — Black Bear Snow Tubing

Sliding down in a tube at Black Bear Tubing — Black Bear Snow Tubing

Ice Skating

If you’re looking to do a little ice skating, here’s the full list of places to go ice skating near Charlotte, NC

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.

Here’s our Kidding Around Review of 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.

Stay local: Visit Anne Springs Close Greenway for a winter season hike.
At night: Enjoy the lit-up Canyon Night Trail at the Whitewater Center. No pass or reservations are required! You’ll find two suspension bridges, obstacles, and even play spaces.
Head for the mountains. The Upstate, SC area has some great winter season hikes with stunning views as a reward. One of our favorites is at Table Rock. You’ll find the information for that and other Upstate hikes on the Kidding Around Greenville list of winter hikes.

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.

When it snows!

Indoor Things to Do This Winter: Charlotte, NC

We have a full Indoor Guide to Charlotte with lots and lots of things to do. But just in case that’s a few too many options, here are a few highlights perfect for an indoor winter day.

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 playtime. They even have snacks, coffee and other drinks 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

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

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.

Here’s our Kidding Around Review of Discovery Place.

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

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.

Here’s our full review of Gibson Mill.

Still Need More Options?

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

8 Spots for Snow Tubing: Charlotte, NC

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!

Is it going to snow? YAY! Here’s where to get sleds in Charlotte plus some sled alternatives that might work instead of buying one!

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
Opening day is December 16th, 2024: 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
Their opening day is December 21st, 2024. 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.

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
Opening day is December 20th, 2024.

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.

Crowders Ridge Chutes

4914 Linwood Road, Kings Mountain NC
35 minutes from Charlotte, NC
Their opening day is November 30th, 2024.

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 6:00, 7:00, and 8:00 pm.

Hawksnest Snow Tubing

2058 Skyland Drive, Seven Devils, NC
828.963.6561
2 hours and 15 minutes from Charlotte, NC
They will be opening on Thanksgiving weekend 2024.

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 $38/ per person.
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. Tubing will open early December 2024.

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: $40 weekdays, $50 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
Their opening day is November 28th, 2024.

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 $37/weekdays and $45/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
Their opening day is December 13th, 2024, 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
Their opening night is November 27th, 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 2024. The event concluded on January 3rd, 2025.

Love Winter?

Here’s our Kidding Around Winter Guide to Charlotte!

Ready for more winter fun? Here’s where you can go ice skating near Charlotte, NC.

Whitewater Center Ice Skating: The Family Day You’ve Been Looking For in Charlotte, NC

What is it like to ice skate outdoors at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, NC? The National Whitewater Center offers ice skating from November through mid-February annually and it is totally a blast. My husband and I had an absolutely wonderful time with our teen and pre-teen-aged kids. If you’re thinking about a visit to try some ice skating, we’ve got all the information for you, plus our parent’s review of skating at the Whitewater Center.

Open NOW through mid-February 2024.

About the Rinks

Arrive at the Whitewater Center: Skating

Video: Our Visit

Parent Review: Ice Skating at Whitewater Center

Food and Beverage

Details: Cost, Parking & More

About Whitewater Center Ice Skating

If you aren’t familiar with the National Whitewater Center, it is a large outdoor sports facility with many options like climbing, ziplines, ropes courses, mountain biking, and lots more. Tickets can be purchased for a full day of activities or just a single activity. We purchased tickets for ice skating only. The $25 per person fee covered a day of skating as well as our skating rentals.

We visited specifically to go ice skating at the Whitewater Center. The skating surfaces here are unique, much more than a simple oval rink. There are several skating areas for free skating, as well as loops of skating trails. The areas are divided into two sections of ice, which makes for a lot more variety than your typical ice rink!

The first section consists of two free skating areas, and an ice trail surrounding them. In the middle of this area is an off-ice island with benches, high-top tables, and a cute airstream trailer selling hot chocolate and other beverages. The second skating section is a large ice trail loop full of meandering twists and curves. Go around the loop as many times as you want, and you can freely move between the two skating areas!

Ice trails, ice skating at the National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, NC

Arriving to Skate

Our first piece of advice is to purchase your tickets and fill out your waivers online. It was easy to do online and it made the process when we arrived ridiculously simple.

