United States North Carolina Matthews Attractions for Free By Addie Rising Addie Rising Addie Rising is Charlotte-based a freelance writer with more than 10 years of experience. She's also a web editor for Charlotte Magazine covering arts and entertainment. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 08/07/19 Fact checked by Michelai Graham Fact checked by Michelai Graham Michigan State University American University Michelai Graham is a technology and business reporter who has written for The Urban Institute and Scoop News. She reports for AfroTech, Lifewire, and The Plug. TripSavvy's fact-checking Strolling through the downtown area of the Charlotte suburb, you're transported to a bygone era. But Matthews is a growing area and there is no shortage of free things to do. Try some of these suggested low cost (or no cost!) ideas. 01 of 07 Matthews Community Farmers Market Addie Rising View Map Address 188 N Trade St, Matthews, NC 28105, USA Get directions Web Visit website Shops, Boutiques & Markets 4.3 Now open year round (every Saturday April - November at 7:15 a.m. and every other Saturday December - March at 8 a.m.), the Matthews Community Farmer's market is a great place inspect the local produce as well as visit with some of the locals. Vendors have some of the region's best produce, jams and jellies, baked goods and crafts for sale. Insider tip -- get there early while the best goods are available. Matthews Community Farmers' Market188 North Trade StreetMatthews, NC 28105 02 of 07 Four Mile Creek Greenway View Map Address 5803 Bevington Pl, Charlotte, NC 28277, USA Get directions Phone +1 980-314-1000 Linking Matthews with Squirrel Lake Park, this greenway is mostly asphalt with boardwalk mixed in. The first greenway in Mattews, the Four Mile Creek greenway has a consistent surface for bikes or strollers, plenty of wildlife to spot, and even some great public art along the trail. Parking is available at 1631 Pleasant Plains Road Matthews, NC 28105. 03 of 07 Browse Renfrow's Hardware Store Addie Rising View Map Address 188 N Trade St, Matthews, NC 28105-1711, USA Get directions Phone +1 704-847-4088 Web Visit website Next door to the Farmers Market is the beloved Renfrow's Hardware Store. It's an old-fashioned hardware store selling everything under the sun. Ask to see the various fishing baits they sell each day. Take a look out back and you can see the chickens that they raise. Renfrow's Hardware Store188 North Trade St.Matthews, NC 28105704-847-4088 04 of 07 Play at Stumptown Park View Map Address 120 S Trade St, Matthews, NC 28105, USA Get directions Phone +1 704-321-7275 Web Visit website In the heart of downtown Matthews is Stumptown Park. The park hosts family activities throughout the year include free summer movies, concerts and acts as the hub of entertainment for all town festivals including Matthews Alive each Labor Day weekend. Stumptown Park120 South Trade StreetMatthews, NC 28105 Continue to 5 of 7 below. 05 of 07 Bike through Colonel Beatty Park View Map Address 4330 Weddington Rd, Matthews, NC 28105-6677, USA Get directions Phone +1 980-314-1003 Colonel Beatty Park has pretty much everything you could want in a park. Tennis courts, baseball fields, soccer fields, walking trails, six and a half miles of mountain biking trails, and even a lake with canoe and kayak launch areas. Also amply equipped with plenty of picnic tables, Colonel Beatty Park is an entire weekend's worth of activities for any family. Colonel Beatty Park4330 Weddington Rd.Matthews, NC 28105 06 of 07 Visit the Matthews Public Library View Map Address 230 Matthews Station St, Matthews, NC 28105, USA Get directions Phone +1 704-416-5000 Web Visit website The charming Matthews branch of the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County system is in the same building as Matthews Town Hall and contains many paintings and depictions of the town's history. Enjoy an afternoon reading by the library's fireplace or just learning about Matthews. The library also offers many free activities for kids of all ages. Matthews Public Library230 Matthews Station St.Matthews, NC 28105704-847-6691 07 of 07 Catch a Dollar Movie View Map Address 9508 Northeast Ct, Matthews, NC 28105, USA Get directions Phone +1 704-847-5245 Web Visit website While technically not free, the Cinemark Movies 10 is about as close as you can get to a free movie year-round in the Charlotte area. Currently, they are running a special with 75-cent admission for groups of three or more on Mondays. The movies are all second run but at that price I am a buyer! Cinemark Movies 109508 Northeast CourtMatthews, NC 28105704-847-5245 Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit Share Pin Email