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My daughter will be turning 12 tomorrow, but unfortunately every single one of her friends - except for 1 - is away for the summer. So she will be having a very small bday party with just 1 friend. I am thinking about things to do with them this Saturday...I am taking them to see the new Twilight Eclipse movie, but I want to do something else. I am thinking either Purple Planet or Adventure Landing in Gastonia, but I've never been to either one. Has anyone visited any of these 2 places? Which one do you think a 12 y/o would enjoy more? Also, I am open to any other suggestions as to things to do in the Charlotte/Gastonia area for 12 y/o?
My daughter will be turning 12 tomorrow, but unfortunately every single one of her friends - except for 1 - is away for the summer. So she will be having a very small bday party with just 1 friend. I am thinking about things to do with them this Saturday...I am taking them to see the new Twilight Eclipse movie, but I want to do something else. I am thinking either Purple Planet or Adventure Landing in Gastonia, but I've never been to either one. Has anyone visited any of these 2 places? Which one do you think a 12 y/o would enjoy more? Also, I am open to any other suggestions as to things to do in the Charlotte/Gastonia area for 12 y/o?
--White water rafting at White Water center (W. Charlotte near Belmont) would be fun. It is expensive, and thus a party you might prefer to do with just two girls rather than a group. They can also do the zip line, rock climb, etc. Bring a change of clothes and they could change and eat there.
--You could do to Dish it Out and let them make and/or paint pottery pieces.
--Horseback Riding at Latta Plantation is fun and they are old enough to go on the trail tour.
--Great Wolf Lodge (concord). It appears to be for little kids by my middle schoolers LOVED it when we went last month. THey had a ball in the water park and arcade.
I would opt, above all for Great Wolf Lodge. Make a day of it and do the indoor water park (get there when it open, before it is too crowded), then the pre-teen spa for a manicure (for fun) then lunch. With just 2, this would be a doable and fun thing. My second choice would be the white water center. The other things you can do anytime with a large group. White water and great wolf are so expensive that they are perfect for this occassion with just 2 girls.
Thanks for the suggestions - they all sound great! I looked up the Whitewater Center website and it definitely looks like something she would love to do. I also thought about Great Wolf Lodge - we have done this before and they (her and her sister) loved it so this sounds like a great idea also - especially since my job offers us a 20% discount there. Thanks for giving me something to work with!
When we went in May, we were told that you can buy a day pass for the water park alone. We were there for the night, but this was mentioned by a worker in a returant. Maybe she was misinformed?
Also, the spa (which has a fun, kind of tacky, kids section and a full adult spa) is open to the public for sure.
If you do have to be a guest, and since your daughter has been there, I would opt for the White Water center instead. That place is a world of fun too.
Edit to Add: As I look at the website, I think you DO have to book a room, but then get water park access for 2 days (you can come early and use it well before check in and stay for the day after you check out). Still, I would do WWC vs. Great Wolf as the rooms are costly!
Have you ever tried a Japanese Steakhouse (the kind with the Hibachi grill where they cook right in front of you?) This was my son's FAVORITE place to go for his birthday. Often, when the group of birthday guests was small, we were able to do this and they had a blast.
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Thanks for giving me something to work with!
