This article is brought to you by OrthoCarolina. You. Improved.
Just south of the Queen City and all its skyscrapers sits Ballantyne — an upscale suburb that’s been well-known for its luxurious resort, spa, and PGA golf course, for years. The area has become the chosen escape for those who want to work in the city, but live somewhere quieter, yet is still lively. It’s full of trendy boutiques, thriving shopping centers, plenty of options when it comes to entertainment, and both established and up-and-coming restaurants. With so much to offer its residents, it should come as no surprise that Ballantyne also has a wide range of ways for locals to stay fit and active.
To find the very best places in the area to help you reach your fitness and health goals we consulted with the doctors and staff at ORTHOCAROLINA’S Ballantyne Office at 15825 Ballantyne Medical Pl., as our November experts on Locals Living the Healthy Life, the Ballantyne Edition.
Best Places to Walk/Bike/Run in Ballantyne
With 19 miles of walking and biking trails in the area there are plenty of options when it comes to places to get outdoors and stay active in Ballantyne.
The Fit Trail is one of the best locations to walk/run in the area. It is three quarters of a mile round trip and features 20 different exercise stations along the path. Stations were designed to help build muscle strength, endurance, and flexibility, and range from a balance walk and bent knee hang to pull up bars and a bar jump. Each station has detailed instructions on how to use each component properly.
Whether you’re looking for somewhere to walk, run, or bike ride, hop on the McMullen Creek Greenway and make the 5.8-mile route that connects to the Lower McAlpine Creek and Four Mile Creek Greenways.
Several area parks also provide convenient paved pathways that are perfect for getting in your daily cardio outdoors. Parks with walkways include Crawford Pond, Cullman Park, and Kid Pond.
Best Places to Walk Your Dog in Ballantyne
Known for its three bronze bull statues, Our Park, is a dog-friendly park that features an expansive grassy area for your four-legged bestie to roll around in, plus, benches for you to relax and unwind on during a visit. Other area parks that locals suggest for walks with your pet include Cullman Park and Kid Pond.
Most Underrated or Unknown Exercise Options in Ballantyne
Whether you’re an avid biker or want to try something new NC Velo Bicycles has plenty of biking options. The shop hosts weekly group cycling sessions on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. and Saturday mornings at 8 a.m. They also have trail experience rides Wednesdays and Thursdays at 6 p.m., and clinics on Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. Follow their Facebook page to stay up-to-date with class schedules and other happenings.
Best Free or Almost Free Fitness in the Area
Looking for a free workout and a supportive fitness community? Join one of the free weekly workouts hosted by FiA — short for Females in Action. South Charlotte’s FiA group hosts peer-led workouts approximately six days a week. Workouts range from bootcamps to runs and typically take place in the early morning around 5:15 a.m. and meet at different locations in the area, including places like Jay M Robinson Middle School and Brixx Pizza at Blakeney Shopping Center.
Best Nearby Outdoor Activities for Families
Spend time together outdoors learning more about the area’s history while exploring the Big Rock Nature Preserve. Designated as a Historic Landmark by the Charlotte Historic Landmarks Commission, the 22-acre preserve is home to Mecklenburg County’s largest rock formation that dates back to over 10,000 years. An informational sign greets guests and explains the history of the fascinating granite formations and the Native Americans who once called the area home. It also includes a number of activities to keep kids active and engaged while visiting.
Best Nearby Activities for Dates
Spend a leisurely day out on the links playing 18 with your significant other at The Golf Club at Ballantyne. The scenic, 71-par PGA course features a pro shop, driving range, practice area, and golf pavilion. New to the sport? Learn how to play together at the Ballantyne Golf Academy, where you can learn the game’s fundamentals from top-notch instructors. After spending the day on the course add in an little luxury and romance with an appointment at The Spa and Ballantyne.
Best Neighborhood Studios in Ballantyne
Every week Enlighten Yoga offers 65 different yoga classes that cater to every skill level from beginners and prenatal to hot yoga and yoga for athletes. Offering classes seven days a week the studio strives to help clients build strength and flexibility, with a highly-trained staff leading every step of the way. New clients can try the studio for two weeks and take an unlimited amount of classes for $25, and one-month unlimited memberships are $150.
From an aerobics studio and gymnastics center to an indoor track and outdoor pool, the Morrison Family YMCA has it all when it comes to ways the entire family can stay fit. Along with plenty of cardio and weight lifting equipment, Morrison Family YMCA also hosts daily group exercise classes that range from Crossfit and athletic conditioning to pilates. In addition to a membership to Morrison Family, you’ll also get access to 19 other YMCA branch locations.
Best Vegetarian/Vegan/Juice Restaurant in Ballantyne
CHAAT ‘N’ DOSA is a fully vegetarian restaurant where you can find authentic Indian street food packed with flavor. And, with a focus on providing diners with only the highest-quality food, they source their ingredients from local farmers’ markets. The menu boasts everything from sprouts bhel to Idli and Aloo Tikki with Chaat.
Next time you’re looking to get your juice or smoothie fix stop into locally-owned, Clean Juice Stonecrest, where you’ll find a large selection of juices, cold presses, smoothies, acai bowls, and even a few healthy bites to snack on like hummus toast on organic sprouted grain bread.
Best Place to Eat After Your Workout
Grab a bite to eat without wrecking all your hard work at B. Good. The restaurant serves up a wide selection of healthy dishes that range from kale and grain bowls to seasonal salads using only the freshest ingredients. They also have a number of vegetarian options, including a beet pineapple burger with caramelized onions, kale, spicy slaw, and beet hummus.
Best Neighborhood Outdoor/Athletic Store to Buy Your Gear in Ballantyne
From the latest racquets, shoes, and apparel Queen City Tennis Shop has it all when it comes to your tennis needs. And, not only does the locally-owned shop sell the best of the best equipment, they also have seven master racquet technicians on staff to make sure your gear is in tip-top shape. They even guarantee they’ll have new strings on your racquet within 24 hours.
Now that you’ve seen our list of bests, we’d love to hear about the ways you stay fit, active, and healthy in Ballantyne. Leave a comment with your favorite places to get active or grab a healthy meal.
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