Ballantyne's Backyard
4.7(261)4.7 out of 5 stars, 261 reviews Charlotte, NC
About Ballantyne's Backyard
Ballantyne's Backyard is a versatile venue, originally a golf course, now a large open green space that successfully hosts engaging seasonal events and exhibits. Its unique value proposition lies in transforming its vast grounds into a 'magical' experience, particularly highlighted by its interactive light spectaculars, while also offering year-round amenities like sand pits and open fields for general family recreation.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Families seeking a 'magical' and immersive evening experience, particularly during seasonal light displays.Parents looking for a venue with diverse organized activities and open play spaces for children of various ages.Photographers and social media users searching for scenic and 'instagrammable' backdrops.Families desiring an easy outing with 'plenty of free and easy parking' and convenient on-site amenities like food and drink vendors.**School-aged children & pre-teens:** Highly engaged and entertained by the interactive exhibits and wands at the light spectacular; some kids even wanted to go back for a second time.
Why families love it
- The 'Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular' features numerous lights and interactive exhibits that are described as 'magical' and a significant 'upgrade from last year'.
- VIP passes and interactive wands for the light show greatly enhance the experience for children, generating 'Woow' reactions from crowds around the interactive exhibits.
- The venue offers ample opportunities and specific spots perfect for 'instagrammers and photography people' during events.
- It provides 'plenty of activities for kids', including organized activities, sand pits, and acres of grass field for play.
- The conversion from a golf course to an 'open ground' creates a 'green oasis' for family outings.
- **Interactive Wands & VIP Passes:** Highly recommended for enhancing the magical experience at light spectaculars.
Insider tips
- **Purchase VIP Passes & Wands:** For events like the Holiday Light Spectacular, these are crucial for a truly 'magical' and interactive experience for children.
- **Plan for an Extended Visit:** Reviewers noted there are 'that many lights and interactive exhibits that one visit is not enough' for large events like the light spectacular.
- **Bring a Camera:** The venue offers 'tons of moments and spots perfect for photo moments,' making it ideal for photography enthusiasts.
- **Consider Evening Visits:** The venue is described as a 'perfect place for spending evening with family n kids,' especially for light-based events.
Good to know before you go
- Tickets for specific events, such as the Holiday Light Spectacular, are described as 'pricey' (though reviewers consistently state they are 'worth it').
- Crowds
- During interactive exhibits at events like the light spectacular, 'there was always a crowd saying "Woow"', suggesting popular and potentially bustling areas, but no explicit mentions of excessive or unmanageable crowding were reported.
- Value
- Tickets for specific seasonal events, such as the Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular, are described as 'pricey' but are consistently deemed 'worth it' by reviewers due to the extensive lights, interactive exhibits, and overall magical experience. Entry to specific exhibits/events is paid.
- Food
- Food trucks and gift vendors are available on-site during events.
- Accessibility
- No specific accessibility accommodations for special needs were mentioned in the reviews. The presence of 'walkways' and 'open ground' might imply general navigability, but specific support features are not detailed.
- Safety
- No specific safety measures or features were explicitly mentioned in the provided reviews.
What parents say
"The Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular was definitely something to see. We definitely recommend the VIP passes and the wands. Whenever the kids used them on the interactive exhibits there was always a crowd saying "Woow" which made it so much more magical for the kids. It truly was magical and a definite upgrade from last year. Yes, the tickets are pricey but they are worth it. Our kids even want to go back for a second time, there were that many lights and interactive exhibits that one visit is not enough. And for all the instagramers and photography people there are tons of moments and spots"
4 months ago
"Holiday Lights Spectacular is now in progress. They have a few food tracks and gift vendors, plenty of activities for kids and a couple of bars and happy campers dispensery for grown ups. Plenty of free and easy parking."
a year ago
"Perfect place for spending evening with family n kids. Lot of organized activities too. is probably one of the best. They have few picnic spots, sand pits, acres of grass field, and walkways for walking biking."
a year ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
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