If you're looking for creative social things to do around Charlotte, here are 17 activities in the area that are better shared with a bestie.
Get some retail therapy
Take your shopping partner out for a day of supporting local businesses. Whether you're looking for sportswear or vintage clothing, there are plenty of shops to find your next 'fit.
Go deeper: 15 of Charlotte’s best secondhand stores
Locker Room in NoDa. Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios Spend a day with exotic animals at Darby Safari
Take your friend to have personal encounters with various exotic animals — including a capuchin monkey, lemurs and baby otters — at a family-owned petting zoo.
Cost: General admission is $20, which comes with one generous bucket of fruits and vegetables to feed the animals.
- For an additional $24-$45, you can add on a personal encounter with a few of the animals in an up-close private setting.
Go deeper: Spend a day with exotic animals at Darby Safari in northwest Charlotte
Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios Set up a puppy play date at Skiptown
This is for all the friends who prefer that their social calendar include dogs. There are indoor and outdoor spaces for your pup to run around while you chat with friends over a drink from the bar.
Photo: Courtesy of Laura Barrero
Catch up with friends over a drink
Sometimes a drink (or two) can get the conversation going. Luckily, our city has a brewery or cocktail bar offering a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic options in almost every neighborhood.
Go deeper: 50 best bars in Charlotte, ranked
Sycamore rooftop in South End. Photo: Andy Weber/Axios
This local museum can alter your perspective with holograms, optical illusions and unusual rooms that’ll challenge the minds of curious individuals. This hands-on museum is a fun friend date activity for adults, but it can also be a great activity for friends with kids.
Cost: Tickets range from $20-$28.
Go deeper: 5 takeaways from my visit to Charlotte’s Museum of Illusions
You can see on the ground a designated photo spot. The person taking the photo is also standing on another marker so the deconstructed chair in the room looks like a large chair. Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios
Party at a nightclub
Whether your friend group is filled with night owls or you simply love to dance, there are plenty of nightlife spots around the city to check out.
Go deeper: 5 hot nightclubs in Charlotte
Photo: McKenzie Rankin/ Axios If exercising isn’t your forte but you’re working toward developing a healthier lifestyle, Mad Miles is a good place to start. You’ll run, walk or jog a two-mile route before celebrating the workout with dancing to music from a live DJ. Since the run club meets every week, regardless of the weather, it makes scheduling easy — and more possible to hold your friends accountable.
- They meet on Mondays at Social Status in Plaza Midwood, Tuesdays at YVY Training in Camp North End and Saturdays in Elizabeth Park.
Go deeper: I hate running but I’ll exercise with Mad Miles Run Club
Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios
Cheer on one of the local sports teams
Attend a soccer, baseball, basketball or football game if you and your BFF bond over sports. Even if you don’t love sports, you can enjoy food and drinks from local vendors.
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Hike around the city
Take advantage of the natural views by taking a stroll through the city’s greenways and trails. This a great activity for friends of all ages, and there are several locations to choose from.
Go deeper: Definitive hiking guide: The 16 best hikes around Charlotte
Irwin Creek Greenway. Photo: Katie Peralta Soloff/Axios
Link up at a coffee shop
If you're meeting in a hurry or you’re a multi-tasking friend who likes to work and chat, meet up at a local coffee shop. If you and your bestie work remotely, you can pretend at a coffee shop that you work together. You can also take a break from the “work day” and grab lunch .
Go deeper: The 26 best coffee shops for working remotely in Charlotte
Photo: McKenzie Rankin/Axios
Ride a roller coaster at Carowinds
Get your adrenaline pumping with a friend from riding on a roller coaster. There are more than 50 rides at varying thrill levels. Scan Carowinds’ full list of rides here and sort by attraction type, thrill level, minimum height and fast-lane accommodations.
- There are plenty of kid- and family-friendly rides, including the Flying Ace Balloon Race and the Kiddy Hawk coaster if your children want to tag along on your friend date.
Cost: Day passes cost $40. You can also opt for a season pass , which includes unlimited visits.
Fast Lane pass: For $75, you can spare yourself the time spent standing in line for all the major rides.
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If you enjoy a little competition, this is the place for you. Challenge your friends with go-karts, bowling, axe throwing, virtual reality and arcade games. After a few intense games, head over to the bar for cocktails or something to eat.
- Axios tip: One free race is available if you’re celebrating a birthday with an annual race license.
Book a workshop to make a candle to take home. Candles are also available to purchase. Plant potting workshops are available, too.
- Axios tip: At-home candle kits are available to purchase online and in-store.
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Owner Toanna Gelin will create an aesthetically pleasing picnic with a rug, pillows, a low table and games. After you’re done, she’ll handle the clean-up.
- Axios tip: This is an Instagram-worthy outing.
Photo courtesy of Toanna Gelin.
Spend an entire day outside on the water and check out activities like whitewater rafting, kayaking and rock climbing over deep water. Challenge the friend group to face their fears in the air through zip-lining, hawk jumps, obstacle courses on the ropes or bouldering. Land activities include seasonal ice skating, biking, yoga and hiking.
Go deeper: 13 ways to spend a day at the Whitewater Center
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Create matching succulents at Plant House
Get your hands dirty by creating a terrarium with your bestie through a workshop class. Decor ranges from nautical to dried florals. Reservations are recommended for workshop classes with a group.
- Axios tip: Receive 10% off workshops if you sign up with your email. Also, view the calendar for events with themed classes.
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Take a swing at Puttery
Enjoy a modern take on putt-putt with high-tech gameplay and unique golf courses. Enhance the experience with a crafted cocktail.
- Axios tip: Make reservations to lock in a 90-minute tee time slot. The weekends can be busy.
Puttery’s house margarita. Photo: Symphony Webber
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Editor’s note: We originally published this story in May 2022 and updated it in June 2024.
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