Find best places for family and kids Near me

Hanging Rock State Park, just north of Winston-Salem, boasts picturesque trails leading to waterfalls, mountain views, and even caves. Visitors can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, and paddling, or relax at the lake. It’s a haven for outdoor enthusiasts seeking a full range of activities.

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• 1790 Hanging Rock Park Road, Danbury, NC, 27016

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Hillside Park Sprayground offers a refreshing splash experience during pool hours. Nestled within the pool area, the sprayground is perfect for children and families to cool off on a hot day. Admission fees apply and vary by residency.

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• 1221 Sawyer St., Durham, NC, 27707

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Horton Grove Nature Preserve is a sprawling 708-acre haven with over eight miles of trails, including a family-friendly interpretive path. The preserve highlights the history of Black families once enslaved on this land, combining natural beauty with a powerful narrative of resilience and freedom.

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• 7360 Jock Road, Bahama, NC, 27503

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It’s A Zoo Life in Macclesfield, NC, offers a hands-on experience with exotic animals like zebras, lemurs, and kangaroos. Perfect for families, this unique destination allows visitors to interact with animals in their habitats, creating unforgettable memories while learning about wildlife.

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• 4313 NC Hwy 42 West, Macclesfield, NC, 27852

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Kaleideum is an innovative museum combining arts, science, and exploration, created by merging two beloved institutions. With interactive exhibits and cultural programming, it’s a place where creativity and curiosity flourish for learners of all ages.

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• 120 W 3rd St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101

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Kidzu Children’s Museum is a dynamic, hands-on space for kids up to age ten. Its multi-sensory exhibits inspire creativity and collaboration, while programs foster community engagement. A future expansion promises even more room for young minds to explore and grow.

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• 1712 Willow Dr, Chapel Hill, NC 27514

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The Lazy 5 Ranch offers a safari-style adventure featuring over 750 animals from six continents. Visitors can tour by wagon or car, enjoying up-close encounters with exotic species. The ranch also hosts seasonal events and supports conservation efforts for endangered animals.

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• 15100 Mooresville Rd., Mooresville, NC, 28115

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Lion’s Water Adventure in eastern NC is a thrilling destination for water fun. Highlights include three exciting slides, the state’s longest lazy river, and a kiddie splash zone. Perfect for families, it’s the ultimate spot for a day of adventure.

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• 2602 W Vernon Ave., Kinston, NC, 28504

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Enjoy delicious BBQ specialties, sandwiches, and breakfast platters while overlooking the runway at the Johnston Regional Airport in Smithfield, NC, or in Lakeland, FL. Accessible by car or plane, this BBQ spot offers a scenic dining experience.

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• 3149B Swift Creek Road, Smithfield, NC, 27577

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Visit this orchard for fruit-picking opportunities, famous apple cider slushies, and donuts. It features a playground, a fishing pond, and Granny's Kitchen with a gift shop. Seasonal events occur throughout the year.

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• 506 Parks Crossroads Church Rd., Ramseur, NC, 27316

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Formerly Greensboro Children's Museum, this venue provides hands-on learning experiences for children and families, focusing on play, creation, outdoor exploration, and STEM activities.

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• 220 North Church Street, Greensboro, NC, 27401

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Located at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, the Morehead Planetarium offers a GSK Fulldome Theater, science exhibits, and programs for families, including shows, camps, and public viewings of astronomical events.

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• 250 East Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514

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The Museum of Life and Science in Durham, NC, features interactive science exhibits, a butterfly conservatory, live animal habitats, and attractions like the Dinosaur Trail and Ellerbe Creek Railway on its 84-acre campus.

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• 433 W. Murray Avenue, Durham, NC, 27704

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Enjoy a relaxing self-guided float down one of North Carolina's scenic waterways, perfect for family outings or romantic trips. Encounter wildlife and serene landscapes during your 2-5 hour adventure.

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• 2975 Covered Bridge Rd., Clayton, NC, 27527

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The New Hope Valley Railway offers historic train rides through piney woods and over trestles. Visitors can enjoy outdoor tours of historic equipment and special train events. Train rides operate seasonally with free admission to explore the grounds.

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• 3900 Bonsal Rd., New Hill, NC, 27562

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The Qubein Children’s Museum in High Point features 75,000 square feet of hands-on exhibits, an Outdoor Adventure Zone, and engaging educational programs for families.

