Since many of us are opting to skip Black Friday shopping this year, we’ve rounded up five fun and socially-distant activities for you and your whole family instead!
1. Take a Hike
No, seriously. Charlotte’s home to a variety of trails and outdoor activities that are easy for all ages. Between Reedy Creek Nature Center and Preserve, Latta Nature Center and Preserve, and McDowell Nature Center and Preserve, adventure awaits no matter which park you choose!
2. Become One with Nature
If you’re looking to add some learning to your activities, head to the Carolina Raptor Center. Enjoy interactive experiences for kids of all ages, explore the trails, and more.
Helpful things to know:
- Masks are required inside and recommended on the trails.
- COVID protocols currently limit the number of guests on the trail to 125 people at a time.
- Tickets must be purchased in advance online. Children under 3 get in FREE!
3. Lace Up Your Skates!
Ice skating rinks are opening up all around the city, making this a convenient activity if you’re looking to try something different.
The ice skating rink at the US National White Water Center is back with new social distancing measures in place. Be sure to reserve your required time slot in advance when you purhcase a single activity day pass on their website.
If you’re in south Charlotte, check out Ice at Sun Valley Commons in Indian Land. During the week, they open at 3:00 pm and on the weekends they open at 11:00 am.
And for our friends in north Charlotte, Charlotte Motor Speedway has opened The Rink at Speedway Christmas, a 5,400sf ice skating rink, for the very first time!
You can buy your ticket for ice skating (separate from the Christmas lights display) online or in-person. Social distancing protocols are in place to limit the number of people on the rink at any time, and masks are required too.
4. See All of the Lights
Speedway Christmas makes its return this year and is open for visitors! Take your car out on the infield of the track and drive through over 4 million lights. Purchasing tickets in advance is recommended, but you can buy them on site as well.
If you want to get out of your vehicle to enjoy a light installation, The Lights Trail at the US National White Water Center is also open for the season. Enjoy a 0.5-mile installation by local artist Meredith Connelly that is FREE and open to visitors of all ages. Daily hours are 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm.
Honorable mention: While not open for a Black Friday activity, Christmas Town U.S.A, or McAdenville as the locals know it, is also happening this year beginning December 1st. While they’ve had to pare down events from years past, there will still be plenty of lights and decorations for all to enjoy!
5. Visit a Museum
If you’re looking for an indoor activity filled with art and creativity, take the whole family and spend the day in Uptown visiting museums.
The Mint Museum Uptown, Gantt Center, and the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art are all steps from one another making it easy to stay inspired as you move from one to the next.
Best of all: If you’re a frontline worker, you and your immediate family can enjoy free entry to all three!
No matter how you choose to spend Black Friday, we hope it’s filled with good health and lots of blessings as you head into the weekend!
