Smarty Scoop is proudly sponsored by Discovery Place, Discovery Place KIDS – Huntersville and The Charlotte Nature Museum.
FRIDAY, MARCH 27
Lunch with the Easter Bunny
Matthews Community Center
100 McDowell St., Matthews, NC (704) 321-7275
March 27, 11:00am – 12:00pm, Ages 2-5, $5
Summary: Lunch will be served for adults and children. Please bring your own camera for pictures with the Easter Bunny!
NHRA Four-Wide Nationals
ZMax Dragway
5555 Concord Pkwy S, Concord, NC (800) 455-3267
March 27-29, See website for details, All ages, Adults $40, Children 13 and under free
Summary: NHRA drag racing returns to zMAX Dragway for the ONLY four-wide race on the NHRA schedule. Be sure to join the fastest accelerating machines on the planet as they tackle the world’s fastest drag stip. Every ticket is a pit pass, so come early to see your favorite drivers and their cars up-close before they bring over 40,000 horsepower down the all-concrete lanes.
Claws Exhibit at SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord Aquarium
SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord Aquarium
8111 Concord Mills Blvd., Concord, NC 28027
New exhibit, All ages, Free with museum admission $14-$21
Summary: Get your pinchers ready! An invasion of the crustacean kind is expected at the SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord Aquarium. Claws is a new special exhibit featuring the Japanese Spider Crab—a scale-raising creature that can grow up to fourteen feet wide! Crabs, shrimp and an American Lobster can be found in this informative exhibit.
Foodtruck Friday
Southend
1613 Camden Road Charlotte, NC
Every Friday, 5:00pm – 9:00pm, All ages, Free
Summary: Every Friday night, Charlotte’s favorite food trucks gather on the lot at the corner of Park and Camden in the Historic South End. These aren’t the roach coaches of yesteryear! The nationwide revolution of the food truck industry has hit Charlotte, and we’ve got an ever-growing community of trucks that cater to your every taste. From burgers to tacos to soul food to cupcakes to ice cream and everything in between…there’s something for everyone. Meeting every Friday night since February 2012, Food Truck Fridays have taken the city by storm. Periodically featuring entertainment as well, the crowds have swelled to over 1,000 each week. We’re family and dog-friendly, too! So bring a chair, bring a blanket, BYOB, bring the kids, take the dog…it’s a neighborhood night out in a relaxed, casual atmosphere. Most of the trucks accept credit cards as well as cash. Accessible by public transportation…take the light rail to Bland Station. A good time and great food are guaranteed!
Discovery Place
301 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC (704) 372-6261
Summary: Step into a world where science is brought to life through interactive exhibits and explosive experiments during daily programs. Connect with the past and visit the future with groundbreaking exhibitions, larger-than-life IMAX Dome films and hands on activities that let you explore more. Plan your visit today. Click on the links below for detailed information on special events, featured exhibitions, featured shows and IMAX.
Featured Exhibitions: For information on all exhibitions click here.
Featured Shows: For information on all featured shows click here.
IMAX: For information on all featured movies and showtimes click here.
Discovery Place Kids – Huntersville
105 Gilead Road, Huntersville, NC (704) 372-6261
Summary: Explore the theme of I CAN at Discovery Place KIDS-Huntersville. The children’s museum features developmentally-appropriate experiences that encourage imagination and offer the opportunity to build confidence while testing skills by trying new things. The exhibits, themed around a small town, allow children to learn through play.
Theme Areas: For a complete description of all nine theme areas click here.
Featured Shows: For a complete listing of all featured shows click here.
Current and Upcoming Events: For all current and upcoming events click here.
Charlotte Nature Museum
1658 Sterling Road, Charlotte, NC (704) 372-6261
Summary: Bring little ones for just an hour or the whole day and experience wildlife through live animal exhibits and interactive education programs. The Museum is easy to navigate with fun surprises around every corner. Kids can roam The Great Hall and visit Beginnings, an area filled with young animals and information on their lifecycles.
Featured Exhibitions: For complete details on exhibitions and exhibits click here.
Featured Shows: For a complete schedule of show times click here.
Carolina Raptor Center
6000 Sample Road, Huntersville, NC (704) 875-6521
Summary: Carolina Raptor Center is dedicated to environmental stewardship and the conservation of birds of prey through education, research, and the rehabilitation of injured and orphaned raptors. As a charitable 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, CRC relies on public financial support to fulfill our mission. Supporters can release a raptor, adopt a bird, make a charitable donation, purchase a membership or sponsor a capital improvement project. CRC’s environmental education programs reach approximately 40,000 students each year. Our Raptor Trail hosts more than 35,000 visitors a year. Visit our calendar page for event times or just come and enjoy our nicely maintained trails and see all the amazing birds of prey.