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• 200 Qubein Avenue, High Point, NC, 27262

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The North Carolina Aquariums include four unique coastal attractions: Pine Knoll Shores, Roanoke Island, Fort Fisher, and Jennette’s Pier. Each location offers hands-on exhibits, marine life encounters, and educational programs highlighting the state’s aquatic environments. From sea turtles and sharks to river otters and stingrays, families can explore North Carolina’s underwater world through interactive and conservation-focused experiences. Jennette’s Pier also serves as a coastal education center and ocean pier for fishing and programs.

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• 900 Loggerhead Rd. Kure Beach, NC 28449

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The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island is located in Manteo, NC, nine miles from the Atlantic coastline in Nags Head. The 61,000 square-foot facility is sited on 16 acres overlooking the Croatan Sound and houses over 2,200 animals. More than 280,000 guests visit the aquarium each year to see a large array of sharks, learn about sea turtle conservation, participate in a variety of programs, enjoy the beauty of the area, and learn why North Carolina's waterways are so special. As an educational attraction, we are focused on “inspiring appreciation and conservation of our aquatic environments.”

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• 374 Airport Road, Manteo, NC 27954

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Ever since 1939, families have made lifetime memories while visiting Jennette's Pier in Nags Head. Even though wind, waves and water have knocked down previous versions of this ocean fishing pier, today's 1,000-foot-long, concrete platform offers a delightful place to fish, stroll, socialize and soak in the salt air. Bring your family by to see why folks refer to Jennette's Pier as a family fun spot (Banner photo by Bodhi Darden, boy with fish and dolphins by Susan Dotterer Dixon).

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• 7223 South Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head, N.C. 27959

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The N.C. Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores is situated in the Theodore Roosevelt Natural Area, which is mostly maritime forest. Descendants of President Theodore Roosevelt donated 298 acres of maritime forest to the state in 1971. They stipulated the acreage be maintained as a nature preserve and used for nature and wildlife education and estuarine studies. Acres surrounding the aquarium dedicated as natural area commemorate Presidents Roosevelt’s commitment to conservation.

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• 1 Roosevelt Blvd., Pine Knoll Shores, NC 28512

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The North Carolina Botanical Garden inspires conservation and appreciation of plants through its gardens and programs, promoting sustainable relationships between people and nature.

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• 100 Old Mason Farm Rd., Chapel Hill, NC, 27517

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Explore the historic Spencer Shops at the North Carolina Transportation Museum, which offers train rides, scenic excursions, and educational exhibits, including a historic roundhouse and themed events.

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• 1 Samuel Spencer Dr., Spencer, NC, 28159

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The North Carolina Zoo spans 500 acres and features natural habitat enclosures for animals like zebras, giraffes, and more. Located in Asheboro, it is one of the largest zoos of its kind in the United States.

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• 4401 Zoo Parkway, Asheboro, NC, 27205

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This family-friendly farm offers educational experiences, summer camps, and a scenic venue for events.

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• 8913 NC Highway 751 South, Durham, NC, 27713

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The Piedmont Wildlife Center in Durham features outdoor raptor exhibits and offers educational programs focused on wildlife conservation in its natural park setting.

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• 364 Leigh Farm Rd., Durham, NC, 27707

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Raleigh Road Outdoor Theatre is one of the few remaining drive-in theaters in North Carolina, offering a nostalgic movie-watching experience.

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• 3336 Raleigh Rd., Henderson, NC, 27537

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Located in Harnett County 40 miles southwest of Raleigh, Raven Rock State Park boasts the namesake 150-foot crystalline structure that overlooks the Cape Fear River. The trails along the bluffs that lead to the rock are dotted with beautiful wildflowers, including mountain laurel. Alternate hikes towards the river reward visitors with landmarks like Lanier Falls Rapids, Fish Traps Rapids, and the remains of the Northington Lock and Dam. Other accesses offer bridle trails, bike trails, and a campground with RV camping and camper cabins.

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• 3009 Raven Rock Road, Lillington, NC, 27546

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Richland Creek Zipline Canopy Tour is one of the first ziplines in NC, has provided thrills, laughs, and unforgettable memories to locals and tourists alike since 2008. Experience the thrill of a lifetime on the Richland Creek Zip Line Canopy Tour. Soar through the scenic foothills of the Uwharrie Mountains on our 14 station zipline that consists of over a mile and a half of cable! Our course is built and operated to exceed the standards set forth by The Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT), Universal Zipline Technology (UZT), and The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and caters to all ages to ensure a great experience for the entire family. Some of the highlights of our tour is a stop at beautiful Mendenhall Falls along Richland Creek, three sky-bridges obstacles, and our longest line that is over 1400ft long! Our friendly staff will accompany your group and guide you through our exhilarating one and a half hour tour. Located less than 3 miles from the North Carolina Zoo, explore some of Randolph County's most scenic wilderness areas. We promise a unique outdoor experience you will never forget!

