14523 Carowinds Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28273, Phone: 704-588-2600. Wear shoes/sandals with heel strap. The most exciting attraction at Lake Lure? Long lines for the slides/rides. The first two animals to call the zoo home were two giant Galapagos tortoises, followed by a chimpanzee called Ham, who was famous for being the first hominid to visit space. These can be bought online. Honey Bear Campground. Hickory Nut Falls Family Campground The best place to stay near Lake Lure? The Mason Farm Biological Reserve is a beautiful natural area of landscapes that spans 367-acre and features old fields and sites dating back to the before the Civil War, the most famous of which are the 65-acre ancient forested site and hardwood bottomland known as Big Oak Woods. The dinner theater performance is a very reasonable $30 for adults and $15 for kids aged 12 and under. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); You are reading "10 Best Amusement Parks in North Carolina " Back to Top, More Ideas: North Carolina Botanical Garden. Reasonable prices for snacks and food. Discover Where to Coast with the Ultimate Rollercoaster database of roller coasters and amusement parks. "url": "https:\/\/files.tripstodiscover.com\/files\/2017\/09\/carowinds1.jpg" Today the Planetarium houses a GSK Full Dome Theater, a Science Stage, an array of interactive exhibits, and classrooms for educational programs. Wet n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park in Greensboro is another fantastic North Carolina water park option. In fact, there are two dining locations in each park. Lions Water Adventure ranks eighth among the ten best amusement parks in North Carolina. Besides the train rides, Tweetsie Railroad also features plenty of live entertainment, a small zoo, opportunities for gem mining and panning for gold, an arcade, a playground, shopping opportunities, and lots of kiddie and family rides. The Morehead Planetarium and Science Center offers a variety of exciting special events throughout the year, ranging from Discovery Classes, Family Science Days, and planetarium shows to Science Symposium, guest speakers, and LEGO-palazzo. Youll definitely want to check out the Howlin Tornado bowl slide. Tweetsie Railroad. Courtesy of North Carolina Office of Archives and History, Raleigh. We took our 2 and 7 year old to Tweetsie Railroad on our family vacation. Large selection of things to do ranging from paddle boats to miniature zoo. A Gustave A. Dentzel carousel, moved to Pullen Park from Bloomsbury Park in 1921, continues to be Pullen's most popular attraction and one of only 14 such carousels in the United States. That said, when youre visiting a Wild West theme park, it really does make sense to stick with the theme and make your trip a camping adventure. Voted world's best steel coaster by Amusement Today, Fury 325 is just the beginning of the fun at Carowinds. The North Carolina Zoo is a zoological park in Asheboro that is home to more than 1,600 animals from more than 250 species primarily from the North American and African continents. We had the standard room and had Plenty of space. The selection of rides includes a Ferris wheel and a carousel, and there are also plenty of arcade games suitable for people of all ages. We especially like the all in deal which gets you the water park, two activities, two slices of pizza, and a 16 oz drink for $55. Go karting, Mini golf, Bungee Jump, Attractions, Food and Fun. We really enjoyed the shows and the characters. THE 10 BEST North Carolina Theme Parks - Tripadvisor Whether youre a thrill seeker or someone who likes to chill beside the pool, there is something for you in this park. The largest investment for a new product in the history of the park occurred in 1999, when the park spent more than $10 million to introduce Top Gun: The Jet Coaster, themed after the 1986 hit Paramount movie. With over 60 thrill rides, family rides, and roller coasters, the fun never ends! Encyclopedia of North Carolina, University of North Carolina Press. Lazee River was full of tree garbage. Live star shows on the Carolina Skies led by a Morehead educator can be enjoyed in the Morehead Planetarium throughout the year. beaches, waterfalls, state & national parks, etc. General admission tickets for those under 42 inches tall and those aged 65 and older are $28.99. There is no admission fee at Deadwood. Considerable expansions took place in the 1960s, including the sustainable Frank Harmon-designed Visitor Education Center, contributing towards to the vast 1,000 acres that make up the Botanical Garden today. "headline": "5 Best Amusement Parks to Visit in North Carolina", Youll pay a bit more for those, but they are well worth it. You see, there are so many amusement parks in North Carolina that choosing just a few for your trip is probably going to be overwhelming. Game lovers shouldnt miss the Adventure Landing arcade which boasts over 75 arcade and ticket redemption games. This will allow you to fully enjoy the outdoors during your getaway. Digital Accessibility at RVshare. Nice big rooms. River Canyon Run is an awesome raft ride that is perfect for families and friends, and siblings enjoy racing one another down the Mountain Edge Raceway. Clean and well maintained, and offers free parking. The selection of rides includes classic favorites like a carousel, a tilt-a-whirl, and a tornado ride, but visitors can also hop aboard one of the park's two historic steam engines, enjoy a meal or