Ice Skating Is Back At North Carolina’s US National Whitewater Center

In a weird way, Christmas break is not too dissimilar to summer break for parents.  The first few days its great.  You're together.  It's all good.  And then at some point, you hear this, "Mom/Dad, I'm bored."  Here's the big difference.  In Summer, weather's not really an issue.  There's lots of activity to get kids involved with.  A lot of which, they can do on their own.  In the winter, weather can be an issue.  This IS NOT an issue at The US National Whitewater Center.  Again this year, ice skating has returned.

We've done this several times at several different locations as a family.  There's nothing but fun and laughter that comes from a family ice skating adventure.  Each year the US National Whitewater Center transforms their upper pond into an ice skating experience for all ages and experience levels.   The Whitewater Center’s ice rink consists of over 24,000 sq. ft. of unique skating space split into four distinct skating areas, including two ice trails and two free skate zones.  Centered in the converted pond is an on-ice Airstream serving hot and cold beverages when guests need a skate break.

The cost is just $25 per person.  This price DOES include your skate rental.  And skates are required to be on the ice (oh, and not to sound like your mom, but please remember to wear socks).  You can bring your own skates, but still must pay for access.

Ice Skating at The US National Whitewater Center is open daily and evenings thru mid-February AND is even open on Christmas Day from 4pm-10pm.  So, after the presents are open and all the food eaten, what a cool family outing this would be, right? Get tickets here.

A Charlotte winter may make you want to just snuggle up on the couch and not move...but whether you are in a relationship or dating, a date may be hard to avoid. There are so many cute winter date ideas that you and your boo should try out this season. Here are the ones that are fun and relationship expert-approved and where you can do them in Charlotte!

This has actually been something on my bucket list and I'm definitely going to try and plan this date. Here are two places that I've heard great things about in the Charlotte area.

This might be a little hard to do if you live in the metro Charlotte area. BUT there are plenty of driveable getaways from Charlotte that can make this a reality for you. Here are some of my favorite weekend (or even day) trips:

-Asheville

-Beech Mountain

-Blowing Rock

-Banner Elk

-Great Smoky Mountains National Park

-Boone

-Wintergreen Resort, VA

-Snowshoe, West VA

If we're being honest I can't remember the last time I went sledding just because it snowed so much and that was an option. It's been at least a decade. But, lucky for people now there are actual snow tubing and sledding spots all around North Carolina.

-Hawks Nest Tubing

-Wolf Tube at Wolf Ridge

-Sapphire Valley

-Scaly Mountain

-Moonshine Mountain

-Jonas Ridge Snow Tubing

-Beech Mountain

-Sugar Mountain

-Maggie Valley Snow Tubing

Vineyards have become one of my favorite things. They are so fun. Here are a few I've been to and a few that are on my bucket list:

-Childress Vineyards in Lexington

-Divine Llama Vineyards in East Bend

-Raffaldini Vineyards in Ronda

-Rocky River Vineyards in Midland

-Serre Vineyards in Mt. Airy

-Shelton Vineyards in Dobson

-Treehouse Vineyards in Monroe

-Veronet Vineyards in Kings Mtn

There are indoor ice skating rinks, but what's the fun in that? Check out some of these outdoor ones that you can experience this winter in Charlotte.

-Whitewater Center

-Light the Knights festival (this ends 1/8 so hurry!)

-Birkdale on Ice

-Founders Holiday Ice Rink in Rock Hill

Middle C Jazz!