When you arrive at the National Whitewater Center, you’ll pay to park ($12) and helpful staff will direct you to the parking lots closest to your planned activities. For skating, once you park, you’ll walk from the parking lot, past a pavilion with restrooms, and down a gravel path to the River Center where you’ll check in. You CAN purchase tickets and fill out waivers here if you need to.

Arriving at 11 am on a Saturday morning we did not wait in line at all. We were able to wall right up to the counter and show them our tickets to be scanned, then it was down the counter to grab our rental skates. Easy as pie.

Putting on ice skates at Whitewater Center in Charlotte, NC

There are lockers available here if you’d like to leave your personal items locked up. But, most people seemed to just leave their shoes tucked under benches. This is what we did, along with a few discarded jackets as the day went on, and we had no problems.

From the skate rental area, it’s an easy walk down the rubber mats to the first skating surface. And that’s it, you’re ready to skate!

Video Review:

What’s it like to go ice skating at the Whitewater Center? See for yourself in our video tour!

What’s Special About Skating at Whitewater? Parent Review

Our trip to go skating at Whitewater was a day trip. We drove about an hour and a half to get to the Whitewater Center and it was totally worth it. I’ve never gone skating anywhere that wasn’t an oval skating rink. This was so much more interesting, and even when there were quite a few people on the ice, it didn’t feel crowded.

While we’re at it, let’s talk about that crowd. Some skaters clearly had significant ice skating skills, and then there were those, like us, who did not. So, don’t worry if you don’t know how to skate. Rails surround the skating spaces and line the ice trails and you can hang on all the way around if you want!

Arriving at about 11 am was perfect as there were very few people on the ice. It was a bit more crowded as it got into the afternoon, but there was still plenty of space.

Eating at the Whitewater Center

Beside the skating area is the Trail Center where you can order from a small menu of soups, chili, and sandwiches. There’s both indoor and outdoor space to enjoy your food, including several fire pits beside Adirondack chairs overlooking the skating rinks.

We did not get lunch when we were at the Whitewater Center, but we did enjoy some hot chocolate from the airstream trailer on the ice! The trailer only serves beverages, but it was such a nice spot to stop and relax for a few minutes of a skating break

The Whitewater Center also has a sit-down, full-service restaurant on site, called River’s Edge.

Hours for the food and beverage services around the center change from day to day. Check the food and beverage portion of the Whitewater website for hours on the day of your visit.

Hot chocolate at Whitewater Center Ice Skating

All the Things Parents Want to Know

How much is ice skating at the Whitewater Center?

$25 per person, and that includes the skate rental. You do not get a discount if you bring your own skates.

When does Whitewater Center Ice Skating open?

Ice Skating is available at the Whitewater Center from mid-November through mid-February. Daily hours change. Check the calendar at the Whitewater Center for pass activity hours to find the hours on the day you’d like to visit. Don’t forget that current weather conditions can change what is available so checking in on the status of activities the day of your visit is advisable.

Who will enjoy ice skating at the Whitewater Center?

Anyone who can walk is allowed to skate, so even younger tots can enjoy the ice. For little ones, I’d recommend visiting earlier in the day to have as much ice to yourselves as possible.
This was an activity that all my kids really enjoyed, even my hard-to-please teens who initially weren’t terribly happy with the prospect of a “family day.”

What does it cost to park at the Whitewater Center?

Parking is $12 per car. There is lots of parking available, so you shouldn’t have any trouble! And, the parking attendants can give you directions towards your desired activities.

Restrooms are plentiful. In fact, you’ll find some clean restrooms right beside the parking lot, which is perfect after a longer drive. You’ll also find clean restrooms between the skating area and the skate rental building. You can’t wear skates into the restrooms though, so, we highly recommend you visit the restrooms before you lace up!

Waivers must be filled out. I highly recommend doing this in advance to save time when you arrive! You can easily fill them out online when you purchase tickets.

New in 2024!

New in 2024, ice skating at the National Whitewater Center now includes a fun take on the sport of curling, called cask curling. Its included in the ice skating fee, but you do need to reserve a lane in advance.

Go Ice Skating at the National Whitewater Center

Ice Skating USNWC
5000 Whitewater Center Parkway
Charlotte, NC
Whitewater Center Website: Ice Skating

Find more winter fun in Charlotte, NC!

