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- DISCOVERY PLACE: Hands-on science and technology museum. Permanent exhibits include a three-story rain forest, aquarium and The Charlotte Observer Omnimax Theatre showing IMAX movies. Uptown. www.discoveryplace.org
- IMAGINON: A combined children’s theater and library, this uptown facility has lots to do for kids of all ages. Preschoolers enjoy the revolving exhibits in the lobby and on the second floor; teens get love the scavenger hunts at The Loft, an area especially for teens that offers programs and classes. And don’t miss all the great shows that come to the Children’s Theater. www.imaginon.org
- CHARLOTTE NATURE MUSEUM: Butterfly Pavilion, Creature Cavern, Insect Alley. Great for young kids. Myers Park. www.discoveryplace.org/home/nature_museum-general_info.php
- CHARLOTTE SPORTS CENTER: An 85,000-square-foot indoor sports facility that offers youth and adult sports leagues and clinics, inflatable bouncers, roller skating and birthday parties. Every Friday night parents can drop off the kids from 6-10 p.m. for roller skaing, sports and bouncers. Cost is $15 per person and includes pizza, chips and a drink. Ages 6-13. Located off I-77, exit 18 Harris Blvd. www.CharlotteSportsCenter.com
- SPORTS CONNECTION: Entertainment center with 100 video games, rides and attractions in a 7,000-square-foot arcade zone; 8,000-square-foot Jump-N-Play zone with inflatables for children; 6,000-square-foot, two-story laser-tag facility, believed to be the largest in the state; 14 regulation bowling lanes and six mini-lanes for children. Ballantyne. www.sportsconnectionnc.com
- BLAST EXTREME FUN CENTER: Inflatables, paint ball, miniature golf, rock climbing wall. South Charlotte. www.blastfuncenter.com
- DUKE POWER ENERGY EXPLORIUM: Virtual tours of McGuire Nuclear Station, a nature trail. Located at the McGuire Nuclear Station on Lake Norman. 704-875-5600
- MONKEY JOE’S PARTIES AND PLAY: Play center aimed at kids ages 1-10. Includes toddler zone, private party rooms and parents’ lounge. Locations in Matthews, Pineville, Lake Norman. www.monkeyjoesnc.com
- NASCAR SPEEDPARK: Six tracks, laser tag, bumper boats, rock climbing wall and more. Concord Mills Mall, www.nascarspeedpark.com
- RAY’S SPLASH PLANET: Indoor water park operated by Mecklenburg County’s parks department. Ride the slides, circulate in the current pool, get doused with buckets or do the dousing with squirt guns. Uptown. www.parkandrec.com (click “Ray’s Splash Planet”)
BOWLING
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Carolina Lanes, Matthews, 704-841-7606
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Centennial Lanes, South Charlotte, 704-527-0333
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George Pappas’ Park Lanes, Myers Park; 704-523-7633
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Northcross Lanes At The Lake, Huntersville; 704-892-7177
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University Lanes, University, 704-596-4736
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Sports Connection, Ballantyne, 704-583-1444.
SKATING RINKS
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Kate’s Skating Rinks: Several area locations offering lessons, camps, private parties and theme nights. Gastonia, 704-864-0201; Indian Trail, 704-821-7465; Rock Hill, 803-329-5283
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Pineville Ice House: Public skating, skating lessons, hockey leagues and birthday parties. Pineville, www.icehouserinks.com
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Starlight Roller Rink: Roller-skating, east Charlotte, www.starlightrollerrink.com
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Charlotte Sports Center, I-77, Exit 18, Harris Blvd. 704-597-7311. www.CharlotteSportsCenter.com
