Kids can also enjoy shelling, fishing, surfing, and more among the 44 public access points. Definitely worth a visit!! 789 Biscoe Road, Troy, North Carolina 27371 (910) 576-6391. Upcoming events. Check out our epic list of 250 road trip questions to keep the whole car entertained along the way! But this itinerary is such a fun way to experience the best this state has to offer. This information can help you plan the most epic day trips with the kids. 7 North Carolina Fall Trips You Might Have Overlooked After spending a day at the Catawba Science Center, its time to have fun. This sounds like an amazing road trip! Back to Wilmington for this amusuement center featuring mini golf, a rock climbing wall, and a water park. Pisgah National Forest. We spoke with expert tour guides working in North Carolina and they gave us a comprehensive breakdown of indoor and outdoor places to visit. North Carolina Hiking & Backpacking Tours | Wildland Trekking Guests can enjoy a 7-mile roundtrip train ride in Asheville, NC, on the Craggy Mountain Line. North Carolina is one of the best states in the Eastern part of the US. The Biltmore in Asheville remains one of our favorite hidden gems. Ready to get out of town and explore, but dont want to stray too far from home? All rights reserved. Id love to visit Charlotte, Asheville and the Outer Banks. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. The Northern beaches were home to Americas first colony and the Wright Brothers first flight. Marshals . 1 Pisgah National Forest 1 Pisgah National Forest See on map Comprising more than 500,000 acres, this forest features whitewater rivers, waterfalls, hundreds of miles of trails and popular campsites. This little place in this little town draws in people from all over the globe. Her love for travel has taken her to many parts of the world. 1. Once youve arrived in Cedar Island, we recommend driving one more hour to Beaufort, NC for some lunch. Its a total of 7 miles, and you can accompany your kids and make amazing memories. Robin Jarvis is a travel writer and editor for OnlyInYourState.com with a bachelor's degree in Journalism. Many people enjoy this scenic hike that leads to a treasure. Want to get outside? 6. Slow down and savor this tiny islands pristine beaches, cute shops, and friendly locals. Jockey's Ridge State Park. Play a day trip with the kids and visit the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. Stand-out features of this science center include a sandstone cave with a 20-ft waterfall and a mist-filled playsacape. Its a great look back into history for the kids. Carowinds South Charlotte 4. Privacy PolicyLegalTerms & Conditions of Use, Around the HouseDecorFamily FunHealthy LivingOur House BuildRenovations, Easy North Carolina Biking and Hiking Trails for Kids. ft. building located in central . Last summer we went to Kure Beach, it was so great! 55 Best Day Trips From Raleigh - Family Destinations Guide If you want to spend the night, the park has a campsite and an RV park. Day Trips in North Carolina (Western) We first focus on our favorite day trips in North Carolina's mountains and in the surrounding foothills. North Carolina is beautiful year round, however there are pros and cons to each area and travel season. 23 Top Things to Do in North Carolina - U.S. News Travel Explore nine levels, imagine how it would have been living life at sea, and see if you can spot the resident alligator from the ships bow. Stay Here: Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Carolina Beach Oceanfront. This is a simple and popular hike that even children will enjoy. There are diverse temporary and permanent exhibits that fill this vast structure. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Theres so many great things about the Brevard, Pisgah Forest, and Dupont areas. Check out these 23 incredible day trips in North Carolina, and let us know your favorites! Soak up the beauty of Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens. Read More: 33 THINGS TO DO IN OUTER BANKS BY TOWN (+ an itinerary). This is home to a wide variety of species from different parts of the world. We recommend: (If youre road tripping with kids here are a few more ideas of things to do in Raleigh with kids and family friendly restaurants.). Stay Here: Hampton Inn and Suites Jacksonville. This is a fantastic getaway in winter for skiing its North Carolinas highest elevation or in summer for mountain biking. Thank you! . Send me a Printable PDF of theRoad Trip EssentialsANDTravel Planning Tips & WorksheetNow! The places on our list of day trips for kids in NC have all kinds of fun activities that cater to the kids and what they like to do for fun. No matter where you are in the Tar Heel State of North Carolina, there are tons of kid-friendly activities and attractions. And don't forget the main attraction, towering 5,946 feet in the air and estimated to be 300 million years old, this relic has rock formations dating to 1.2 billion years. General questions and FAM tours: rjarvis@onlyinyourstate.com. