Charlotte NC Weekend tips?

[disneymomto5]

On our car trip to Disney this summer, my husband has to stop in Charlotte NC at the Convention center for a 2 day conference. Any suggestions on what to do with the kids while he's busy? Also, the best area to stay in? He could either drop us off in the morning or I could drop him off, or if necessary one of us could take a taxi. I just can't see myself sitting in a hotel room for 2 days with a teen and preteen with nothing planned! Help!

 

[Immadismom]

There are lots of things to do around Charlotte. Downtown there is Discovery Place, which has an IMAX theater, and the NASCAR Hall of Fame. BB & T Ballpark may have a baseball game going on. Lots of cool places to eat. Not far down the road is the US National Whitewater center. Carowinds is about 20 minutes from uptown & has a water park too. If you go north up I-85 to Concord you can visit Charlotte Motor Speedway and there is a huge mall, Concord Mills, at that same exit. There is a small aquarium at Concord Mills, to break up the shopping.

 

[sprousehouse]

Discovery Place is good, not sure if it will be too young for your kids and the US Whitewater facility would be perfect if your kids like the outdoors (mine are too young by DH and I enjoyed a great trip there 2 years ago).

 

[andieb0602]

If you don't have to stay close to the convention center I would see if you could stay at Great Wolf Lodge in Concord. It would be a bit of a drive for your hubby but it has a big indoor water park, arcade, spa, MagiQuest and, if that's not enough to keep you busy, it's extremely close to Concord Mills mall and is walking distance to restaurants if you don't want to eat at the resort.

I've heard fantastic things about the Whitewater Center as well but haven't been yet because our youngest isn't old enough for rafting yet. Carowinds, IMO, is okay. There are some fun coasters but we're always reminded when we go just how right Disney does things. Carowinds kind of pales in comparison but if your kids like thrill rides they may enjoy it.

 

[wishing4PA]

Not sure if I'm too late, as I was off the boards for a couple of weeks.
If not, and the kids like outdoors, I'll second the whitewater center. I took DD there a year or so ago, and we didn't raft, but she did enjoy zip lining and a ropes course. I had hoped to hike, but due to recent rains, the walking trails were closed, if I remember. Now I will state that I found the prices sky high, but since I only had one kid doing the costly stuff, it wasn't too horrible.
That said, my favorite thing in the area is Crowder's Mountain. If you live in the mountains, it might not be a big deal, but if you live where it's flat (as I do, to my great distress), it's a real treat.