Charlotte, North Carolina, is an adventure-lovers paradise! No matter what your taste is, this city has something for everyone, guaranteed to get your heart racing and your adrenaline pumping.
From a genuine race car experience to indoor skydiving, you’ll never lack for an exciting afternoon’s activities in the “Queen City”.
As Charlotte is located in a temperate climate, your thirst for adventure can be quenched year-round. The winters are generally very mild, and the summers… well, that’s what indoor sports are for! Charlotte has plenty of indoor adventure sports to offer as well.
This guide will cover the top 19 adventurous things to do in Charlotte, so fasten your seatbelts, and away we go!
1. The US National Whitewater Center
Website: https://whitewater.org/
Location: 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28214
Located 15 miles west of Uptown Charlotte, the US National Whitewater Center spans 1300-acres of water and land adventure space built around the world’s largest man-made whitewater river.
There are over 30 different land and water activities to choose from, including:
- Kayaking (both flatwater and whitewater)
- Rafting
- Rock climbing
- Deep water solo (climbing above a deep pool)
- Mountain biking/hiking
- Ice skating (seasonal)
Additionally, the Whitewater Center offers professional instruction, youth camp, competitions, and festivals throughout the year. Live music can be enjoyed in this magnificent setting every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night from May through September.
Tickets are $75/adult, and $65/children for a day pass, which includes all activities. A day pass for a single activity will cost you $25 – $55, depending on the sport. Season passes are $250/adult and $200/children.
It’s worth mentioning that the US Whitewater Center does not allow food or drink to be brought on the premises. They do have a range of eateries, from full-service dining to a snack shack for hydrating and powering up.
2. GoPro Motorplex (Outdoor Karting)
Website: https://trackhousemotorplex.com/
Location: 130 Motorplex Dr. Mooresville, NC 28115
Only 32 miles from Charlotte, and located right off I-77, GoPro Motorplex hosts one of the best go-kart venues in the southeast.
Spanning 30 acres, this 0.7 mile, 11-turn track will have you white-knuckling the wheel as amateurs and semi-pros alike compete by your side. The track was designed by industry professionals, with safety and usability as their #1 goal, so you know you’re in good hands.
Have your own kart? GoPro also leases garage space on an annual basis, so you can skip the rental and get out there! They also offer kart owners a membership, which allows you to practice whenever you like – provided the track is not booked for an event.
A daily pass is $50 for adults, Sunday – Thursday, and $70 for Saturdays and Sundays. A Kid kart pass is $25.
3. Indoor Skydiving – iFly Charlotte (Concord)
Website: https://www.iflyworld.com/charlotte/
Location: 7840 Lyles Ln NW, Concord, NC 28027
Have you ever wanted to try skydiving, but you are just not ready to take the leap? (pun intended) Then indoor skydiving might be a good first step! At iFly Charlotte, you get the experience of freefall and the unique sensation of flying, through the use of vertical wind tunnels.
A vertical wind tunnel moves air at a high speed in a vertical column, creating enough pressure to keep you floating.
All first-time flyers will fly one-on-one with certified instructors inside the wind tunnel, after completing a training session. The first-time flyer experience takes about 1.5 hours to complete, but each flight lasts only one minute.
All packages include at least two flights. iFly Charlotte offers several flight packages, including group rates, ranging from $70 – $428. See my indoor skydiving cost guide here.
Your package includes:
- Flight Gear Rental
- Pre-Flight Training
- One-on-One Flight Instruction
- Personalized Flight Certificate
Experienced flyers can rent blocks of time (10 or 15 minutes) to fly with friends. iFly Charlotte has a professional photographer inside the wind tunnel, snapping photos of each flight. You can view your photos online before choosing to purchase them.
4. Axe Throwing
Feeling like a warrior today? If so, visiting BATL Axe (2 locations), Bad Axe, or University City Axe House might be just the thing for you. After all, what better way to feel empowered than by hurling a 2-pound sharp object at a target?
Axe throwing has grown in popularity in recent years, and Charlotte, NC is staying right on top of the trend. In several of these venues, you’ll have a choice of axes, knives, or hatchets.
All have supervision in the form of “hosts” or coaches, and each party has their own lane for safety. Sessions range from 30 minutes to 2 hours long. Groups are welcome! Some have minimum guest requirements, and reservations are recommended.