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Find kid-friendly activities and attractions, including water sports, festivals, and museums. Spend a day on the beach or explore the rest of this popular tourist destination in Nags Head. Exhibits include a construction zone, health center, main street, water exploration, and transportation center. The, Ole Gilliam Mill Park, 4717 Carbonton Rd #4637, Sanford, NC 27330, USA, Sure, other delicious and favorite things (in addition to Cheerwine) have come from North Carolina, but the, Few people realize North Carolina is home to the largest zoo in the world to feature natural habitats for its residents. Ride to one of the picnic shelters, stop and see the waterfalls, or just enjoy a ride through town. It always helps to have a plan in place for those moments when you want to step outside your usual routine. This is a park and a zoo where fun is the order of the day. Check out the website for up to date general admission prices. After that, you can all engage in watersports permitted at Wrightsville Beach. Family Activities In The Outer Banks | Attractions & Things To Do Take advantage of a rare, warm day in January for an, McGalliard Falls Park, Church St NW, Valdese, NC 28690, USA, Hawksnest Snow Tubing and Zipline, 2058 Skyland Dr, Seven Devils, NC 28604, USA, Book a wagon ride to get up close and personal at this little-known, Lazy 5 Ranch, 15100 Mooresville Rd, Mooresville, NC 28115, USA, Visit the longest covered bridge in North Carolina, along with some very interesting history. Charlotte Weekend Trip: A 3-day Charlotte, North Carolina Itinerary I have to admit, I am not a big fan of cities, so I might adjust it to spend more time on the island and then loooads of time hiking in the mountains and searching for waterfalls! For more information, read my full Disclosure HERE. 22 Best Day Trips from Charlotte, NC - VacationIdea.com Great Woodland Adventure Trail features discovery stations for kids, each showcasing a locally-made sculpture. We recommend staying in the centrally located Kill Devil Hills or Nags Head so that you can make the most of your visit. Take a tour of the racetrack, eat at The Speedway, and attend an event here. 20 Best Day Trips from NC for 2023 - Great Wolf Lodge Make sure to say hello to the friendly goats in the petting zoo, too. Enjoy your time on the ferry soaking in the beautiful views because youll have another three hours in the car driving the rest of the way to Wilmington. This never impacts how we share the destination with you opinions are always our own and we pride ourselves on that. Santas Land runs throughout the year and receives thousands of visitors. My hubby and I love road trips so your post is perfect! Througut the year visitors can witness reenactments of key moments in history at this replica of the 18th-century fort in Statesville, NC. Best Day Trips From Asheville. I would love to ride the white water and see Biltmore Estate and see all of the other sites you mentioned. 19 Cheap Things To Do with Kids in North Carolina You can also visit the Discovery Place Nature Center, located next to Freedom Park. When visiting North Carolina, you can participate in loads of day trips in different directions. Its the perfect little adventure that makes for a great day trip with kids. This is a great place to try kiteboarding and experience the wind like Orville and Wilbur. This region is known for its culinary delights and cultural experiences. In fact, North Carolina is home to the tallest mountain in the east: Mount Mitchell. Area: Asheville Hiking Tours. Thanks for this! This is a 75-foot-tall lighthouse with solid brick walls. The center of the NC shoreline offers untamed beauty, and youre sure to enjoy Americas Favorite Town of Beaufort. LAKE BLUE RIDGE CABIN RENTALS FOR YOUR NEXT ESCAPE, The center of the NC shoreline offers untamed beauty, and youre sure to enjoy Americas Favorite Town of, 33 THINGS TO DO IN OUTER BANKS BY TOWN (+ an itinerary), 13+ ADVENTUROUS THINGS TO DO IN JACKSONVILLE NC AND THE SURROUNDING AREA, Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Carolina Beach Oceanfront, Cape Lookout National Seashore and Lighthouse, Villas of Hatteras Landing by KEES Vacations, 9 AMAZING THINGS TO DO IN BRYSON CITY NC FOR OUTDOOR LOVERS, Embassy Suites By Hilton Wilmington Riverfront, 29+ AMAZING THINGS TO DO IN WILMINGTON NC YOU JUST CANT MISS, BILTMORE: 27 REASONS FAMILIES ADORE THIS RELAXING ASHEVILLE RESORT, Best Western Mountain Lodge at Banner Elk, BEECH MOUNTAIN SKI RESORT: A GREAT FAMILY SNOW VACATION DESTINATION, 51+ AWESOME THINGS TO DO IN CHARLOTTE NC FOR AN AMAZING TIME, Greensboro Science Centers Zoological Park, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Greensboro, NC, 14 FAMILY-FRIENDLY THINGS TO DO IN GREENSBORO NC, Best Western Plus Raleigh Crabtree Valley Hotel, 17+ UNFORGETTABLE THINGS TO DO IN RALEIGH NC THAT YOULL LOVE, 29 Unique North Carolina Rentals For Your Next Getaway, 24 Resorts In North Carolina That Will Have You Packing Your Bags Tonight, 9 Amazing and Fun Things to Do in Asheville With Kids, Kid-Friendly Hikes Near Asheville, North Carolina, GetMyBoat.com A Review of our Summer Boat Rental Experience, Santa at Phipps: Best Tips for Magical Santa Pics, 18 Unbelievably Amazing Oregon Waterfalls (+ a Map of 79 Favorites). This museum in downtown Raleigh is packed wth three floors of amazing exhibits that teach about the natural world. At the Catawba Science Center, you can walk and experience 35000 sq. There is usually a crowd, but the line moves fast and the wait is short. For more fabulous things to do and places to eat in Asheville, NC, don't miss our Guide to Asheville, NC. Come face to face with the king of the Savannah, the mighty lion! Spend the morning here before driving on a half an hour to Boone, North Carolina! Youll find out more about it in our Mountains section below. Charlotte Historical Ghost Walking Tour 3. Check out this fun 6-day itinerary perfect for the kids or the young at . In just two days your family can visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial, Jockeys Ridge State Park (the tallest active dune system on the east coast of the USA), Bodie Island Lighthouse, and spend some time on the beach. Imagine their sheer excitement when they get to ride a real train. North Carolina is a beautiful place to tour with friends and family. