This FAMILY TO DO in CHARLOTTE series is sponsored by CEENTA.
Are you looking for an easy last minute family getaway? One of the best things about living in Charlotte is that we have so many wonderful areas to visit all within a short drive. Whether you’re looking for the beach, mountains, city, or anything in between all are accessible and short drive from Charlotte.
Today we’ve got you covered with a list of driveable family-friendly options all within 4 hours of Charlotte. Use this list for an easy spring break or bookmark it for trip ideas all summer long.
Blowing Rock/Boone, NC
With beautiful mountains, hiking, and lots of family-friendly activities Boone and Blowing Rock are an excellent choice if you like to explore the outdoors.
Driving distance from Charlotte: 2 hours
Family-friendly things to do in Boone & Blowing Rock:
- Grandfather Mountain Wildlife and Nature Park
- Mystery Hill
- Memorial Park Playground in downtown Blowing Rock
- Hiking: Price Lake Loop or Beacon Heights
- Grandfather Mountain Winery
- The Children’s Playhouse
- Tweetsie Railroad Wild West Theme Park (closed until April 6th)
Family-friendly dining in Boone & Blowing Rock:
- Lost Province Boone
- Coyote Kitchen Boone
- Town Tavern Blowing Rock
Greenville, SC
Greenville has a lot to offer families especially their Zoo, Children’s Museum and the very unique Airport Runway Park where kids can play and watch airplanes take off.
Driving distance from Charlotte: 2 hours
Family-friendly things to do in Greenville SC:
- The Greenville Zoo
- The Children’s Museum of Upstate
- Airport Runway Park
- Explore downtown and see the falls and bridge
Family-friendly dining in Greenville SC:
- Gather GVL
- Swamp Rabbit Cafe
- Runway Cafe
- Tupelo Honey
- Smoke on the Water
Greensboro, NC
Greensboro is an easy day trip or there is plenty to do over a few days stay. The Greensboro Science Center is absolutely amazing and there are several other fun kid activities to enjoy.
Driving distance from Charlotte: 1.5 hours
Family-friendly things to do in Greensboro:
- Greensboro Science Center
- Greensboro Children’s Museum
- Safari Nation Indoor Playground
- Country Park Paddle Boats
- ParTee Shack
Family-friendly dining in Greensboro:
- Bull City Cider Works
- The Saged Mule
- Dames Chicken N’ Waffles
- Hops Burger Bar
Asheville, NC
Asheville is a great option if you love the outdoors. Between hiking, kids museums, and family-friendly breweries you can’t go wrong with a trip here.
Driving distance from Charlotte: 2 hours
Family-friendly things to do in Asheville:
- Asheville Museum of Science
- Asheville Pineball Museum
- Mountain Play Lodge
- NC Arborteum
Family-friendly dining in Asheville:
- Sierra Nevada, Whistle Hop, Highland Breweries
- S & W Market
- Pizza Mind
- Baby Bull
- Sunny Point Cafe
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta offers one of the best aquariums in the country plus an excellent zoo, children’s and science museum, Lego Discovery Center, and great parks. There is so much to do for families making it a great trip option.
Distance from Charlotte: 3-4 hours
Family-friendly things to do in Atlanta:
- Georgia Aquarium
- Atlanta Zoo
- Lego Discovery Center
- Centennial Olympic Park
- Chattahoochee Nature Center
- College Football Hall of Fame
- Children’s Museum of Atlanta
- Six Flags Over Georgia
- World of Coca-Cola
Family-friendly dining in Atlanta:
- Wood’s Chapel BBQ
- Ponce City Market
- Farm Burger
- Wild Heaven and Monday Night Breweries
- Mission and Market
Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, TN
Home to the popular Dollywood Theme Park, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg have lots of family-friendly activities. Anakeesta, Ripley’s Aquarium and hiking in Smokey Mountain National Park are a few of our favorites.
Distance from Charlotte: 3 hours
Family-friendly things to do in Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge:
- Dollywood Theme Park
- Anakeesta
- Ripley’s Aquarium
- Smokey Mountain National Park
- Legacy Mountain Ziplines
- Toy Box Mini Golf
Family-friendly dining in Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge:
- Dolly Parton’s Stampede
- Sunliner Diner
- Mama’s Farmhouse
- The Pottery House Cafe
- Benett’s Pit BBQ
- Smith and Son Corner Kitchen
Hilton Head, SC
Hilton Head is an extremely family-friendly beach town and has lots of options of activities if it ends up being too cool to get in the water or play on the beach.
Distance from Charlotte: 3 hours
Family-friendly things to do in Hilton Head:
- The Beach
- Shelter Cove Center Playground
- Coligny Shopping Center including Celebration Park Playground
- Harbor Town at Sea Pines
- Ride Bikes
- Sandbox Children’s Museum
- Pirate Cruise
- Sea Pines Petting Zoo
Family-friendly dining in Hilton Head:
- Skull Creek Boathouse and Dockside
- Hudson’s on the Docks
- Posideon
- Hilton Head Ice Cream
Day Trip Ideas for Nearby Family Fun:
- North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro, NC
- Riverbank Zoo in Columbia, SC
- Crowders Mountain State Park
- Lake Norman State Park
- NC Transportation Museum in Salisbury, NC
- Schiele Museum in Gastonia
- Greensboro Science Center in Greensboro, NC
- Kaleideum Children’s Museum in Winston Salem, NC
- Qubein Children’s Museum in High Point, NC
- Catawba Science Center in Hickory, NC
- Great Wolf Lodge in Concord, NC
Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Associates, P.A. (CEENTA) has nearly 140 providers in almost 20 locations bringing specialty care to the community. CEENTA provides comprehensive pediatric and adult eye, ear, nose and throat care, and highly specialized care, too.
These services include but are not limited to: audiology, allergy treatment, cataract surgery, cochlear implants, cornea diseases, diabetic eye care, glaucoma treatment, head and neck cancer, neuro-ophthalmology, oculoplastics, optical and contact lenses, pediatric airway care, sleep medicine, thyroid treatment, and voice and swallowing care.
To schedule an appointment with any of CEENTA’s board-certified physicians, please call 704-295-3000.
