Budget Friendly Family Trip to Charlotte North Carolina
Budget Friendly Trip to Charlotte This Summer
Gas prices are high but that does not mean you can’t still have fun with your family. Here is a budget friendly itinerary for a family visit to Charlotte North Carolina.
Uptown Charlotte
One of the things that I do whenever I visit a city is to take a tour with a local guide in order to familiarize myself with the city. Charlotte NC Tours is the highest ranked tour in the city and has something for everyone. For families we recommend taking a Rydables tour. Rydables are 4 wheeled animal scooters that can be ridden by anyone. They are great for everyone from toddler to retiree. Children under 11 and under ride with a parent. The entire family can enjoy this tour. We explore all the uptown neighborhoods including the beautiful Historic 4th Ward neighborhood, home to several Victorian era Queen Anne style of homes. During this tour you will be able to learn about more than just the history of Charlotte. You will acquaint yourself with the entertainment and food scene so that you can find places that you want to enjoy while in Charlotte. Some of our favorites include
o Alexander Michael’s Tavern found in a haunted historic building in the Historic 4th Ward neighborhood.
o The Market at 7th street has something for everyone and was recently voted as a top 10 food hall in the United States. You can start the morning with a cup of coffee from Not Just Coffee, a locally owned favorite. One of the areas’ top pizza places, Geno D’s is found inside of the market as well as one of the city’s finest wine shops, owned by deeply knowledgeable Josh Viliapondo. They sell wine by the glass as well as the bottle. Need to have wine shipped to you? They do that also!
o Mert’s Heart & Soul Restaurant is not only a local favorite but has been showcased on the food network on shows like Diner’s Drive Inns and Dives. Take this time to acquaint yourself with low country cuisine. Do not forget to try the soul rolls and the world-famous corn bread. They have vegetarian and vegan options as they do not put any meat products in their vegetables.
o Take an art walk around town and visit one of our many world class museums. Checkout the art installations on the street, many of which were created by world famous artists like Niki de Saint Phalle, who co-created the Stravinsky Fountain in Paris. Children will enjoy the Discovery Place and the Imaginon, home to the Children’s theatre and library. The entire family can enjoy the new Museum of Illusions where you will go from one installation to the next and learn about different optical illusions.
Get outside of Uptown
Families will love the US National White-Water Center. It is a favorite for people visiting the Charlotte area. Contrary to the name the White Water Center has more than rafting and kayaking. There are miles of trails that are great for hiking, running, and cycling. There are places to sit and have a beverage or food along the trails. There are several places to eat and watch people rafting. In addition, there is a ropes course, a few zip lines, and a few climbing walls, one of which you jump into a pool after reaching the top.
Budget Friendly White Water Center Experience: The White Water Center is quite expensive. However, you can pay a small fee for parking (note that everyone must pay for parking) and then enjoy the WWC without paying for entry. You can bring your own bikes and ride on the trails. Make sure to get a map of the trails at the bicycle hut because some of the trails are not safe for young children or inexperienced cyclists. You can also ride around on the paved section of the White-Water Center. You cannot bring your own food on the premises; however, you can eat in the parking lot. They also have concerts on Thursday evenings, and these are free.
While you are in the vicinity of the White-Water Center your crew can checkout Thomas Dambo’s Big Pete, a giant wooden carving of a troll, found at 8311 Dixie River Rd, Charlotte, NC 28278. You can have a more budget friendly meal in Belmont or McAdenville (also known as Christmastown USA during the holiday season), beautiful bedroom communities of Charlotte. Both cities are a short distance from the White-Water Center.
This makes for a great weekday or weekend trip to Charlotte.
For more information about Charlotte email us at [email protected].