Though it is not the county seat, Charlotte is the largest city in North Carolina. It combines a thriving downtown with a healthy network of suburbs, offering a bustling nightlife for young professionals and a wide variety of leisure activities for families. From its arts and cultural activities to a sports scene that includes NASCAR and a national football team, the Queen City has something to offer everyone. Teens who are looking to celebrate a birthday party in Charlotte will have plenty of options.

There are plenty of outdoor activities in Charlotte for the active teen. The U.S. National Whitewater Center is home to the largest man-made whitewater river, and teens can go whitewater rafting or enjoy kayaking, zip lining, rock climbing, hiking or running through one of the many rope courses. There are no specialty birthday party packages, but you can easily put together a birthday party to remember with all the activities available here.

For a less intense outdoor adventure, head over to the Reedy Creek Nature Center and Preserve or the McDowell Nature Center and Preserve. At Reedy Creek Park, you can enjoy disc golf, volleyball, basketball and fishing. Rent out a picnic shelter for birthday festivities while your teens enjoy the recreational activities. At McDowell Nature Preserve, you can host an overnight event and camp out under the stars while roasting marshmallows and telling stories. The 1,108-acre preserve has numerous opportunities for hiking, nature walks and other outdoor activities, as well.

Charlotte has a lot to offer sports fans. If your teen is a fan of NASCAR, head down to the Charlotte Motor Speedway to watch a race or to take a tour of the track. Tours include a ride around the track, and you can have your photo taken in Victory Circle. There are also birthday packages, which include a visit from the mascot.

For football fans, head down to the Bank of America Stadium to watch a Carolina Panthers game. You can also schedule a tour of the facilities, or book a private space for a catered party. You can even buy a scorecard greeting to tell your teen happy birthday in front of the thousands at the game.

At Sky High Sports, your teen can jump off the walls -- literally. The center features trampoline floors and trampoline walls for your teens to bounce around the room and get out their energy. There are also organized games of trampoline dodgeball. Birthday party packages are available for two-hour increments, and they include pizza and drinks.

For more variety, head over to the Sports Connection, which features laser tag, rock climbing, bowling and arcade games. The center hosts birthday parties, which can be customized to suit your needs.

Charlotte is home to two well-known amusement parks, where attractions include 13 roller coasters, a water park with high-speed slides and live entertainment. You can book birthday parties, as well, which will be customized to suit your needs and your budget.

For more water fun, head over to the Great Wolf Lodge, an indoor water park that has a variety of rides and slides to appeal to all ages. You have to stay the night at the resort to enter the water park, so this birthday party could be a bit more pricey. The park offers birthday party packages, which are more kid-friendly but can be tweaked to appeal to teens.