Itinerary: Uptown for Families

If you skipped breakfast before heading out the door, pop into Famous Toastery, RedEye Diner or Sweet Crunch at The Market at 7th Street to fuel up before your day of adventures.

If it’s a Saturday, swing by the Uptown Farmers Market to discover unique creations from local artists, taste local products and enjoy local entertainment.

After your meal, start your Uptown experience by getting the lay of the land. Go on a tour (by foot, bike or Segway) with Charlotte NC Tours to explore Uptown’s key points of interest and learn all about its exciting past, present and future.

Or do an Uptown ArtWalk to get a feel for the area while exploring cool murals and public art pieces.

Uptown Interactive is a fun way to get the kids involved. At each stop, you scan a QR code with your smartphone camera to watch a video of the artist, play with site-specific face filters and explore a 3-D model of the artwork

Another great way to start the day is at one of Uptown’s most popular kid-friendly attractions. ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center has been ranked as one of the top children’s libraries in the country.

No matter what time of the year, it’s always a good time to play in the water, so be sure to pack a bathing suit and change of clothes so you can let the kiddos run through the fish fountains at The Green.

After all the fun, you’ll surely have worked up an appetite for a sweet afternoon treat - try cookies at Tiff’s Treats

During the summer months, play in the waterfalls at Romare Bearden Park. 

Make a pit stop at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The whole family can compete in the pit crew challenge and the realistic racing simulators. Pop into the Pit Stop Cafe for an afternoon snack and grab a memento at the Gear Shop on your way out.

Hop on the LYNX Blue Line light rail after lunch to get to your next destination. The little ones are sure to enjoy the ride.

If a mid-day museum experience is more your family’s style, explore contemporary art at the Mint Museum Uptown.

Nearby, look for tickets at the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte where you can catch a matinee show or even enroll in a one-day mini camp.

Try ice cream at Golden Cow Creamery

If you’d rather do something quick and casual, check out a popular local franchises like sandwiches at Showmars

With Charlotte’s mild weather and beautiful Carolina blue skies, it’s likely you’ll have a nice day for a picnic. If you’re on the north side of Uptown, pop into The Market at 7th Street and stock up on items from a few vendors then head across the street to enjoy it at First Ward Park.

If you’re on the south side of Uptown, grab sandwiches and snacks from Rhino Market & Deli and set up on the lawn or a table at Romare Bearden Park. 

Sabor Latin Street Grill is an independently, locally owned metro Charlotte concept that focuses on authentic menu offerings from countries such as El Salvador, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Mexico & Colombia. 

Enjoy your chicken at the tables on the Wells Fargo Plaza and then head inside the Visitor Info Center to get a Charlotte souvenir.

Or head to Discovery Place Science, an interactive, hands-on science museum, and walk through the indoor rainforest, touch a starfish, lay on a bed of nails and more. Don’t miss one of the larger-than-life-shows in the Accenture IMAX® Dome Theatre at the museum, too.

Charlotte Symphony’s Movie Series — a movie screening with music from the live symphony orchestra — has been a hit with the kids.

Or head to the WelcomeCLT Uptown Visitor Info Center and get a chicken plate from Horace’s Hot Fried Chicken.

Popular family-friendly restaurants like The King’s Kitchen, Tupelo Honey, Mimosa Grill, and Mert’s Heart and Soul have all the fixin’s to leave your little ones feeling like they’ve been fed like kings and queens — even the pickiest of eaters.

Through dance, ignite your imagination and inspire your young dancers, or even enroll them in the Academy's classes and camps.

If dinner and a show are more up your alley, especially for the tweens and teens in the family, get tickets for a Broadway or theater show at a Blumenthal Performing Arts.

Head to Bank of America Stadium for a Charlotte FC or Carolina Panthers game

Visit the Spectrum Center for an NBA Charlotte Hornets game.

After dinner, cheer on one of Charlotte’s home teams (depending on the season) Head to Truist Field for a AAA Charlotte Knights game.