This FAMILY TO DO in CHARLOTTE article is sponsored by CEENTA.
Freedom Park (Myer’s Park)
Freedom Park located near the Dilworth and Myers Park areas is one of the most beautiful parks in Charlotte. With a large playground, Panthers Football activity area, and a beautiful pond with walking trails it has so much to offer and can easily take up a whole morning or afternoon.
The playground has a good mix of larger slides and rock walls for older kids and then smaller slides and climbing areas for young toddlers. There is also an old steam train engine that kids can walk into and an area with lots of swings. The pond area is beautiful and perfect for walks or scooter rides plus it connects to the greenway if you want to jump on the trail.
Steam Park (Ballantyne)
The new Stream Park in Ballantyne is part of the new Ballantyne Reimagined project and is located right behind the Ballantyne Hotel. It includes a nice playground with unique hill slides, climbing wall, covered pavilion, walking trail, green space, pond, and a greenway connection. The play area has soft rubber flooring and turf grass making it a good spot for young kids.
Independence Park (Central CLT)
Independence Park has been recently renovated and is now a beautiful park right in central Charlotte with nice skyline views. The reno included all new playground equipment and updated landscaping. The park has lots of green space that is great for a picnic or to let kids run around. They also have beach volleyball courts and baseball fields.
Romare Bearden Park (Uptown)
Located in Uptown, Romare Bearden is a 5 acre park with a large green space, waterfall, and beautiful skyline views. It’s the perfect spot for a picnic or to let kids run around.
Park Road Park (South CLT)
Park Road Park located a few miles south of downtown is an awesome park for a wide variety of ages. There are two main playgrounds close together (one for older kids and one for young toddlers) plus a boat structure, sand box, and walking trails around a fishing pond.
William Davie Park (South CLT)
William Davie Park is located off Rea Road near the Arboretum has a large fully fenced playground, soccer fields, and a dog park inside the facility. The playground has three different playset areas (one that is newly renovated) and two of them can work well for younger toddlers.
Nevin Community Park (North CLT)
Nevin Community Park has been recently renovated with all new playground equipment that is great for a wide range of ages. It has soft rubber flooring, ramp style entries, a variety of swings including full support options, is fully adaptive for special needs, and has several fun and unique features. The park also has athletic fields, a splash pad, green space, and picnic areas.
Pineville Lake Park (Pineville)
Pineville Lake Park located near downtown Pineville, NC has so much to offer with three different playgrounds, a splash pad, and beautiful pond with a walking trail. It also has several picnic tables and shelters that can be rented for parties.
McDowell Nature Preserve (S. West CLT)
McDowell Nature Preserve is a thousand acre nature preserve and nature center in southwest Charlotte. It has hiking trails, picnic areas, campground, playground, nature center with animals and programming, and lakefront picnic areas and views. This is the perfect spot to spend a morning or an afternoon and most of the trails are kid-friendly.
Latta Nature Preserve (Huntersville)
Latta is Mecklenburg County’s largest Nature Preserve with 1,460 acres of green space for the public to enjoy. You can easily spend a half or full day here with so much to do and here is a guide for your visit.
Quest Nature Center has a 3,000 square-foot interactive exhibit hall that features live animals, aquarium, and several nature themed kids activities. Inside you can also find staff with maps of the property that can help guide you on selecting a trail to hike. Quest is free to the public.
Latta has 16 miles of nature trails at varying distances and difficulty levels. Right outside of Quest there is a 0.2 mile trail perfect for younger kids to enjoy. All trails are open to dogs on a leash.
The Waterfront picnic area offers beautiful views of Mountain Island Lake as well as picnic tables, a small beach (swimming isn’t allowed), and fishing pier.
The Carolina Raptor Center is dedicated to the conservation of birds of prey. The Raptor Trail features over 30 species of raptors including hawks, owls, eagles, and vultures. You can easily see the birds up close and they have periodic shows and special events.Â
Anne Springs Greenway (Fort Mill)
Anne Springs is a 21-acre green space and nature preserve just across the NC line in Fort Mill. The property offers tons of outdoor activities including walking and hiking trails, a children’s playground, a beautiful pond and creek, fishing, and kayaking, historic houses, animals (horses, cows, and other wildlife), and lots more. Fees are required for non-member entry.
Looking for More Family Fun Nearby?
Check out our Driveable Destinations Nearby for Families!
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.
