Our three towns of Lake Norman: Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville and have activities and fun for people of all abilities to enjoy. Lake Norman is committed to offering accessible activities that everyone can enjoy. From arcades to festivals to shopping, keep reading to learn about the most accessible things to do in the area!
Cain Center for the Arts
Want to admire some art or enjoy a show? Cain Center for the Arts is an organization dedicated to the creative expression of those in the Lake Norman region. This center offers an array of literary, visual, and performing arts for you to enjoy. Anyone who has an appreciation for the arts will have a blast here!
The Cain Center strives to make its art accessible. The art galleries and theater are fully accessible, with accessible seating available in several locations throughout the theater. They also have Assisted Listening Devices available for every performance.
Accommodations can be requested in advance via phone/email or in person at the main lobby. Staff can direct guests to accessible seating or provide them with Assisted Listening Devices.
There is also accessible parking available on Milling Way. You can view their parking page here for more details. The Cain Center for the Arts currently does not have any sensory programs at this time but are currently looking to expand its offerings.
The Serve Pickleball + Kitchen
The Serve Pickleball + Kitchen is an indoor and outdoor sports and entertainment center. It offers ten indoor pickleball courts and six outdoor courts, four Top Golf Simulators that offer a variety of virtual games, and curated amenities. To create a fun environment where you can play, eat, drink, and socialize.
The facility is fully ADA-compliant with accessible restrooms, ramps, and court access.You can request special accommodations in advance if you need any additional assistance.
At this time, The Serve Pickleball does not have any specific accommodations for those with sensory issues.
Birkdale Village
If you feel like doing some shopping, Birkdale Village is a great place to stop by. Birkdale Village is an outdoor shopping, dining, and residential area with fun places to check out, from boutiques to dessert shops to plenty of restaurants.
Birkdale Village offers concierge services that include complimentary wheelchair and stroller rentals. Handicap parking is also available in the decks and surface lots. The plaza and fountain areas, where most of the events take place, are wheelchair accessible. These spaces are located behind the concierge and valet. The public restrooms have wheelchair accessible stalls and the crosswalks are wheelchair accessible as well.
Carolina Renaissance Festival
The Carolina Renaissance Festival is a vibrant and exciting celebration of Medieval and Renaissance culture with all kinds of fun activities including costumed performers, artisan vendors, and lively entertainment. There are also plenty of games and rides, a horseback jousting tournament, mermaids and fairies, and tons of food and drink options for feasting! The festival takes place on weekends and runs from Oct 3 - Nov 22.
The festival is also fairly accessible and accommodations are available. There is a mild grade throughout the fair and it is located on firmly packed ground. This event is outdoors and the pathways vary from dirt, grass, and graveled lanes. Accessible parking is available as well as ADA-compliant portable restrooms.
Wheelchairs are also available to rent for $30 on a first-come, first-serve basis through the Belrose Costume Rental Shop which is located just outside of the festival entrance.
For neurodivergent individuals and those with sensory issues, this festival is full of colorful sights and loud sounds sometimes coming from multiple directions. It is recommended to have a caregiver attend the event first to help decide if it is right for you.
Discovery Place Kids
Want to unleash your creativity and explore? Or maybe you have kiddos that do? Discovery Place Kids is a learning-focused children's museum that has interactive exhibits to get lost in and explore. People of all ages have a great time here!
Discovery Place Kids has wheelchairs available on a first-come, first-serve basis at all of their museums. Visitors can request a wheelchair at the ticket check-in and they are sanitized after each use!
They also offer sensory-friendly hours on the first Sunday of every month from 2-4:30pm to provide a welcoming and comfortable environment for children with sensory sensitivities, including those on the autism spectrum, those with sensory processing disorders, and those with vision or hearing impairments. During these dedicated times, the museum adjusts various elements to create a more inclusive experience for all visitors. These adjustments include reduced noise levels, softened lighting, limited attendance, and designated quiet spaces.
Spare Time Huntersville
Spare Time Huntersville is a premier entertainment destination offering a dynamic and fun-filled experience for people of all ages. This venue features 27 bowling lanes, 115 arcade games, four escape rooms, laser-tag and a full bar and restaurant.
