2024 is a leap year, so we get an extra day. Here’s how you can spend it in Charlotte

If you had an extra 24 hours to do whatever you want in Charlotte, how would you spend it? It’s a leap year, so we just happen to get a leap day on Thursday, Feb. 29.

In reality, we know your boss is most likely going to steal a good chunk of that time away from you. (Bummer!) But if you happen to be free — or you want to celebrate after work — we have ideas.

And just remember: “Nothing that happens on Leap Day counts.”

Binge watch reality TV

We’ve recently been blessed with an explosion of Charlotteans on reality TV, and it’s hard to keep up with it all, especially with new episodes yet to come. Why not use leap day to do a little bed rotting and catch up?

Here are a few stories to get you started — but watch out for spoilers:

“The Bachelor”

Season 28, featuring Madina Alam of Charlotte, is streaming now on ABC.com and Hulu. New episodes drop on Mondays.

• Meet the 31-year-old Charlotte therapist and model looking for love on ‘The Bachelor’

• ‘The Bachelor’ premiere: Did Charlotte therapist/model Madina hit it off with Joey?

• ‘The Bachelor’ Week 2 recap: What happened with Charlotte’s Madina Alam this week?

• ‘The Bachelor’ Week 3 recap: The Madina + Maria + Sydney drama explained.

• ‘Bachelor’ Ep. 4 recap: Drama comes for Madina again. What happened with Charlotte therapist.

• ‘Bachelor’ Ep. 5 recap: Did Madina survive Sydney + Maria drama to get a rose? Updates here.

Going back further, Season 27 starred Kylee Russell of Charlotte, who then went on to star on “The Bachelor in Paradise.” (See below.)

• While looking for love on ‘The Bachelor,’ NC nurse found herself in awkward situations.

“The Bachelor in Paradise”

Russell planned a move out of Charlotte last month after her appearance on “The Bachelor in Paradise,” streaming now on ABC.com and Hulu.

• ‘Bachelor in Paradise’ star explains post-show breakup — and why she’s leaving Charlotte.

“The Bachelorette”

Season 27’s Charity Lawson, a Georgia woman with Charlotte ties who was on Season 27th of “The Bachelor,” became “The Bachelorette.” It’s streaming now on ABC.com and Hulu.

• ‘I found the love of my life’: Charlotte’s Bachelorette recommends reality TV experience.

“Love is Blind”

Season 6, filmed in Charlotte, is now streaming on Netflix, with new episodes dropping Wednesday, Feb. 28.

• Meet the Charlotte singles starring in the new season of ‘Love is Blind’ on Netflix.
• Charlotte-filmed ‘Love is Blind’ drops trailer for new season on Netflix.
• Biggest moments from Netflix’s ‘Love is Blind’ premiere filmed in Charlotte.

• How was filming ‘Love is Blind’ in Charlotte? Local stars reveal best and worst moments.

• Which Charlotte couples from ‘Love is Blind’ do you think will say yes at the altar?

• Woman says she caught cheating boyfriend on new season of ‘Love is Blind.’ Is it true?

• All of the Charlotte restaurants, bars and date spots featured in ‘Love is Blind.’

• Love is blindsided: Charlotte reality TV contestants face cheating rumors

Going back further, Kenny Barnes of Charlotte starred in season 1.

• ‘Love Is Blind’s’ Kenny explains why his new girlfriend chose NOT to watch the show.

“Survivor”

Season 46, featuring Charlotte hair-salon owner Kenzie Petty, premieres Wednesday, Feb. 28 on CBS and Paramount+.

• A psychic knew this Charlotte hair salon owner would be on ‘Survivor.’ Or ... did she?

“The Ultimatum, Marry or Move on”

Season 2 was set in Charlotte, and you can stream episodes on Netflix.

• The Charlotte restaurants where Netflix’s ‘The Ultimatum’ cast flirted, fought and ate.
• Charlotte-area contestants from ‘The Ultimatum’ reveal their favorite date spots.

Eat good food and get good deals

A handful of restaurants are offering Leap Day deals to celebrate the extra day. Here are a few:

Chipotle

Location: Multiple

• Chipotle is celebrating Leap Day with a free guacamole offer for Chipotle Rewards members who use code EXTRA24 at checkout on the Chipotle app and Chipotle.com.

Hickory Tavern

Location: Multiple, including Charlotte, Huntersville, Fort Mill/Indian Land, Gastonia, Rock Hill and Mooresville

• On Leap Day, you can pay $29 for a $50 gift card. You can’t use it that day, but you can make a second stop in to eat salads, wings, burgers and more at a steep discount.

Krispy Kreme

Location: Multiple

• On Leap Day, if you purchase a dozen doughnuts, you can get an extra dozen glazed doughnuts for $2.29 more.
• If you have a Feb. 29 birthday, you can get a dozen glazed doughnuts for free, with no purchase necessary.

Tiff’s Treats

Location: Multiple

• Tiff’s Treats is offering a Leap Day birthday giveaway to celebrate those whose birthdays come only once every four years. People with a Feb. 29 birthday can enter to win a special birthday cookie delivery.

Get some exercise

Extra time can allow you to break out of your routine and try a new workout. We recently explored some of the city’s most luxurious fitness facilities — including one with a spa — and have also curated a running guide for those of you who like to hit the pavement.

• Let’s get fit. Come with us to some of the best luxury gyms in the Charlotte area.
• 2024 Charlotte running guide: Local run clubs, races, shoe stores, hot yoga recovery.

Plan a trip

What’s a fantasy vacation day without a little daydreaming? You can browse these stories for inspiration and ideas.

• These Charlotte chefs share tips for finding the best places to eat when traveling.

• It’s time to meet your neighbor across the world, says Rick Steves. It starts with travel.

• 3 tips for saving money on your next vacation, according to a Charlotte frequent flyer.

This story was originally published February 26, 2024 at 10:15 AM.

Heidi Finley

The Charlotte Observer

Heidi Finley is a writer and editor for CharlotteFive and the Charlotte Observer. Outside of work, you will most likely find her in the suburbs driving kids around, volunteering and indulging in foodie pursuits. Support my work with a digital subscription