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte
located @ Imaginon
300 E. 7th Street, Charlotte, NC (704) 973-2800
To see the complete 2014-2015 schedule, special pricing and ways to save click here
Summary: Children’s Theatre of Charlotte’s home is ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center, an amazing collaborative venture between the Theatre and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. It’s an amazing place for families – a really cool children’s library, plus two incredible theatre spaces for our productions, classrooms, computer labs, a Teen Loft and a lot more.
SATURDAY, MARCH 28
Children’s Easter at Wing Haven
Wing Haven Gardens and Bird Sanctuary
248 Ridgewood Ave., Charlotte, NC (704) 331-0664
March 28, 10:00am – 12:00pm, Ages 10 and under, $5-$8, Registration required
Summary: Hop on over for a special morning at Wing Haven to celebrate in one of Charlotte’s most beautiful spaces. The children will make binoculars to help them spot treasures during a naturalist egg hunt, have an opportunity to learn about the wonderful backyard birds that call Wing Haven home and enjoy refreshments with special thanks to Suarez Bakery. Ages: 7 and under Participation is limited, please register in advance.
Fourth and Fifth Grade Fun Night
Teen Activity Center
Harris YMCA, 5900 Quail Hollow Road, Charlotte, NC (704) 716-6910
March 28, 7:00pm – 9:30pm, Ages 9-11, $7-$9
Summary: Don’t spend Saturday night at home! Come to the Y and listen to music, dance, play, enjoy concessions and hang out with friends. See website for more details.
Harlem Globetrotters
Halton Arena, UNCC
9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC (704) 688-9000
March 28, 2:00pm and 7:00pm, All ages, $22
Summary: The most entertaining basketball you will ever see! Guaranteed to keep you laughing the entire show.
Lazy 5 Ranch Easter Extravaganza
Lazy 5 Ranch
15100 Mooresville Road, Mooresville, NC (704) 663-5100
March 28, 9:00am – 6:00pm, All ages, $8 – $11
Summary: Helicopter Egg Drop, agriculture, corn box, prizes for all children, coloring contest, face painting, scavenger hunt, pet live bunnies, wagon rides and more…
Town of Matthews Easter Eggstravaganza
Stumptown Park
120 South Trade St., Matthews, NC (704) 321-7275
March 28, 11:00am – 2:00pm, Ages 12 and under, $5 per person
Summary: We will have refreshments, music and the annual egg hunts! Bring your camera and have your picture taken with the guest of honor!
Easter Eggstravaganza & Play Area Grand Opening
SouthPark West Plaza (outdoors)
4400 Sharon Road, Charlotte, NC 28211
March 28, 2:00pm – 4:00pm, All ages, Free
Summary: SouthPark invites you to enjoy an “egg-stra” special Easter event at the Great Easter Eggstravaganza on Saturday, March 28! From 2 p.m. – 4 p.m., guests can enjoy a variety of activities including arts and crafts, while also experiencing SouthPark’s new outdoor play area. At 3 p.m., SouthPark will celebrate the official grand opening of the play area with a ribbon cutting, followed by its annual Easter egg hunt! A well-anticipated amenity by SouthPark shoppers, the new play area is located outdoors in West Plaza between Dick’s Sporting Goods and the food court. The nearly 2,000 square foot amenity features a North Carolina coast theme and is currently open for families to enjoy.
Children’s World of Play
Hosted by International House – ImaginOn
300 East 7th Street, Charlotte, NC
March 28, 12:00pm – 4:00pm, All ages, Free
Summary: The young and young-at-heart are invited to celebrate Charlotte’s diversity at Children’s World of Play. Come enjoy performances, arts and crafts, and games that are known throughout Africa, Latin America, Europe and Asia. It’s free, and it’s fun!
Claws Exhibit at SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord Aquarium
SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord Aquarium
8111 Concord Mills Blvd., Concord, NC 28027
New exhibit, All ages, Free with museum admission $14-$21
Summary: Get your pinchers ready! An invasion of the crustacean kind is expected at the SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord Aquarium. Claws is a new special exhibit featuring the Japanese Spider Crab—a scale-raising creature that can grow up to fourteen feet wide! Crabs, shrimp and an American Lobster can be found in this informative exhibit.
Blumenthal Performing Arts
130 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC (704) 372-1000
To see the 2015 schedule click here
Summary: You can get all the best of the performing arts without buying a plane ticket to the Big Apple! Blumenthal Performing Arts is your source for all the best performing arts events in Charlotte and the Carolinas.
Discovery Place
301 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC (704) 372-6261
Summary: Step into a world where science is brought to life through interactive exhibits and explosive experiments during daily programs. Connect with the past and visit the future with groundbreaking exhibitions, larger-than-life IMAX Dome films and hands on activities that let you explore more. Plan your visit today. Click on the links below for detailed information on special events, featured exhibitions, featured shows and IMAX.
Featured Exhibitions: For information on all exhibitions click here.
Featured Shows: For information on all featured shows click here.
