Need to cool off? Here are 10 ways to get to water in and around Charlotte this summer

If you’ve ventured outside any time in the past few months, then you’ve experienced that miserable 90-degree Charlotte summer heat firsthand.

It’s rough. But even with temps in the 80s and 90s, Charlotteans are likely spending more time outside this year than ever before, since indoor gatherings are still limited to groups of less than 10.

The best way to enjoy the great outdoors right now is by a cool body of water – whether it’s a pool, lake, or something in between.

Pro tip: If you’re not sipping Bojangles’ Legendary Iced Tea® to stay extra cool, you’re doing summer in the South wrong.

Related Agenda Guide: 16 places to picnic around Charlotte

Here are 10 spots to help cool you down until the end of summer:

(1) Take the family for a dip at Double Oaks Aquatic Center

Details: The neighborhood aquatic center is currently operating on 90-minute time blocks at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. It’s first-come, first-serve and admission is $1 per time block. Learn more here.

Address: 2014 Statesville Avenue, Charlotte

Pro tip: Complimentary chairs aren’t available so make sure to bring your own.

(2) Paddle a kayak on Lake Haigler at Anne Springs Close Greenway

Details: Kayak rentals are available on Saturdays and Sundays and must be reserved in advance. They also have stand-up paddleboards. For non-members, a 2-hour rental is $10, plus $6 to enter the Greenway. Learn more and reserve here.

Address: 2573 Lake Haigler Drive, Fort Mill

Related Agenda Guide: Beginner’s guide to hiking, biking, kayaking, fishing and more at Anne Springs Close Greenway, 15 minutes from Charlotte

(3) Spend the day on nearby Lake Norman or Lake Wylie

Nearby lakes Lake Norman and Lake Wylie have lots of different options for enjoying the water.

Lake Norman

• Lake Norman State Park: The swim beach is closed for the season and boat rentals aren’t available but you can wander the trails, reserve a campsite, and take in the scenery.
• Paddle Charlotte: Reserve a kayak or paddleboard for $25 for 1 hour, $35 for 2 hours, or $40 for 3 hours.
• What’s Up Watersports: Reserve a pontoon boat (starting at $199) or jet skis (starting at $139)

Lake Wylie

• McDowell Nature Preserve: This 1,132-acre park is situated right on the banks of Lake Wylie making it the perfect place to go fishing or just sit on a public dock and enjoy the water.
• Lake Wylie Boat Rentals: Half-day pontoon rentals start at $300 and you don’t have to pay for gas.

Related Agenda Guide: The ultimate guide to beaches, water activities, and lakeside restaurants on Lake Norman and Lake Wylie

Related Agenda Guide: Your guide to the perfect lake day

4. Treat yourself to a spa + pool day at a swanky hotel

The Ballantyne: Indoor pool access is included with spa services that cost $100 or more.

The Ritz-Carlton: Pool access for non-guests starts at $45 for a one day pass, see all info here.

The Omni Charlotte Hotel: The poolside Coin Bar is open to the public and is even offering “dive-in” movie nights through October.

Related Agenda Guide: Beat the heat with these private Charlotte pool access hacks

(5) Jump off the rocks at The Quarry at Carrigan Farms

Details: Check the schedule for available open swim days. Right now, reservations are required with a $5 deposit and swimming costs $15-$20 (cash or check only). Learn more here.

Address: 1213 Oak Ridge Farm Hwy, Mooresville

(6) Go chasing waterfalls

Whether you’re looking to go on a hike or drive right up, Charlotte has plenty of waterfalls nearby. Here are a few top picks:

Elk River Falls: Located in the Pisgah National Forest, these falls are great for swimming and accessible by a 5-minute “hike.”

Rainbow Falls: These scenic falls are a little less than three hours from Charlotte and accessible by a 3-mile hike through Nantahala National Forest.

Sliding Rock: It’s more of a natural slide than a waterfall, you can just park and walk up. Located in Pisgah National Forest, about 2.5 hours from Charlotte. Admission is $4 a person.

High Shoals Falls: Located in South Mountains State Park, this 80-foot waterfall can be seen if you tackle the 2.7 mile High Shoals Falls Loop trail. It’s about a 90-minute drive from Charlotte.

Related Agenda Guide: 10 waterfalls within 3 hours of Charlotte that you can see this weekend

(7) Learn to wakeboard at South Town Wake Park

Details: If you’ve never wake boarded, they have a 2-hour first time special for $29. You can also check out their new Union Aqua Park, which is basically an inflatable obstacle course (think Wipe Out). Stand up paddleboard and kayak rentals are also available. Learn more here.

Address: 255 E Rambo Road, Rock Hill

(8) Head to a local YMCA branch for a swim or water fitness class

Details: Find out which branches are open here.  Note – you must be a member to swim (memberships start at $36/month).

Pro tip: The Lake Norman YMCA also has lakefront beach access.

(9) Float down the Catawba River in a tube

Details: Many tubing companies are closed, but Catawba River Outdoors in Marion (about 1 hour and 45 min away) is still open and renting out “river recliners” for 2-4 hour runs.

Cost: Tubes are $20-25 per person and you can rent a cooler float for $10.

Address: 2334 US 221 Business N, Marion

(10) Go on a water adventure at the U.S. National Whitewater Center

Details: If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush while you cool off, head to the USNWC for whitewater rafting in the man-made rapids, rock climbing at the Deep Water Solo pool, kayaking, and paddleboarding.

Cost: A day pass for adults is $59 or you can opt for individual activity passes.

Address: 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway

Even if you can’t make it to water, Legendary Iced Tea® from Bojangles can help you survive the rest of summer. We’ll take a large, please.

(This content was created in partnership with Bojangles.)