Hey there, fellow young adventurers! Welcome to the ultimate travel guide for kids in North Carolina. Buckle up and join us on this epic journey to discover the coolest things to do in the Tar Heel State. Don’t worry; we promise not to ask, “Are we there yet?” (Okay, maybe just once!)

1. Biltmore Estate

• •  Step into a real-life castle in Asheville. The Biltmore House is so huge it’s practically a kingdom! Great news! Kids under 9 can visit the Biltmore for FREE as long as they accompany an adult with a day pass or annual membership. This includes entry to the house assuming the adult ticket includes a tour of the house. Their free admission does not include an audio tour of the house and guided audio tours will need to be purchased separately. Explore grand rooms and magical gardens. No dragons, though – just friendly butterflies
  • Farmyard Fun: Did you know there is a working farm in Antler Hill Village? Get down to earth with farmyard adventures. Petting and feeding the friendly farm animals is a family favorite. And guess what? The animals don’t mind if you ask, “Are we there yet?”

Pack for Fun: Don’t forget to bring a family picnic! Pack some sandwiches, fruit, and a cozy blanket. Enjoy a royal meal in the gardens, and don’t forget to share with the butterflies!

2. Blue Ridge Mountains National Park:

• Waterfall Hikes: Go wild! Hike to waterfalls, spot furry critters, and have picnics in the wild. You might even catch a glimpse of a “bear-y” special friend!
• Wildlife Watching: Keep your eyes peeled for critters! The park is teeming with black bears, deer, and colorful birds. It’s a real-life animal show in nature’s theater.

Pack for Fun: Get your backpack ready with a nature journal, binoculars, and a wildlife guide. Keep a record of all the animals and birds you spot and become a mini naturalist!

3. North Carolina Zoo:

4. Carowinds:

• • Animal Encounters: Get ready for a safari in Asheboro! Say hello to lions, tigers, and bears (oh my!), and check out Dino World for some roaring fun.
  • Zookeeper Chats: Join the experts for daily zookeeper chats. They spill the beans on animal secrets and give you the inside scoop on what it’s like to be a zookeeper. Bring your questions!

Pack for Fun: Grab your trusty camera and make sure you have a backpack filled with snacks, sunscreen, and water bottles. You’re going to be roaring with excitement!

• • Thrill Rides: Roller coasters, water slides, and cotton candy – Carowinds in Charlotte is every kid’s dream amusement park. Scream your heart out!
  • Live Shows: Take a break from the action and catch a live show. From acrobats to characters, there’s something for everyone. Grab some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy!

Pack for Fun: Don’t leave home without comfortable shoes for all the running and walking you’ll do at the park. And bring a backpack filled with water, sunscreen, and extra snacks for those roller coaster lines!

5. Discovery Place Science:

• • Hands-On Science: Explore space, make tornadoes, and experiment with cool gadgets in Charlotte. Just remember, no matter how hard you try, you can’t turn the moon into cheese.
  • Live Demonstrations: Science comes to life in the live demonstrations. Watch exciting experiments and learn about the fascinating world of science in action. Maybe you’ll even get to volunteer!

Pack for Fun: Grab your lab coat (or a cool t-shirt) and become a young scientist. Don’t forget to pack a notebook and pen to jot down all your brilliant discoveries!

6. Linville Caverns:

• • Cave Tours: It’s time to go underground! Discover mysterious caves in Marion filled with shiny rocks and dark secrets (okay, maybe not dark secrets, but you get the idea).
  • Gem Mining: After your cave adventure, try your hand at gem mining. Your kids can pan for gems and fossils, a hands-on experience that’s sure to spark their curiosity.

Pack for Fun: Put on your explorer’s hat, and make sure you have a flashlight to explore the darkest corners of the cave. Also, don’t forget a small bag for your precious gem finds!

7. Wright Brothers National Memorial

• • Take Flight: Visit the place where humans first took flight! Kitty Hawk is where history soared, and you can fly kites or your own imagination!
  • Picnic by the Monument: Enjoy a family picnic near the Wright Brothers Monument. It’s a great spot to savor your sandwiches and reflect on the magic of flight.

