Smarty Scoop is proudly sponsored by Discovery Place, Discovery Place KIDS – Huntersville and The Charlotte Nature Museum.
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.
U.S. National Whitewater Center
5000 Whitewater Center Parkway
Charlotte, NC (704) 391-3900
Summary: The USNWC’s 700 acres offers a wide variety of outdoor activities for all ages and skill levels. Guests can enjoy whitewater rafting and kayaking, flatwater kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, rock climbing, zip lines, ropes courses, a canopy tour, and mountain biking on our 25+ mile trail system. For those looking to kick back, live music and outdoor festivals create a unique atmosphere of relaxation and fun. The River Jam concert series takes place every Thursday and Saturday evening throughout the summer months, in addition to 9 unique festivals held throughout the year.
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.
The Schiele Museum of Natural History
1500 East Garrison Blvd, Gastonia, NC (704) 866-6900
The natural wonders of North America and North Carolina coupled with the rich history of our region are all reflected in The Schiele’s exceptional exhibitions and diverse programming. Whether you’re indoors or out, with the kids or your colleagues, by bringing you a lot closer to nature, The Schiele will bring you a little closer to yourself.
Featured Exhibits: For a complete listing click here
Planetarium: For a complete schedule click here
Events Calendar: For all events click here
FRIDAY, AUGUST 14
Countdown to Kindergarten
Discovery Place KIDS-Huntersville
105 Gilead Road, Huntersville, NC (704) 348-1972
August 14, 5:00pm – 8:00pm, Rising Kindergarteners, Free
Summary: Bring your rising kindergartener for a mock school day. There will be games, story time, learn about safety and board an actual school bus.
Movies on the Lawn
Sharon Presbyterian Church
5201 Sharon Road, Charlotte, NC (704) 553-0869
August 14, 5:00pm – 7:00pm, All ages, Free
Summary: Wind down the summer with an evening of fun for the entire family. Bring a picnic dinner, chairs, blankets and friends and enjoy a movie on the lawn!
Movies Under the Stars
SouthPark Symphony Park
4400 Sharon Road, Charlotte, NC (704) 364-4411
August 14, 7:00pm, All ages, Free
Summary: Bring the entire family for an evening of activities, a movie and musical performance under the stars. The film is Paddington and the band is Hot Sauce.
Summer Music Series at Blakeney
Blakeney Shopping Center at the Village Green
Friday, All summer long, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Summary: Join us every Friday and Saturday night from April-August for free live music at the Village Green. The concerts run from 7-10pm and are fun for the whole family!
StoneCrest Summer Concert Series
StoneCrest Shopping Center – Fountain Stage
7900 Rea Rd, Charlotte, NC
All summer long, 7:00pm – 10:00pm, All ages, Free
Summary: Come out to StoneCrest Shopping Center every Friday and Saturday night this summer to enjoy their free Summer Concert Series.
Adventures with Clifford The Big Red Dog
ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center
300 E. 7th St., Charlotte, NC (704) 416-4600
June 5 – September 5, See website for schedule, Ages 3-11,
Summary: Visitors will start their journey to the exhibit aboard the Birdwell Island Ferry, complete with seagull sounds and clanking ship bells. As visitors pass by the lighthouse and enter Birdwell Island, they discover the world of Clifford, Emily Elizabeth, and the people and places of Birdwell Island. Visitors can be restaurant workers at Samuel’s Restaurant, play in the sand box with T-Bone at the beach, slide down Clifford’s tail, write and mail letters to island residents, create art in Clifford’s dog house, put on a show in Mac’s backyard theater, engage in interactive activities in Cleo’s small tot play land, and of course read Clifford stories and learn about artist Norman Bridwell!
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. 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.
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, AUGUST 15
Back to School Expo and Carnival
Ballantyne Village
4825 Ballantyne Village Way, Charlotte, NC
August 15, 3:00pm – 5:00pm, All ages, Free
Summary: Events are always free, and membership not required. Village Kids offers at least one family program each month, with music, games and fun, as well as great discounts and special offers with your membership card. And the best thing: it’s all FREE.
Infant and Child CPR Workshop
Bellies and Babies
316 Lillington Avenue, Charlotte, NC (704) 858-4445
August 15, 10:00am, For parents and caregivers, $15
Summary: In this class you will learn critical skills and information about choking, cps, SIDS and car seat safety. Class materials included with registration fee. Registration required.
Summer Music Series at Blakeney
Blakeney Shopping Center at the Village Green
Friday, All summer long, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Summary: Join us every Friday and Saturday night from April-August for free live music at the Village Green. The concerts run from 7-10pm and are fun for the whole family!
StoneCrest Summer Concert Series
Stonecrest Shopping Center – Fountain Stage
7900 Rea Rd, Charlotte, NC
All summer long, 7:00pm – 10:00pm, All ages, Free
Summary: Come out to Stonecrest Shopping Center every Friday and Saturday night this summer to enjoy their free Summer Concert Series.
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.
Adventures with Clifford The Big Red Dog
ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center
300 E. 7th St., Charlotte, NC (704) 416-4600
June 5 – September 5, See website for schedule, Ages 3-11,
Summary: Visitors will start their journey to the exhibit aboard the Birdwell Island Ferry, complete with seagull sounds and clanking ship bells. As visitors pass by the lighthouse and enter Birdwell Island, they discover the world of Clifford, Emily Elizabeth, and the people and places of Birdwell Island. Visitors can be restaurant workers at Samuel’s Restaurant, play in the sand box with T-Bone at the beach, slide down Clifford’s tail, write and mail letters to island residents, create art in Clifford’s dog house, put on a show in Mac’s backyard theater, engage in interactive activities in Cleo’s small tot play land, and of course read Clifford stories and learn about artist Norman Bridwell!
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16
Davidson Concerts On the Green
Davidson’s Village Green
Main Street and Concord Road, Davidson, NC
August 16, 6:00pm – 8:00pm, All ages, Free
Summary: Our Concerts on the Green are a summer family favorite! Concerts take place the first and third Sunday evenings of the month from to 6:00-8:00 p.m. on the town green in front of the Davidson Public Library, at the intersection of Main Street and Concord Road. Attendees are encouraged to bring friends and family, comfy chairs or a blanket, a picnic, and to come early to find seats. Make it a date night in Davidson: Visit some of our local restaurants and shops, stroll over to the town green to enjoy some great music, take a pedicab ride around town, and enjoy dessert or a beverage.
Adventures with Clifford The Big Red Dog
ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center
300 E. 7th St., Charlotte, NC (704) 416-4600
June 5 – September 5, See website for schedule, Ages 3-11,
Summary: Visitors will start their journey to the exhibit aboard the Birdwell Island Ferry, complete with seagull sounds and clanking ship bells. As visitors pass by the lighthouse and enter Birdwell Island, they discover the world of Clifford, Emily Elizabeth, and the people and places of Birdwell Island. Visitors can be restaurant workers at Samuel’s Restaurant, play in the sand box with T-Bone at the beach, slide down Clifford’s tail, write and mail letters to island residents, create art in Clifford’s dog house, put on a show in Mac’s backyard theater, engage in interactive activities in Cleo’s small tot play land, and of course read Clifford stories and learn about artist Norman Bridwell!
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.
