One of my absolute favorite places in Charlotte is the U.S. National Whitewater Center. Not only is there a ton of stuff to do there, but everything about the place just puts out this really cool vibe that makes me say, “Why don’t I come here more often?!?” I say it basically every time I go there.

The Whitewater Center opened in 2006, and it has been steadily growing ever since, currently sitting at 1,300 acres. The facility was inspired by the Penrith Water Stadium, and it contains the world’s largest artificial whitewater river. The river is pumped full of 12 million gallons of well water every day to keep those rafts crashing through the rapids.

What to Do at the U.S. National Whitewater Center

It isn’t all rafting and rapids at the Whitewater Center, nope, this place has soooo much more than that! There are plenty of activities that can be enjoyed:

• Whitewater Rafting: Well, yeah, obviously, there is rafting. Guests can choose whether they want to embark on a family ride with Class II and III rapids or the adventure side, which contains Class IV rapids. Or if you are really daring, you can pay a little upcharge and do the rodeo raft! *Rodeo requires a swim test, and rafters must be at least 16.

• Whitewater Kayaking: This activity isn’t for everyone. Kayakers have to have their own gear unless they are enrolled in kayaking lessons. However, it is crazy fun to watch them zoom through the river.

• Flatwater Kayaking: Not only does the USNWC have its own manmade river, but it sits right on the banks of the Catawba River. So, you can grab a PFD (not a lifejacket, as all USNWC employees will remind you) and a kayak and plop down in the river for an hour or two of paddling. I have seen herons and tons of turtles while paddling down the river. It is super relaxing, even if it is quite a workout.

• Standup Paddleboarding: If you have never tried paddleboarding, you have to give it a go! I love it, and it will give you quite the ab workout. I’m not gonna lie, it takes a minute to figure out how to balance, but it's not a big deal because if you fall, you just land in the river. Easy peasy.

• Mountain Biking: The center has miles and miles of trails at different skill levels, and if you have your own bike, all you have to do is pay for parking! If you don’t, no worries, they have bikes and helmets for rent.

• Rock Climbing: I'm not going to pretend I know anything about rock climbing, so here is what the website has to say: "The facility includes 35-45 top-rope routes, nearly 50 bouldering problems, and a 46-foot tall spire for sport and top rope climbing."

• Ropes Courses: You will find 9 different rope-related activities so that you can play in the trees. Some, like the Low Ropes Challenge, are a little more family-friendly, but some require you to show that you are able to do a pull-up before you can play. At some points, you are over 50 feet in the air, but don’t worry, you have a harness holding you up in case you slip.

• Zip Lines: People are always zipping by overhead when you spend time at the Whitewater Center! There are a few different lines, the biggest is over 1,000 feet long and starts from a 46-foot-tall tower. I have only worked up the courage to ride the very baby zip line, so far. Oh, and one isn’t really a zip line so much as a jump line. Basically, you jump from that 46-foot-tall tower and free-fall for a bit before the harness slows you down.

• Wildwoods: If you have little ones, this is the spot for you. Wildwoods includes a suspension bridge, a treehouse village, and a spot for the kiddos to ride their bikes. The eatery in this area has juice on tap (so freakin cute!)

Food and Drink Options

All that playing is bound to make you hungry and very, very thirsty, right?

Well, no worries because the center has an amazing restaurant called River’s Edge, where you can order from the seasonal menu. The options are well-rounded, and I have honestly never had anything that wasn’t so damn delicious from that kitchen. If you aren’t too stuffed with your entree, then you should totally dig into one of their Instagram-worthy desserts!

If you are just looking to quench your thirst, then you have many options, as there are taps in just about every building you pass! The bike shed is a good spot to hop in and grab a beverage because the line is usually pretty short in there.

Wherever you decide to grab a beer, nothing beats chilling on the grass listening to the river rush by while you sip an ice-cold beverage.

Special Events at the Whitewater Center

Another cool thing about the USNWC is all of the festivals and activities they have going on. There is something happening all the time, from Riverjam in the summer, to turning the river green on St Patrick’s Day, to the Free Whitewater Yoga series.

A couple of years ago, I signed up for the adventure dining with a co-worker — an activity that combined standup paddleboarding with a multi-course meal and wine tasting. We paddled around for an hour or so, then headed to an outdoor dining room for a fantastic meal from an area chef.

To Wrap It All Up...

Honestly, the Whitewater Center is one of my absolute favorite places to visit in the city — 10/10 would recommend. If you happen to spend a day or two in the Charlotte metro area, a visit to the USNWC is never amiss. Even in the winter. The trails will be open, and they usually have a cool ice-skating rink to enjoy.

Fun fact: There are two other Whitewater locations to enjoy: Pisgah and Santee.

Charlotte's calling...

Charlotte is my hometown, so planning your trip to the Queen's City will be a breeze. Let's get started!