20 Amazing Things To Do in Charlotte in the Spring

Spring is a wonderful time to visit Charlotte, North Carolina, as the weather is pleasant and there are plenty of fun activities to enjoy. I personally love Charlotte in the Spring because there are so many great outdoor activities in and around the city so you can really make the most of the beautiful weather.

I’ve created a list of all the best Spring activities here in Charlotte so you can make the most of this season – keep reading for the Top 20 Things To Do in Charlotte in the Spring!

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Charlotte in The Spring

Visit the Botanical Gardens:

The UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens are in full bloom during the spring, with colorful flowers and blooming trees. Take a leisurely stroll and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

The UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens is a beautiful 7-acre garden located on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, in Charlotte, North Carolina. The garden is open to the public year-round and features a variety of native and exotic plants, as well as several themed gardens.

Some of the main attractions at the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens include:

1. Susie Harwood Garden: This garden features a variety of plants native to the Piedmont region of North Carolina, including wildflowers, grasses, and shrubs.
2. Van Landingham Glen: This garden features a beautiful woodland area with a variety of shade-loving plants, including ferns, hostas, and wildflowers.
3. Perennial Gardens: These gardens feature a variety of flowering perennials, including roses, lilies, and irises.
4. Greenhouse Complex: The greenhouse complex includes several different climate-controlled rooms, each with a different collection of plants, including tropicals, succulents, and cacti.

Explore Camp North End:

Camp North End is a 76-acre historic industrial site with dozens of food vendors, shops, art exhibits, and more! This outdoor venue is great for spring days in Charlotte when you just want to be outside! You’ll find something for everyone here with food ranging from charcuterie boards to ramen to popsicles & ice cream!

Go Strawberry Picking:

Charlotte, NC and the surrounding area have several options for strawberry picking during the season, usually from late April through early June. Picking strawberries is one of my favorite spring activities in Charlotte because it supports local farmers! Here are a few places you can go for strawberry picking:

1. Carrigan Farms: Located in Mooresville, about 30 minutes north of Charlotte, Carrigan Farms offers strawberry picking and other seasonal activities like hayrides and pumpkin picking.
2. The Hunter Farm: This family-owned farm in Weddington, about 20 minutes southeast of Charlotte, offers pick-your-own strawberries as well as other fruits and vegetables.
3. Hall Family Farm: This farm in Ballantyne, south of Charlotte, offers pick-your-own strawberries as well as other seasonal produce and family-friendly activities.
4. Wise Acres Organic Farm: Located in Indian Trail, about 30 minutes southeast of Charlotte, Wise Acres offers organic strawberry picking as well as other farm activities and a farm store.

Be sure to check each farm’s website or call ahead for hours, availability, and any COVID-19 protocols that may be in place.

Attend a Spring Festival:

Charlotte hosts many festivals in the spring, including the annual Charlotte SHOUT and Moo & Brew Festival!

Plus, don’t forget the Spring holidays like Saint Patrick’s Day and Cinco de Mayo – both holidays have fun bar crawls throughout the city!

Explore the parks:

Charlotte has many beautiful parks, and spring is the perfect time to enjoy them. Whether you’re looking for a quiet spot to relax or a place to hike, bike, or enjoy a picnic, there’s a park in Charlotte that’s perfect for you.

Here are some of the best parks in Charlotte in the Spring:

