‘Yes Weekend!’ This Cabarrus County Itinerary Makes Kids the Stars of the Show

Feeling lucky? Start your family’s Yes Weekend by testing your luck while panning for treasure at Reed Gold Mine. In 1799, a 12-year-old boy found a 17-pound gold nugget in this very spot (which was America’s first documented gold discovery!). Even if your kiddos aren’t quite that lucky while panning for gold, they’re sure to leave with lasting memories of exploring underground mine tunnels. There’s also an on-site gift shop that makes sure everyone can leave with a treasure of their own.

Go out for a big barbecue dinner at Mt. Pleasant Smokehouse. This family-friendly restaurant has barbecue, ribs, chicken and brisket — along with familiar favorites like burgers and hot dogs. A kids’ menu offers the classics, like corn dogs and grilled cheese. Enjoy your feast and don’t worry about doing dishes — after all, it’s a Yes Weekend for grown-ups, too.

Stop at The Bakery at Mount Pleasant next door for dessert! A tasty way to end your day, it’s housed in a beautiful downtown building built in 1912, and its bakery case will have something to make everyone smile. (Pro tip: Get cookies to go for a Friday afternoon snack.)

Let the kids decide what vehicle to take — bike, scooter, skateboard, feet — and hit the trails for an adventure. Go mountain biking at Brown Mill just outside of even more fun in downtown Concord, or visit Frank Liske Park in Concord. On weekends between April and October, you can rent paddle boats here to turn your land excursion into an aquatic escapade on the lake.

After such a full, active morning, it’s time to settle in for a movie and some popcorn. Not only does the Gem Theatre have the best popcorn around, but this historic single-screen theater offers affordable tickets and concessions. Adult tickets are $5, and candy is just $1.

While in downtown Kannapolis, stock up for family fun night. Visit James Sweet Spot to pick up everything you need for a low-key family night at home. The store, conveniently located right across the street from Atrium Health Ballpark, sells every kind of candy imaginable, as well as puzzles to challenge all skill levels. Grab a few and bring them home for a future Yes Weekend.

What’s better than a Friday evening at the ballpark? See a Kannapolis Cannon Ballers game at Atrium Health Ballpark, one of the country’s most beautiful minor-league stadiums (Ballpark Digest named it the Best Ballpark in Low-A Minor League Baseball in 2021). If the little kids (or big kids, even) get a little restless during the game, the ballpark has a walking track and a 20,000-square-foot Kids Zone to blow off a little steam between innings.

Freshly baked cinnamon rolls! Coffee cake! And (why not?) brownies and cupcakes! Some days, you just need to start your day with dessert. Cabarrus County offers tons of places to indulge in sweet treats any time of day. Start the morning at OMG Donuts with fluffy confections like apple fritters and filled-to-order jelly donuts.

Take the kids for a lap around the area’s most famous track at Charlotte Motor Speedway. You can take a Fast Pass Tour in your own car that guides you around the speedway, and your kids get to see the NASCAR garages, media center and more. At the end, you and your crew can get your picture taken at Winners Circle. Availability is limited, so be sure to check dates and reserve your tour early.

Want to get behind the wheel? Check out activities like the NASCAR Racing Experience for opportunities to drive or ride in a real race car, or race indoors at K1 Speed with their all-electric go karts.

Check in to Great Wolf Lodge for the ultimate kid-friendly overnight vacation. The kids can splash around the 84-degree indoor water park and its four-story water fort treehouse. They can use their own special wand to turn the lodge into a magical quest. Then the whole family can bowl at the mini-bowling alley, suitable for toddlers through adults. By the time the kids settle into the guestroom, they’ll have had a week’s worth of adventures behind them — and a long night of sleep ahead.

Linger at Great Wolf Lodge to take full advantage of its amenities. Anyone up for a game of mini golf and then the arcade? Plus, it’s a safe bet the kids will want more time on the water slides (and you might, too). If you want to leave with a memento of your stay, head over to the on-site Build-A-Bear Workshop to create a new furry buddy.

Take a 5-minute car ride from Great Wolf Lodge to SEA LIFE Aquarium. The whole family can get up-close views of sharks, turtles, rays and tropical fish. The aquarium has the only 180-degree underwater ocean tunnel in North Carolina, which offers the kind of underwater views that typically require scuba gear.

SEA LIFE Aquarium is located at Concord Mills, North Carolina’s largest outlet and value retail shopping center! Before heading home, take time to explore everything from 200+ stores, Dave & Buster’s, the Speedpark and more.