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• 2728 Fairview Farm Rd., Asheboro, NC, 27205

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The Sarah P. Duke Gardens consist of approximately 55 acres of landscaped and wooded areas at Duke University. There are 5 miles of allées, walks, and pathways throughout the gardens. The gardens are divided into four areas, the Historic Core and Terraces, the H.L Blomquist Garden of Native Plants, the William Louis Culberson Asiatic Arboretum, and the Doris Duke Center Gardens (including the Page-Rollins White Garden). The gardens are a memorial to Sarah Pearson Duke, mother of Mary Duke Biddle and wife of Benjamin N. Duke, one of Duke University's benefactors. There is a small shop and cafe available. While admission is free, parking fees apply.

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• 420 Anderson St., Durham, NC, 27705

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We are the Crihfield Family, Andrew, Lori, Cullen Ceiran, Chase, and our dogs Lucy, Baxter, and Olive. We have owned Spring Haven Farm since 2002. Lori was the horseback riding instructor for UNC lesson programs, and in addition to that, we did 150 private lessons a week. We started the agritourism festivals, Goat Yoga, and our other events in the fall of 2016. We have loved sharing our farm with the community and everyone who comes and visits! We plan on doing this for a very long time!

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• 5306 Homer Ruffin Rd., Chapel Hill, NC, 27516

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Tiger World Endangered Wildlife Preserve promotes conservation through education. Tiger World, a nonprofit animal conservation and educational center, is committed to the rescue, rehabilitation, and preservation of exotic animals. Our mission extends beyond safeguarding these creatures to fostering a profound dedication to the conservation and education of all threatened and endangered species. We are open to the public for educational guided tours and walkabout self-guided tours in Rockwell, NC. Our educational tours personally guide visitors throughout the preserve, learning about each animal and providing an individual hands-on experience. You will see the animals in a natural setting and have the opportunity to observe them running, playing, swimming, eating, sleeping, and interacting with their handlers.

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• 4400 Cook Road, Rockwell, NC, 28138

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Tucker Lake is open in 2022 under the original Tucker Family Management. The Tucker Family built and opened Tucker Lake in 1990. Tucker Lake became the area's hot spot for summer fun and relaxation. Located just 30 minutes from Raleigh, Clayton, Fayetteville, Clinton, and Smithfield near the intersection of Interstates 40 and 95. Tucker Lake is a 30-acre lake fed by clear, spring water with white sand beaches. Whether you want to relax on the beach, float in the water, take a plunge from the 167 ft. waterslide, picnic/grilling, or play volleyball, Tucker Lake is the place to be for your summer entertainment. RV campground is now open adjacent to the lake with 109 full hookup sites. No tent camping is available.

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• 3025 Allens Crossroads Rd., Benson, NC, 27504

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Family Friendly Wild West Theme Park Adventure Featuring an action-packed train ride behind a historic narrow-gauge steam locomotive, live interactive shows, kid-friendly amusement rides, Deer Park Zoo, and more!

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• 300 Tweetsie Railroad Lane, Blowing Rock, NC, 28605

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Wet 'N Wild Emerald Pointe is the Carolina's favorite waterpark. One of the largest water parks in NC, the waterpark features over 36 water rides and family attractions. With over 3 million gallons of waterpark fun, Wet'n Wild Greensboro has been rated one of the Top 10 Water Parks in America. Sprawling across 41 acres, our park offers family-friendly fun, relaxation, great special events throughout the year, and a wide variety of family dining options for delicious foods and beverages. Join us for a whole summer of fun at Wet'n Wild water park near Greensboro, NC.

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• 3910 South Holden Road, Greensboro, NC, 27406

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Xtreme Park Adventures offers a 50-acre field located in the heart of Durham. Attractions include paintball, airsoft, lasertag, educational and recreational zipline courses, haunted houses, escape rooms, ropes courses, gem mining, and more. We provide summer camps, corporate team-building, and a range of thrilling activities for all ages.

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• 7460 Wake Forest Rd., Durham, NC, 27703

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Over 160 acres of active and passive play await in two distinct sections of the park: Seymour Athletic fields featuring playgrounds, lighted tennis courts, soccer/multi-use fields, sand volleyball courts, and picnic shelters; Apex Nature Park with an amphitheater, disc golf, multi-use trails, and a dog park.

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• 2600 Evans Road, Apex, NC, 27502

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