1. Freedom Park: Freedom Park is a 98-acre park located near downtown Charlotte. It offers a variety of amenities, including walking trails, tennis courts, picnic areas, playgrounds, and a large lake. The park also hosts a number of events and festivals throughout the year.
2. Romare Bearden Park: Romare Bearden Park is a 5.4-acre park located in uptown Charlotte. The park features beautiful gardens, fountains, and a large lawn for picnics and relaxation. The park also hosts concerts, festivals, and other events throughout the spring.
3. Reedy Creek Park: Reedy Creek Park is a 146-acre park located in northeast Charlotte. It offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking trails, fishing ponds, and picnic areas. The park also features a nature center and offers educational programs for visitors.
4. McDowell Nature Center and Preserve: McDowell Nature Center and Preserve is a 1,107-acre nature preserve located in southwest Charlotte. It features a variety of ecosystems, including forests, streams, and wetlands. The park offers hiking trails, educational programs, and wildlife viewing opportunities.
5. Latta Plantation Nature Preserve: Latta Plantation Nature Preserve is a 1,460-acre nature preserve located in north Charlotte. It offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing, and boating. The park also features a historic plantation house and offers guided tours.

Take a brewery tour:

Charlotte has a thriving craft beer scene, and there are many breweries to visit. Take a tour of the NoDa Brewing Company or the Birdsong Brewing Company or enjoy one of the many other breweries with outdoor patios.

You can even purchase the Charlotte Brew Badge which saves you money on different local beers around the city! There is a 1 day or 3 day option available for purchase!

If you’d like to do a guided brewery tour, sign up for this 3 Hour Brewery Crawl in Charlotte, NC! You’ll go to three breweries in South End and the ticket price includes all of your beer tastings!

Related Post: Best Breweries in Charlotte, NC

Catch a baseball game:

Spring means baseball season, and the Charlotte Knights play at the BB&T Ballpark in the heart of Charlotte. Enjoy a game and some classic ballpark food – buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks!

If you buy Knights Baseball tickets for Thursday, you’ll get special discounts on drinks like $1 sodas, $3 domestics and $5 craft beers! That’s my kind of Thursday night in Charlotte in the spring!

Visit a Farmers Market:

The Charlotte Regional Farmers Market is open year-round (Tuesday – Sunday), but it’s especially vibrant in the spring.

The market offers a wide variety of fresh, locally grown produce, as well as meats, poultry, eggs, dairy products, baked goods, and handmade crafts. Many of the vendors are farmers from the surrounding area, who bring their products to the market to sell directly to consumers. The market also has a garden center, which sells plants, flowers, and gardening supplies.

The Charlotte Regional Farmers Market is a great place to buy fresh, locally grown produce and support local farmers and artisans. The market is a popular destination for foodies and anyone interested in healthy eating and sustainable agriculture. Whether you’re looking for seasonal fruits and vegetables, artisanal cheeses, or handmade crafts, the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market has something for everyone.

Take a bike ride:

Charlotte, North Carolina, has a number of excellent bike paths and trails for cyclists of all levels. Biking is one of the best things to do in Charlotte in the spring when the weather is nice!

Here are some of the best bike paths in Charlotte:

1. Little Sugar Creek Greenway: This paved trail follows Little Sugar Creek and passes through several parks and neighborhoods in Charlotte. The trail is approximately 5.8 miles long and offers beautiful views of the creek and the city skyline.
2. McAlpine Creek Greenway: This paved trail is approximately 5 miles long and follows McAlpine Creek through a wooded area in south Charlotte. The trail is popular for walking, running, and biking.
3. Four Mile Creek Greenway: This paved trail is approximately 2.4 miles long and runs through a wooded area in south Charlotte. The trail passes through several parks and offers beautiful views of Four Mile Creek.
4. South Prong Rocky River Greenway: This paved trail is approximately 2.6 miles long and follows the South Prong of the Rocky River through a wooded area in east Charlotte. The trail is popular for biking, walking, and running.
5. Mallard Creek Greenway: This paved trail is approximately 4.4 miles long and follows Mallard Creek through a residential area in northeast Charlotte. The trail is popular for biking and walking.

If biking isn’t your thing, you could sign up to do a Guided Segway Tour through Uptown!

Explore the NASCAR Hall of Fame:

Charlotte in the Spring means there will be occasional rainy days. If that’s the case – visit The NASCAR Hall of Fame!

