Kiwanis Splashville Park
June 8. There’s lots to do if you’re thinking about a long weekend at home or even a staycation in and around good old 28031.
From locally owned coffee shops and restaurants with outdoor seating to awesome parks and breweries, Cornelius has enough choices for a busy day of relaxing, even with kids.
Charlotte museums and attractions are close enough for easy excursions, especially if you travel I-77 outside peak travel times.
A new WalletHub survey of 182 cities on the basis of staycation-worthiness, puts Charlotte at No. 80, ahead of Greensboro (No. 107) and Durham (No. 111), but came in behind Raleigh (No. 65) and Charleston SC (No. 4) in the WalletHub study.
Parks
Jetton Park has a trail, grills and picnic decks as well as a great beach for catching rays. Sadly, Ramsey Creek Beach is closed indefinitely due to the national lifeguard shortage.
The Lake Norman YMCA’s beach is open, but with limited hours due to the lifeguard shortage. Beach access is included in monthly membership; for non-members, a day pass is $20 per person.
The Lake Norman Kiwanis Splashville Park is open seven days a week in Smithville Park. Click here for hours.
Boat rentals
You can rent a pontoon boat or a personal watercraft by the day. Teaming up with another family doubles the fun and halves the price.
North Meck
Lost Worlds Brewery in Cornelius
Local day trip possibilities include the Carolina Raptor Center and Historic Latta Plantation, not to mention local shopping and a local brewery in the evening.
Any Saturday this summer, the Davidson Farmers Market is a fun place to see and be seen, get a bite to eat and find awesome local produce.
For more staycation ideas from Visit Lake Norman, click here.
Staycation tips
Here are some tips on how to have a relaxing staycation, courtesy of Dr. Thomas C. Padron, associate professor of Hospitality, Recreation, and Tourism at Cal State University, East Bay
—Keep it simple. To some, that is easier said than done. Do things that you enjoy and that take little effort.
—Enjoy the small things. See the forest and the trees.
—Do not overschedule. Packing your calendar and trying to get as much in sounds good but doing a few things will allow you to enjoy the time and savor the experiences while making memories.
—Take time to relax. Full stop! Enjoy the simplicity and sometimes the silence of just being.
—Unplug. Again, full stop! Put the devices away and immerse yourself at the moment(s). If you do not, you are missing each moment!
