How to spend 48 hours in Charlotte with LauRen Merola

• In addition to her on-air work, Merola is the mom of two boys, one on the autism spectrum.
• April is Autism Awareness Month, and Merola's itinerary includes sensory-friendly activities that the whole family can enjoy.

Here's Merola's itinerary for a perfect Charlotte weekend while hosting out-of-town friends or family members.

Friday: Harriet's Hamburgers and Hestia

We pick up our two boys, Cash and Jax, from school and head to swim lessons at Charlotte Aquatics.

• We chose this swim school because it has a special needs program. We tried a lot of swim schools in the area, and this has been the best fit for our family.

Afterward, we head to Harriet's Hamburgers for dinner with friends and a playdate at The Bowl.

• Our favorite is the Happiness Meal: Two plain cheeseburgers and fries for the kids, and a burger and glass of bubbles for mom.

Then, we grab ice cream at Honeysuckle.

• Bourbon caramel is where it's at.

Afterwards, we drop the kids off with the nanny and head to Hestia for dinner and a nightcap.

• The kaen sushi roll is a must, and the uni spoon is to die for. And, of course, an espresso martini.

Saturday: Therapy riding and a Charlotte FC game

We grab Summit Coffee on the way to therapy riding.

• The lavender oat milk latte is my go-to.

We head to class at Mitey Riders Therapy Riding.

• This non-profit farm has been helping children with special needs for years. Harry and his staff really care about their riders' comfort and progression.
• Cash has been riding there every Saturday morning for three seasons.
• While Cash enjoys his hour working on communication, fine motor, and hand-eye coordination skills, I catch up on my work as a board member with the Autism Strong Foundation.

After class, we grab lunch at Ilios Crafted Greek.

• The chicken souvla with a Greek salad and hummus is our usual.

Then, it's off to the Charlotte FC game.

• Taking Cash to live events was once a pipe dream for our family, but with lots of trial and error, we've figured out what works for him.

• We love supporting our Charlotte FC and Carolina Panthers, and we appreciate that they make accommodations for families on the spectrum.
• They have sensory bags that you can pick up at any guest services desk that include noise-canceling headphones, fidgets, an identification card that lets staff know that you may need some extra help, and a communications card.
• They also provide calming spaces if the excitement becomes too much.
• We feel lucky to have them in our corner so that we can share the joy of sports with our boys.

Sunday:

We usually have a quiet morning at home as we recover from a big Saturday, and then we grab take-out for lunch.

• We snag Frida's Mexican Cantina.
• Chicken quesadillas for all, and then we head to the Charlotte Douglas International Airport Overlook playground for lunch. The Overlook playground is a must-visit for families, especially if you've got out-of-town guests.

My husband, Dallas, and I close out the weekend with a little relaxation.

• Massages at Eden Spa in South End and dinner at Yunta.
• It's all about the Yunta ceviche.