U.S. National Whitewater Center as the 'outdoor playground'

The U.S. National Whitewater Center is a 1,300-acre outdoor recreation and competition facility on Charlotte's northwest side offering whitewater rafting, kayaking, rock climbing, mountain biking, and ropes courses. It is operated by a nonprofit and hosts recurring events, races, and festivals that draw regional visitors. Because such a large multi-sport outdoor facility sits within the Charlotte metro area, locals commonly joke that the Whitewater Center is the city's 'outdoor playground' and marvel that you can go whitewater rafting without leaving town.