Visiting Cabarrus County, North Carolina with kids in tow? Go ahead and stow the iPads in the hotel room and put the devices on airplane mode. This region offers so many immersive tours for kids that you’ll never have to worry about keeping the family entertained — and maybe even learning a thing or two!
Here are four all-ages excursions not to miss.
Peek Behind the Scenes of NASCAR
The fast, fierce, well-oiled vehicles that tear around the track at Charlotte Motor Speedway have to be built somewhere. And Garage Pass Shop Tours will show you exactly where, a real treat for the racing fans in your family.
The tour company comprises a team of guides, all of whom boast NASCAR-affiliated careers and a depth of expertise in the motorsports world, that leads guests behind the scenes to the Cabarrus County-area garages where the impressive cars are meticulously constructed. Half-day and full-day tours include visits to elite shops, including Trackhouse Racing and RFK Racing.
Additional packages include a visit to the NASCAR Hall of Fame and one tour that dives into the history of NASCAR at the Richard Childress Racing Museum.
Uncover Treasures Buried Underground
At Reed Gold Mine in Midland, not only can guests of all ages sift for authentic gold nuggets, but they can also explore the site of the first documented gold discovery in the United States.
Named after Conrad Reed who found a 17-pound chunk in 1799, the mine was once a key part of North Carolina’s gold mining industry, a venture so successful it helped North Carolina lead the nation in gold production until 1848.
Today, visitors can walk through the restored 1830s-era underground tunnels, see a reconstructed stamp mill and its machinery, meander three miles of trails around lode and placer mining areas, and peruse detailed exhibits at the visitor center.
And, of course, there’s gold panning, available year-round from Tuesday to Saturday.
Feel the Need for Speed
When you’re in Cabarrus County, you’re at the epicenter of racing culture in America. What better way to soak up all things racing than with a tour at Charlotte Motor Speedway?
Choose from several options, including one tour that puts you behind the wheel of a vehicle as you take a spin around the speedway — kiddos are welcome along for the ride!
Another package, “Feel the Thrill,” offers insights into the history of racing and the speedway itself, plus gives guests a van ride around the track so they can experience the 24-degree-tilt banking, and concludes with stops at Pit Road, the Winner’s Circle, zMax Dragway and the Dirt Track.
Discover a World Beneath the Waves
Concord might be a ways from the coast, but that doesn’t mean visitors have to miss out on a sea-worthy adventure. That’s because Concord is home to SEA LIFE Aquarium, a family-friendly destination at Concord Mills teeming with all manner of aquatic creatures — some 5,000 in all.
See jellyfish and stingrays, sea turtles and seahorses, sharks and more sharks. The aquarium has North Carolina’s only Ocean Tunnel, a mesmerizing underwater stroll through a 117,000-gallon tank featuring 40 species of tropical wildlife.
Other exhibits include a journey through North Carolina’s freshwater lakes, an interactive touch-pool and a 30-minute guided tour that shows guests how the SEA LIFE crew cares for the thousands of animals at the aquarium.
Find Family-Friendly Fare
When it comes to dining, Cabarrus County serves up plenty of restaurants sure to please everyone in your group. Check out the Places to Eat guide to plan your family’s next great meal. Ready to plan your next adventure? We’ve got plenty of inspiration for that, too! Check out our guide to Family Fun.