Axe throwing is a very popular activity in Charlotte, with several locations. Here are the best Axe Throwing locations:
BATL Axe Throwing LoSo
Website: https://batlgrounds.com/axe-throwing-charlotte-loso
Location: 4128 South Blvd unit C, Charlotte, NC 28209
- BATL Axe prices – $30/ 1 hour (weekdays) or $34/1 hour (weekends)
BATL Axe Throwing Plaza Midwood
Website: https://batlgrounds.com/axe-throwing-charlotte-plaza/
Location: 933 Louise Ave #108, Charlotte, NC 28205
Bad Axe Throwing Charlotte
Website: https://badaxethrowing.com/locations/axe-throwing-charlotte/
Location: 350 E 6th St #1, Charlotte, NC 28202
- Bad Axe prices – $27/ 45 minutes (walk-ins) or $42/ 1.5 hours (by appointment)
University City Axe House
Website: https://axethrowingcharlotte.com/
Location: 230 E W.T. Harris Blvd Suite C-10, Charlotte, NC 28262
- University City Axe House prices – $15/30 minutes or $30/60 minutes
Enjoy Axe Throwing? Read our related post “19 Activities like Axe Throwing to Do With Your Friends” here.
5. Skydive Carolina
Website: https://www.skydivecarolina.com/
Location: 1903 King Air Dr, Chester, SC 29706
Skydiving is the ultimate adventure sport! At Skydive Carolina, located less than an hour from Charlotte, their goal is to make your dreams come true. After a 30-minute class covering the essentials, you’ll be boarding a plane and on your way.
Jumps are tandem style with your instructor securely attached to you, so you can fully relax and enjoy the experience.
- Free fall for approximately 60 seconds before the parachute is deployed
- Speed reaches a breathless 120 mph during free fall
- Enjoy an amazing 5-minute flight under the canopy
Price is $209 on weekdays and $260 for Friday-Sunday. Photography and video packages are available to memorialize your flight. Group rates are available.
Read our related post “25 Activities Like Skydiving for Adrenaline Junkies” here.
6. Inner Peaks – Indoor Rock Climbing
Website: https://innerpeaks.com/
Location 1: 2220 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28203
Location 2: 10715 Independence Pointe Pkwy, Matthews, NC 28105
Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced climber, Inner Peaks has the challenge you need.
Their state-of-the-art facilities focus on both physical strength and mental acuity, helping you to de-stress and stay fit.
Classes taught by expert climbers are available for all levels, covering bouldering, rope climbing, anchoring, and belaying. The facilities also offer a fully equipped gym, yoga classes, and a youth camp program.
Prices for Inner Peaks:
- A single day pass costs $22
- 5-day pass for $105
- 10-day pass for $199
7. Carowinds Amusement Park
Website: https://www.carowinds.com/
Location: 14523 Carowinds Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28273
A visit to Charlotte wouldn’t be complete without experiencing the thrilling rides at Carowinds Amusement Park. Located right off I-77, Carowinds sprawls over a whopping 407 acres, which includes a 27-acre waterpark, Carolina Harbor.
The park features over 60 thrill rides, family rides, and rollercoasters, including the very popular “Slingshot”.
Secured in a capsule with a friend, Slingshot will shoot you 300 feet into the sky at a speed reaching 60 mph. At the peak height, you will linger, weightless, for mere seconds before plunging back down to Earth, and bouncing back up again (and down…and up…)
Not for the faint of heart, this ride is one of 14 that rank the highest on the Carowinds thrill-o-meter. Carowinds offers a variety of packages, with some including all day food and drink vouchers. A few prices are listed below but check the website for a package more tailored to your needs.
There is also a hotel and campground onsite.
Carowinds Prices and :
- $45 for a single day admission
- $60 for a single day with parking and meals included
- $95 for a season pass
- $30 additional for Slingshot – $15 for a video
8. Hike Crowders Mountain
Website: https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/crowders-mountain-state-park
Location: 522 Park Office Ln, Kings Mountain, NC 28086
Park hours: 8 am – 8 pm, daily
If being in the great outdoors surrounded by nature is more your thing, you shouldn’t pass up a chance to hike Crowder’s Mountain. Located 32 miles west of Charlotte, this state park encompasses 5124 acres.
The Pinnacle and Crowders Mountain are the two main peaks, from which the views are amazing! There are multiple trails leading to either, all ranked as strenuous.
For a family hike, or those wanting a less challenging experience, there are several trails that wind through the park, ranked as easy. The park also offers camping facilities and picnic shelters. Access is free! And dogs are allowed if leashed.
9. Victory Lane Karting
Website: https://www.victorylanekarting.com/
Location: 2330 Tipton Dr, Charlotte, NC 28206
Victory Lane Karting provides an intense indoor karting experience for all levels of participants. Featuring three unique tracks suited to different skill levels, your thirst for competition will surely be quenched. They offer both adult karts and youth karts, maximized for safety and performance.
Had enough karting, but still want to play? Victory Lane is your one-stop destination for a full day of competitive adventure sports.
- Indoor karting
- Axe throwing
- Arcade
- Virtual reality arena
- Escape room
- Bowling alley
Pricing: Kart racing starts at $24 per person for a single race, plus a required annual membership fee of $10. See the website for more details and pricing for their other adventure sports.
