Happy Wednesday Smarties! This new year is slowly grinding into gear and kicks off with some cool family events. If you haven’t checked out the Mint uptown, Friday is the night. Take the light rail, grab some dinner and head over to for some family fun. The NASCAR Hall of Fame is hosting free open houses and our parks have programs that will make any child happy. If you just like loud cars and mud then the Arenacross and Mud Bog racing is for you. Get out and enjoy!
First Fridays
Mint Museum Uptown
January 7, 6:00pm-9:00pm
Fun for all ages, evening gallery tours, hands-on art activities, live entertainment, café specials, cash bar and much more! Members free, non-members $10.
Butterfly Pavilion
Charlotte Nature Museum
Exhibit now open, Museum Hours are Tues.-Fri., 9:00am-5:00pm; Sat., 10:00am-5:00pm; Sun., noon-5:00pm
Walk among free-flying butterflies. Watch butterflies grow in the chrysalis’ house and get close when they land to taste their favorite flowers with their feet. Cost is $6, members free.
Bad Boys of Arenacross and Hot Rod Mud Bog Races
Bojangles’ Coliseum
January 7-9, 7:30pm
Thousands of yards of dirt will be brought in and expertly shaped into a giant indoor Super Cross type track with huge jumps that will send the riders flying 70 feet through the air. Plus a 4 foot deep pit of the slickest, nastiest mud we can brew up so these Hot Rod 4×4 Mud Racers might make it through or some of them may not but what fun it is watching them sling mud 20 to 30 feet in the air while the engine is screaming and the driver fights the steering wheel searching for traction. Cost is $5-$20.
Terrific Twos: Winter Friends
McDowell Nature Center
January 7, 10:30am-11:15am
Discover winter wildlife with your little one through story, crafts and activities. Registration required. For more information contact McDowell Nature Center at 704.588.5224.
Family GPS Treasure Hunt
Latta Plantation Nature Center
January 8, 10:30am-12:00pm
Ever heard of the high tech treasure hunt known as Geocaching? Bring the family and come learn what this exciting outdoor hobby is all about. Then, use a handheld GPS unit to navigate a course and find a real cache.
Forts and Hideouts
McDowell Nature Center
January 8, 2:00-3:30pm
Building a fort in the woods fosters a sense of adventure and promotes the development of analytical skills. Give your child the opportunity to practice the art and science of fort building in a safe and supervised manner. Registration required. For more information call McDowell Nature Center at 704.588.5224.
Art Studio Saturday: Painting Party!
Mint Museum Randolph
January 8, 10:00am-3:00pm
Mint Museum Randolph is the place to be once a month, when families drop in to create art inspired by works on view in the museum! Kids and grown-ups alike are encouraged to get messy and creative in our classroom art studio.
NASCAR Hall of Fame Open House
NASCAR Hall of Fame
January 8-14, 4:00pm-6:00pm
Haven’t had a chance to check out the NASCAR Hall of Fame yet? Well here’s the perfect opportunity. The Hall is hosting a free open house where you can experience 150,000 square-feet of high octane fun!