a snack from one of the many food vendors, or say hello to the deer and goats in the animal park. THE 5 BEST North Carolina Mountains Theme Parks - Tripadvisor In your trailer or motorhome, of course! Park got busy very quickly. This lovely little campground is clean, green, and a wonderful place to stay. My only con is the elevators! The pool is beautiful and inviting, the sites are large and offer full hookups, and there are planned activities put on by the park throughout the year. The rides were age appropriate for kids and allowed parents to ride with them most of the time if needed. Best of all the rates are very reasonable, meaning you can stay a while without breaking the bank! There are full-hookup sites and primitive sites available on a first-come, first-served basis, but sites are almost always available. Promo codes are sometimes available to reduce the price of day passes. The price of admission also includes access to Carolina Harbor, the 27-acre waterpark nestled inside the park. Top 5 Best Amusement Parks in North Carolina - Tour Ship Stuff Those looking for a more intense ride might prefer the Lion Slide, which features a large drop and a plunge through the lions mouth and into a pool. The gate price for Wet n Wild Emerald Pointe tickets is $59.99. Lastly, we must mention Lions Water Adventure in Kinston, NC. An unusual water park that allows you to enjoy the great outdoors while also getting in some water park fun, Lake Lure Beach and Waterpark in Lake Lure is actually set on a natural lake. Looking for extreme fun? Food is available onsite. The layout is fairly spreadout but mostly wheelchair accessible. , mini golf, playgrounds, tennis, concession stands. "url": "https://www.tripstodiscover.com", Lions Water Adventure. Tickets sell out fast and it open only 3 weekends a year in September. Chelsea is a full-time RVer and roadschool mom who enjoys traveling the country with her two kids and her husband. Snacks and grilled food items are also available for purchase, so come hungry and budget for a meal! This park is located on the river, offering awesome views. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in United Kingdom. The pictures online does no justice. Top 10 Amusement Parks And Theme Parks In North Carolina She has written for such well-known sites and companies as Do It Yourself RV, RVLife, Fulltime Families, and Coach-Net, and loves sharing her experience and knowledge here on the RVshare blog. Carowinds Camp Wilderness Resort This park offers large, full-hookup sites. The UNC Herbarium is a treasure trove of natural history specimens with the earliest collections dating back to 1835. Initially consisting of seven themed areas that included references and reflections of Carolina history, culture, and heritage, it was inspired by Charlotte businessman E. Pat Hall's 1956 trip to Disneyland and his desire to see his home state have such a park. This amazing exhibit tells the story of how these early settlers lived, how they used various tools and objects and includes an array of 10,000-year-old artifacts found at the Hardaway archaeological site. Arguably its most popular features are the Xtreme Combat Paintball Course and the Xtreme Combat Airsoft Field where intensity and highly competitive rounds ought to be expected. Grown trees produce a lot of shade but forget about seeing the park, its hiddenreally gotta use the map. Were here to help! Roller Coasters, Family & Kids Rides | Rides & Experiences | Carowinds Weather delay did cause many people to leave which allowed for more fun in the afternoon with less people. Although Carowinds has a Charlotte address, it is actually the only amusement park that is technically located in two states sitting across the border in both North and South Carolina. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. So relaxing and fun with family. The University of North Carolina, CB 3375, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, Phone: 919-962-0522, More Ideas: Morehead Planetarium and Science Center. 1. THE 10 BEST North Carolina Water & Amusement Parks. Amusement & Theme Parks. You see, this water park is 100% indoors and the pools are all heated to a very comfortable temperature. Other campground amenities include a pool, a volleyball court, an arcade, clean restrooms with showers, and more. Choose from this list and youre sure to have an amazing trip: Of course, you will want to know more than just the names of the parks you plan to visit. The North Carolina Zoo offers a variety of educational programs, camps, workshops and projects for visitors of all ages that focus on conservation and preservation of the natural environment. historic sites, cherokee history, ghosts, etc. Top 10 Amusement Parks in North Carolina | RVshare Mini golf is one of the many things to do at these parks. The Morehead Planetarium and Science Center is set on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in North Carolina, and is one of the oldest and largest planetariums in America. Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park in Wilmington is the place to go for swimming, sliding, and a wonderful time keeping cool while soaking up the sun. The North Carolina Botanical Garden has a Conservation Garden which was developed to represent the many conservation-related activities that form the core of the Botanical Garden's mission and programs. Programs run from the zoo include Bowling for Rhinos, Bringing Wildlife Research into the Classroom, Keeper-Led Programs, Monitoring Predators on the NC Zoo Grounds, Pocket Change for Rainforest Conservation, and Rare Plants at the Zoo. You can see more of her work on her personal blog, Wonder Wherever We Wander. Themed train rides are available for Halloween and Christmas. The Speedpark, 8461 Concord Mills Blvd, Concord, North Carolina A changing area, lockers, and showers are all available. Theres a train ride, roller coaster, playground for children, horse carousel, miniature golf, beautiful ponds and walkways through this western theme park. Walked right in after dropping off the cooler at storage and was able to secure enough chairs with some in the shade for our party of 17. Have kiddos with you? prefer), the lifeguards were attentive, my family loved the big slides, and I spend half the day in the, Avery was our amazing tour guide who was filled with knowledgeable information about the, We plan to go back to ride go carts and play, - Clean, nice staff, good for about 2 hours. General admission includes non-themed train rides. North Carolina State Fairgrounds We mentioned a Charlotte RV campground above, but what if you want to visit the park in Raleigh? Limited times to be on the beach. That said, there are package deals that are perfect for those who want to do other activities in addition to the water park. The Zoo did the same for the Baghdad Zoo following the invasion of Iraq in 2003 and now coordinates a veterinary medicine program with the zoo instead of maintaining animal exhibits. My 5 year old daughter really loved all the play ground areas, rides and santa visit. Access to Carolina Harbor, the largest water park in the Carolinas, is included with admission, featuring extreme water slides, wave . The only question? The exhibit honors the more than 60 astronauts that used the Center to train in celestial navigation through a fascinating array of artifacts, objects, and photographs. North Carolina is an absolutely gorgeous state. Rock 'N' Roller Fury 325 Blackbeard's Revenge Tidal Wave Bay Seaside Splashworks Surf Club Harbor Snoopy's Junction Ricochet Surfer's Swell Boo Blasters on Boo Hill Carolina Cyclone Electro-Spin Hurricane Falls I would highly recommend for a day of good family fun for all ages. The chain has locations in Raleigh, Charlotte, and three different South Carolina cities, and all five are worth visiting. The Morehead Planetarium and Science Center presents a range of educational programs for visitors of all ages. The NC Zoo has over five miles of hiking trails to enjoy. This park allows visitors to hop aboard any of their ships from ports around the world and visit the four corners of the globe. 2302 Eds Grocery Rd, Williamston, NC 27892, Phone: 252-792-8938. I wish I could remember his name at the shack place by pool. Water Parks. Another good deal? The main attractions at Tweetsie Railroad are of course the train rides and the steam locomotive shop. If you're planning a trip to North Carolina, here are the amusement parks you should consider visiting while you're there. "@type": "BlogPosting", Besides the water slides, Lions Water Adventure also features Kiddie Lagoon, a large water play area that your kids wont want to leave. This is a wonderful campground with friendly staff. Day tickets to Carowinds start at just $35. The annual UNC Science Expo is a signature event that showcases the wonders of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). "dateModified": "2022-04-26", Children aged 2 and under enter free of charge. Guests should expect to pay $10 per person Monday through Thursday, and $15 per person Friday through Sunday. The North Carolina Zoo takes part in several conservation projects and breeding programs. Hoping to have some water park fun during the colder months? Farm Country Campground Of course, you will need someplace to park your RV while youre there. Right across the street is Farm Country Camp Ground. Terms of Service The Gardens Fern Collection is packed with a variety of Southeastern fern species, and the Garden of Flowering Plant Families is a traditional botanical garden that explores the evolutionary relationships between flowering plant groups through an array of informative and exciting exhibits and displays. Home to 10 national parks, including the famous park the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Day guests are totally welcome at the waterpark, and we find we much prefer staying in our RV and paying to play for the day. Pack up the RV because youre going to want to bring it along on your North Carolina getaway! Attractions at this park include thrill slides such as Paradise Plunge, The Plank, and Dune Runner. Some of the best attractions in Carowinds are Afterburn, Carolina Cyclone, Nighthawk, and Carolina Goldrusher. Fun 'n' Wheels. Want more than just water park attractions? There are lockers and changing areas available in the park. Lions Adventure features three large water slides. Great photo ops through out the visit. In fact, the parks listed above are just the beginning. Where American astronauts first met the stars tells the story of UNC's Morehead Planetarium, how is as donated as a gift by John Motley Morehead III and how it laid the foundation for the observational teaching of astronomy at the University. In western North Carolina, Ghost Town in the Sky (Maggie Valley), Gold City Amusement Park (Franklin), Santa's Land (Cherokee), and Tweetsie Railroad (Blowing Rock) have attracted generations of North Carolinians and tourists from