Charlotte with children

If you are coming from outside the core of the city you have several options for approaching Uptown. The simplest is just to drive in and find parking in a lot or deck; this is especially helpful if you don't want to be tied to a transit schedule. If you take this route, be aware that many parking decks are "private" (use is restricted to tenants). Also, be attentive to the posted hourly/daily rates; some places gouge prices on "event" days, and some will lure you in with a low hourly rate that goes up dramatically with each passing hour. A kid-friendly way to avoid this problem is to park near the edge of Uptown and catch the Gold Rush Trolley (see below).

International visitors will most likely be arriving in the city via Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

Like other American cities, Charlotte can be reached by long-distance bus. This means of transportation could be fine if you are traveling for a relatively short time, but children may be very uncomfortable and fussy if your ride is more than a few hours long.

Charlotte has an Amtrak station, but your arrival time might be very inconvenient, especially if coming from the south, and Amtrak is notorious for lateness. However, children are usually much more comfortable on trains than on other modes of transportation and there is always the possibility of walking around during the trip that you don't have on buses or planes.

Gold Rush Trolley - These buses converted to look like old-fashioned trolleys are a wonderful attraction for children, as it accomplishes several goals at once: it moves them around the city safely and comfortably, gives them a fun riding experience (with bells and warm colors all around), allows them to see the bustle of the city up close, establishes a sense of history for older children, and is totally free for everyone (parents included). A ride on the trolley is strongly recommended, especially if you're trying to move across Uptown without getting back in the car. Kids love pulling the stop-cord! There are two lines: the red line along Trade Street and the orange along Tryon, which is particularly useful for getting from the museums on the north side of Uptown to the south side. Be warned that the Gold Rush Trolleys do not operate on the weekends.

Otherwise, buses in Charlotte are clean and feel very safe. However, they can be relatively slow in traffic and occasionally have riders who cause children to feel unsafe. The upside is that the main terminal is across the street from Bobcats Arena and a short walk from several major attractions. In particular, using the bus to park-and-ride from a location in the suburbs can be a major stress-saver during festivals and holidays. Use your best judgment when considering this option. Stops are usually well-marked along roads and at major attractions.

Taxis are not generally used by families in Charlotte, though they can be of some use in certain circumstances. There is a surcharge for having more than 2 passengers, so this option might be more expensive than necessary. While taxis are common in the central districts, they do not come by regularly in the suburbs. If your kids have never ridden in a taxi before, this might be a novelty for them; otherwise, consider other options.

The LYNX light rail is one of the best options for moving in and out of the center city from the south. The line follows College St. out of Uptown, then runs along South Blvd. through South End all the way out to I-485 near the South Carolina border.

1 Discovery Place. Any child's trip to Charlotte should begin at Discovery Place. This attraction is best visited in the morning, while they still have a fresh mind and lots of energy. Let them tour the many science-oriented exhibits to be found on the three museum floors. This is an experience that will be fun and educational for both younger and older children. If the timing works out, catch a movie in the huge IMAX theater.

2 ImaginOn. With learning in mind, stroll down 7th St. toward ImaginOn, the large children's center near Bobcats Arena. You can feel safe letting your kids roam around in areas designed for their own age group (careful -- no adults allowed in the teens section!), as friendly staff members are diligent about each child's security. Despite its large and attractive collection of children's literature, this is much more than a library; even an adult can get caught up in the many kiosks and displays. An excellent gift shop provides unique shopping, and there's a good chance you will encounter a special presentation or performance. Give some thought to visiting during a Children's Theatre performance (usually in the evening), and let your kids jump around the unusual sculpture in front of the building.

3 Levine Museum of the New South. This splendid historical museum, which chronicles the growth of the South since the Civil War, offers plenty of interactive exhibits for visitors, like a model train layout, hands-on displays where kids can touch tools or cotton and see recreations of old homes and businesses.

4 Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. While the museum may not be very entertaining to children (unless they really like art), there's one aspect of this museum that's perfect for kids and costs nothing: the Firebird sculpture by Niki de Saint Phalle, which has a whimsical quality to it and just begs to be touched and enjoyed up-close (you can even walk between its legs).

The Green - There are several good parks Uptown, but this is the most kid-friendly. Located on Tryon St. between 1st and 2nd, it's surrounded by family-oriented restaurants, and once you've gotten lunch you can explore this unique urban park. A literacy theme will interest older children, while unusual terrain and play areas will excite the little ones. During the summer, carry bathing suits and allow them to cool off in the splash-fountain. In early winter, bring your skates to the temporary ice rink. And if a morning on the move has you worn out, stop by the library branch for a moment's relaxation.

5 Nascar Hall of Fame. This is an excellent museum of children with a huge number of interactive exhibits, including an entire play zone for toddlers and simulators that allow kids to step into the driver's seat or take part in a pit crew.

Shopping - If you are traveling with teenagers, consider giving them some spending cash at the Overstreet Mall. Though most of the shops are oriented toward office workers, teens will find some attractive botiques (including a small department store and several clothing stores) and plenty of familiar fast food names (including McDonald's, Burger King and Subway). The mall is enclosed and extremely safe, so it is not a bad place to let teens hang out while you take smaller children elsewhere. However, they ought to be reminded that the mall connects directly to several office towers, which are decidedly kid-unfriendly.

Shopping - The South End is full of stores ranging from the quaint and unique, to the downright strange. Most of the district is easily walkable, with large trees providing shade during hot summer afternoons.

Canine Cafe. Kids will fawn over this unusual boutique -- Canine Cafe is devoted to providing its "canine friends and family" with the best catering possible. Homemade dog biscuits are only the beginning; the place is like a puppy wonderland. If you come at the right time, you might discover a customer planning a "pawty" for a beloved pet. Not a better place in town to get a souvenir for Rover.

The Carolinas Aviation Museum is undoubtedly one of the best places to take your kids in Charlotte, with historic and restored airplanes (including Flight 1549, better known as the plane Sully Sullenberger successfully landed in the Hudson River) and air shows. It is located on the outskirts of the city near the airport, so driving is the only convenient way to get here.