As much as we all love a summer vacation, the languid weekends spent at home can offer plentiful prospects for summertime fun as well. Whether you’re craving lakeside leisure, indoor art escapes, or al fresco bites, Charlotte has some seasonal magic around every corner. These activities will help you make the most of long days and warm nights. Here’s your ultimate guide to summer in Charlotte.
Ride the Carolina Grace
Carolina Grace is a 100-foot luxury yacht charter that takes guests on a cruise of Lake Norman. It’s the perfect venue for special events, weddings, and almost any other celebration you can think of. The yacht accommodates 10 to 120 guests and, thanks to their heated top deck, offers cruises year round. They also have a fitness class on Saturday mornings!
Enjoy the water from Queens Landing
Take a sightseeing or dinner cruise via Queens Landing. Try the “Lady of the Lake” dinner cruise, which provides guests with a three-course, chef-driven meal on a 93-foot luxury yacht. If you’re looking for a low-key night out on the water this is the way to go. Sit back and relax as you cruise along the languid shores of Lake Norman.
Picnic in the park
Nothing says summer like a sunny seat on a blanket in the grass with a seasonal charcuterie spread. Located at both Ballantyne and Park Road, Babe & Butcher is a charcuterie lover’s best friend, offering a high quality assortment of fruits, meats, cheeses, jams, etc. for you to select and pack up in a to-go box. Reid’s Fine Foods has an excellent selection as well. From there, take the short drive to Freedom Park and have a picnic on the lawn.
Give the throwing wheel a go at Pottery Central
One of the best summer activities to satiate your search for a thrilling new creative outlet is a beginner’s workshop at Pottery Central with friends. Get your hands messy with a guided, accessible immersion into giving the throwing wheel a shot, after which your pieces will be fired in the kiln. Later, you’ll have a gorgeous personalized piece to display those goods in your home, whether that be a bowl of seasonal fruit or a vase to hold summer bouquets.
Escape the heat at Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen
Wanting to freshen up your rotation of summer recipes with some exciting new dishes? Book a group cooking lesson at Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen, offering its services to chefs of all skill levels, from novice to expert. This summer, classes include cuisines such as Korean, French, Thai, and Greek, among others. Afterward, enjoy getting to chat with your chef and cohort over an intimate group meal within the stunning design of their custom group kitchen.
Participate in The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery tour and community events
As clearly attributed by expert vote, one of the best summer activities in Charlotte NC has to be a visit to The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery. The city’s oldest operating brewery offers a behind-the-scenes tour, which in 2014 was named by USA Today Magazine the #1 Best Brewery Tour in the country. After getting an exclusive look at their widely celebrated brewing process, stay to take part in one of the brewery’s unique community events offered daily such as trivia, brunch, movie nights, and live performances by local musicians.
Take a terrarium or candle design workshop at Plant House
Looking to add more personal touches to your interior design this summer? Look no further than the expert design events offered at Plant House. Featuring workshops ranging between the traditional Japanese practice of Kokedama, dish gardening, and terracotta candle pouring, they offer a wide variety of exercises for your green thumb. Enjoy learning a new skill accompanied by friends and the refreshment of specialty house beverages.
Stroll through Nebel’s Alley Night Market
When scheduling your next South End visit, make sure to catch the vibrant Saturday pop-up of Nebel’s Alley Night Market. With more than 32 vendors present, featuring live performances by local musicians, Nebel’s Alley offers jewelry, candles, self-care products, cocktails, and more. After a dinner in one of LoSo’s beloved restaurants, grab dessert to-go on a lively stroll through the action right behind Jeni’s Ice Cream.
Carolina Boat Rentals
If you want to spend a day out on the lake on your own accord, we recommend renting a boat from Carolina Boat Rentals. They offer pontoon boats and waverunners. This way you can fish, swim, lounge, and stop to eat at any of the lakeside restaurants you please.
River Jam at the U.S. Whitewater Center
The Whitewater Center puts on an outdoor concert dubbed River Jam every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from May until September. You’ll come across all sorts of different genres, and each show will begin at 6:30 p.m. It’s totally free, but you will have to pay for parking!
Shop at Front Porch Sundays in South End
On the first Sunday of every month in the summer, Front Porch Sundays comes to the Atherton Mill area in South End for a vendor market. You can shop for everything from artwork to baked goods, and there are always food trucks too. Follow @frontporchsundays on Instagram to stay up to date on times and vendors.
Support the Charlotte Knights
There is no better way to spend a day in the summer than at Truist Field. In the heart of Uptown, the Charlotte Knights baseball team has games often on the weekends throughout the summer. You can get your tickets online in advance, or purchase them at the door. It’s fun for the whole family.
Put your toes in the sand at Jetton Park
While a day spent on the lake is always a delight, we also recommend spending a day at beloved lakefront park Jetton Park. The 105-acre park is home to tennis courts, miles of bike trails, a garden, a beach front for lounging (although, no swimming is allowed here), concessions, and a playground for the little ones.
Peruse the Uptown Farmers Market
Every Saturday morning the Uptown Farmers Market offers producer-only goods from local vendors. Situated in a shady spot beneath the Charlotte skyline, visit tents providing fresh goods. You’ll find produce, floral arrangements, meat, fish, baked goods, honey, skincare products, coffee, and even food trucks. At the end of your browse, use your finds to make an organic, refreshing brunch at home.
Have a rooftop drink in Uptown
Options are endless in Uptown Charlotte to grab a drink, and you can’t go wrong with a rooftop drink during the summer. Some of our favorites are Merchant and Trade, Búho Bar and Aura Rooftop.
Explore Anne Springs Close Greenway
There is much to explore on the Anne Springs Close Greenway. You can hike, run, and bike all across the greenway. You’ll also find lakes and ponds for fishing, kayaking and paddle boarding. Stay up to date on all of their events online. Specifically, don’t miss the summer concert series every Thursday through July.
Head to the Mint Museum on Wednesdays
At Mint Museum Uptown, you can visit for free on Wednesday evenings. This is a year-round promotion. Nevertheless, it’s a great way to escape the heat during summer in Charlotte and see some incredible art. Each week features special programming, such as cultural dance performances, to spoken-word artists, and film screenings.
Go tubing in York County
York County is just 25 minutes outside of Charlotte. One of the most exciting outdoor activities offered is tubing down the Catawba River. You’ll find stunning views and calm waters, and it’s among the most relaxing ways you can spend a day during the summer in Charlotte.
Patio dining in the city
Southerners love a good porch, and ‘tis the season for patio dining. Check out Dilworth Tasting Room (all three locations), Suffolk Punch, Sycamore Brewing, The Goodyear House and Bohemian Wine Bar for a few of our favorites.
Go swimming at Carrigan Farms
Open swim in the quarry at Carrigan Farms is one of the best summer activities in Charlotte. It’s the perfect way to cool off on a hot day! Be sure to book your visit ahead of time, summer days fill up fast and walk-ins won’t be accepted.
discoverthecarolinas.com
@discoverthecarolinas
