US National Whitewater Center

• Difficulty: 🥾 to 🥾🥾🥾
• Length: Trails range from 1.6 miles-42.1 loops
• Wheelchair accessible: Portions
• Pet-friendly: Yes

Crowder’s Mountain

• Difficulty: 🥾 to 🥾🥾🥾
• Length: 0.8-mile-20 loop
• Wheelchair accessible: Portions
• Pet-friendly: Yes

High Shoals Falls

• Difficulty: 🥾🥾
• Length: 2.7-mile loop
• Wheelchair accessible: Portions
• Pet-friendly: Yes

Pisgah National Forest

• Difficulty: 🥾 to 🥾🥾🥾
• Length: 1 mile to 61
• Wheelchair accessible: Portions
• Pet-friendly: Yes

• Carolina Eucalyptus Festival | Friday, July 5 | 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. | Carolina Lavender Farm, 188 Meek Rd., Gastonia | $20 | Experience a bit of the Australian Outback while picking fresh Eucalyptus straight from one of 600 Eucalyptus trees.
• Charlotte Knights vs. Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp | Friday, July 5 | 7:04 p.m. | Truist Field, 324 S. Mint St., Charlotte | $22+ | Keep the holiday weekend going while cheering for the Knights + watch fireworks after the game.
• Sunny Sweeney | Friday, July 5 | 8 p.m. | Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 36th St., Charlotte | $42+ | Enjoy an evening of country music performed by the singer/songwriter.

• Summer Sculpt Saturdays | Saturday, July 6 | 9-10 a.m. | McAlpine Creek Dog Park, 8617 Monroe Rd., Charlotte | $10 | Kick start your weekend with an outside workout using a yoga mat and dumbbells.
• Merica Deck Party & Bar Pong Tournament | Saturday, July 6 | 1-3:30 p.m. | Angry Ale’s, 1600 Montford Dr., Charlotte | Cost of purchase | Enjoy the party at Angry Ale’s while competing for gift cards this Fourth of July weekend.
• Southern Soul Sunshine Festival | Saturday, July 6 | 3-9 p.m. | Rural Hill, 4431 Neck Rd., Huntersville | $30+ | Support breast cancer awareness by visiting thisfestival promising soulful music, delicious food, and camaraderie.

• Front Porch Sundays | Sunday, July 7 | 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | Front Porch Sundays at Atherton, 2104 South Blvd., Charlotte | Free | Browse 100+ local businesses in an open air market.
• Independence Day Week Celebration at Papa Doc’s | Sunday, July 7 | 11 a.m.-11 p.m. | Papa Doc’s Shore Club, 3990 Charlotte Hwy., Lake Wylie | Free | Finish the holiday weekend with live music and hours on the water.
• Syc, White & Blue Weekend | Sunday, July 7 | 6 p.m.-9 p.m. | Sycamore Brewing & Taproom, 2151 Hawkins St., Charlotte | Cost of purchase | The Fourth of July extravaganza continues with a hot dog eating contest, live music, and exclusive cocktails.

• The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles will reopen its license plate agency in Catawba County. The office closed on Oct. 10, 2023, due to an ending operator’s contract. It’s set to reopen Wednesday, July 10 on Conover Boulevard West. (WSOC)

• Dinner anyone? Queen’s Feast, Charlotte’s restaurant week, returns Friday, July 19-Sunday, July 28. Over 100 restaurants will offer discounted meals to diners looking for something new. Queen’s Feast has a full list of participating restaurants and special offers. (WCNC)

• The Union County Animal Shelter is running out of space for animals and encourages adoptions for anyone in search of a pet. Adoption fees for cats and dogs are $85 — including spaying or neutering, microchipping, shots, and deworming. (WBTV)

• The Charlotte Hornets will kick off their NBA 2K25 Summer League season on Saturday, July 13 against the New York Knicks. The Hornets will play at least four games. The championship game is scheduled for Monday, July 22 at 9 p.m.