Charlotte is home to a great deal of entertainment venues which will keep children occupied for days on end. For something fun, and to escape the heat, head to one of the water theme parks, such as Ray’s Splash Planet, or the Nature Museum for something more educational. The outskirts of the city are home to forests, beautiful countryside and a number of nature trails which will allow your children to get up close and personal with indigenous animals and plants.

Carowinds
This enormous theme park (105 acres large) is home to over 100 rides, theatres, cinemas, a young children’s area and the largest rollercoaster in the region. It’s a great place to escape the city and will keep everyone in the family busy all day. The park is 15 minutes away by car from the centre of the city. 
Phone: +1 704 588 2600; www.paramountparks.com/carowinds/index.cfm

Charlotte Nature Museum
One of Charlotte’s most popular museums is the Nature Museum. Here you will find information on the animals which are native to the Piedmont region. You will also find a butterfly pavilion, nature trails, ancient American relics and fun interactive exhibits which are aimed at children. 
Phone: +1 704 372 6261

Discovery Place
This is one of the city’s most popular family attractions as it offers something for everyone and is bound to keep children entertained for hours. Highlights include: the Omnimax theatre, Planetarium, Challenger Learning Center and an excellent aquarium. 
Phone: +1 704 372 6261

McDowell Nature Center and Preserve
This was one of the first parks to be opened in Charlotte and has seen extensive development. It boasts hardwood forests and beautiful landscapes as well as nature trails, the chance to spot rare birds, butterfly gardens and animal exhibits. It is a great place to have a picnic and enjoy a family game of football or Frisbee. 
Phone: +1 704 588 5224

Ray’s Splash Planet
Many people like to escape the heat during the summer months, and if you have children there is no better way to cool down than taking a trip to Ray’s Splash Planet. This water park boasts a number of different attractions, including a selection of water slides, tubing streams, waterfalls, water sports such as basketball and volleyball, a fitness centre, Meteor showers, Moon Beach and a choice of restaurants. 
Phone: +1 704 432 4729.

Charlotte is brimming with museums detailing its fascinating history. There are a number of museums suitable for the whole family and many more showcasing local arts and crafts. To really get a feel for the cultural importance of the city, however, there are a number of walking tours available. These will let you see firsthand some of the city’s most historic places.

Charlotte City and Historic Fourth Ward Walking Tours
The best way to get your bearings and a sense of the historic heart of Charlotte is to embark on a walking tour. There are a number of organised tours available, or you could pick up a map and make your own way around the sights. The Victorian Fourth Ward is a good place to start as you will be able to view a number of Victorian houses and buildings. Other historic attractions include the Charlotte Cotton Mill Complex, the First Presbyterian Church and the Settlers Cemetery.

Charlotte Museum of History
This fascinating museum details the local history of Charlotte and all of the surrounding suburbs. It can be found in the oldest residence in the country, the Hezekiah Alexander Home, and has exhibits dating back over 300 years. 
www.charlottemuseum.org  

Historic Rosedale Plantation
Rosedale was originally part of an enormous plantation which was built in 1815 by merchant Archibald Frew. It was lived in throughout the 1830s by the Dr Caldwell family, along with the support of about 20 slaves. The building is one of the best examples of 19th-century architecture that you’ll find in the region and is surrounded by beautiful gardens. If this part of American history interests you, a trip to this museum should not be missed. 
Phone: +1 704 335 0325; www.historicrosedale.org

Levine Museum of the New South
The Levine Museum is popular with people of all ages. It details the history of the post-Civil War era in the south and offers a wide range of exhibits and displays. Highlights include: the chance to dress up in clothing of the time and record your own radio show. 
www.museumofthenewsouth.org

Mint Museum of Craft and Design
Designed by local architect in 1953, the Mint Museum was once Montaldo’s department store. It is home to a permanent collection of ceramic, glass, metal and wood craft items and details the roots of its pieces back to the 1800s. 
Phone: +1 704 337 2000; www.mintmuseum.org

Charlotte offers visitors the chance to taste some of the best of southern American cuisine, as many restaurants serve up firm favourites such as southern fried chicken and Brunswick stew. However, there are also a number of international restaurants around town offering cuisine from around the world.

Charlotte's NoDa and Plaza Midwood districts are the best places to head for something to eat. You will find a number of trendy restaurants and street-side cafés serving all-day breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Uptown Charlotte is where to head for traditional restaurants and cheaper eateries.

You simply cannot visit Charlotte without trying some local cuisine! The city is famous for its barbecued meats, grits (ground corn kernels which are boiled slowly and served with salt, black pepper and butter), cornbread (crumbly bread made of stone-ground cornmeal and buttermilk), hush puppies (deep-fried cornmeal dumplings and served alongside barbecue), baked macaroni and cheese, meatloaf and old-fashioned banana pudding.

If you are looking for somewhere to pick up a bargain or two or for souvenirs, you will not be disappointed. Charlotte is home to a number of malls, markets, department stores, boutiques and souvenir shops. The biggest malls include: Concord Mills, SouthPark Mall, Phillips Place and Carolina Place. They host a range of shops, from designer outlets to bargain basements, as well as the chance to pick up a souvenir or two.

Waxhaw, Pineville and the Metrolina Expo are popular with people looking to buy antiques and home furnishings. North Carolina is in fact the furniture capital of the US and the major retailers, Hickory and Thomasville, are just a couple of hours’ drive from Charlotte.