10+ Things To Do Over Thanksgiving Break in Charlotte, NC

If you’re looking for things to do over Thanksgiving Break in Charlotte, NC, we have a list for you! Fall is a perfect time to enjoy some family fun especially when school is out. Most schools in the area will observe Thanksgiving Break from November 27th, 2024 to November 29th, 2024. You can check our school calendar guide for your school district dates here.

restaurants open on thanksgiving charlotte nc

Are you looking for restaurants that are open on Thanksgiving Day? Check out our 10+ Restaurants That Are Open on Thanksgiving list.

Events Happening Over Thanksgiving Break

Attend A Local Parade

November 27th, 2024
Novant Health will be putting on their annual Thanksgiving Eve Parade on November 27th, 2024. The parade will start at 5:45 pm and will begin at 9th Street in Uptown Charlotte. Find the best parking spot and learn more here.

Take A Family Walk/Run At The Turkey Trot 5K

Thursday, November 28th, 2024
The Charlotte Turkey Trot 5K was voted one of the best Turkey Trots in America. This year is their 36th annual race. You can choose from an 8K, 5K, 1-mile fun run, and 50-yard Tot-Trot. This is a family-friendly event that you can run or walk. Register here for the race.

Go See The Charlotte Checkers Play Hockey

November 29th and 30th, 2024
Charlotte’s hockey team, The Charlotte Checkers, will play at home on November 29th and November 30th, 2024 starting at 4 pm. The Saturday game will be teacher and school employee appreciation night where you can get discounted tickets with a valid email address. Learn more and grab tickets here.

Make a Free Cocoa Ornament at Home Depot

Saturday, November 30th, 2024– FREE
On November 30th, 2024 visit Home Depot to build a special Cocoa Ornament. Decorate your tree or give it as the perfect gift! We’re telling you, Grandma is going to love this one!

Get all the details about these FREE Home Depot Kids Workshops.

Looking for more fun events in Charlotte, NC happening over break?

Check out our Charlotte, NC events calendar.

More Things to Do Over Thanksgiving Break in Charlotte

Go Ice Skating At The Whitewater Center

The Whitewater Center will open its ice skating rink in mid-November and they will be open on Thanksgiving Day.

You can enjoy ice skating, cask curling, and more! This is open to all ages and experience levels. We had such a blast skating here with our kids!

All the details! Ice Skating at the National Whitewater Center

Reedy Creek Nature Preserve

Visit this nature preserve. They have a playground, hiking trails, a science center, and more.
Read our Kidding Around Reedy Creek Nature review.

Watch Airplanes Land & Play At CLT Airport Overlook

Spend the day running, sliding, jumping, and watching planes take off at The Charlotte Airport Overlook. This is a fun park where your kids can get their energy out and watch planes take-off and land. Read our Kidding Around Review of The Playground At CLT Airport Overlook.

Parks in Charlotte NC, Great playgrounds in Charlotte, NC

Are you looking for another park in Charlotte, NC? Read our Best Playgrounds & Parks guide.

Check out The Kannapolis Christmas Lights

This annual event starts on November 16th, 2024 and runs through December 30th, 2024. This event features over 250,000 lights and a beautiful Christmas tree throughout Village Park. Viewing the lights is totally FREE! You can even take a train ride through the park or ride the carousel for just a couple of dollars.

Read our Kidding Around Review of the Spectacular! 2024 Celebration of Lights: Kannapolis, NC.

Celebration of Lights in Kannapolis, North Carolina

Winterland Express at Village Park in Kannapolis.

🎅 Love holiday lights? Lots of displays in Charlotte open the week of Thanksgiving. Check out more places to see awesome holiday lights in Charlotte.

Visit with Santa and Get Your Photo Taken for FREE At Cabela’s & Bass Pro Shops

Cabela’s & Bass Pro Shops are offering a free visit with Santa and a complimentary 4×6 photo. Additionally, they will offer free games, activities, candy, and more.

Learn everything you need to know about visiting Santa at Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops here in our review.

Make sure to make your reservation to visit Santa online.

Bass Pro Shop Charlotte, NC: 8181 Concord Mills Boulevard, Concord, NC 28027
Bass Pro Shop Fort Mill, SC: 1000 Cabelas Drive, Fort Mill, SC 29708

Visit Discovery Place Science Museum & Discovery Place Kids

Spend a day off school learning all about Science at the Discovery Place Science Museum and their sister properties. They have live demonstrations, learning labs, hands-on activities, and fun play spaces to explore. Although they are closed on Thanksgiving Day, they will be open all the other days of Thanksgiving break.

