21 Places in North Carolina to Take Your Kids Before They Grow Up

What’s your most memorable childhood vacation? Was it when your toes first touched the ocean? Eating a sundae the size of your head? Going on your first upside-down roller coaster?

The things that bind these experiences are the thrills and joys that come with doing something new. In that spirit, here are 21 awe-inspiring North Carolina destinations and experiences where you can create lasting memories with your kids, whether they’re elementary-school age or home for summer or holiday break from college.

1 'Unto These Hills'

1 'Unto These Hills'

CherokeeSee on map

On paper, this outdoor drama is a history lesson. But in reality, the chance to see and hear from Native Americans will bring to life stories your kids have likely read in textbooks or watched in movies. Enjoy performances six nights a week (in season from late May to mid-August), and parents can feel good knowing they’re sharing an important part of American history in a fun, unique way with their youngsters. Performances run about two hours, and since temperatures from day to night vary in the mountains, bring jackets or blankets just in case.

Best when kids are: elementary age and up

Website(866) 554-4557Directions

2 Uwharrie National Forest

2 Uwharrie National Forest

TroySee on map

Here in one of the oldest mountain ranges in North America, you’ll find horseback riding, camping, boating and swimming, plus lake, pond, river and stream fishing, which means families can make a day, weekend or week out of their visit. A Boy Scout even created a QR-coded trail that unlocks information about the forest's history along the way.

Best when kids are: any age

Website(910) 576-6391Directions

3 Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

3 Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

BuxtonSee on map

Lighthouses scream adventure for kids because these landmarks are tied to the sea, which is the home of explorers they’ve learned about in school and the pirates they’ve wanted to be (or defeat) on TV. This monument also happens to be North America's tallest brick lighthouse, which means you should only attempt to climb with your kids once they can handle going up 257 steps on their own. (Note: The lighthouse is currently closed for climbing due to ongoing restoration efforts.)

Best when kids are: elementary age and up

Website(252) 473-2111Directions

4 Winchester Creek Farm

Featured by: Visit NC Smokies

4 Winchester Creek Farm

WaynesvilleSee on map

Odds are your child has asked for a pet horse at some point – but at Winchester Creek Farm, you can give them the next best thing. Befriend adorable mini farm animals such as horses, cows, donkeys, goats, sheep and pigs on an educational tour of this family-owned farm surrounded by NC’s Great Smoky Mountains. Be sure to check the calendar for special holiday events, and alpaca yoga is even an option for adults. Other family favorites in the area include Cataloochee Valley for its wild elk and hiking trails, and Sunburst Swimming Hole.

Best when kids are: any age

Website(828) 246-9486Directions

5 North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

5 North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

RaleighSee on map

Yes, the rumors are true: General admission is free to this natural sciences museum, the largest of its kind in the Southeast. Your family will enjoy unlocking some of the mysteries of the universe – not to mention that dinosaurs are just, well, awesome. And your kids will be wowed beginning with the walk from the parking lot, as they approach the massive, three-story world globe, known as the Daily Planet. It’s the centerpiece of the Nature Research Center, a wing of the museum that opened with the goal of inspiring a new generation of young scientists. And don't miss the brand-new Dueling Dinosaurs exhibit, where you'll enter the world of a paleontologist and see dinosaur fossils still encased in sediment.

Best when kids are: elementary age and up

Website(919) 707-9800Directions

6 Wild Horses at Shackleford Banks

6 Wild Horses at Shackleford Banks

Shackleford BanksSee on map

Take the exuberant reaction your kids have to visiting a zoo and multiply it several times over – that’s what you get when your little ones see animals in the wild. The adventure begins with the ferry ride to the Crystal Coast island of Shackleford Banks, the southernmost barrier island in Cape Lookout National Seashore. More than 100 wild horses roam free here, just as they have for the past 500+ years. Get an in-depth experience by taking a guided tour from Shackleford Wild Horse and Shelling Safari.

Best when kids are: any age

Website(252) 728-2250Directions

7 Whitewater Rafting on the Nantahala River

7 Whitewater Rafting on the Nantahala River

Bryson CitySee on map

For the family that likes a bit of an adrenaline rush, there’s nothing like whitewater rafting, and the teamwork aspect bonds parents and children in a special way. Nantahala Outdoor Center and other local outfitters offer half-day excursions, or full-day trips with lunch. After conquering the river, grab sliders, salads and other mouth-watering fares on Big Wesser's patio.

