Location: Raleigh, North Carolina Years Active: 2007 – Active Marbles Kids Museum… it’s a Raleigh staple. But be warned – this isn’t your quiet, reverential museum. Kids run wild here, and it gets LOUD. That’s the point! Marbles is about hands-on learning, letting loose, and making a mess. A water play zone, an art studio,…
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…
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina Years Active: 1981 – Active Forget those stuffy science museums. Discovery Place Science in Charlotte is where things get weird…in the best way. They’re all about letting you touch, experiment, and unleash your inner mad scientist. If you’re up for some hands-on action, this is your spot. Think exploding stuff, robots…
Location: Blowing Rock, North Carolina Years Active: 1957 – Active Tweetsie Railroad is North Carolina’s true gem – a blast from the past where the Wild West ain’t so wild anymore. Since 1957, families have flocked here for the steam trains, cheesy shootouts, and glorious mountain air. Hop aboard Engine No. 12, a real piece…
Location: Beech Mountain, North Carolina Years Active: 1970 – Active Land of Oz was an enchanting park picked right out of the movie The Wizard of Oz. Opened in 1970 in North Carolina, it was a true reflection of the movie with a yellow brick road, the dazzling Emerald City, costumes from the original movie, and so…
Location: Maggie Valley, North Carolina Years Active: 1961 – 2016 Ghost Town in the Sky opened on May 1, 1961 and quickly became one of Western North Carolina’s most popular tourist attractions. It showcased a double incline railway to bring park visitors to the top of Buck Mountain, a journey of more than 3,300 feet. The…
Location: Cherokee, North Carolina Years Active: 1964 – 1983 Frontier Land was a wild west-themed amusement park, it ran from 1964–1982. The park was created by R.B. Coburn, who also built Ghost Town in the Sky in Maggie Valley, and designed by Russell Pearson, a former Disney designer who also developed Frontier City in Oklahoma City,…
