We've been going to SouthPark Mall for years. Pre-baby, during pregnancy, post-baby. But it wasn't until recently that Jamie was finally old enough to actually play at the West Plaza playground, and that turned what used to be a casual mall trip into a full-blown family outing.
The playground and Suffolk Punch are both in the West Plaza area of SouthPark Mall, right next to each other between Dick's Sporting Goods and the brewery. If you're driving, look for the West Plaza parking lot off Sharon Road. You'll see the playground as soon as you walk up.
Address: 4400 Sharon Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211 (West Plaza entrance)
The West Plaza play area is covered in turf (not mulch, not rubber, actual turf), which is great because no one's going home covered in wood chips. It's about 2,100 square feet and has multiple slides, rocks to climb, little bars to swing from, and tunnels to crawl through. It's small compared to a park playground, but it packs a lot in.
The whole thing is elevated with hills, which kids seem to love. Jamie just wanted to climb up and down the hills before he even noticed the actual play equipment. There are overhead wind sails for shade, which helps on sunny days.
One of the best features for parents: there's a low retaining wall around the perimeter that doubles as seating. So you can sit, keep an eye on your kid, and actually relax. You don't have to hover in the middle of the action like you do at some playgrounds.
Right next to the playground there's a Little Free Library, a photo booth, a hand sanitizing wipes station, a live music stage area, and two neighborhood murals. And on the way back into the mall, there's a covered outdoor TV area. When we were there, they were playing Bluey, which bought us an extra ten minutes of downtime.
We went on a weekend, so it was busy. Like, really busy. Some of the bigger kids were going full speed, which is totally fine, but if you have a cautious toddler like Jamie, you'll probably want to keep them to one section. Jamie isn't the type to throw himself into a crowd of kids, so I wasn't too worried about him getting knocked over, but if your kid is more of a daredevil, just be ready to spot them when it's packed.
This was actually a milestone visit for us. We've brought Jamie here before when he was younger and he mostly just watched. This time he was actually climbing on things and interacting with the equipment. He's cautious, so the slide took some convincing, but once he went down a couple of times he was into it.
And then he spotted the Little Free Library.
Playtime was immediately over. He ran straight to it and started pointing at the books until we pulled one out. It was a flip-the-flap geography book, which is not exactly toddler bedtime material, but he didn't care. He grabbed it, sat down right in the middle of the walkway, and started "reading" it. We had to physically pick him up and move him so people could get by.
Here's what makes this outing so good: Suffolk Punch Brewing is literally steps from the playground. So you can wear the kids out and then walk right over for food and drinks without getting back in the car.
Suffolk Punch is a full brewery with a scratch kitchen and a coffee bar, so it works no matter what time you show up. Morning trip? Hit the coffee bar. They partner with HEX Coffee and the cinnamon roll cold foam cold brew is dangerous. Afternoon trip? They brew their own craft beer on site with nearly 60 taps, plus a wine list (I usually get a rosé) and cocktails. They also do mocktails for anyone who's pregnant or just not drinking.
The food is solid. Their salads are huge, the fries are great, and the SPB Burger is a go-to. They've got flatbreads, small plates, and a dedicated kids menu. They do breakfast and weekend brunch too. And if you time it right, kids eat free on Sundays from 4 to 9pm, which makes it an easy Sunday dinner spot.
The vibe is brewery-meets-greenhouse with lots of natural light and plants, indoor and outdoor seating, and TVs if you want to catch a game. It's the kind of place where you can show up with a stroller and nobody bats an eye.
OK here's my real tip, and this is especially for expecting parents or anyone still in the baby gear research phase. Go to Suffolk Punch, order a drink, and just people watch. You will see every stroller, car seat, wagon, and diaper bag ever made, all being used by real parents in real life. It's like a baby gear showroom where nobody's selling you anything.
When I was pregnant with Jamie, I talked to a woman at Suffolk Punch about the diaper bag she was carrying because it was the one I'd been eyeing online. She gave me a full review right there at her table. I ended up buying it. Then I asked about her stroller and car seat too.
And here's the move: start at Nordstrom first. Their baby section has strollers and car seats you can actually push around the store and fold up, unlike Target or Walmart where everything is strapped down. Test out whatever you're considering, then walk over to Suffolk Punch and watch real families using their gear in action. By the time you leave, you'll know exactly what to register for.
Location: West Plaza at SouthPark Mall, 4400 Sharon Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211
Playground cost: Free
Playground best for ages: Toddlers through about age 8
Playground surface: Artificial turf with overhead shade sails
Suffolk Punch hours:
Suffolk Punch phone: (704) 397-3904
Website: suffolkpunchbrewing.com
Menu: Breakfast, brunch (weekends), lunch, dinner. Dedicated kids menu. Kids eat free Sundays 4 to 9pm.
Walk-ins welcome. Reservations also available.
Other Suffolk Punch locations: South End (original) and Birkdale Village