Smarty Scoop is proudly sponsored by Discovery Place, Discovery Place KIDS – Huntersville and The Charlotte Nature Museum.
Carowinds – The Great Pumpkin Fest
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.
Eevery weekend night until Halloween, 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, OCTOBER 23
Ghost Walk Haunted Trail
10/23/15 – 10/24/15 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Historic Latta Plantation
5225 Sample Road Huntersville, NC (704) 875-2312
October 23-24, 7:00pm – 9:00pm, All ages, $10
Summary: The Latta grounds are transformed into a gloomy haunted sight as visitors wind through the dark forest, dart through the terrifying barn, and hesitantly enter the haunted house. If you are up for a good scare, then this is for you! Not suggested for children under 10. Admission $10.00 Per-Person, all tickets sold at the event.
Family Weekend Concert: Davidson College Chorale
Davidson College Presbyterian Church
100 N Main St Davidson, NC (704) 894-2848
October 23, 5:00pm, All ages, Free
Summary: Join the Davidson College Chorale as they present their first concert of the year for family and friends in Davidson College Presbyterian Church’s beautiful and resonant sanctuary. The Chorale’s sound has been described as “ethereal, sensitive, and powerful,” their repertoire “bold and challenging,” and their performance “confident, artistic, and enjoyable.” Come experience for yourself the beauty of choral music sung by the campus’s premier vocal ensemble.
Goodguys Southereastern Nationals
Charlotte Motor Speedway
5555 Concord Pkwy. South, Concord, NC (704) 455-3200
October 23 – 25, See website for schedule, All ages, $6-$17
Summary: View more than 2,500 custom and modified pre-1972 era cars.
Britax Car Seat Checks
Britax North American Headquarters
4140 Pleasant Road, Fort Mill, SC
October 23, 8:00am – 11:30am, Free
Summary: Learn the correct way to install a child seat plus safety recommendations. No appointment needed.
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, OCTOBER 24
Discovery Place KIDS-Huntersville is turning 5 years old today, and we’re celebrating with a gift for you — $5 admission!
It will be a day of 5’s as kids can explore the Museum and get their passport stamped for a chance to win some cool prizes including a Museum Membership, a Discovery Place KIDS Birthday Party, IMAX movie tickets, gift certificates and more. There will be around the clock giveaways on 5’s (10:05 a.m., 11:05 a.m., 12:05 p.m., etc), so be sure to stick around for all the F-U-N!
Date: Saturday, October 24
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Cost: $5 per person
For more information: http://huntersville.discoveryplacekids.org/events/event/218/Happy-Birthday-Discovery-Place-KIDS-Huntersville
Small Hands Big Art Fall Festival
Small Hands Big Art Studio
8025 Ardrey Kell Road, Suite 103, Charlotte, NC (704) 246-8271
October 24, 11:00am – 2:00pm, All ages, Free
Summary: Families will enjoy free fall-inspired craft stations for children ages 4+, and $1 pumpkin painting & bedazzling (while they last!).
Ghost Walk Haunted Trail
10/23/15 – 10/24/15 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Historic Latta Plantation
5225 Sample Road Huntersville, NC (704) 875-2312
October 23-24, 7:00pm – 9:00pm, All ages, $10
Summary: The Latta grounds are transformed into a gloomy haunted sight as visitors wind through the dark forest, dart through the terrifying barn, and hesitantly enter the haunted house. If you are up for a good scare, then this is for you! Not suggested for children under 10. Admission $10.00 Per-Person, all tickets sold at the event.
The Disney Store Grand Opening
Disney Store at Southpark Mall
4400 Sharon Road, Charlotte, NC
October 24, 10:00am – 9:00pm, All ages, Free
Summary: Feature a festive song, composed specially for Disney Store and performed by the store Cast Members. The first 500 guests to attend the opening celebration will receive a free gift and an opportunity to meet Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in the Center Court from noon-4 p.m.
South End Fall Festival
Pritchard Memorial Baptist Church
1117 South Blvd Charlotte, NC (704) 376-1571
October 24, 4:00pm – 7:00pm, All ages, Free
Brookhaven 5K Run for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Brookhaven
3001 Stanbury Drive, Matthews, NC (704) 771-9592
October 24, 8:30am – 10:30am, All ages, $20
Summary: Help raise money to find a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Silent auction, raffle, food and plenty of kids activities.
Goodguys Southereastern Nationals
Charlotte Motor Speedway
5555 Concord Pkwy. South, Concord, NC (704) 455-3200
October 23 – 25, See website for schedule, All ages, $6-$17
Summary: View more than 2,500 custom and modified pre-1972 era cars.
Carolina Renaissance Festival
16445 Poplar Tent Road, Charlotte, NC (704) 896-5544
October 3 – November 22, See website for schedule and prices, All ages
Summary: The Carolina event has grown to be one of the largest of the Renaissance fairs nationwide. Tree lined lanes are filled with over 100 purveyors of crafts and food, and non-stop music and comedy shows are presented on 12 stages every event day.
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, OCTOBER 25
Panthers in the Park
Romare Bearden Park
300 S. Church St., Charlotte, NC
October 25, Before the game, All ages, Free
Summary: Visit Panthers in the Park, a pre-game interactive area that offers fun for the entire family. Play at the Fuel Up to Play 60 Kids Combine, a series of football skills and drills for children and their families that promote youth fitness. Meet TopCats cheerleaders, see mascot Sir Purr and hear the PurrCussion drumline. Panthers in the Park is located at Romare Bearden Park in Third Ward between Church Street and Mint Street and opens two-and-a-half hours prior to game time and closes 30 minutes before kickoff.
Goodguys Southereastern Nationals
Charlotte Motor Speedway
5555 Concord Pkwy. South, Concord, NC (704) 455-3200
October 23 – 25, See website for schedule, All ages, $6-$17
Summary: View more than 2,500 custom and modified pre-1972 era cars.
Carolina Renaissance Festival
16445 Poplar Tent Road, Charlotte, NC (704) 896-5544
October 3 – November 22, See website for schedule and prices, All ages
Summary: The Carolina event has grown to be one of the largest of the Renaissance fairs nationwide. Tree lined lanes are filled with over 100 purveyors of crafts and food, and non-stop music and comedy shows are presented on 12 stages every event day.
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.
