When you think of extreme sports, is there a certain geographic location that immediately springs to mind? If so, it’s probably fair to assume it isn’t Charlotte, North Carolina—but maybe it should be. Though it isn’t necessarily famous for it, the Queen City is actually an ideal location for anyone seeking the thrills and adventure of outdoor sports, either on land or on the water. That is in no small part due to the local presence of the U.S. National Whitewater Center, an utterly peerless facility that allows professional and amateur athletes alike the chance to train and simply to enjoy the benefits of different sports.

The U.S. National Whitewater Center calls itself "Charlotte’s ultimate playground," and it’s easy to see why. First and foremost, it should be noted that for whitewater sports, there is simply no better facility, at least not manmade; indeed, this facility is home to the world’s largest manmade whitewater river. Patrons may participate in any of the following water sports:

• Whitewater rafting
• Whitewater kayaking
• Flatwater kayaking
• Stand-up paddle boarding

And it’s not just water sports that set this Center apart; even those who prefer to get their thrills on dry land can enjoy the many activities offered by the U.S. National Whitewater Center. Those activities include:

• Canyon crossing
• Rock climbing
• Mountain biking
• Mega zip
• Mega jump
• Adventure Course
• Climb 2 Zip
• Eco Trekking
• The Trail System

As you can probably gather, this facility is absolute heaven for anyone who loves the outdoors—and that includes a fairly wide clientele. There are many serious athletes, whitewater and otherwise, who use Charlotte’s facilities for training purposes. Meanwhile, more amateur athletes come to the Center for fun and relaxation. And for corporate team-building exercises, the U.S. National Whitewater Center is simply perfect.

Naturally, locals love this area, be they athletes or simply folks looking to have a good, relaxing time in the outdoors. But people come from far and wide to enjoy the benefits of this innovative facility, and for good reason; again, there is simply no other whitewater center this large or this packed with activity, not in the entire world. With a peak season of April through August, this is a favorite destination for summer vacationers, but, no matter the time of year, the U.S. National Whitewater Center remains one of the most distinct jewels in the Queen City’s crown.