Whether you’re looking for a place to play with the kiddos or to decompress with some off-screen time, Charlotte houses dozens of parks and recreational spots for you to enjoy.

Ready to plan your trip to the park? Grab your shades and trusty water bottle — here are some of the Queen City's best:

Urban parks

Romare Bearden Park, 300 S. Church St., Charlotte
Feel the city's heartbeat from the "heart of Uptown." Romare Bearden offers a pristine view of the skyline with ample green space for public gatherings + large-scale city events — think: festivals, concerts, and ESPN's College GameDay.

First Ward Park, 301 E. 7th St., Charlotte
Prepare to be impressed strolling through this four-acre urban park in the First Ward neighborhood of Uptown. This spot features an amphitheater and fountain + the city hosts free concerts, lawn games, food trucks, and local breweries.

The Green, 425 S. Tryon St., Charlotte
Known as "an oasis in an urban jungle," The Green lives up to its name — a one-acre patch of trees and green space perfect to relax or have lunch away from your desk. This park is adjacent to the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art and St. Peter Catholic Church.

Frazier Park, 1201 W. 4th St., Charlotte
This 16-acre park packs a lot: you'll find fields for football, soccer, and baseball + tennis courts, creek-side trails, a children's playground, and a dog park.

Family parks

Freedom Park, 1900 E. Blvd., Charlotte
A favorite spot for native Charlotteans and newcomers alike, this 98-acre park situated between Charlotte's historic Dilworth and Myers Park neighborhoods provides ample space for outdoor sports, picnics, and more surrounding a gorgeous seven-acre lake.

Cordelia Park, 600 E. 24th St., Charlotte
Nestled atop a hill with the Uptown skyline on the horizon, this neighborhood park has an outdoor swimming pool (perfect for summer) + basketball court, playground, and indoor pavilion.

Pineville Lake Park, 909 Lakeview Dr., Pineville
Stunning waterside views abound at this community park — a perfect spot for picnics, fishing, and special events.

Reedy Creek Park, 2900 Rocky River Rd., Charlotte
Nature lovers will love their visit here. Along with 125 acres for outdoor sports and public gatherings, the Reedy Creek Nature Center features live, native animals, education programs, and a gift shop.

Sports parks

Park Road Park, 6220 Park Rd., Charlotte
Get active on eight basketball courts, six baseball fields, volleyball courts, and tennis courts adjacent to an 11-acre lake.

Latta Park, 601 E. Park Ave., Charlotte
This 31-acre urban park in Dilworth features courts for tennis, volleyball, and basketball + picnic facilities, playgrounds, walking trails, and soccer fields.

Veterans Memorial Park, 2136 Central Ave., Charlotte
Located near Plaza Midwood, this park offers ample space for athletes and outdoor-lovers alike + picnic space, a playground, and splash pad for the kids.

E.B. Moore Park, 901 Marsh Rd., Charlotte
Too crowded at Freedom Park? Take a short drive to enjoy this quaint four-acre park with a multi-purpose field, two tennis courts, grills, and a playground.

Dog parks

McAlpine Creek Park, 8711 Monroe Rd., Charlotte
A dog park is just one of the many features of this 114-acre county space, including a lake and fishing pier, soccer fields + hiking and bike trails.

William R. Davie Park, 4635 Pineville-Matthews Rd., Charlotte
Dog owners will enjoy a large fenced park joined by wooded paths. Trails surround this gated, off-leash area for dogs.

Frazier Place Dog Park, 1201 W. Trade St., Charlotte
This park has separate spaces for large and small dogs. Pet owners will notice numerous amenities: water stations, swimming pools, waste stations, and a generous space for dogs to play off-leash.

Clarks Creek Community Park, 5435 Hucks Rd., Charlotte
Spend your day exploring this 32-acre community park in north Charlotte with separate areas for large and small dogs.

Your park grab bag

Picked your perfect park? Make the most out of your experience with our favorite items for a relaxing day outside:

Is there anything quite like sitting in the shade and enjoying a good book? Check out our guide to books by local authors to help choose your next great read.
The Kindle Paperwhite is a lightweight e-reader option that stands up to bright sunlight.
A good water bottle keeps you hydrated — we’re big fans of the best-selling Owala FreeSip + this insulated stackable tumbler from Asheville NC-based retailer Pirani.
Heading to the park with kids? Check out the Owala FreeSip for kids.
Don’t forget the travel-size bug spray and sunscreen.
These sunglasses from Nordstrom Rack are available at discount prices + have a style for everyone.
Keep it all together in a handy tote bag — these adorable tote bags are all crafted by small businesses and local makers.

Ready to visit these local parks but don’t know where to start? We’ve created this handy map so you can find all of these featured parks