Pack for Fun: Bring along your favorite kite for some high-flying fun. And in your picnic basket, include sandwiches, fruit, and some yummy aviation-themed treats!

8. Marbles Kids Museum:

• • Interactive Play: Get ready to play, learn, and be amazed in Raleigh. This museum is so fun it should be illegal – but it’s not, so go wild!
  • Art and Creativity: The museum often features art-focused exhibits and activities. Your children can unleash their artistic side and create their own masterpieces.

Pack for Fun: Fill your art backpack with colored pencils, paper, and maybe even a mini easel for creating masterpieces. Plus, don’t forget some snacks to fuel your artistic energy!

9. Mariners’ Wharf Park:

• • Pirate Adventures: Ahoy, matey! Head to Beaufort to see pirate ships, learn about sea creatures, and even find pirate treasure (just kidding about the treasure, but a pirate can dream!).
  • Marine Biology Exploration: Dive into the world of marine biology. Learn about local sea life and participate in interactive exhibits that bring the ocean to life.

Pack for Fun: Put on your pirate hats and eye patches and be ready for swashbuckling adventures. Bring a small cooler with plenty of pirate snacks for your little crew!

10. Great Wolf Lodge:

• 1. • Indoor Water Park: The Great Wolf Lodge in Concord, North Carolina is like a gigantic playground for families! It’s the ideal location for a fantastic holiday. Imagine an enormous indoor water park where you can have fun regardless of the weather. There are large water slides, a lazy river to float on, an ocean-like wave pool, and even a specific area for young children. All day long, you can splash around and enjoy yourselves!
     • MagiQuest: This is like a real-life video game adventure. You get a magic wand, and it’s your job to solve puzzles, find treasures, and defeat dragons throughout the whole lodge. It’s like being a hero in your very own story. It’s not just fun; it’s also super cool.
     • Howlers Peak Ropes Course: For all of you thrill-seekers, there is a high ropes course that resembles an obstacle course high above the ground. It’s a bit of a challenge and you have to climb and balance, but it’s so much fun! Like being a courageous explorer, that is.
     • The Great Fireplace: The lodge offers various family-friendly activities. Make sure to participate in some of these together, like story time by the fireplace, character meet-and-greets, or games in the arcade.

  Pack for Fun: Don’t forget your swimwear and water shoes for the indoor water park. Towels are usually provided, but it’s a good idea to bring your own. Bring comfortable clothing for activities, and check the dress code for any on-site restaurants or attractions you plan to visit.

11. Tweetsie Railroad

This is a super cool place in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. The Tweetsie Railroad has been around for a long time. It used to be a real train called the “Tweetsie” that made “tweet” sounds with its whistle. Now, it’s a place where kids like us can have Wild West adventures! It’s like a wild adventure in the Wild West! Here’s what you can do there:

• Train Ride: The best part is the train ride! You hop on a real steam train, and it takes you through the mountains. There’s even a Wild West show on the train, with cowboys and everything.
• Fun Rides: There are other fun rides like a Ferris wheel and a carousel. You can go on them over and over again!
• Live Shows: They have shows with cowgirls and cowboys dancing and singing. It’s so fun to watch.
• Animals: At Tweetsie Railroad, you can visit a place called Deer Park and even pet some animals. It’s awesome!
• Museum: There’s a cool museum where you can learn about the history of the park and trains.

Admission can cost around $45 to $50 for grown-ups and $30 to $35 for kids like us. But remember, prices can change, so check their website to know how much it costs now. They might also have special deals sometimes. The best time to go is when the park is open, usually from late spring to early fall. Summer is the best because it’s warm, and there are lots of fun events and shows. But fall is great too because the leaves on the trees turn pretty colors

Tweetsie Railroad is all about fun, adventure, and learning about the Wild West. So, if you love trains, cowboys, and having a great time, it’s the perfect place to visit! Yeehaw!

Remember, the journey is just as important as the destination. So, fasten your seatbelts and have a blast exploring North Carolina. Who knows where we’ll adventure next? Stay tuned for more “Are We There Yet?” fun!

[Disclaimer: This blog may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commission if you book through our links – it helps keep the journey going! Thank you!]