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Itinerary: Uptown for Families

Plan a day in Uptown for the whole family.

Charlotte’s vibrant Uptown district is full of family-friendly adventures. From tiny tots in the family to the kid-at-heart grownups, exciting experiences await for the whole family. Whether you want to spend a full day or just a morning, afternoon or evening exploring, we’ve got your guide to plan the perfect family-friendly experience in the heart of the Queen City.

1
Grab Breakfast at the Market
224 E. 7th St
Charlotte, NC 28202

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.

2
Farmer's Market Fare
101 S Tryon St
Charlotte, NC 28280

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.

3
Segway Tour
101 S Tryon St, Suite 16
Charlotte, NC 28202

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.

4
Walk the Arts
100 E 4th St
Charlotte, NC 28202

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

5
Interactive Arts
601 E. 5th St., #230
Charlotte, NC 28202

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

6
ImaginOn - a top children's library
300 E 7th St
Charlotte, NC 28202

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.

7
Fish Fountains
425 S Tryon St
Charlotte, NC 28202

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.

8
Cookies at Tiff's Treats
550 E Brooklyn Village Ave, Ste. 210
Charlotte, NC 28202

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

9
Walk in the Waterfalls
300 S. Church St
Charlotte, NC 28202

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

10
NASCAR Hall of Fame
400 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
Charlotte, NC 28202

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.

11
Go for a Ride
310 East Trade Street
Charlotte, NC 28202

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.

12
Mint Museum
500 S Tryon St
Charlotte, NC 28202

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

13
Catch a Kid-friendly show

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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.

14
Golden Cow Creamery
601 S. Tryon St.
Charlotte 28202

Try ice cream at Golden Cow Creamery

15
Quick & Casual Lunch
201 S College St
Charlotte, NC 28244

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

16
A Picnic Lunch
301 E 7th St
Charlotte, NC 28202

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.

17
South side Lunch
420 S Tryon St
Charlotte, NC 28202

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. 

18
Local Latin Flavors
300 N College St
Charlotte, NC 28202

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. 

19
Visitor Info Center-Uptown
329 N Tryon St
Charlotte, NC 28202

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

20
Hands-on Science
301 N Tryon St
Charlotte, NC 28202

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.

21
Musical Movie Magic
130 N Tryon St
Charlotte, NC 28202

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

22
Fried Chicken & Fresh Air
329 S Tryon St
Charlotte, NC 28202

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

23
Family-Friendly Restaurants
101 S Tryon St
Charlotte, NC 28246

Popular family-friendly restaurants like The King’s KitchenTupelo HoneyMimosa 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.

24
Experience the Ballet
701 N Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC 28202

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

25
Catch a Show
130 N Tryon St
Charlotte, NC 28202

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.

26
Have a ball
800 S Mint Sreet
Charlotte, NC 28202

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

27
Game on with the Hornets
333 E Trade St
Charlotte, NC 28202

Visit the Spectrum Center for an NBA Charlotte Hornets game.

28
Cheer on the Knights
324 S Mint St
Charlotte, NC 28202

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

Need help getting here? Use our Getting Here Guide to help with parking and transit for your family day in Uptown. Discover more family-friendly experiences in Uptown by following @uptown.clt on Instagram. And be sure to tag us in your adventures on social media using the hashtag #uptownclt.