IMAX: For information on all featured movies and showtimes click here.
Discovery Place Kids – Huntersville
105 Gilead Road, Huntersville, NC (704) 372-6261
Summary: Explore the theme of I CAN at Discovery Place KIDS-Huntersville. The children’s museum features developmentally-appropriate experiences that encourage imagination and offer the opportunity to build confidence while testing skills by trying new things. The exhibits, themed around a small town, allow children to learn through play.
Theme Areas: For a complete description of all nine theme areas click here.
Featured Shows: For a complete listing of all featured shows click here.
Current and Upcoming Events: For all current and upcoming events click here.
Charlotte Nature Museum
1658 Sterling Road, Charlotte, NC (704) 372-6261
Summary: Bring little ones for just an hour or the whole day and experience wildlife through live animal exhibits and interactive education programs. The Museum is easy to navigate with fun surprises around every corner. Kids can roam The Great Hall and visit Beginnings, an area filled with young animals and information on their lifecycles.
Featured Exhibitions: For complete details on exhibitions and exhibits click here.
Featured Shows: For a complete schedule of show times click here.
Carolina Raptor Center
6000 Sample Road, Huntersville, NC (704) 875-6521
Summary: Carolina Raptor Center is dedicated to environmental stewardship and the conservation of birds of prey through education, research, and the rehabilitation of injured and orphaned raptors. As a charitable 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, CRC relies on public financial support to fulfill our mission. Supporters can release a raptor, adopt a bird, make a charitable donation, purchase a membership or sponsor a capital improvement project. CRC’s environmental education programs reach approximately 40,000 students each year. Our Raptor Trail hosts more than 35,000 visitors a year. Visit our calendar page for event times or just come and enjoy our nicely maintained trails and see all the amazing birds of prey.
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte
located @ Imaginon
300 E. 7th Street, Charlotte, NC (704) 973-2800
To see the complete 2014-2015 schedule, special pricing and ways to save click here
Summary: Children’s Theatre of Charlotte’s home is ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center, an amazing collaborative venture between the Theatre and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. It’s an amazing place for families – a really cool children’s library, plus two incredible theatre spaces for our productions, classrooms, computer labs, a Teen Loft and a lot more.
SUNDAY, MARCH 29
Discovery Place
301 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC (704) 372-6261
Summary: Step into a world where science is brought to life through interactive exhibits and explosive experiments during daily programs. Connect with the past and visit the future with groundbreaking exhibitions, larger-than-life IMAX Dome films and hands on activities that let you explore more. Plan your visit today. Click on the links below for detailed information on special events, featured exhibitions, featured shows and IMAX.
Featured Exhibitions: For information on all exhibitions click here.
Featured Shows: For information on all featured shows click here.
IMAX: For information on all featured movies and showtimes click here.
Discovery Place Kids – Huntersville
105 Gilead Road, Huntersville, NC (704) 372-6261
Summary: Explore the theme of I CAN at Discovery Place KIDS-Huntersville. The children’s museum features developmentally-appropriate experiences that encourage imagination and offer the opportunity to build confidence while testing skills by trying new things. The exhibits, themed around a small town, allow children to learn through play.
Theme Areas: For a complete description of all nine theme areas click here.
Featured Shows: For a complete listing of all featured shows click here.
Current and Upcoming Events: For all current and upcoming events click here.
Charlotte Nature Museum
1658 Sterling Road, Charlotte, NC (704) 372-6261
Summary: Bring little ones for just an hour or the whole day and experience wildlife through live animal exhibits and interactive education programs. The Museum is easy to navigate with fun surprises around every corner. Kids can roam The Great Hall and visit Beginnings, an area filled with young animals and information on their lifecycles.
Featured Exhibitions: For complete details on exhibitions and exhibits click here.
Featured Shows: For a complete schedule of show times click here.
Carolina Raptor Center
6000 Sample Road, Huntersville, NC (704) 875-6521
Summary: Carolina Raptor Center is dedicated to environmental stewardship and the conservation of birds of prey through education, research, and the rehabilitation of injured and orphaned raptors. As a charitable 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, CRC relies on public financial support to fulfill our mission. Supporters can release a raptor, adopt a bird, make a charitable donation, purchase a membership or sponsor a capital improvement project. CRC’s environmental education programs reach approximately 40,000 students each year. Our Raptor Trail hosts more than 35,000 visitors a year. Visit our calendar page for event times or just come and enjoy our nicely maintained trails and see all the amazing birds of prey.
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte
located @ Imaginon
300 E. 7th Street, Charlotte, NC (704) 973-2800
To see the complete 2014-2015 schedule, special pricing and ways to save click here
Summary: Children’s Theatre of Charlotte’s home is ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center, an amazing collaborative venture between the Theatre and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. It’s an amazing place for families – a really cool children’s library, plus two incredible theatre spaces for our productions, classrooms, computer labs, a Teen Loft and a lot more.
