Smarty Scoop is proudly sponsored by Discovery Place, Discovery Place KIDS – Huntersville and The Charlotte Nature Museum.
Click on the image above to learn about this weeks school open houses. This is not the full Open House listing for each school or school system – it’s just this week’s. For our full listing of open houses, please see our 2016 Smarty School Open House Guide.
Scarowinds
Carowinds
14523 Carowinds Blvd, Charlotte, NC
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, in September and October, see website for details
Summary: Mazes, rides, scare zones, shows and much more. Not recommended for children under 13.
The Great Pumpkin Fest
Carowinds
14523 Carowinds Blvd., Charlotte, NC
Saturdays and Sundays, September 16 – October 30, All ages, $32.99 and up
Summary: It’s the 50th Anniversary of It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, and Carowinds is celebrating in with the ultimate fall festival – The Great Pumpkin Fest! This family-friendly daytime event is held on Saturdays and Sundays and includes Halloween-themed live shows, a pumpkin patch, a hay bale maze, trick-or-treating, a petting zoo and so much more! Your favorite rides will be open during the day, including our award-winning Planet Snoopy kids’ area.
Scarrigan Farms Haunted Trails
Carrigan Farms
1261 Oak Ridge Farm Highway, Mooresville, NC
September 30 – October 31, See website for schedule, Ages 13 and up, $25
Summary: On select October nights our 170 acre farm is transformed into the scariest haunted trail in the region. If you are looking for a new and out of the ordinary way to get your heart pumping and adrenaline rushing this October, Scarrigan Farms is the place for you. This is not a trail for kids. If you’re under 12 come back when you’re old enough. We’ll be waiting. If someone hasn’t peed in their pants by the end of the night we know we haven’t done our job.
Pumpkin Patch
Carrigan Farms
1261 Oak Ridge Farm Hwy., Mooresville, NC
October 1-30 on Saturday and Sunday, See website for schedule, All ages, $10.
Carolina Balloonfest
Iredell County Fairgrounds
630 N. Main Street, Troutman, NC
October 21-23, See website for details, All ages, Children 12 and under free
Summary: Carolina BalloonFest is a fun-filled weekend of outstanding entertainment, attractions and family activities. Bring cameras, lawn chairs and blankets to bask in the beautiful Carolina autumn weather as the backdrop to all the sights and sounds of over 50 colorful hot air balloons which are scheduled to launch twice daily.
Amazing Maize Maze
Historic Rural Hill
4431 Neck Road, Huntersville, NC
September 10 – November 6, See website for schedule and prices
Summary: There’s more than enough fun and confusion for all! Get lost in our giant seven-acre corn maze featuring over two miles of interconnecting paths. One of the largest in the Southeast, our maze is sure to please! The whole of Rural Hill’s 265 acres is available to you and your group during maze hours – take a hayride around the farm, play a round of corn-hole, explore our historic site, play in our mini-mazes, have a picnic, hike our trails, pick a pumpkin (in October,) & much, much more!
Carolina Renaissance Festival and Artisan Marketplace
16445 Poplar Tent Road, Huntersville, NC
October 1 – November 20, 10:00am – 5:30pm, All ages, $13 and up
Summary: History comes alive with non-stop, day long entertainments, arts and crafts, games and rides, jousting knights on horseback, feasting and so much more Time travel to the greatest party since Camelot! Huzzah!
Grace For President
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte
300 E. 7th Street, Charlotte, NC
October 21 – November 6, See website for schedule, Ages 6+, $12+
Summary: One day in class, Grace Campbell discovered there has never been a female president. “Where are the girls?” she asked, as her third-grade teacher rolls out a poster of all 44 U.S. presidents. Frustrated by the lack of female faces in the White House, Grace decides she wants to be president and inspires a school election.
Annie, Jr. (middle school musical)
Charlotte Christian School
7301 Sardis Road, Charlotte, NC
October 22, 2:00pm – 3:30pm, All ages, $12 reserved seats
Summary: Based on the popular comic strip and adapted from the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, with a beloved book and score by Tony Award-winners, Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin, Annie KIDS features everyone’s favorite little redhead in her very first adventure.
Saturdays at Shalom Park: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Levine Jewish Community Center
Gorelick Hall at Shalom Park
5007 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC
October 22, 2:00pm, All ages, Free
Summary: The world is astounded when Willy Wonka, for years a recluse in his factory, announces that five lucky people will be given a tour of the factory, shown all the secrets of his amazing candy, and one will win a lifetime supply of Wonka chocolate.
Food Truck Fridays at Plaza Midwood
Central Avenue (Behind the Light Factory)
1817 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC
Every Friday, 5:00pm, All ages, Free
Summary: We are thrilled to announce that Food Truck Friday’s new location will be behind The Light Factory, 1817 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205, in Plaza-Midwood. This is right across the street from the Harris Teeter, a perfect location for the many residents of the area who love to stroll through the neighborhood. Family friendly, this location is sure to become a favorite Friday night destination for Charlotteans.
Whitewater Film Series
U.S. National Whitewater Series
5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte, NC
Summary: The U.S. National Whitewater Center is proud to present a new addition in 2016, the Whitewater Film Series. Featuring a variety of outdoor industry features from across the globe, viewers will have a chance to experience the active, outdoor lifestyle in a whole new way. The Whitewater Film Series will take place on Friday evenings in April, May, September, and October.
River Jam Concert Series
U.S. National Whitewater Center
5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy, Charlotte, NC
See website for schedule, 7:00pm – 10:00pm, $5 parking
Summary: Join us on Thursday and Saturday nights from May through September for River Jam, the USNWC’s weekly concert series. A talented line-up of national musical acts provide the perfect back drop for a fun summer evening outdoors. Bring your friends, enjoy our large food and craft beer selection, and take in the sights and sounds of River Jam.
Carolina Panthers
Bank of America Stadium
800 South Mint Street, Charlotte, NC
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.
The Schiele Museum of Natural History
1500 East Garrison Blvd, Gastonia, NC (704) 866-6900
Summary: 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
