Keeping kids entertained lately can get pricey, so we've rounded up 25 Free and Inexpensive ways to play around the Charlotte Metro Area. From Center City to Rock Hill, check out these free and nearly free activities PLUS museums that offer membership - which makes it more affordable for those who love them.
- Parks and Playgrounds; some of our favorites include:
- Crooked Creek, Indian Trail
- Stallings
- Col. Frances Beatty, Matthews
- Squirrel Lake Park, Matthews
- Freedom Park, Charlotte
- Trailhead, Tega Cay
- Miracle Park, Rock Hill
- Cherry Park, Rock Hill
- Dogwood Park, Wesley Chapel
- BMX Park, Rock Hill
- Walter Elisha, Fort Mill
- Stream Park, Ballantyne
- Big Rock Nature Preserve
- Mineral Springs Preserve (?)
- Nevin Community Park
- Pineville Lake Park
- Martha Rivers Park
- Stevens Creek Nature Preserve
- Glencairn Gardens, Rock Hill
- Fountain Park, Rock Hill
- Romare Bearden Park
- First Ward Park
- Latta Plantation
- Reedy Creek Nature Center
- McDowell Nature Center and Preserve
- Greenway trails
- Waxhaw
- 8 Mile Creek
- Little Sugar Creek
- Riverwalk in Rock Hill
- Library Story Times
- Toy Stores:
- Whitewater Center (pay to park and activities)
- Charlotte Botanic Gardens
- Billy Graham Library
- Camp North End
- McGill Rose Gardens
- Farmers Markets
- Chick-Fil-A indoor play space
- Outdoor Breweries
- Free Museum Days:
- Mint Museum
- Wednesdays: 5-9P, both locations
- Party in the Park @ Randolph location: The last Sunday of each month from 1-5PM
- Wild Wednesdays begin 6/14: 5-9P both locations
- NextGen Teen program - must register
- Schiele Museum
- Duke Energy Free Tuesdays, 4-8PM, second Tuesday of each month
- Bank of America Museums on Us
- First weekend of every month is free for all Bank of America and Merrill Lynch patrons
- Mint Museums, Bechtler Museum, Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture and Levine Museum of the New South
- Matthews Heritage Museum
- Free for children 10 and under
- Mint Museum
SEASONAL (Summer)
- Kids Bowl Free This summer when you register:
- Splash Pads
- Public Pool (low costs, but not free)
- Cane Creek Beach, Union County
- Windjammer Park, Tega Cay - has a beach
- Ramsey Creek Beach, Lake Norman
- Ebeneezer Park Beach, Rock Hill
And, if you know that you’ll use it, we recommend looking into a museum membership or two. These make for great holiday gifts from family members as well! Museum Memberships pay off in the long run because the fee is absorbed once for the whole family and most account for two adults and all minors living in a household. Many also come with additional perks, such as discounted guest passes, parking and birthday party discounts. Here are some of the kid-friendly museums within a short drive from Union County to consider and their currently listed pricing. We always recommend you contact the museum directly to confirm pricing and perks:
- Discovery Place : Family Memberships:
- One Museum is $150
- Two Museums is $180
- All Museums are $200
- Schiele Museum, Gastonia
- Family Membership $85
- Main Street Children’s Museum, Rock Hill
- Family $85
- Monroe Science Center
- No family membership yet, but children under 2 are free
- Winghaven Gardens
- $60 (and up) per household
- Carolina Raptor Center
- $100
- Sullenberger Aviation Museum
- Set to reopen in 2023
- Memberships TBD
