Family Fun Dates
Post by Ben - 2/6/2025
Valentine's Day is easy. Flowers, chocolates, dinner reservation, maybe a bottle of something nice. Maybe not the most exciting holiday (you won’t be hearing your cousin’s political opinions over turkey and that is a big plus), but one that allows us to focus on those we love and appreciate. I like to think of this time as a way to show all of the people in our lives that we love them. Our friends, our significant others, and our children. So, plan the date night with your partner, schedule the Galentine’s lunch, but don’t forget your kids. Show them you love them with a fun time out in the world. Here are a few ideas that keep the kids happy and entertained and the parents can enjoy a cold one and relax through the day. Wins and wins.
Seoul Food - Mill District, UDM and a stop at Free Range
This might be my family’s laziest but most fun activity we do on an afternoon out in Charlotte. Playground, lots of food, good beer, and always regular special events and activities. Little kids will love the play areas and playground, but big kids can enjoy the Japanese style market and photo booth in UDM and arcade games (and maybe a karaoke room) and room to roam around with friends in Seoul Food. My four year old loves bap bowls, and whatever weird sweet nonsense he can find in the convenience store area. Then, when things are winding down, hop/walk across the street and grab a delicious beer from Free Range Brewing. They have N/A options and fun cocktails now, and always a fun, artistic activity on offer.
Heist Barrel Arts and Petty Thieves and Camp North End
A little preview of a new section coming to this website right here: a little guide to spending time at one of Charlotte’s big attractions. Camp North End always has something going on; movies, markets, ice skating, art shows, concerts, yoga, just check their socials before you go. Get some food at Halal, pizza at Gravity, an old fave at La Caseta, or try one of the new spots that recently opened (Eggroll and Blasian Asian Way are there among others), grab a cocktail or beer or one of the best coffees in the city (Hex!!!!) and wander. Photo shoots with murals are a solid choice for bigger kids, and the little train cars along one of the buildings seem to delight little ones. Climb on some stuff, everyone is doing it. Buy some nice stationary and journal for dad at Good Postage and a cool record for mom at Hardy Boys will have you ready for date night too. I like to hit Heist Barrel Arts or Petty Thieves before Camp North End, but they make a great stop afterwards as well. If you are still hungry, Heist has great pizza and plenty of room for your dog (also a good time at Camp North End) and kids to run around.
Rail Trail South End and a nice meal at Suffolk Punch
If you want to move with more intention and then sit down to enjoy each other face to face, this is a great way to do it. If you don’t already live in South End, park on the street near Suffolk Punch, walk the two blocks to the rail trail, run and or bike a little ways (bonus tip: if you run down a few stops, just hop the train back to the Tryon St/Griffin St stop). And now you are ready to sit down, drink a beer and eat a delicious meal at Suffolk Punch. Active and sophisticated. Y'all are that family today, or at least for a little while.
The Bowl at Ballantyne, The Amp and OMB
This would be a good one for teens, find a concert you want to take your kid to and then have a nice dinner before it. This does not need a lot of planning (other than tickets, and maybe a reservation, okay maybe a bit of planning), but it’s a classic way to share some quality time with the people you love. You know how there is always that weird little interim period before the concert but after dinner? Gelato and a beer? Go for it.
Ballentyne Bowl
Take your teen to Wilco is what I’m saying.