No matter how old you are, Lake Norman offers a variety of things to do for the young and young at heart. From paddle boarding and playing mini-golf to shopping and feeding animals, you and your young ones are in for a good time. Snapshot that moment of laughter and joy and cherish it forever. To help strengthen your bond, we have compiled a list of places in the area that are fun for everyone in the family.
1. Discovery Place Kids
Spark some creativity and imagination at Discovery Place Kids in Huntersville. Focused on encouraging a lifelong love of learning, Discovery Place Kids is a regional children's museum with hands-on, educational activities that help show the importance of science and nature. Children can live their dreams of becoming a doctor, firefighter or chef through their interactive exhibits. Discovery Place Kids exhibits are themed as parts of a small town, allowing your child to feel like a "grown-up" for a day. From building castles to fixing race cars, there is so much for you and your child to discover!
2. Escape 109
Slip into a real-life adventure game at Escape 109 that challenges you to solve puzzles and find clues to escape a themed room within 60 minutes. Located in Davidson, they offer two different themed rooms. Players must be observant while work as a team as they use their critical thinking skills to try to escape the rooms. It is great for special occasions like birthdays, date nights, family bonding functions, fun with friends and perfect for team building and corporate events.
Rollover to Spare Time Huntersville for a fun-filled evening with the family. Home to Lake Norman's premier bowling lanes, they offer 27 luxury lanes to bowl with a VIP area. However, Spare Time is much more than a bowling alley with brand-new escape rooms, a two-story laser tag arena, and a game zone with over 50 games! They also offer a full restaurant and bar with plush seating and HD video walls, taking the stress out of the night and making Spare Time a one-stop spot for the night. Whether you go just for a quick round of bowling or your little one's big birthday party, Spare Time offers plenty for the whole family to enjoy. Treat you and your kids to a fun night out on Wednesday for half-off prices on bowling, laser tag and the Game Zone.
4. Ride LKN Wake & Surf School
Start shredding the waves with Ride LKN, a premier watersports company that provides private charters and kids' summer camps. Wakeboarding and wake surfing are their most popular sports, and they also offer tubing, foiling and cruising. If you have never tried wakeboarding, don't worry. Martin, a coach at Ride LKN, and his crew are excellent instructors who provide clear guidance and make sure every member of the group is able to have an enjoyable time. For more information on Ride LKN, check out our feature blog spotlighting their great work.
5. Birkdale Village
If you need some retail therapy or just want to get your daily steps in, head to Birkdale Village, a shopping center that brings together big-name brands and local boutique shops. Take the kids on a walk through this lovely open-air center or take them to the new splash pad, the perfect activity for a hot day. Grab a bite after you get some shopping done and catch the latest film at Regal Birkdale Stadium.
Step into history at the Historic Rural Hill Farm, home to the oldest public historic site in Mecklenburg County and the former home of Major John Davidson. Nestled on 265 acres is the farm, historic cabin and cultural center which hosts educational programs and a variety of special events. Perfect for the whole family, Rural Hill allows visitors to immerse themselves into the lifestyle of the 1800s and learn about how their ancestors once lived. Enjoy the beautiful scenery while hiking their exclusive trail network and visit the historic farm's adorable highland cows, blacksmiths, and open-hearth cooking cabin.
7. Lake Norman Mini Golf
Lake Norman Mini Golf isn’t your typical mini-golf attraction. Each hole is set up in a way that will have you work hard for par. If you’re up for another challenge, test your reflexes and agility at the climbing wall and Laser Maze where you must maneuver through a field of laser beams. Or test your aim with axe-throwing. After you break a sweat, cool down with SAZ’s Snoballs. They are open seasonally, so be sure to stop by during the warmer months.
8. Carolina Raptor Center
Dedicated to the conservation of raptors, Carolina Raptor Center is home to over 30 species of birds and you can see them all on the Raptor Trail. From eagles to vultures to owls, you can see for yourself how the birds interact while learning some “fly” facts. The Carolina Raptor Center has a strong focus on rescuing birds of prey, with at least 800 to 1,000 injured birds being brought in to the Raptor Medical Center each year and educational programs hosted for all age groups. If you end up falling in love, you can join the flight team and bring out your inner Harry Potter to help train owls, hawks, and falcons!
Make sure to visit the Quest Center while you're in the area. Your one-stop destination for outdoor recreation and environmental education. Attend a program or grab a trail map. The gift shop will be open and offering everything from drinks and snacks to nature-themed gifts and crafts. You can even borrow a fishing rod or bring your own picnic, sit on the patio, and immerse yourself in nature.
Find the fun at Frankie's of Charlotte, an all-inclusive amusement park and Lake Norman's largest attraction! Featuring 120 different arcade games, bowling, 18-hole mini-golf, a multi-person hologram arena, an indoor "Drop Zone" ride, bumper cars, and so much more, Frankie's is a guaranteed good time for the whole family. Don't pass up on go-karting, with three tracks ranging in difficulty to choose from, and make sure to stop by their two-story laser tag zone! The lounge area provides a full-service restaurant & bar and there are private rooms available for larger gatherings.
10. Urban Air Adventure Park
If you're looking for a place to release some energy, look no further. Urban Air Adventure Park will have you jumping with joy! Lake Norman's exclusive trampoline park includes a rope and obstacle course, a virtual reality game, climbing walls, bumper cars and basketball goals so you can score a slam dunk! You can even get a workout in at one of their fitness classes.
Don't forget to share the love and tag us in your sweet memories on Facebook or Instagram @VisitLakeNorman!