If you’re new here, Creating Really Awesome Free Trips has been happening all summer long, every Thursday and some Tuesdays! Today, we’ve got fun, free things to do in Charlotte, NC!
Hi folks, it’s Rachel and I craft, DIY, and cook over at Architecture of a Mom. I’ve lived in the Charlotte, NC metro area for more than 25 years (yes, that’s a long time!). This area has so much to offer—wonderfully mild weather, friendly people, and lots to do. Do you love the arts? How about history? Maybe you’re into NASCAR? Or maybe you love just being outside? There are many things to do while you are in Charlotte and surrounding area!
Most people have heard of the evangelist, Billy Graham, but they don’t realize that he grew up at a dairy farm in Charlotte. This “Library” is actually a museum of various items collected during his long and storied career, with loads of inspirational stories and history to explore. There are also beautiful gardens to enjoy. If you have kids along, definitely check out the talking cow!
2. James K Polk Homestead
This park is a great experience for kids that shows how life was when our 11th president was born. Polk lived on this property until he was 11. There volunteers that dress in period costumes that gives educational tours. You can even have a picnic on the grounds!
This is the oldest art museum in North Carolina, and is named for the National Mint that was once in Charlotte—did you know that Charlotte is the home to the first gold rush in the nation? This building was moved to its present site and houses more traditional art works, as well as traveling shows. Is modern art more your thing? Check out the uptown museum. Both of these normally have an entry fee, but on Tuesdays from 5pm to 9pm, there is free admission! There are great traveling exhibits as well as fun exhibits for the kids, too, so don’t think that it is a stuffy art museum…everyone will have fun!
4. Imaginon
If you have kids, then you need to stop by this fun place. It is a combination of a children’s library with a children’s theatre, with a sprinkling of a children’s museum thrown in. The Children’s Theatre can cost for the large productions, but while we were there, they had a free puppet show and craft going on. We also went through a huge Arthur interactive display that my girls loved! Then we found a story time going on. There were plenty of age appropriate books to look at (they even have a teen room)! My girls didn’t want to leave. All of this was free. If you have a fan of trains (and what kid isn’t?), there is a light rail stop right outside Imaginon (this isn’t free, but since it’s right there, you might want to check it out).
The great thing about having a university in town is having on-campus facilities that are open to the public. The perfect example: the green house and botanical gardens at UNC Charlotte. They have a wonderful walking trail, and you can get free parking if you stop by the greenhouse. There are loads of trails and beautiful plants year round. The greenhouse houses several different climates including rain forest, desert, and even has a dinosaur garden!
Although the produce Farmer’s Market isn’t free (I can wish, right?), there are often musical performance happening, and you can often
see artisans actually practicing their art in the Market. There are often free samples, too. Be sure to stop by Renfrow’s Hardware in the buildings next door.
This family owned establishment makes me think of old-time hardware stores. It’s the perfect place to find everything from seeds for your vegetable garden all
the way to the canning supplies to put them up. This is the perfect place to window shop…especially with the kids, because they also have chicks in the
incubator (seasonally) as well as some small livestock out back!
see artisans actually practicing their art in the Market. There are often free samples, too. Be sure to stop by Renfrow’s Hardware in the buildings next door.
This family owned establishment makes me think of old-time hardware stores. It’s the perfect place to find everything from seeds for your vegetable garden all
the way to the canning supplies to put them up. This is the perfect place to window shop…especially with the kids, because they also have chicks in the
incubator (seasonally) as well as some small livestock out back!
This is a large park and nature preserve that includes all sorts of nature activities. You can do all the normal “park” type activities (ball games, disc golf, playgrounds etc), and then you can check out the nature preserve. There is a nature center, but that is just the beginning! There are miles of hiking trails, picnic shelters, a couple of lakes…you can easily spend the whole day there and not see it all.
8. Food Lion Speed Street
During the week before Memorial Day, several streets in
center city Charlotte are closed down to host a large festival. It is full of bands, scheduled appearances of your favorite drivers, and family friendly activities.
center city Charlotte are closed down to host a large festival. It is full of bands, scheduled appearances of your favorite drivers, and family friendly activities.
This festival occurs Labor Day weekend in the suburb of Matthews. It includes a very large parade, an arts and crafts fair, and several concerts and shows.
10. McAdenville (Christmastown USA)
During December, every night this small mill town outside of Charlotte lights up for several hours. Virtually every home puts up Christmas lights–there are over 375 trees outside! This beautiful exhibit is absolutely free and is completely magical. If you are in Charlotte during December, you have to go see this town!
Thanks, Jamie, for letting me share a little bit of the Charlotte, NC area! I would love it if all y’all would come visit me over at Architecture of a Mom!
Thanks, Jamie, for letting me share a little bit of the Charlotte, NC area! I would love it if all y’all would come visit me over at Architecture of a Mom!
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