beyond the state. Tweetsie Railroad. But thats nearly all youll find here. 8. For 50 years, families and friends choose Carowinds for an amazing day the Carolina way. Rental strollers and wheelchairs are available if needed. Tweetsie Railroad is the coolest amusement park on the East Coast.it is old-time fun with the vintage train cars an. Finally, there is the low-splash slide, which is a little bit less intense but still just as fun. Everyone was so attentive and really went out their way. I won't be returning b/c of their stance on the 2A. In January 1975 Carowinds was bought for $16 million by Family Leisure Centers, a new company formed by Ohio-based Taft Broadcasting Company, which already owned Kings Island in Cincinnati and was building Kings Dominion near Richmond, Va. More than $108 million was invested in Carowinds from 1973 to 2003, including $60 million since Paramount purchased the facility in 1992. There are tons of other things to do in North Carolina. From heart-racing roller coasters to child-friendly rides and epic water parks, North Carolina has awesome amusement parks that make the perfect getaway for adults, kids and families. Tweetsie Railroad in Blowing Rock is anything but your typical amusement park. Advertisement. The kids enjoyed the go-carts, laser tag, arcade games, and mini golf. This awesome little campground has everything you need, including full-hookup campsites. Directions. Looking for something for the little ones in your group? Below, weve given more information on each of these North Carolina amusement parks so you can go in well prepared for your theme park adventure! One of the most popular rides in the park is a 325-foot-tall roller coaster known as the Fury 325, but there are also a dozen other roller coasters as well as plenty of thrilling rides like the Slingshot and kid-friendly rides designed with families in mind. The sites are large and shaded, and the amenities include full hookups, a pool, and a pond onsite. Here, visitors can take in the majesty of huge white oak trees that are more than 300 years old. At some point the elevators took forever it seemed. 1,072. 100 Cape Fear Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428. Thats where Farm Country Campground comes into play. By VacationIdea Staff on June 19, 2023 - Updated. Overall our large group enjoyed the experience. Sites offer full hookups and there are clean restrooms with showers available. This is an awesome, African safari-themed water park that offers amazing attractions for all ages. Water Parks in NC - NC Amusement & Theme Parks | VisitNC.com Season passes are available. No visit to the lake is complete without at least a couple of nights of camping. 14523 Carowinds Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28273, Phone: 704-588-2600 3. our latest advice & deals in your inbox! Yates Family Campground Not sure where to park the RV so you can play for a day at Great Wolf Lodge? The staff was wonderful! Discovery Classes are interactive, hands-on learning experiences designed specifically for school groups, while Family Science Days offer a series of fun activities for the whole family. Other special areas of the Botanical Garden include the Coker Arboretum, one of the Garden's oldest tracts, and the William Lanier Hunt Arboretum. Whats not to love? However, the state is also home to a surprising number of excellent amusement parks suitable for thrill seekers and young children alike. Managed by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the botanical garden was established to research, catalog, preserve and promote the native plant species of North Carolina and is open seven days a week. Regular non-themed rides are offered on both trains all year long. Additionally, the whole family will want to meet up for some time in the Shipwreck Cove play area, the Thunder Bay wave pool, and the Lazee River. Bloomsbury Park, established in 1912 and located near Lassiter Mill in northwest Raleigh, was the capital city's most ambitious effort to provide outdoor amusements, boasting a carousel, a roller coaster, a penny arcade, refreshment stands, a lake for boating, and a shaded picnic area. You see, this is one of the least expensive water parks around. The North Carolina Zoo is located at 4401 Zoo Parkway in Asheboro, North Carolina The Zoo has three restaurants on site that serve a variety of snacks and drinks, as well as have cash machines. Kid was stoked to get to go that fast. They have some cool old rides that small kids can enjoy. This will ensure youre nice and comfy at the end of a long day of water park fun. It remains the most popular attraction among Carowinds's numerous roller coasters. It was a little chaotic due to a large group, but all went well. The North Carolina Botanical Garden features 14 collections and unique display gardens, containing over 2,500 species of the nearly 5,000 plant species that are native or naturalized in North and South Carolina. Hoping to do just that? Visitors can explore different ways to make water "flow" through interactive and hands-on models and discover how much water is used for normal, everyday activities such as flushing a toilet or washing your hands. The Mountain Habitat Garden features a variety of plants and trees found in the mountainous areas of the southern Appalachian mountains, particularly those which are found at high altitudes and can survive at elevations of up to 7,000 feet. Choosing to take your RV with you means you can relax in the privacy