Read our Kidding Around review of Discovery Place Science Museum here.

Visit A Local Farm To See Animals

There are several farms in the Charlotte area for your family to explore, pet furry animals, pick pumpkins, and more.

Read our Charlotte farm guide to find a farm to visit this Thanksgiving Break.

Test Your Ninja Skills At NinjaNation

Grab a gym pass and test your ninja skills at NinjaNation in Huntersville, NC. This is a great way to move your body and learn more about Parkour. Read our Kidding Around review of Ninja Nation here.

Looking for more fun Fall things to do in Charlotte, NC?

Check out our Kidding Around Fall guide.

(2024) Where to See Santa in Charlotte, NC

Looking for places to visit with Santa in Charlotte? Get photos with Santa and share your wish list. We even have places to get totally free pictures with Santa, and we all know how helpful that is for the holiday budget!

We’ll be updating this list throughout the season, so be sure to bookmark it and check back soon for more places to see Santa!

Professional Photos With Santa, Charlotte, NC

Santa Photos at SouthPark Mall

SouthPark Mall: The Santa Photo Experience starts November 7th, 2024. These are the classic mall visits with Santa with photo packages for purchase. Reserve your time slot in advance. Santa Photo Experience

Caring Santa at SouthPark Mall, Sunday, November 8th, 2024 9 am to 10:30 am. Make reservations in advance, photos available for purchase.
Pet Photos with Santa at SouthPark Mall, Sunday, December 1st, 2024 from 6:30 to 8 pm.

Santa Experience: Lynda Packard Photography

Book in advance for stylized sessions with Santa on November 9th and 10th, 2024.
Santa Experience

Free Photos with Santa in Charlotte, NC

Bass Pro Shops

Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s are one of our favorite places to visit with Santa. You can get a free, printed photo of our kids with Santa Claus, plus your kids will get a goodie bag and have an opportunity to drop their letters to Santa in the mailbox. We think the Free Bass Pro Shops Santa Visits are such a gift to parents in the holiday season.

We have all the details on these special Santa’s Wonderland visits in our review.

See Santa at Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s: Tips for Parents and all the Details

Keith Clinic Chiropractic: December 7th, 2024

All are welcome to stop in for a free photo with Santa at all locations, 9 am to 12 pm.

8th Annual Visit With Santa Experience: December 7th, 2024

From The Coalition For Cultural Compassion, visit Santa at The Grove Church. See Santa for free and take all the pictures you want! Plus enjoy cookies, cocoa, and popcorn, as well as games and crafts!
December 7th, 2024 from 12 pm to 4 pm. Reservations are not required but they are recommended.

Free Photos with Santa at Fuzion Martial Arts

December 14th, 1 pm to 4 pm
Cookies, cocoa, storytime, and free visits with Santa. RSVP
8035 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC

Free Photos with Santa at Blakeney Town Center

($10 Donation requested- not required)
Fridays and Saturdays beginning December 6th through December 21st, visit Santa at the Blakeney Santa House. Donations support the selected charity of the day. Take your own photos.
Blakeney Town Center Santa Website

Visit Santa at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery

See Santa at the Christmas Village located at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery on December 21st, 2024 from 2 pm to 5 pm. Snap your own photos!

Check out Olde Mecklenburg’s holiday decor and lots of other Charlotte area spots that are totally decked out for the holidays. Here are Festive Restaurants & Bars in Charlotte, NC.

Events Where Santa is On The Guest List

Dine with Santa, see him on his sleigh in a parade, or just take a moment to share your Christmas list, you can do it all at these Charlotte events with Santa.

More 2024 Santa Events coming soon!

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Don’t miss any of Charlotte’s fun events! 🎅
Here’s our full Holiday Guide to Charlotte, NC.

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

Unwind Indoor Play Cafe has closed its Pineville location as of November 2024. We will update this piece once we have more information about their future location.

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!

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

Cost of Admission and Hours

Passes for Unwind Indoor Play Cafe start at $10.99 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. You can also purchase a membership pass at Unwind Indoor Play Cafe.

