16 Sensory Friendly Things to Do in Charlotte
Looking for things to do in Charlotte that meets the sensory needs for you or a loved one?
by Maegan Ellison
When it comes to having sensory-friendly fun, Charlotte is the place to be for children and adult activities. From increased intermission times for performances to spaces designed with lowered lighting and less noise, these Charlotte attractions are a must-visit when exploring the Queen City.
Museums
Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
Neighborhood: Uptown
The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art is dedicated to the exhibition of mid-20th-century modern art. The museum offers individuals with disabilities and their companions free admission. Specially designed tours and American Sign Language interpretation are available upon request with advance notice.
Discovery Place
Neighborhood: Uptown, Myers Park, Huntersville
Discovery Place has multiple locations throughout the city that are great for both children and adults to explore, learn and play using their senses. Uptown’s Discovery Place Science has many touch-friendly games and activities, along with many other experiential learning exhibits. Discovery Place Kids in Huntersville offers sensory-friendly hours the first Sunday of every month.
Mint Museum
Neighborhood: Uptown, East Charlotte
The Mint Museum, North Carolina’s first art museum, has many accommodating features, such as single user restrooms; Social Narratives resources to utilize before your trip for those with developmental disabilities; wellness rooms; and special services, including Explorer Packs containing sensory items that can be checked out and used throughout the museum.
NASCAR Hall of Fame
Neighborhood: Uptown
The NASCAR Hall of Fame is an interactive and inclusive museum open to all, from avid race fans to novices. This Hall of Fame aims to provide a full, accessible experience for all guests, including adapted hearing devices and modalities, accessible parking and courtesy wheelchairs. The Hall of Fame offers adapted experiences by partnering with KultureCity to provide sensory bags, containing items such as noise canceling headphones, fidget toys and other items, for guests who may need accommodations. The NASCAR Hall of Fame also promotes physical accessibility, including accessible racing simulators where participants can drive their wheelchair into the adapted race car with hand controls.
Theatres & Performances
AMC Theaters
Neighborhood: South Charlotte, Concord
Partnering with the Autism Society, two Charlotte-area AMC theaters offer sensory-friendly movie showings on the second and fourth Saturday (for family-friendly films) and Wednesday evenings (mature audiences) monthly. Check the theater website for showtimes and listings.
Charlotte Ballet
Neighborhood: Uptown
The Charlotte Ballet is home to a variety of programming from classical to contemporary. With sensory-friendly performances throughout the year, Charlotte Ballet makes performances accessible and inviting. These performances include adapted features such as shorter performance times and longer intermission; regulated light and sound; designated quiet areas; unrestricted entry and exit; and a team of staff, ushers, volunteers and performers trained to provide a sensory-safe experience.
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte
Neighborhood: Uptown
The Children’s Theater of Charlotte offers sensory-friendly shows for most of its productions, with adaptations including modified lighting and sound, headphones, fidget toys or other sensory items, and a quiet space. The theater has other accommodations including American Sign Language interpretation at select shows, assistive listening headsets, script of the show that can be requested with advance notice and preferred seating for individuals with service dogs.
Matthews Playhouse
Area: Matthews
Just outside of Charlotte, Matthews Playhouse is a community-based nonprofit theater that hosts sensory-friendly performances of its shows. These family-friendly performances are shown at lower sound and light levels, feature warnings of potentially startling or loud sounds, offer a designated quiet area and calm spaces, allow for free roam for audience members and more.
Bojangles Coliseum & Ovens Auditorium
Neighborhood: East Charlotte
Bojangles Coliseum and Ovens Auditorium make up the Bojangles Entertainment Complex, which hosts family-friendly shows, comedy acts, concerts, the Charlotte Checkers and more. The Bojangles Entertainment Complex offers an array of accessibility options, including assistive interpreters upon request, assistive listening devices and sensory bags from KultureCity.
Experiences
Carowinds
Area: South Charlotte
As one of the area’s largest attractions with roller coasters, a water park and plenty of amusements, Carowinds strives to provide comfort and access for all guests. Individuals with cognitive impairments or mobility restrictions may use the Boarding Pass Program, which provides alternate boarding to applicable rides, and sensory-friendly spaces including quiet, air-conditioned family rooms.
Carolina Panthers & Charlotte FC
Neighborhood: Uptown
Bank of America Stadium recently became a certified KultureCity Sensory Inclusive venue. This means that guests who attend Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC games can find sensory-friendly accommodations. Before the game, grab a KultureCity Sensory Bag equipped with noise-canceling headphones, verbal cue cards, ID lanyards and fidget tools.
Charlotte Hornets
Neighborhood: Uptown
Spectrum Center has teamed up with KultureCity to provide a sensory room for guests. This means that individuals with sensory sensitivities can attend the Charlotte Hornets basketball games knowing a safe space is provided. The sensory room consists of calming colors, adjustable lighting and textured wall art. Sensory bags may also be checked out from specified Guest Experience booths.
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
Neighborhoods: Citywide
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library offers sensory story time designed for children with sensory needs or developmental disabilities. Many locations throughout the library’s network offer sensory-friendly story times and activities for adults and children alike, both online and in person.
Extreme Ice Center
Area: Indian Trail
On top of having adaptive equipment available for free skating, Extreme Ice Center also holds an adaptive ice skating program designed for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities who may also have a physical disability or impairment.
ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center
Neighborhood: Uptown
ImaginOn is a collaborative venture with Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and the Children's Theatre of Charlotte, bringing stories to life through interactive experiences. ImaginOn offers several sensory-friendly experiences, including social story that uses simple language and pictures to help children and those on the autism spectrum, sensory-friendly hours and story time designed specifically for children with sensory needs.
Marion Diehl Park
Neighborhood: Madison Park
This 79-acre park is home to many accessible recreation opportunities, from accessible walking trails to inclusive playgrounds with adaptive swings and seesaw. Whether exploring the fields and courts or enjoying a shaded picnic under the trees or sheltered spaces, Marion Diehl Park is a must-visit for inclusive leisure.
Article originally written by Maegan Ellison. Updates by Arielle Patterson in December 2024.
