Daytrip :: Train + Theater = A Terrific Time

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When I was growing up in small-town Illinois, a trip to Chicago was one of our family’s special treats. We ate lunch in a fancy (by our standards) restaurant, then took advantage of big-city amenities like department store Christmas windows or the natural history museum.

Living so far away from my hometown, I won’t be able to share this experience with my son. But I’ve discovered something that’s just as good and will supply my family with special daytrips for several years.

The Play’s the Thing

imaginonImaginOn is a joint library and theater space, sponsored by the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. In addition to two theaters and kid-oriented library facilities, ImaginOn holds play areas and interactive exhibits. It’s the fun of a children’s museum with the resources of a library or theater — and it’s free.

For our most recent trip, we saw a play in one of ImaginOn’s theaters. (This is the only part of ImaginOn that isn’t free; ticket prices vary by production and start at $12.)

MIkeMulligan_250x250-200x200The play we saw was Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel, based on one of my son’s favorite books. It was held in a casual, non-stuffy theater space. The play is recommended for ages 4 and up, but we heard plenty of squawky babies and no one seemed to mind. (There’s a cry room available in case your little one has a meltdown.)  This was my son’s first theater experience, and I wasn’t sure how he would do. But we talked about how the theater would be dark so everyone could see the stage, and we got there early so he could adjust to the surroundings. And as the story unfolded, he was thrilled to point out parts that he recognized from the book. His final verdict: “Really cool!”

Extra Treats

Feeling peckish after the show? There are plenty of kid-friendly lunch options near ImaginOn. 7th Street Public Market, at the train station, offers local and regional foods. Queen City Q is about a block away, serving both North Carolina and South Carolina barbecue. Down the street, EpiCentre offers options for burgers, sandwiches, pizza, Mexican and sushi, among others.

If your child is train-obsessed like mine, there’s an add-on to the trip that makes things extra fun for him or her, and easier for you — win-win.We take the LYNX light rail from south Charlotte (the station is not far off Interstate 77) to the 7th Street station, which is just half a block from ImaginOn. The trip takes about 30 minutes, and trains come every 15 minutes, so you’ll need to allow for some extra travel time. A round-trip train ticket is $4.40 for adults and $2.20 for children ages 5-12; children under 5 are free. Depending on the day and how many in your group, this could be cheaper than paying for parking in the city, and it’s definitely less stressful. And my son loves the train; he loves the people-watching, the chance to see the city from above, the novelty of the rocking train. Sometimes I think he loves the train ride more than whatever we see in the city.

Our trip made for a long day, but I was thrilled to be able to give my son the type of experience my parents gave me: a visit to a bustling city and a glimpse at something new. ImaginOn’s shows are appropriate for kids up to about age 12, so I see many more visits in our futures.

ctc-logoUpcoming shows

Have you been to a play at ImaginOn, or do you have another favorite daytrip? Share your experience in the comments.

Thumbnail image:  boeke / Foter / CC BY-NC-SA
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Marian
As a writer and editor, Marian Cowhig Owen made her living crafting – or at least striving for – perfect prose. But motherhood taught her quickly that there’s no such thing as a perfect parent. It’s a lesson she’s learning over and over every day. A Midwesterner by birth, Marian lived in North Carolina for 14 years before her husband’s job brought the family to Columbia in fall 2013. She and her preschooler have quickly found new favorite haunts in the Midlands, including Saluda Shoals Park, EdVenture and the Irmo branch library. In her spare time, this NPR junkie also sings, bakes and does needlework. She’s recently taken up running, with an eye toward her first 5K race in the fall. And as for that perfection she’s been seeking? Her Pinterest boards are very carefully curated.

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