The play cafe is open Monday through Thursday from 9:30 am – 5:00 pm, Friday from 9:00 am – 6:00 pm, Saturday from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, and closed on Sundays.

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 start at $299 for a party table rental packing, $399 for a party rental room, and $1299 if you would like to rent out the entire venue. All 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! Check their availability on the Unwind Indoor Play Cafe website.

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
601 North Polk Street Suite A
Pineville, NC 28134

Everyone Can Find An Adventure At SouthTown Wake Park in Rock Hill, SC

Have you been to SouthTown Wake Park? Summer adventures are calling us, and new and exciting things become harder to find towards the end of the season. We made a discovery in Rock Hill, SC, that will have you hopping in the car and making the trip to York County! SouthTown Wake Park has something to keep everyone entertained, no matter how adventurous you are!

For more fun things to do in the Charlotte Area, Check out our Guide To Fun With Kids In Charlotte, NC.

SouthTown Wake Park in Rockhill, SC

Just about 90 minutes from here is one of my favorite day trip destinations. York County, South Carolina, has so many fun adventures to enjoy. My children and I have made countless trips and have yet to scrape the surface of possibilities. However, SouthTown Wake Park is worth the trip all on its own! This Aquapark has something for all adventure levels, so don’t worry if you don’t share the same enthusiasm for watersports with the rest of your family.

Wake-Boarding at SouthTown Wake Park

Traditionally wakeboarding consists of a boat pulling a rider around a body of water from a two rope, while they stand on a single ski. At SouthTown Wakepark riders are pulled around one of two lakes by a cable system. This activity is fun and in no time you can be zipping across the lake. SouthTown also offers wakeboarding if you have never done anything like this and want to ease into it.

The instructor will start you out on the straight cable, where there aren’t any features to complicate things. Here you will learn the basics and what to do if you let go of the cable system. Once you feel at ease, it’s on to the lake with the ramps and a cable system that loops the lake. Don’t worry, you won’t be jumping any features just yet, you’ll just work on holding on as that cable rounds the corner.

Wakeboarding is one of the fastest-growing extreme sports, and my son loved his time on the lake. He took to it and if we lived closer, he would be there every week.

$25 – 20-minute one-on-one coaching session (including rentals) on the training cable
$15 for rental of required gear (board, life vest and helmet)

The Floating Obstacle Course At SouthTown Wake Park

SouthTown also has a floating obstacle course for families to enjoy. This is a great activity to tire those kids out, as it takes a ton of energy to climb and jump over the obstacles. While you don’t need to be straight off the set of “American Ninja Warrior” to enjoy the course, I do caution you against participating if you have any back issues. While falling off the platform requires little effort, pulling yourself back up onto the platform requires a bit more muscle.

Ages 7+ and at least 48″ tall – 45 minutes session starts at $18 per person

If you enjoyed this course, you can Tackle the Floating Obstacle Course at Charleston Aqua Park

Paddle Sports At SouthTown Wake Park

For younger kids, and parents that aren’t into the excitement involved in the previously mentioned activities, SouthTown offers kayaking and paddleboarding. Parents can paddle across the lake with the younger kids, over to the floating obstacle course to wave hi! That way everyone gets some time out on the water. This is a great way to practice in a controlled environment if you are considering investing in paddlesports for your family (which we encourage!)

Dry Land Activities at SouthTown Wake Park

In addition to all of the fun on the water that is offered at SouthTown, they also have things that don’t require you to get wet. Land-lovers can enjoy a game of disc golf or cornhole. There are picnic tables to sit at and the pro-shop offers soft drinks and ice cream for sale.

The $64 First Time All Access Pass is the best deal for those new to wakeboarding and gets you everything you need for an entire day at SouthTown Wakepark!

a 20-minute one-on-one Getting Started Lesson on our training cable
2 hours of wakeboarding or kneeboarding on the main cable
45-minute session on the Aqua Park
access to the kayaks
all required gear
disc golf course and other activities

SouthTown Wake Park
255 E Rambo Rd Rock Hill, SC 29730 | 803.324.3020

Our complimentary fun at SouthTown Wake Park was arranged by Visit York County, all words and opinions of the writer are honest and genuine. All the info you need to make the most of a trip to York County, South Carolina can be found on Kidding Around!