The entire Spare Time building is ADA accessible with ramps for everything and no steps required for entry. They have ADA bowling alleys and the laser tag arena is also wheelchair accessible.
Light and sound modifications can also be made upon request for those with sensory issues. Spare Time also welcomes service dogs into the venue.
Frankie's of Charlotte
Frankie's of Charlotte is an entertainment center that promises endless fun and excitement for visitors of all ages! Frankie's offers many different attractions such as arcade games, go-kart racing, mini golf, and bowling. They also have a full-service restaurant and bar with plenty of food options to choose from if you get hungry!
The entire park is wheelchair accessible including the bowling alley. Many of the arcade games/attractions are accessible and inclusive to people of different abilities.
Frankie’s does not offer sensory modifications; due to high noise levels and constant flashing lights, it is not recommended for those with sensory sensitivities.
Northern Regional Recreation Center
The Northern Regional Recreation Center is a facility that offers health and wellness activities, nature education programs, and therapeutic recreation programs for all ages! Providing a state-of-the-art facility, the center offers a broad range of features such as multiple pools, yoga studios, and more. The family pool is accessible as it includes an ADA pool lift.
Quest at Latta Nature Preserve
Quest at Latta Nature Preserve is an engaging environmental education center located in Huntersville. This facility serves as a hub for nature exploration and learning, offering visitors a wide range of interactive exhibits and hands-on activities designed to foster a deeper understanding of the natural world.
The Nature Center is accessible to any users with four ADA accessible parking spots right in front of the building.
All-Terrain Wheelchairs are available for reservation at the Quest Center. These specialized wheelchairs are designed to navigate a wide range of outdoor environments, ensuring everyone can experience the trails. Reservations can be made at least four days in advance through the Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation website.
Quest at Latta Nature Preserve is also a location for the Tackle Loaner Program. The Tackle Loaner Program is a fantastic initiative aimed at making fishing more accessible to everyone, especially beginners and those without equipment. This program allows individuals to borrow fishing gear such as rods, reels, and tackle boxes at no cost.
Adaptive fishing gear can be loaned to anglers with disabilities at this site. This gear includes a velcro reeling system and assistive arm or hand pole holders/grips for those with limited or no hand function. Wheelchair pole holders are also available.
Ramsey Creek Park
Ramsey Creek is a waterfront beach that offers a designated swimming area, fishing pier, and beautiful nature trails. Committed to inclusivity, the park features accessible restrooms, outdoor showers, and specialized sand wheelchairs to ensure smooth, hassle-free mobility across the beach for all visitors.
The park is also home to Patriot Pier, a fully ADA-compliant fishing pier designed specifically for disabled veterans and members of the community.
Davidson College Campus
Davidson College is a prestigious liberal arts college in the town of Davidson. This diverse campus has over 1,700 students from various states and countries. The campus is also over 170 years old, so many buildings and features date back to its early days and provide a great history of the school.
There are accessible pathways around the main buildings such as Chambers, Union, and Wall. Some locations like Turner and Campus Summit are not wheelchair accessible.
Downtown Davidson
If you're interested in embarking on a scavenger hunt featuring nine adorable cats, head towards Downtown Davidson! In partnership with the Davidson Public Art Commission, the town has installed nine permanent cat sculptures.
These felines are six inch bronze sculptures scattered around town, engaged in various activities enjoyed by cats. They can be found sleeping, climbing, or just being playful. If you need help tracking these little creatures down, use the Scavenger Hunt Clues that hint at their location.
All the cats can be found along Main Street, meaning they are easily accessible right from Davidson's wide and paved sidewalks. You won’t need to step inside any of the shops, but its the perfect excuse to explore what Downtown Davidson has to offer.
These are just some activities Lake Norman has to offer for people of all abilities. Next time you visit Lake Norman, stop by and share your adventures by tagging on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok @VisitLakeNorman and head over to Tripadvisor to share your experience! We hope you have a blast.
