Concord Mills Family Entertainment
Rating
Price
Free
Duration
2-6 hours depending on activities
Best Ages
All ages
About
Concord Mills is the largest mall in North Carolina — a 1.4-million-square-foot entertainment and retail complex about 20 minutes northeast of Charlotte in Concord. For families, its value lies in the range of activities concentrated under one climate-controlled roof.
The anchor family attractions are SEA LIFE Charlotte (a full immersive aquarium with a walk-through ocean tunnel and touch tanks — see separate listing) and Crayola Experience (a multi-level hands-on art activity space from the Crayola brand that runs approximately 2-3 hours for young kids). Both charge separate admission.
Beyond those, the mall has a large AMC movie theater, a Dave & Buster's, and an extensive food court with genuinely diverse options including Japanese, Mexican, and American choices at food court prices. The mall format makes it easy to combine a ticketed attraction with shopping and a meal without moving your car.
For Charlotte families, Concord Mills is the reliable all-weather destination: when it's 98 degrees in July or raining in March and the kids need something to do indoors, the combination of free walking space, multiple activity options, and food choices makes it viable without a specific plan.
The drive from Uptown Charlotte takes about 20 minutes via I-85 north.
Age Suitability
Parent Logistics
Stroller-Friendly
Yes
Nursing / Changing
Available
Kid Meals
Available
Setting
Indoor
Rainy Day
Great option!
Plan Your Visit
Best Time to Visit
Weekday mornings for the least crowded experience at SEA LIFE and Crayola Experience
Wait Times
Varies by attraction — check individual venue wait times
Nearby Food
Extensive food court inside the mall. Multiple restaurant chains inside and adjacent to the mall complex.
Why Kids Love It
Concord Mills is the largest mall in North Carolina — 1.4 million square feet of outlet shopping and entertainment. For families, the value is in the concentration: SEA LIFE Aquarium, Crayola Experience, NASCAR Hall of Fame proximity, a large AMC movie theater, and dozens of food options in one climate-controlled space. On a rainy or brutally hot Charlotte day, Concord Mills is the move.
Pro Tips from Parents
- Crayola Experience inside the mall has hands-on Crayola art activities for kids — worth 2-3 hours for young kids who love art.
- The mall food court has more variety than most — options from Japanese ramen to Mexican, pizza, and American fare, all at food court prices.
- SEA LIFE Aquarium is accessible directly from inside the mall — no need to go outside. Great for rainy days when you want an activity plus shopping.
What to Bring
- Comfortable walking shoes
- A spending budget for activities and food
Cost Info
Free Admission
Estimated Cost (Family of 4)
Free to enter.
Individual attractions (SEA LIFE, Crayola Experience) charge separately.
Tips to Save
- The mall itself is free — window shop, use the food court, and let kids run in the family-friendly common areas without spending.
- Bundle with SEA LIFE for a paid activity.
Hours & Contact
Hours
- Friday
- 10AM-9:30PM
- Monday
- 10AM-9PM
- Sunday
- 11AM-7PM
- Tuesday
- 10AM-9PM
- Saturday
- 10AM-9:30PM
- Thursday
- 10AM-9PM
- Wednesday
- 10AM-9PM
