Smarty Scoop is proudly sponsored by Discovery Place, Discovery Place KIDS – Huntersville and The Charlotte Nature Museum.
Camp Harrison March Tour
YMCA Camp Harrison
7901 S. NC Why 18, Boomer, NC
March 26, 1:00pm – 4:00pm, Free
Summary: Join us for tours and s’mores! Pack a picnic, bring the bikes, plan a guided hike or take one on your own. We just want you to see our beautiful camp and have a great day! When you arrive, we’ll direct you to our spacious parking lot. Our staff will be on hand to answer questions, show off our incredible facilities, (including our land and water programs) and share how time at YMCA Camp Harrison will give your child the fun and adventure of a lifetime.
Carowinds Opening Weekend
14523 Carowinds Blvd., Charlotte, NC
March 25, 10:00am – 10:00pm, All ages, See website for cost
Summary: Let’s get this party started! Our 2017 season kicks off on March 25 with tons of fantastic prize giveaways, awesome music and good times. This is definitely a momentous event you won’t want to miss!
The Original Harlem Globetrotters
Halton Arena
9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC
March 25, See website for schedule, All ages, $22
Summary: The Harlem Globetrotters return to Charlotte to show off their ball handling wizardry, basketball artistry and one-of-a-kind family entertainment that thrills fans of all ages. Stick around after the game for an autograph session with players. 2pm and 7pm.
Cotswold Trucks Food Truck Rally
Trinity Presbyterian Church
3115 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC
Every Friday, 5:00pm – 9:00pm, All ages, Free
Summary: Bring friends and family to sample some of Charlotte’s best food trucks. There is food and entertainment for all ages. Great, inexpensive way to spend a Friday evening.
Hornets Family Night
The Spectrum
333 E. Trade Street, Charlotte, NC
March 24, 7:00pm, All ages, $60
Summary: Hornets family night is back! Good things come in threes. Three tickets, three hot dogs and three sodas all for just $60.
Wiley And The Hairyman
Ballantyne Arts Center’s Black Box Theatre
11318 N. Community House Road, Charlotte, NC
March 24-26, See website for schedule, 2nd-12 graders, $11
Summary: This award winning drama is a tale of a child overcoming their worst fears. Set deep within the mysterious Tombigbee Swamp, Wiley and the Hairy Man centers around a young fatherless child named Wiley, his conjure-woman mother, faithful dog, and the Hairy Man who haunts Wiley’s days and dreams.
Bud, Not Buddy
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte
300 E. 7th Street, Charlotte, NC
March 24 – April 9, See website for schedule, Ages 8 and up, $12+
Summary: Based on the Newbery Medal-winning and Coretta Scott King Award-winning novel by Christopher Paul Curtis, “Bud, Not Buddy” is a coming-of-age story that will fill your heart with hope. Set in Depression-era Michigan, Bud Caldwell is 10 years old, and is tired of living life as an orphan. He decides to set off on his own on a courageous journey to find the man he thinks is his father.
Musical Petting Zoo
ImaginOn: The Joel & Joan Martin Center
300 E. 7th Street, Charlotte, NC
March 25, 11:00am – 1:00pm, Ages 3-11, Free
Summary: Explore rhythms and rhymes, and make your own music at the Musical Petting Zoo, presented by the Symphony Guild of Charlotte.
Bank of America’s Museums On Us Day
Various locations around Charlotte
The first Sunday and Saturday of every month, All ages, Free
Summary: Now in its 20th year, this distinctive program offers Bank of America and Merrill Lynch credit and debit card holders the opportunity to visit more than 150 of the most popular cultural institutions in the United States free of charge on the first full weekend of every month.
YMCA of Greater Charlotte Event Calendar
19 Locations throughout the Greater Charlotte Area
Summary: Most people know their neighborhood “Y” because of its incredible sports, camps and fitness programs but the “Y” has so much more to offer. Spend some time (it will take a while) on the website and learn about all the opportunities the “Y” provides. I promise, you will be amazed.
Charlotte Hornets
Time Warner Cable Arena
333 East Trade Street, Charlotte, NC
Charlotte Checkers
Bojangles Coliseum
2700 East Independence Blvd., 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.
ImaginON: The Joe & Joan Martin Center
300 E. 7th Street, Charlotte, NC (704) 416-4630
See website for hours of operation
Summary: This collaborative effort between the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and Children’s Theatre of Charlotte is a 102,000-square-foot facility recently ranked by Livability.com as the No. 1 children’s library in the United States. ImaginOn features two state-of-the-art theaters, a dedicated library space for kids 11 and under, four multi-use classrooms, a teen-only library, a multimedia production studio, and interactive exhibit space.
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
