5 Free Activities for Charlotte Families

With summer approaching, parents are desperately trying to come up with summer activities for the family that will not break the bank. If you live in Charlotte, there are a number of wonderful family activities that are free. Here is a list of some of the most popular free family activities that you may want to consider:

-James K. Polk Memorial State Historic Site. This site is the birthplace of the 11^th President of the United States. It is located in Pineville, NC, which is just a few miles southwest of Charlotte. There is no fee to take a 30 minute guided tour of this restored homestead. This is a great activity for a family. Not only is it a good way for children to learn some history, it is a great way for them to see the difference in the way that life was lived in the 19^th century.

The Billy Graham Library. This is a great free activity for the family. Adults will appreciate the history of this famous evangelist, and children will appreciate the interactive exhibits. After the exhibit, there is a wonderful bookstore filled with inspirational books and gifts for all ages. Food can also be purchased from the Graham Brothers' Dairy Bar. When my family visited the Billy Graham Library, I was pleasantly surprised at how interesting and fun that it was. I particularly enjoyed looking at old video footage of Graham's, and looking at personal artifacts from the Graham family.

Reed Gold Mine. Kids love this one! The mine is located in Midland, NC, which isn't far from Charlotte. There is a 30 minute underground tour, and for the small price of $2, you can pan for gold.

The North Carolina Transportation Museum. This is an interesting, historical, and fun place to visit for the entire family. Not only can you look at a variety of antique automobiles, there are also a variety of railway cars to view and learn about. All are located at the site of what was once the Southern Railway's largest repair facility. For a small fee, you can also go on a train ride.

Charlotte Mecklenburg Parks and Greenways. Charlotte is rich in parks and greenways which are perfect for an entire day of family fun. There are 210 parks in the Charlotte area, running in size from small neighborhood parks to larger parks with lakes and trails. Spending a day at the park is a perfect way to spend the day with your family. My family loves to pack a picnic and head to the park. We often bring along our bikes or Frisbees. This is a great way to have fun and get some exercise too.

Don't think you have to eliminate fun this summer with your family. Charlotte is a wonderful place to live because we are so close to so many fun, affordable activities.