North Carolina’s biggest city also has an abundance of wild adventures for the outdoor enthusiast.
Driving Distance: 6 hours
STAY HERE: The Carolinas’ first JW Marriott bowed this past summer and is a beacon of city chic. It rises 22 stories and has 381 rooms and 34 suites, all of which are outfitted with marble-clad bathrooms and floor-to-ceiling windows with sweeping views. The hotel is awash in natural light that complements some of its more grandiose design elements. (It’s inspired by Queen Charlotte and her royal attire.) An all-day steakhouse and hip dinner-only oyster shack satisfy hunger pangs. And the onsite spa is a welcome respite if mom gets a few hours to refresh. (Treatments include a Naturopathica Signature facial; add a crystal energy mask to align your chakras.) A fitness center and plant-filled rooftop paradise with a pool and bar (the latter is 21 and up) and events such as chakra yoga round out the offerings. Despite its cool factor, the hotel welcomes children; ask about its family program for kid-centric opportunities. The Uptown destination is also situated amid a new pedestrian-focused space complete with a 12,000-square-foot public plaza; live oak trees relocated from Johns Island, South Carolina; plenty of indoor and outdoor dining; and proximity to all the attractions that brought you to Charlotte in the first place. From $323 per night, 600 S. College St.
Day 1
MORNING: Start your day with whole-grain protein or sweet Belgian Liège waffles from Golden Cow Creamery, just steps from the hotel. The locally run ice-cream shop churns out iterations that can be topped with everything from peanut butter (gooey) to Fruity Pebbles (fun) beginning at 10 a.m.; make it a point to return for an even sweeter treat later in the day. Then take a 30-minute drive to the U.S. National Whitewater Center for a full slate of outdoor adventure on land, in the water, and in the sky. More than 11,000 feet of zip lines, some with high-rope obstacles, fly you over the pines, tree canopies, and rapids. Not crazy about heights? Hit the wild river for whitewater rafting; there are options for families (kids must be over 8) as well as more skilled folks. Day passes and single-activity tickets are available.
AFTERNOON: The center doesn’t allow outside food, so fuel up at one of its eateries. The full-service River’s Edge is, as expected, on the water, and serves up a kids’ menu along with sandwiches and salads. There are also grab-and-go options at the market and myriad places for locally made brew. Consider taking part in some of the other activities—flatwater kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding—before heading out. If there’s still time in your day (you’ll want to dedicate at least two hours), visit Discovery Place Science back in Uptown. Here, you’ll step inside an urban rainforest—with humid temps to prove it—then walk across a canopy rope bridge and encounter slimy frogs and scaly reptiles. Try new tech in the Thinker Space, and lie on a bed of 5,000 nails in the Cool Stuff exhibit. The outcome might surprise you—in a good way.
EVENING: Parents with older kids (or those who can watch the younger ones) should dine at Supperland, a hotly anticipated restaurant that opened this past summer in a restored historic church, and where locals already love to congregate. The Southern potluck fare is served on custom-made plates you can buy, and much of it is cooked on a 14-foot grill. Prefer a more casual dinner? Try Rooster’s Wood-Fired Kitchen. Families come here for its à la carte menu of rustic meats, seafoods, and veggies. (A recent Yelp reviewer raved about the Brussels sprouts and how her 6-year-old devoured them.)
Day 2
MORNING: You had an active day yesterday, so why not take it a bit easier? Visit onsite Dean’s Italian Steakhouse for breakfast: The morning menu is fairly standard, with eggs, oatmeal, and toast teamed with more inventive options, like Pampered Eggs with pommes purée. Afterward, take a 10-minute stroll over to the NASCAR Hall of Fame for interactive showcases where you can pretend you’re on a pit crew or get behind the wheel of a replica race car for a simulated competition.
AFTERNOON: Charlotte has earned a reputation as a brewery hub, so make the most out of the options and check out a few. Midnight Mulligan Brewing debuted in the fall with West Coast IPAs served in a 10,000-square-foot brewery and restaurant that connects to Summit Seltzer, a first-of-its-kind spot on the East Coast. The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery & Biergarten is the city’s oldest, has a charming outdoor park, pours German brews (of course), and has a kids’ menu. (Ask your server for one.) NoDa Brewing Company has a garden complete with cornhole and disc golf at its NorthEnd location. And Birdsong Brewing Co. pours seasonal, year-round, and limited-release brews (like a double IPA made with local Cloister Honey). A rotating lineup of food trucks keeps everyone in the family well fed.
EVENING: Have an after-dark experience at Mint Museum. There’s free admission on Wednesday nights from 5 to 9 p.m. (frequently paired with special programming and live entertainment), and the venue is also open late on Fridays. Current exhibits at the Uptown location, closest to the JW Marriott, include Craft in the Laboratory, with 100 works (made of wood, metals, steel, or agricultural waste) that demonstrate how science and math are used in creating art. Or simply head to a Hornets game at the Spectrum Center for some pro hoops.
Day 3
MORNING: Hop in the car for a 30-minute drive up to Davidson for delicious doughnuts at Milkbread, a new all-day concept from the husband-and-wife team behind Kindred—their dinner spot where kids are warmly welcomed. (Yep, they’re parents, too.) In addition to glazed and milk-chocolate confections, you’ll savor toasts, bowls, and other bites. You’ll be nearby Lake Norman, so plan to end your N.C. excursion with fun on the water. Reel in a fish (they’re active year-round), hop on a Jet Ski, charter a pontoon boat, or let a driver take you on a tour.
AFTERNOON: Lazy 5 Ranch in nearby Mooresville serves as a habitat for endangered species while also offering visitors a chance to witness 700 animals, including peacocks, black swans, Rocky Mountain elk, ring-tailed lemurs, and dromedary camels. A drive-through tour is currently offered.
This story originally ran in our March issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to our monthly magazine.