Smarty Scoop is proudly sponsored by Discovery Place, Discovery Place KIDS – Huntersville and The Charlotte Nature Museum.
Carowinds – The Great Pumpkin Fest
Starting September 19th, The Great Pumpkin Fest Fall Festival will be held every Saturday and Sunday through Halloween, located inside Carowinds’ Planet Snoopy. The Great Pumpkin Fest celebrates all the fun of the fall season with costumes, games, hands on activities and Snoopy and his pals giving hugs, high fives, and treats. Great Pumpkin Fest activities are included with the price of daytime admission to Carowinds. The park is open from 10a-5:30p on October Saturdays and Sundays with The Great Pumpkin Fest going from 11a-5p.
SCarowinds:
DARKNESS FALLS. EVIL RISES.
Starting September 18th, every weekend night, Carowinds transforms into a horror-filled nightmare. From mazes with terrifying creatures around every corner to thrill rides that’ll haunt your dreams, it’s everything you fear and can’t wait to experience. Smarties, we’re talking about SCarowinds’ Halloween Haunt. Recommended for Ages 13 and up.
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, SEPTEMBER 18
NHRA Carolina Nationals
Charlotte Motor Speedway
5555 Concord Pkwy. South, Concord, NC (704) 455-3200
September 18-20, See website, All ages, See website for ticket prices
Summary: Watch drivers race these 10,000-horsepower top fuel and nitro funny car machines to their limits.
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, SEPTEMBER 19
Yoga with Grounded Kids teacher Eleanor
ivivva Charlotte
117 Middleton Drive, Charlotte, NC (877) 263-4966
Myers Park in the house/building behind Hubee D’s
September 19, 10:00am – 11:00am, All ages, Free, Registration required
Summary: Join the ivivva crew for a complimentary yoga class with Grounded Kids. Mats are provided, space is limited. Email ermorgan@ivivva.com to reserve your spot!
Davidson Art Crawl
Downtown Davidson
108 S. Main Street, Davidson, NC
September 19, 5:00pm – 8:00pm, All ages, Free
Summary: Sanctuary of Davidson is proud to host and sponsor The Downtown Davidson Art Crawl 4 evenings a year in the charming and historic area of our fabulous town. Our crawls include over 25 local artists displaying and selling their artwork and handmade gifts, retail stores open late, wine/beer tastings, live music and more. Our goal is to introduce Davidson to new, up and coming artists and to gain new fans and customers for these wonderful artisans. Supporting art and all things handmade is near and dear to our heart.
Community Fall Festival
Sharon Presbyterian Church
5201 Sharon Road, Charlotte, NC
September 19, 4:00pm – 7:00pm, All ages, Free
Summary: Fall is right around the corner. Come get in the spirit at our annual Fall-ish Festival! We will have hay rides, bouncy house, carnival games, snow cones, music, the famous cake walk, and more. Stay for dinner and enjoy delicious southern BBQ.
Survive
Charlotte Nature Museum
1658 Sterling Road, Charlotte, NC (704) 372-6261
September 19, 10:00am – 1:00pm, All ages, $8, includes museum admission
Summary: It’s a tough world out there! Find out how native animals and humans have adapted to survive in many different habitats. Explore some essential skills that humans have discovered to help them thrive in the great outdoors, including building a shelter and using friction to make fire. Plus, make your own cordage and try your hand at geocaching. Creature Features are supported The Guild of Discovery Place Inc. and Charlotte Nature Museum. Programming includes crafts, puppet shows and storytelling.
Worldwide Day of Play
Main Street Children’s Museum
133 E. Main Street, Rock Hill, SC (803) 327-6400
September 19, 10:00am – 3:00pm, All ages, $5, includes museum admission
Summary: Experience hourly special “play” times including hoola-hoop ventures, dancing, and creative movement sessions, parachute explorations, scavenger hunts, games and activities and gymnastic involvement.
NHRA Carolina Nationals
Charlotte Motor Speedway
5555 Concord Pkwy. South, Concord, NC (704) 455-3200
September 18-20, See website, All ages, See website for ticket prices
Summary: Watch drivers race these 10,000-horsepower top fuel and nitro funny car machines to their limits.
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.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
Yoga with Y2 kids teacher Jenn Horsey
ivivva Charlotte
117 Middleton Drive, Charlotte, NC (877)263-4966
Myers Park in the house/building behind Hubee D’s
September 20, 1:00pm – 2:00pm, Ages 5 and up, Free, Registration required
Summary: Join the ivivva crew for a complimentary yoga class with Y2 Kids. Mats are provided, space is limited. Email ermorgan@ivivva.com to reserve your spot!
Davidson Concerts on the Green
Davidson’s Village Green
Main Street and Concord Road, Davidson, NC
September 20, 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.
NHRA Carolina Nationals
Charlotte Motor Speedway
5555 Concord Pkwy. South, Concord, NC (704) 455-3200
September 18-20, See website, All ages, See website for ticket prices
Summary: Watch drivers race these 10,000-horsepower top fuel and nitro funny car machines to their limits.
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.
