Welcome to Spring! Is there a better season for spending time outdoors, checking out art, or taking in fun festivals? We don’t think so. We’re excited to see a whole lot of fun festivals headed to Charlotte this spring from BBQ sampling to outdoor art installations, so definitely bookmark this guide to reference in the future.
1. Participate in outdoor activities at Whitewater Center
From now until the end of May, the Whitewater Center in Denver is going to be celebrating the warmer weather with a variety of outdoor activities. The ‘Whole Enchilada MTB Race’ covers every mile of the trail networks in Whitewater Center with whole and half options, the return of the Film Series starts in April where you can watch outdoor films surrounded by nature, Tuck Fest offers live music plus competitions you can participate in, and the Time Lapse 24 Hr Relay Race includes competitive trail racing alongside camping. Check out their website for the full lineup.
2. Visit gardens and blooms around the state
Spring blooms and gardens are one of the best parts about spring, and one of our favorite ways to view blooms are at Biltmore Estate and Airlie Gardens. Biltmore is 2 hours away near Asheville and is one of the most beautiful château-esque estates in the state with a full blown garden. We’ve wrote all about it here if you’d like more information. Airlie Gardens is a non-profit organization with a mission to preserve these historic gardens, and that you can view as well.
3. Take a yoga class outdoors at a brewery or at a farm
Take advantage of the warm weather by participating in a yoga class–outdoor. At places like Good Karma Ranch you can actually do yoga surrounded by alpacas for $25.00 or head to Aura rooftop for skyline views. Breweries like NoDa Brewing, Devil’s Logic, and Lenny Boy Brewing Co. also offer outdoor yoga, so grab that mat and head out into the morning.
4. Take in the warmer days and evenings at an outdoor patio
Looking for a way to enjoy the transitioning weather from winter to spring? We’d highly recommend heading over to one of the amazing patios spread around the city from rooftops to cozy tavern patios and community-led breweries. We’ve written 2 full roundups in the past about heated patios and brunch spots with cozy patios.
5. Enjoy outdoor art installations at Charlotte SHOUT!
One of our favorite things to do in Charlotte is to enjoy the outdoor art installation festivals of which the city has seen quite a few. This spring you can see immersive art installations at Charlotte SHOUT. From March 31st to April 16th, you can head to different location markers to see different installations from the Nascar Hall of Fame to Wells Fargo Plaza and Bank of America Plaza among many, many others. Head to their website to check the entire lineup of events.
6. Watch a game at Truist Field
The season starts soon at Truist Field. The season starts March 31st and extends throughout spring and summer against a variety of different teams. You can head to the website to check out their full schedule and get tickets.
7. Sample the food of the city at Charlotte StrEATS Festival
Coming in April, Charlotte StrEATS Festival is returning to the city for their second year in a row. On Sunday, April 15th from 12-5pm. During the festival, you can participate and watch different presentations and classes like a class on Zero Proof cocktails and a talk on growing your own food. There’s also a tasting tour where you can get tickets to sample different types of cuisines. Check out their website for tickets and information.
8. Eat your way through the Carolina BBQ Festival
Camp North End will be hosting the Carolina BBQ Festival this spring. On May 7th, you can attend the fest, starting at $75, that gives you access to some of the best BBQ from 14 of the best Pitmasters, merch, live music, craft beer and cocktails, and more. Head to their website to snag your tickets.
9. Get your thrills at Carowinds
The best family-friendly activity on this list. Get up early, grab the kids, and head out for a day full of thrilling or more fun, casual rides. They’ve got an excellent deal going on right now: A Silver pass gives unlimited access to Carowinds all 2023 season long with free parking for $105.00 or installment payments. Check out their website for more information.