Location: Manteo, North Carolina Years Active: 2007 – Active Forget those picture-perfect aquariums with spotless tanks. The North Carolina Aquarium Roanoke Island is the real deal. It celebrates the Outer Banks’ waters – the good, the bad, and the sometimes ugly. Think playful otters, rescued sea turtles with heartwarming stories, and a massive shark tank…
Location: Greensboro, North Carolina Years Active: 1957 – Active The Greensboro Science Center? Yeah, it’s got the cute animals and the usual kid-friendly science stuff. But there’s more to it than that. This place has a surprising edge if you know where to look. Imagine getting close enough to a tiger to feel its breath….
Location: Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina Years Active: 1976 – Active Forget those stuffy science museums – the North Carolina Aquarium Pine Knoll Shores is where the real action is! Since 1976, they’ve been showing off the coolest creatures of the Atlantic. We’re talking sharks, seahorses, and those adorable sea turtles everyone loves. It’s not…
Built inside a repurposed downtown Raleigh warehouse, Marbles Kids Museum spreads its exhibits across bright, looping corridors anchored by a central atrium and playful climbing structures. The Marbles Kids Museum map keeps families oriented through its layered floors and themed zones—from hands-on science labs to pretend city streets—so kids don’t miss a favorite stop. It…
Location: Concord, North Carolina Years Active: 2014 – Active Love fish? Sea Life Charlotte-Concord Aquarium is the place for you. It’s part of the bustling Concord Mills, so plan some shopping time too! The aquarium takes you on an underwater journey through amazing marine ecosystems. You’ll see everything from sharks to seahorses. The star attraction…
Location: Wilmington, North Carolina Years Active: 1970 – Active Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park isn’t your average water park. It’s a Wilmington institution – a splash of old-school fun that’s been around since 1970. Sure, it’s got the water slides and lazy river, but the vibe is totally different. Expect a laid-back, tropical feel that…
Location: Greensboro, North Carolina Years Active: 1984 – Active Wet ‘n Wild Emerald Pointe ain’t about sleek slides or fancy cocktails. It’s about getting seriously soaked, laughing ’til your sides ache, and maybe even losing your swimsuit on that crazy drop slide. This park’s got that old-school charm – faded paint, squeaky turnstiles, you get…
Location: Asheboro, North Carolina Years Active: 1974 – Active The North Carolina Zoo is a big deal. It’s massive – the world’s largest natural habitat zoo! If you love animals, this is a must-see. They’ve been open since 1974, and the mission is serious, protect animals, teach people to care. But it’s not boring. It…
Built around a central atrium that feels part museum, part laboratory, Discovery Place Science in uptown Charlotte uses its tight urban footprint to layer exhibits vertically—biology upstairs, physics below, and a rainforest dome bridging the middle. A Discovery Place Science map helps guests trace those shifts without missing the underwater tunnel, IMAX theater, or rotating…
Built around a looping narrow-gauge railway in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Tweetsie Railroad is less a park and more a living frontier town that rumbles to life with every steam whistle. The compact layout circles through cowboy streets, hillside chairlifts, and tucked-away animal barns—easy to miss without a solid Tweetsie Railroad map in hand. It’s…