10. Great Wolf Lodge Waterpark
Website: https://www.greatwolf.com/
Location: 10175 Weddington Rd, Concord, NC 28027
Ready for a water adventure that’s not dependent on the weather? Great Wolf Lodge might be the place for you! The lodge’s indoor water park spans 80,000 square feet and is kept consistently at 84-degrees F, even in the midst of winter.
They have age-appropriate slides and rides for everyone, including the thrill-seekers in your group. Their most adventurous ride is called Howlin’ Tornado, which is a six-story funnel-shaped waterslide through which you ride in a four-person raft.
The waterpark admission is included in the price of your stay at Great Wolf Lodge. Just want to go for the day? Daily passes and half-day passes are available.
Weekday prices are $40/half day and $50/ full day. Weekend prices change seasonally, but they average about $100/half day and $125/full day. The waterpark is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day.
11. Stroke Urban Golf Club
Website: https://www.strokeputt.com/
Location: 1318 Pecan Ave Suite 101, Charlotte, NC 28205
Ready for a round of miniature golf? Look no further than Stroke Urban Golf Club, which boasts a country-club atmosphere with an indoor miniature golf course.
This 5100-square-foot facility offers:
- A hand-built 9-hole putt-putt course with unique obstacles.
- A full bar serving craft cocktails as well as beer and wine.
- An eclectic food menu showcasing their own twist on clubhouse fare.
The price is $12 per player for weekday walk-ins. $15 per player on Friday and Saturday, and reservations are needed.
Love mini golf? Read our related post “19 Activities Like Mini Golf to Do With Your Friends” here!
12. DEFY Charlotte
Website: https://defy.com/defy-charlotte/
Location: 8116 University City Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28213
Defy Charlotte is officially listed as a trampoline park, but it’s really so much more. This 26,000 square foot facility is dedicated to extreme air sports in many forms. At Defy Charlotte you can enjoy:
- World-famous angled wall trampolines (yes, you can literally bounce off the walls)
- Extreme dodge ball and basketball (with trampolines)
- Battle beams
- Ninja course
- Trapeze & aerial silks
- Stunt falls
- Zip lining
Tickets for a single day with unlimited jump time costs $30. Buy a membership and access the park for just $25 a month (weekend access is limited to 2 hours). They have other packages available, so check the website before you go.
13. Disc Golf
Disc golf is very similar to real golf; instead, you toss discs toward a basket-style hole. The game is fun and entertaining for a small group; you can get competitive or choose just to enjoy being outdoors!
There are several locations for disc golf in the Charlotte area. Almost all are located in city parks, so they’re free! The Charlotte Disc Golf Club website gives details about all of them.
Recommended courses for beginners:
| Bailey Park DGC | 21 holes | Location: 11536 Bailey Rd, Cornelius, NC 28031 |
| Renske DGC (located in Renaissance Park) | 18 holes | Location: 1536 W Tyvola Rd, Charlotte, NC 28217 |
| Reedy Creek DGC | 18 holes | Location: 2900 Rocky River Rd, Charlotte, NC 28215 |
Pro-level courses:
| Hornets Nest DGC | 18 holes | Location: 6301 Beatties Ford Rd, Charlotte, NC 28216 |
| Nevin Park DGC | 18 holes | Location: 6000 Statesville Rd, Charlotte, NC 28269 |
| R.C. Bradford Park DGC | 18 holes | Location: 17005 Davidson-Concord Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078 |
| Robert L. Smith Park DGC | 18 holes | Location: 1604 Little Rock Rd, Charlotte, NC 28214 |
14. Carolina BalloonFest (Hot Air Balloons)
Website: http://www.carolinaballoonfest.com/
Location: 260 Hangar Dr, Statesville, NC 28677
Dates: Oct. 20-22, 2023 (always the third weekend in October)
The Carolina Balloon Festival is the second oldest hot air balloon festival in the country, bringing in an estimated 40,000 attendees each year. Located at the Statesville NC airport, the event spans 3 fun-filled days brimming with activities for the whole family.
- 50 Hot air balloons on display
- Hot air balloon rides
- Meet the pilots
- Tethered balloon rides
- Mass ascension 2x a day (early morning and late afternoon)
- Hot air balloon competition
- Nighttime glow balloon display
- Live music
- Vendor’s booths
- Food, beer, and wine
The Carolina BalloonFest is a non-profit event, donating a portion of the proceeds to local charities.
Admission to the festival:
- Friday day pass – $15
- Saturday day pass – $25
- Sunday day pass – $25
- Weekend pass – $45
Balloon ride tickets are purchased directly from pilots. $325 per person, ascending to 1500 feet. Tethered balloon ride (ascending 30-50 feet) costs $10/child $15/adult.
