The U.S. National Whitewater Center sits on 1,300 acres along the Catawba River, about 15 kilometres west of Uptown, and is one of the most unusual urban outdoor recreation facilities in the country. The centerpiece is a system of artificial whitewater channels — the world's largest, according to the Center — that feed a full programme of whitewater rafting, kayaking, and canoe slalom. It hosted Olympic team trials and is used for serious training as well as public recreation.
Beyond the water, there are mountain biking trails, climbing walls, zip lines, rope courses, and flatwater paddling. The on-site restaurant and bar, with its outdoor deck overlooking the rapids, is a destination in its own right. Day passes give access to most of the trails and the riverside, and individual activities can be added separately. Even if you are not there to paddle, it is worth a visit to watch the rafters and get a feel for what the facility has created.