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. I think NC is overlooked a lot as a travel destination!! The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Travel to Valdese to explore a 45-foot waterfall hiding in a city park that also features a historical Meytre Grist Mill. It also hosts special exhibits throughout the year. Build sand castles, fly a kite, or ride the waves on a boogie board. Sure, your kids might be fine spending every weekend at Chuck E. Cheese, but youre undoubtedly ready to call it quits. 11 Day Trips to Take in North Carolina | Our State The two-acre garden serves as a nod to history (Queen Elizabeth I loved elaborate, fanciful gardens) as well as an ode to Sir Walter Raleigh and the Lost Colonists. In addition to providing a great way to see more than 1,800 animals, kids can also learn about conservation efforts and ways to protect endangered species across the globe. A makeup-free Kim Kardashian enjoyed a fun day with her daughter North West. You can explore on foot, but kids would likely love to take a horse-drawn carriage through the streets. Well, because if youre flying into the area, youre likely to start your road trip from one of our major international airports: RDU in Raleigh or CLT in Charlotte. This is wonderful! Check out these fantastic, anything-but-boring day trips in NC for kids and parents to enjoy (no large pizza-eating rodents necessary). However, if you happen to be touring North Carolina during winter, you can also attend their Winterfest. Researched and written by our staff writer who enjoys contributing about their state for our site. Located about 30 minutes from Charlotte is Great Wolf Lodge, the best indoor water park in the state. The WNC Nature Center focuses on showcasing flora and fauna of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. ), Stay Here: Sleep Inn Bryson City Cherokee, Read More: 9 AMAZING THINGS TO DO IN BRYSON CITY NC FOR OUTDOOR LOVERS. You can take a boat trip to Hatteras Island when you get there. The North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro holds the title of the worlds largest natural habitat zoo; quite the sight to behold. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. This railroad museum in New Hill, NC, aims to preserve and teach the history of the NC Railways. You can also see river otters and visit the Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation Center. They guarantee a gem mine find with every bucket. Fill your second day in Wilmington with a visit to the Battleship North Carolina, historical Fort Fisher, Carolina Beach State Park, more water sports, or just lounging on the beautiful beaches. photographs by Stacey Van Berkel, Logan Cyrus, and Wilmington and Beaches CVB. This comprehensive science center features a museum, zoo, and aquarium. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Bath is the first town in North Carolina, established in 1705, and today it remains a small village with historical significance. The high country of North Carolina is primarily known for its winter activities, but truly offers something year-round. Spend some time exploring the trails at Battle Park. Theyll teach you to fish, and then show you how to cook it up! Or grab a bite at one of Chef Ashley Christensens restaurants. Hike a trail with a ranger, or explore a kayak trail around one of the islands. The ferry to Cedar Island from Ocracoke takes around two hours. On the road againdrive 3.5 hours to Charlotte, NC! Spending quality family time together is amazing, but doing the same things over and over can get boring. Then, bring the kids to sift through buckets of beautiful crystals. Use it to plan a whole day of family fun and amazing food. Wilmington might look familiar, even if youve never been; its been the star of over 400 TV and movie productions. But what if there were all sorts of new ways to have fun together as a family? Location: North Carolina Hikes. Regardless of your ideal excursion style, North Carolina has much to offer. United States Copyright, 365 Atlanta Family, LLC, View our Privacy Policy | Subscribe to our Newsletter | Contact Site Owner | View Terms & Conditions | About Us. Ill definitely keep this guide handy when I visit NC. Plus, you can get on a canoe and tour this great swamp. Folks who love water sports activities will love Wrightsville Beach. Western North Carolina Day Trips Your Family Will Love Which will you do first? Welcome to Our Blue Ridge House in the mountains of NC. And Wilmington Water Tours Pirate Cruise is a MUST if you have kiddos. Family Vacations in NC - Kid-Friendly Attractions | VisitNC.com Its large because there are numerous things to do when you get there. Chapel Hill. celebrity families , celebrity vacations , kardashians , kim kardashian , north west , 7/8/23.