Updated May 14, 2026 - Things to Do

12 ways to enjoy the outdoors in Ballantyne

Ashley Mahoney

Disc golf basket with metal chains and a white rim labeled "Dynamic Discs 14" stands on a sunlit green park fairway, with a winding path, trees, and a bright blue sky in the background. — Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios

Ballantyne has tons of new residents, businesses, developments and things to do.

Why it matters: Locals and visitors alike have plenty of ways to experience the neighborhood's green spaces and pop-up events.

Here are 12 things to do outdoors in Ballantyne.

Play disc golf

Ballantyne opened an 18-hole disc golf course along Lower Avenue, between North Community House Road and Ballantyne Commons Parkway, last year. There is plenty of street parking. Check out the course map.

Stop by: 11405 North Community House Road.

Open daily 8am–7pm.

Go deeper: Charlotte is growing as a disc golf mecca

Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios

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.

Parking is available along residential streets. The preserve is designed to be accessed by pedestrians, a county spokesperson tells Axios.

Stop by: 6500 Elmstone Drive.

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.

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 at the farmers market

What to expect: Local vendors sell fresh produce, honey, eggs and baked goods 10am–1pm. Upcoming dates: June 3, Sept. 2 and Oct. 7.

Stop by: Brixham Park at 15810 Ballantyne Medical Place.

Go deeper: 22 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

Have fun with fitness

What to expect: The Fit Trail is about 0.75 miles round trip and has 20 free workout stations with suggested exercises, including leg raises and pullups.

Stop by: 13522 Ballantyne Corporate Place.

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

Explore a 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. Ballantyne as a whole boasts more than 100 acres of green space and 20 parks.

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

A pedestrian bridge in front of the Ballantyne hotel with a playground to the right. — Stream Park is a kid's dream with rolling hills and plenty of space to play. Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios

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: Start your day at Fly Kid Fly, a coffee spot from the team behind HEX. Grab a bagel from PopUp Bagels. Sip on a brew in Olde Mecklenburg Brewery's massive biergarten.

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

Stop by: 15119 Bowl St.

The Bowl at Ballantyne is a walkable town center with plenty of local businesses. Photo: McKenzie Rankin/Axios

Catch a concert at TD Amp

What to expect: TD Amp is a 5,000-person‑capacity outdoor amphitheater with live shows, festivals, markets and fitness classes. Upcoming May shows:

Ballantyne Beats featuring Cassette Rewind on May 15 at 5:30pm.
Dark Star Orchestra on May 16 at 7pm.
Chance the Rapper on May 22 at 7:30pm.

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

Make friends at run club 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 Place).

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

Run! Charlotte

What to expect: The 22nd annual Ballantyne road race is Saturday, May 30, at 7:30am. Options include an 8K, 5K and fun run.

If you go: 11115 Upper Ave.

Registration ranges $25–$50 if you sign up before May 24.

Check out a festival at Ballantyne's Backyard

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

Ballantyne Wine & Food Festival on Sept. 26, featuring more than 100 international wines, beers and spirits. Tickets start at $47.53.
Whiskey, Wine & Fire Festival on Oct. 24, featuring open-fire cooking with drink pairings. Tickets start at $43.97.

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

Go deeper: 4 developments redefining Ballantyne

20 best restaurants in Ballantyne

Editor's note: This guide was originally published on July 30, 2025, and was updated on May 14, 2026.

12 ways to enjoy the outdoors in Ballantyne

Make friends at run club or take a fitness class

Check out a festival at Ballantyne's Backyard

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