So Long Sweet Summer
Post by Scott 9/3/2024
As a parent, you learn that summer is so long. Seriously, CMS, 10 weeks! Yet, it goes by in a flash. We watched every episode of Bluey 6 times, but I drank 1 beer while staring out at a lake? Get your priorities together! Sure, it’s about to be September, but don’t give up hope. There’s still time!
Lake James State Park and Fonta Flora Whippoorwill Farms
This is the trip I look forward to every year and yet I’ve only done it once. 95 miles from Uptown Charlotte, Lake James State Park, with hiking, biking, boating, paddling, fishing, and swimming is basically the encapsulation of summer! Minutes from Lake James is one of the most beautiful places you can enjoy a beer, Fonta Flora’s Whippoorwill Farm. It’s a gorgeous farm with amazing beers and 9 acres of open land. Drink a Nebo State of Mind IPA while your kids truly explore.
There’s still time- Oktoberfest at Whippoorwill on September 14th!
Social Paddle Club at King Canary Brewing
King Canary feels casually elevated King Canary, from the tap handles to the seating to the wallpaper. Soak it in and then you stand on the deck and look out at Lake Norman, just steps away. Though lake access is always available, on summer Tuesday nights, King Canary hosts a Social Paddle Club. Bring your own paddle board or kayak or rent a paddle board for $20 and drift on the calming waters. All ages can participate, so grab a tandem kayak. Treat yourself with a Little Wing blonde ale post paddle and ponder if it can get any better. It can’t.
There’s still time- Social Paddle Club meets every Tuesday until September 24th!
Rally Pickleball and Lower Left Brewing
How is it that I still haven’t played pickleball?! With courts inside and out, Rally is ready for all your pickleball fun. Players have to be 10 to participate at Rally, but all ages can cheer on the picklers. I’m assuming that’s what players are called. Though Rally has great drinks from cocktails to coffee, walk over to Lower Left Brewing just .2 miles away to recap every slice, smash, and stroke. One of my favorite small but mighty breweries, Lower Left exudes a summer cool. Buy your teammate a Participation Award blonde ale, or, if it’s on tap, go with the Pickle Me Elmo pickle sour. I promise it’s good!
There’s still time- Lower Left is celebrating Still Alive at 5 September 6-7!
Seoul Food Mill District and Free Range Brewing
While Seoul Food isn’t a brewery, they have a legit splash pad. You get to drink beers from your favorite local breweries while your kids play in a splash pad, on the playground, or at the arcade games. This place is genius. Grab some of the solid BBQ or check out the Mill District food hall next door. There’s also karaoke rooms you can rent. My child desperately wants this to sing the songs from Zombies 2. Just Zombies 2. Order another drink across the street at Free Range and hear live music on Sundays while sipping a Therapy Session IPA or a craft cocktail.
There’s still time- K Fest at Seoul Food on September 14th!
Fonta Flora’s Whippoorwill Farms
Lake and lagers (or whatever you want) to wrap up the summer.