There’s nothing like a breath of fresh air and a little outdoor therapy, especially this year. Lucky for us, Charlotte has plenty of open, grassy parks and green spaces that can help with that. Whether you like hiking, biking or just soaking up the sun, these places will get you a little more acquainted with nature in the Queen City.

Romare Bearden Park

Romare Bearden Park is known for its perfect lawn and even more perfect city views. Bring a frisbee, a soccer ball, or even just a picnic blanket and spend your afternoon with your feet in the grass at this 5.4-acre park. If you go at night, you can snap a picture by the fountains with the skyline in the background, it’s pretty epic.

Park Road Park

Park Road Park is so underrated. It’s 72 acres, with 12 tennis courts, 8 basketball courts, 6 baseball fields, playgrounds, picnic tables and an 11-acre lake. You could seriously spend all day there. Pack a cooler with some snacks, grab a picnic table, and spend some quality time outside.

McGill Rose Garden

At the edge of NoDa you’ll find McGill Rose Garden a charming outdoor space full of shady trees, greenery, and—you guessed it—rose gardens. Check their schedule for outdoor yoga classes if you’re into that kind of thing. And if you swing by on a weekend, you might catch a glimpse of a wedding in the garden. ​

Little Sugar Creek Greenway

The Little Sugar Creek Greenway is easily the best part of Midtown. This greenway connects everything from Park Road Shopping Center to the Metropolitan area. Along the way, you can stop at Juice Bar, Zoës Kitchen, or the Kings Drive Farmers Market for an afternoon pick-me-up.

The Green

If you find yourself in Uptown, there’s no better place for a pit stop than The Green. This park may be small (it’s only one and a half acres), but it’s full of adventure. At this literary-themed pocket park you’ll find lush greenways and giant statues of books featuring quotes from famous authors. It’s the perfect place to read. And if you’re hungry, there are plenty of restaurants nearby.

Freedom Park

Need a new route for your long run? Freedom Park, between the Dilworth and Myers Park neighborhoods, is your spot. Get in some laps around the seven-acre lake or take on some of the longer, more scenic trails. This park also connects to the Little Sugar Creek Greenway — so it’s perfect for adding mileage to your route.

First Ward Park

​Grab a coffee at 7th Street Market, then head across the street to relax in First Ward Park. If you work in the city, it’s the perfect spot to escape to during your lunch break. This park also features new outdoor workout equipment so you can pretend you’re a kid again and take a turn at the monkey bars. On Sundays during the summer, First Ward Park hosts Live on the Green, a live music series with different performers each week.

Colonel Francis Beatty Park

South Charlotte friends, don’t worry — we have you covered, too. If you’re into trail running or biking, then you’ll want to check out Beatty Park. The seven-mile mountain bike trail will take you through forested areas and over jumps. The park is also home to a lake that’s perfect for kayaking, fishing, or canoeing.

Elon Park

Elon Park is a massive 118 acres, but that’s not even the best part. This park has two dedicated disc golf courses. Bring your squad to the Eager Beaver (for beginners) and the Angry Beaver (for advanced disc golfers) for a fun weekend activity that beats sitting at a brewery.

McAlpine Creek Park

If you’re training for a 5k, check out McAlpine Creek Park. This 114-acre park has a well-marked championship 5k course that’s perfect for practice runs. There’s also a lake with scenic views that will keep you motivated while you train.

Four Mile Creek Greenway

Put your dog on a leash, round up the crew, and hop on the Four Mile Creek Greenway. The mostly-paved trails are perfect for a peaceful long walk, run, or bike. And if we’re talking views, this place can’t be beat in the fall when the leaves start to change. ​

Reedy Creek Park

Need to escape from campus after a long day of studying? Reedy Creek Park is only a few miles from UNC Charlotte, making it a convenient spot for a change of scenery. Get in 18 holes of disc golf or hike the trails in the nature preserve to clear your mind. And in August, you can catch the annual Hummingbird Festival — it’s always a fun summer activity.