I’ve moved around a lot of my life, but I always say I’m from the Carolinas since I’ve spent a lot of time here, and I never see myself leaving! We have the best of everything…beaches, mountains, a little snow in the winter, and you can wear shorts starting in March some years. We’re also home to the Clemson Tigers…National Champs!
**This is a sponsored post, but all opinions are solely my own. You guys know I wouldn’t steer you in the wrong direction**
We’ve lived close to Charlotte for the past 2.5 years now, and have really loved getting to know the area. We love being in the suburbs with kiddos, but we’re honestly still city people at heart, and love taking the girls to Charlotte to explore for the day. So, if you’re wanting to explore Charlotte, I put together a small list of our favorite pit stops to make while there. We’ve gone to all of these multiple times, so they’re tried and true local favorites that are great places for kids as well. 
- Olde Mecklenburg Brewery (How could this not make everyone happy?! There’s a big open area outdoors that has lots of space to play!)
- The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar
- Freedom Park Playground (An AMAZING playground in the middle of an already great park! It’s huge. There’s also a fun NFL play place near it that’s great for older kids)
- Pike’s Old Fashioned Soda Shop
- Not Just Coffee (my favorite chai is here)
Savoring her cookie and the best chai in the city! Also, this Brookmont diaper bag from JJ Cole is my favorite to pack up and head to the city for the day with the girls. It holds everything we need! 
She’s definitely all sugar and spice! 
Just catching up on life. - ImagineOn (perfect for a rainy day)
- Knight’s Stadium
- Carowinds (such a fun theme park with something for everyone. Their toddler area in the waterpark is AMAZING and the kids area with rides was just redone. My girls love it!)
If you’re looking for something to just keep the kids entertained while you wander around Charlotte, consider taking the Light Rail. Just hop on and off, and it’ll be lots of fun for them to ride the “choo choo train!”
And if you want some good one day trips or somewhere to go for the morning or afternoon, here are some great places south of Charlotte:
- Olive’s Mud Puddle
Walking through downtown Fort Mill. So glad to have the BundleMe for little Winnie to keep her warm. 
The girls love going here, because they have some fun old fashioned wooden toys to play with. I love going here, because a lot of their coffee syrups are made in house! It’s also super cute. - Provisions (SO cute inside with lots of local food on the menu. There are also toys for the kids to play with in the back, and a giant chalkboard on the wall. It’s also a little market for local goodies to buy!)
- Southern Sugar (Try their flatbread caprese and french fries!)
- Kingsley (different restaurants and a cute little pond)
- Blakeney (They have fountains to play in if you’re here in the summer, and great shopping!)
- Hobos (perfect fenced in grassy area for kids to run around while you eat on the patio)
- Downtown Rock Hill – There’s a children’s museum (perfect way to burn some energy if it’s raining), restaurants, and Fountain Park. My girls always love watching the fountains and just running around on the lawn.
Watching the fountains as they play…and dodging the spray from them!
Trying to sneak snacks while I’m not looking! 
They love exploring with their daddy. Makes my heart so happy! 
Sweet Winnie just sleeping the afternoon away, staying nice and warm in her BundleMe, while everyone else plays. 
And to get around town, like we like to, it takes planning ahead, and a few good accessories to pack up the family! One of my favorite things to have for Winnie right now is her BundleMe from JJ Cole. It’s so easy to take on and off, and I know it’s keeping her warm when the rest of us want to be out and about. There’s no mom guilt from either keeping everyone inside, because the newborn needs to stay warm or from taking everyone outside since she can stay bundled up and cozy while tagging along!
Another favorite accessory is my Brookmont diaper bag. Yes… I have two, and I’m not ashamed! I love how they’re structured, so it’s easy to stay organized. It holds what I need for the girls, and has a pocket for everything. I also love the built in stroller straps that just easily loop around the stroller handle. It definitely makes traveling with a tiny tribe easier since it’s a backpack, and I always feel like I’m packing half of the house!
Do you guys like traveling with your kids? Or exploring your area? Do you have favorite places around Charlotte? I’d love to add to the list…or go there myself!
What’s something that makes your life a little easier when taking your kids on an adventure?
Kristina
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