Here is a roundup of summer passes or general passes that can be maximized by early retirees or anyone with plenty of free time. Early retirees, those with a summer break, flexible schedules, stay at home parents can all get maximum benefit from these deals.
White Water Center (Charlotte) – $159
An annual pass to partake in all of the activities at the White Water Center. Could be worth it for a regular spot to do some stand up paddle boarding or open water kayaking. Throw in a few rope courses and other things and you’ve got some solid outdoor activities to fill your days. It activates the first day you use your pass.
You will also need to purchase an annual parking pass when you arrive which may run around $40, but is not listed for sale on the website.
Top Golf
(can use top golf gift cards bought with 20% discount at Costco to purchase)
-$225 (based on 2025 pricing)
-May 26-September 1st
-Monday night through Friday open to 5pm
-Saturday and Sunday open to noon
-Can bring 5 friends per visit
-2 hour session- walk in or virtual wait via app
Bowlero or Lucky Strike
(Discounted price until May 17, 2026)
Passes are good May 18 through September 1.
Premium Pass – $54
– 2 Free Games of Bowling Every Day
– Free Shoe Rental
– $5 Arcade Reload Every Visit
– 15% off food and non-alcoholic beverages
– Valid at all participating Lucky Strike, AMF, and Bowlero locations
– Pass Valid Sunday-Friday Open-Close; Saturday Open-4pm
Basic Pass – $40.49
-2 Free Games
-Free Shoe Rental
-Pass Valid Sunday-Friday Open-Close; Saturday Open-4pm
Two games is just enough to get you frustrated and want to bowl more games. If you can resist and stick to two games on most visits, it is a good deal. The $5 arcade credit is a fun bonus that I believe stays on your card and can build up.
Carowinds
Current deal offers the Gold Pass for the $89 price of a Silver Pass. Gold Pass includes entry to ScaroWinds and WinterFest, although the haunted mazes are an additional purchase these days. These passes now includes entry to some other Six Flags properties such as Six Flags Over Georgia.
This is a no-brainer if you live in Charlotte and enjoy amusement parks at all or plan to go more than one time.
Dave and Busters
60 Day pass
Standard ($60)
-Unlimited Game Play
-No tickets earned
-Not valid on purple-swipe games
-Valid for 60 days from date of purchase
Deluxe ($100)
Standard plus:
-15% off food and non-alcoholic beverages
-up to 1,000 tickets per week
Premium ($120)
Standard plus:
-25% off food and non-alcoholic beverages
-up to 2,000 tickets per week
-free dessert every 30 days
AMC Theatres
They do have a nice movie pass to watch up to 4 movies every week for $28/month. However, if you prefer not to have the obligation of seeing so many movies, you can enjoy half off movie tickets on Tuesday and Wednesdays at AMC theatres.