Jul 30, 2025 - Things to Do

10 ways to enjoy the outdoors in Ballantyne

Ashley Mahoney

A pedestrian bridge in front of the Ballantyne hotel with a playground to the right. — Stream Park is right next to the Bowl and The Ballantyne Hotel & Spa. Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios

Ballantyne is booming with new residents, businesses and developments.

Why it matters: The neighborhood's green spaces and pop-up events offer low-key ways to get outside — for locals and visitors alike.

Here are 10 free and inexpensive things to do outdoors in Ballantyne.

Climb to new heights at Big Rock Nature Preserve

What to expect: Big Rock Nature Preserve, a 23-acre Mecklenburg County site, has under 0.5 miles of trail with plenty of shade. The main attraction is the big rocks, as the name suggests.

There is no parking, as the preserve is designed to be accessed by pedestrians, a county spokesperson tells Axios.

Stop by: 6500 Elmstone Dr.

Open from sunrise to sunset.

Large gray boulders with moss and cracks in a sunlit forest with dense green trees and leafy branches overhead, dirt ground with scattered leaves and roots in the foreground. — Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios

Information board titled "More than Just A Bunch of Big Rocks" in a forested area with large granite boulders and trees in the background, explaining the history and significance of the Big Rock Nature Preserve. — Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios

Play pickleball

What to expect: Two pickleball courts sit on the top level of the Hayes parking deck. They're free and open to the public 8am–7:30pm daily on a first-come, first-served basis. Pickleball paddles and balls are there for your use.

Stop by: 11405 North Community House Road

What's next: Mecklenburg County plans to add new pickleball courts at Elon Park, which borders Ballantyne.

Go deeper: Where to play pickleball in Charlotte

Hand holding two pickleball paddles, one white with the word "Ballantyne" and a colorful geometric patterned paddle, with an outdoor court and blue sky in the background. — Photo: Courtesy of Northwood Office

Explore the greenway

What to expect: Ballantyne Greenway is about 2 miles and takes you along part of the Carolina Thread Trail, connecting you to restaurants at The Bowl, plus offices, hotels and apartments. It also connects to more than 20 miles of walking paths and bike lanes.

Stop by: The trail has several access points, including from The Bowl at 15119 Bowl St.

You can also access Ballantyne from Lower McAlpine Creek Greenway, McMullen Creek Greenway and Four Mile Creek Greenway.

Brightly painted pedestrian tunnel with abstract colorful designs on yellow walls, a concrete path leading into it, surrounded by green grass, bushes, rocks, and an apartment building and sign reading "The Bowl at Ballantyne" in the background. — Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios

Sign for Carolina Thread Trail at Ballantyne Greenway beside a paved path with green grass, trees, and clear blue sky on a sunny day. — Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios

Shop local at the farmers market

What to expect: Every first Wednesday of the month from April through October, local vendors sell fresh produce, honey, eggs and baked goods 10am–1pm.

Stop by: Brixham Park at 15810 Ballantyne Medical Pl.

Go deeper: Detailed guide to 21 Charlotte-area farmers markets

Two orange woven hammocks suspended on metal posts in a mulched park area with green trees, a pavilion with picnic tables, people playing on a grass field, and blue sky. — Head back to Brixham Park on a weekend and sway in a hammock with a good book. Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios

Work on your fitness

What to expect: The Fit Trail is about 0.75 miles round trip and has 20 free workout stations for exercises such as pullups, leg raises and hamstring stretching.

Stop by: 13515 Ballantyne Corporate Pl.

Open 7am–8pm daily.

Gravel path through a green forested area with trimmed hedges and two wooden signboards on either side providing information about the FiTrail fitness trail. — A blue sign reading "Fitness Tr." with a blue arrow will point you to the trail if you're coming from Ballantyne Corporate Place. Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios

Go rock climbing in the park

What to expect: Stream Park is a 6-acre kids' paradise, with a rock-climbing wall, a covered pavilion and slides along rolling hills.

It's one of several parks in the area.

Stop by: Stream Park 14105 Stream Way, between The Bowl and The Ballantyne Hotel & Spa.

Sip and stroll around The Bowl at Ballantyne

What to expect: This mixed-use district is a walkable town center with plenty of places to eat, drink and gather.

Zoom in: We recommend starting your day at Fly Kid Fly, a coffee spot from the team behind HEX, then spend the afternoon at Postino WineCafe, followed by a summertime brew from Olde Mecklenburg Brewery's massive biergarten.

Visit on the first Saturday of the month 10am–3pm for local goods at the Bowl Street Pop-Up Market.

Stop by: 15119 Bowl St.

Go deeper: Ballantyne is undergoing a transformation. Here's what to expect during your next visit

Catch a concert at The Amp

What to expect: The Amp is a 5,000-person outdoor amphitheater with live shows, festivals, markets and fitness classes. Upcoming August shows include:

Dave Koz and Friends Summer Horns 2025 on Aug. 7 at 7:30pm.
Shot Thru the Heart — A tribute to Bon Jovi on Aug. 8 at 5:30pm.
Cypress Hill & Atmosphere on Aug. 12 at 6pm.
Ben Rector's "The Richest Man in the World" tour on Aug. 22 at 7pm.
The "Good Intentions" tour featuring Toad the Wet Sprocket, KT Tunstall and Sixpence None the Richer on Aug. 23 at 7pm.

Stop by: 11115 Upper Ave.

Modern outdoor concrete stage with large flat wooden roof, surrounded by green grass and metal handrails, under clear blue sky with trees in the background. — Photo: Alexandria Sands/Axios

Go for a run or take a fitness class

What to expect: Ballantyne Running Club meets every Thursday at 6:30pm in OMB's biergarten. There are 1.5-, 3- and 5-mile routes.

Ballantyne also offers monthly fitness classes that are free for Ballantyne office customers through the goBallantyne app and $5 for community members.

Stop by: OMB's Ballantyne location is at 15025 Bowl St.

Outdoor fitness classes are at the Simmons Building (13840 Ballantyne Corporate Pl.).

OMB's Ballantyne beer garden with long beige picnic tables, closed beige umbrellas, string lights hanging above, leafless and green trees, and the Ballantyne Hotel in the background under blue sky. — You can see The Ballantyne Hotel from OMB's biergarten. Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios

Check out a festival at Ballantyne's Backyard

What to expect: Ballantyne hosts several festivals throughout the year, including:

Charlotte International Arts Festival runs the entire month of September with art, food, music and entertainment.
The Latin American Festival starts at 12pm on Sept. 20. Tickets are $5.
The Festival of India is free to attend on Sept. 21.
Whiskey, Wine and Fire Fest on Oct. 25 will take place 5–9pm. Tickets start at $59.

Stop by: Ballantyne's Backyard is at 11611 North Community House Road.

Rolling hills, painted steps and office buildings tower over trees. There's a pond in the distance. — Ballantyne's Backyard includes more than 100 acres of green space. Photo: McKenzie Rankin/Axios

What we're watching: Ballantyne will soon open a non-sanctioned 18-hole disc golf course along Lower Avenue, between North Community House Road and Ballantyne Commons Parkway. There will be plenty of street parking.

Go deeper: Charlotte is a disc golf mecca

Disc golf near green hills. — Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios

Go deeper: Ballantyne events guide 2025: Concerts, festivals and things to do

4 developments redefining Ballantyne

10 ways to enjoy the outdoors in Ballantyne

Go for a run or take a fitness class

Check out a festival at Ballantyne's Backyard

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