The NASCAR Hall of Fame is a museum dedicated to the history of NASCAR and its greatest drivers and teams. The museum offers a variety of interactive exhibits, displays, and attractions for visitors of all ages. Here are some things you can do at the NASCAR Hall of Fame:

1. Explore the exhibits: The museum has a variety of exhibits that showcase the history of NASCAR, including interactive displays, videos, and artifacts. You can learn about the early days of NASCAR, the evolution of the sport, and its current stars and teams.
2. Race simulators: The NASCAR Hall of Fame features multiple race simulators that allow visitors to experience what it’s like to drive a NASCAR race car. You can choose from several different tracks and compete against other visitors or try to beat your own best time.
3. Pit crew challenge: You can try your hand at being a pit crew member in this interactive exhibit. Visitors can participate in a timed challenge to change tires, refuel the car, and make repairs, just like a real pit crew.

Take a day trip:

Charlotte is within driving distance of many popular destinations, including Asheville, the Blue Ridge Mountains, and Charleston, SC. Plan a day trip and explore the surrounding area.

Ride Rollercoasters:

Looking for an exciting thrill?! Carowinds offers a wide range of attractions, including over 60 rides, roller coasters, and water attractions. The park is home to thirteen roller coasters, including the Intimidator, Fury 325, and the Copperhead Strike, which are some of the tallest and fastest roller coasters in the world.

In addition to rides, Carowinds offers a variety of entertainment options, including live shows, street performers, and special events throughout the year. The park also features a water park, Carolina Harbor, which offers a variety of water slides, wave pools, and lazy rivers.

Overall, Carowinds is a popular destination for families and thrill seekers alike, offering a wide range of rides, attractions, and entertainment options.

Visit Lake Norman or Lake Wylie

Charlotte is located near a few wonderful lakes that are perfect to visit as the weather gets warmer in Charlotte in the spring. You can rent a boat for the day on either lake, or just enjoy one of the many restaurants on the waterside! My two favorite lakes are listed below:

1. Lake Norman: Located about 20 miles north of Charlotte, Lake Norman is the largest man-made lake in North Carolina. It covers over 32,000 acres and has over 520 miles of shoreline, making it a popular spot for boating and fishing.
2. Lake Wylie: Straddling the border between North Carolina and South Carolina, Lake Wylie covers over 13,000 acres and has over 325 miles of shoreline. It offers opportunities for boating, fishing, and swimming, and is also home to several parks and marinas.

Self Guided Art Walk:

Take a self-guided art walk to see murals and public art around the city, such as the South End Mural Walk or the NoDa Street Art Tour.

I have a guide to see the best Instagram Murals in South End that you won’t want to miss!

U.S. White Water Center:

The U.S. National Whitewater Center (USNWC) is a non-profit outdoor recreation and adventure sports center. It is the largest artificial whitewater river in the world. The center covers an area of more than 1,300 acres along the Catawba River and offers a wide variety of activities and events for visitors of all ages and skill levels.

The main attraction at the USNWC is the whitewater rafting, which takes place on a 700-yard-long artificial river that has multiple class III-IV rapids. USNWC also offers kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and canoeing on the river. Additionally, there are more than 30 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, a 20-acre lake for flatwater paddling, zip lines, rope courses, a climbing center, and a mega zip line that spans over 1,000 feet.

Hike Crowders Mountain

Now that the weather is nice, get outdoors and enjoy a hike at Crowders Mountain! Crowders Mountain is about 30-45 minutes from Charlotte and features a few different trailheads, most of which are moderate to strenuous! You’ll be rewarded with a wonderful view at the top of the hike – and it’s the perfect place to lay out in a hammock and relax!

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Final Thoughts on Charlotte in the Spring

There you have it – the absolute best things to do in Charlotte in the Spring! Whether you spend your time at a park or a festival, you’re bound to have a wonderful spring day!

Leave comments below for your favorite Charlotte spring activities!

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