of your own home-on-wheels after a long day of play. Even after being there 4 hours a nice perk was the rain check we received to offset the park closing due to the weather. Visitors with a need for speed can head to the quarter-mile-long go-kart track at Adventure Speedway, while competitive guests can challenge other groups in scored combat matches at the Xtreme Fun Laser Tag arena. Highway of the Planets displays Joseph Caldwells unrivaled devotion to the study of the night sky and how it laid the foundation for astronomy at UNC. The Morehead Planetarium and Science Center also offers a range of outstanding educational programs, classes and workshops for adults and children, public viewings of astronomical events and public lectures, afterschool programs and summer camps for children, and special courses for teachers. The place certainly is fun and can be a good time with the family if it's not that crowded. Located in the Uwharrie Mountains in Randolph County, the Zoo spans more than 2,000 acres and is one of the largest walk-through zoos in the world. At the North Carolina location in Raleigh, Frankies features some very unique rides like the Windstarz, which allows readers to experience what its like to go hang gliding, the Dark Ride XD an interactive movie experience and the Sky Trail a crazy course of steps and balance beams suspended four stories above the ground. In this case, we actually recommend staying at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds. The Garden was founded by Professor William Chambers Coker in 1903 when he began to plant shrubs and trees on the Universitys central campus, now known as the Coker Arboretum. Available from http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/nc_post/id/987 (accessed August 2, 2012). THE 10 BEST Water & Amusement Parks in North Carolina Coast - Tripadvisor Where will you stay when visiting Tweetsie Railroad? Oak Hollow Family Campground When it comes to places to park an RV in Greensboro, we have to recommend Oak Hollow Family Campground. Yet another wonderful North Carolina water park, we think H2OBX is the perfect place to spend a hot summer day. Local ice cream and other snack bars and restaurants in the area. 23. "@context": "http://schema.org", Buy a season pass and visit multiple times over the summer. Meanwhile, there are three fun 18-hole mini golf courses catering to various skill levels. With several locations around the country, Adventure Landing is a tried and tested institution. In addition to amusement park features, Carowinds from the beginning included campgrounds and picnic and recreational areas. Families love the lazy river and the wave pool, and little ones appreciate the kiddie play areas. The best part? THE 10 BEST Water & Amusement Parks in North Carolina (2023) - Tripadvisor This is probably the most popular part of the park, and for good reason. Roller Coaster, Bloomsbury Park, Raleigh, N.C, ca. may earn a commission for purchases made through our links. Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our. Tweetsie steams into the hearts of grandkids. The North Carolina Zoo spearheaded efforts to rebuild and maintain the Kabul Zoo after the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, raising funds, organizing exhibit reconstruction and renovation, animal care and purchasing, staff training and business strategy. Tweetsie Railroad is the coolest amusement park on the East Coast.it is old-time fun with the vintage train cars an. Adults pay only $10, seniors pay $9, kids aged 412 pay $8, and those under 4 years old are free. North Carolina Theme Parks and Amusement Parks - TripSavvy The Herbarium features 750,000 natural history specimens that document the identity and distribution of plants in North Carolina and throughout the Southeast. He was extremely friendly and great with children. "image": { They had a lot of nice looking outdoor Shows. The park also has a water park, "Carolina Harbors", that is equally as clean, updated, and safe as the main park. For a more leisurely way to spend the afternoon, try taking a raft down the Lazee River or relax in the shallow waters of Leisure Lagoon. Located in Powells Point, its a great addition to an Outer Banks vacation, but can also be the destination all on its own. Vintage Western-theme buildings throughout. Those under 65 years old and over 42 tall will pay $38.99. There are restaurants in the park in case you get hungry. Temporary exhibits at the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center include Zoom In: Science at the Extremes a fascinating exhibition that explores science at the extremes of size and scale, and The Ancient Carolinians, which explores the lives of the settlers of what is now known as North Carolina. The rudi coaster was the best. We also love the Charlie Browns Wind Up swings, as well as the Flying Ace Balloon Race. Some of the other reviews here seem dated. The waterpark offers a large wave pool, a lazy river, a kiddie splash pool, and plenty of exciting slides, while the dry portion of the park features an indoor rock climbing wall, a laser tag arena, a jungle-themed indoor playground, a large arcade, and a snack shack selling tasty food and beverages. The Carnivorous Plant Collection is an acclaimed collection of unique carnivorous plants, including pitcher plants, butterworts, Venus Flytraps and sundews, and the Coastal Plain and Sandhills Habitat Gardens feature fauna and flora found in the ecosystems of eastern North Carolina.