15. Escape Rooms
A very popular activity in Charlotte with several locations, escape rooms are a great way to hone your mental acuity while having fun with friends! Most escape rooms require at least three players and operate on a timed basis, generally 1 hour.
Some rooms are rented for a single cost with a maximum number of players (additional players may cost a fee), while others charge per player. Experiences range all across the board – mystery, adventure, fantasy, sci-fi, paranormal, etc. Check the websites below for more details.
These are just a few of the Escape Rooms available in the Charlotte area.
| Escape Room Name | Website | Location | Cost |
| Timed Out Escape | https://timedoutescape.com/ | 12239 N Community House Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277 | $99 per room/ 1 hour |
| Exit Strategy | https://exitstrategyus.com/ | Location 1: 4215 Stuart Andrew Blvd B, Charlotte, NC 28217
Location 2: 9539 Pinnacle Dr Suite 300, Charlotte, NC 28262 |
$29 per player/ 1 hour |
| The Box Escape Room | https://theboxescaperoom.com/ | 6604 E W.T. Harris Blvd Suite E, Charlotte, NC 28215 | $30 per player/ 1 hour |
| Escape Tactic | https://escapetactic.com/ | 130 Southside Dr, Charlotte, NC 28217 | $26 per player/ 1 hour |
16. Rusty Wallace Racing Experience
Website: https://racewithrusty.com/project/charlotte-motor-speedway-deal60-23/
Location: 5555 Concord Pkwy S, Concord, NC 28027
Have you ever watched a NASCAR race and wished you were one of the drivers? Then this adventure sport in Charlotte will be right up your alley!
At the Charlotte Motor Speedway, you can choose from a number of packages designed to give you a real racing experience.
Either drive a race car yourself – after receiving professional instruction – or ride along with a professional driver. Either way, you’ll come away from the experience with an unforgettable adventure to look back on.
Driving packages range from: 3 laps – $200 to 70 laps for $1600
Riding along packages range from: 3 laps for $140 to 5 laps for $200
17. Blackstone Shooting Sports
Website: https://blackstoneshooting.com/
Location: 2001 Wilkinson Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28208
Blackstone Shooting Sports is an upscale indoor shooting facility catering to gun enthusiasts of all levels. They offer a safe environment for shooters to hone their skills, as well as classes, equipment rental, and a retail store.
Features:
- 27 well-lit, state-of-the-art shooting lanes
- 25-yard lanes
- Digital targeting system
- 75+ rental firearms to choose from
- 3 shooting range bays, including a 9-lane tactical training bay for advanced shooters
- Dedicated range safety officer in each bay
- 2 large classrooms
- A climate-controlled environment
- A lounge
- A retail space with a huge selection
Prices for shooting lane rentals:
- $30/hour for walk-ins
- $18 for a 2nd shooter in same lane
- $20 for a single firearm rental
- $27/day for unlimited firearm rentals
18. Attend a Sports Game
Charlotte loves their home teams! When visiting the Queen City, be sure to catch the pro athletes doing their thing! These games are exciting and you get an immersive experience when watching with the home fans at the home arenas.
Here are all the pro sports teams in Charlotte:
NBA – Charlotte Hornets
- Website: https://www.nba.com/hornets
- Arena: Spectrum Center 333 E Trade St, Charlotte, NC 28202
- Tickets start at $16
NFL – Carolina Panthers
- Website: https://www.panthers.com/
- Bank of America Stadium 800 S Mint St, Charlotte, NC 28202
- Tickets start at $50
MLS – Charlotte FC
- Website: https://www.charlottefootballclub.com/
- Bank of America Stadium 800 S Mint St, Charlotte, NC 28202
- Tickets start at $15
AHL – Charlotte Checkers
- Website: https://charlottecheckers.com/
- Arena: Bojangles Coliseum 2700 E Independence Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28205
- Tickets start at $25
Triple-A East – Charlotte Knights
- Website: https://www.milb.com/charlotte-knights
- Truist Field 324 S Mint St, Charlotte, NC 28202
- Tickets start at $14
19. Charlotte Helicopters
Website: https://charlottehelicopters.com/sight_seeing_tours
Location: 1110 Baron Rd, Waxhaw, NC 28173
Get a bird’s eye view of Charlotte with a tour by Charlotte Helicopters! Pilot Reini Grauer has been flying for over 40 years and offers an array of choices for your aerial viewing pleasure.
Note, the maximum weight per seat 300 lbs.
| Sightseeing tours | Proposal Flights | Gender Reveal Flight |
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Jamie is the founder of Action Sporter. He is the chief zipline writer and the lead editor. He has 5 years of zipline experience being a tour guide in Newfoundland. Most of the time you can find Jamie adventure traveling, hiking, skiing, skateboarding, or anything action related!