Best when kids are: tweens and up

Website(828) 785-5082Directions

8 Museum of Life + Science

8 Museum of Life + Science

DurhamSee on map

Although some of us grow out of loving science as we age, when we’re kids, science is undeniably fascinating. The museum’s more than 80 acres include an outdoor playground, animal exhibits and interactive stations where kids can build flying objects, conduct lab experiments or play astronaut.

Best when kids are: any age

Website(919) 220-5429Directions

9 82nd Airborne Division War Memorial Museum

9 82nd Airborne Division War Memorial Museum

Fort LibertySee on map

Visits to museums have long been ways for kids to learn history outside of the classroom and textbooks. Plus, at this museum, there are some really cool planes spread throughout the grounds for them to ooh and ahh over. It’s also the only museum in America to showcase the history from World War I to the present of the 82nd Airborne Division, and it’s all free.

Best when kids are: elementary age and up

Website(910) 436-1735Directions

10 Tweetsie Railroad

10 Tweetsie Railroad

Blowing RockSee on map

The popularity of trains among kids has lasted through generations of toy trends. In Blowing Rock, parents can bring the fantasy to life aboard the 3-mile Tweetsie Railroad ride. To make the experience even more special, plan your visit during one of the park's special events such as Day Out With Thomas or Tweetsie Christmas.

Best when kids are: toddlers to elementary age

Website(828) 264-9061Directions

11 Canoeing in the Dismal Swamp

11 Canoeing in the Dismal Swamp

South MillsSee on map

Being on the water is a thrill regardless of age or vehicle, so a kayak outing is sure to deliver smiles and a sense of accomplishment too. Kayak and canoe rentals are available from the park, and if you'd rather stay on land, bike rentals are an option too.

Best when kids are: tweens and up

Website(252) 771-6593Directions

12 Battleship North Carolina

12 Battleship North Carolina

WilmingtonSee on map

Be sure to add a visit to Wilmington on your vacation plans to step aboard this massive vessel. Let your kids play captain by steering the ship and firing guns. While you’re in the area, why not visit The Little Dipper, named by OpenTable as one of the top 100 restaurants in the USA. Your family will have a blast dipping fondue and deciding between dessert options such as milk and cookies, s’mores and fluffernutter. Adults can enjoy the optional beer or wine pairings with each course.

Best when kids are: elementary age and up

Website(910) 399-9100Directions

13 North Carolina Zoo

13 North Carolina Zoo

AsheboroSee on map

A trip to the zoo as a child is a prerequisite for adulthood. Developing an awareness and appreciation for nature in your own cubs encourages them to be more compassionate and concerned for wildlife as adults. The North Carolina Zoo, the largest natural habitat zoo in the country, is divided into Africa, Desert and North America. Plus, it includes plenty of other attractions such as a Giraffe Deck, Cypress Swamp and The Prairie Geyser.

Best when kids are: any age

Website(336) 879-7000Directions

14 Sliding Rock and the Land of Waterfalls

14 Sliding Rock and the Land of Waterfalls

BrevardSee on map

If you think kids love plastic slip-and-slides, wait until you see their faces light up as they slide down an all-natural one – and you’ll get to feel like a kid again too. Of course, kids will want to wear their swimsuits, but shorts and sneakers are recommended for a ride down this 60-foot waterslide into the 7-feet-deep swimming hole (lifeguards are on duty seasonally).

Best when kids are: elementary age and up

Website(828) 884-8900Directions

15 Linville Caverns, Linville Falls & Gorge, and Grandfather Mountain

Linville Falls

15 Linville Caverns, Linville Falls & Gorge, and Grandfather Mountain

Marion, LinvilleSee on map

Visiting a cavern for the first time will astonish your little ones, who may have never realized such natural beauty existed underground. Experiences such as these are what often lead to kids proclaiming they want to be an archaeologist when they grow up. Your trip here can also include exploring Linville Gorge and crossing the Mile High Swinging Bridge at Grandfather Mountain.

Best when kids are: elementary age and up

Website(828) 733-4337Directions

16 Bike Ride from Duck to the Sanderling

16 Bike Ride from Duck to the Sanderling

DuckSee on map

There’s something about a family bike ride that makes time stand still. And your children will love the feeling of independently transporting themselves while you get to unplug and just enjoy the moment. This bike-friendly path is only 5 miles long and provides views of beautiful Currituck Sound. Get up early and hit Duck Donuts first with your choice of coatings and toppings.

Best when kids are: elementary age and up

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17 Chimney Rock State Park

17 Chimney Rock State Park

Chimney RockSee on map

The 360-degree view at the top of Chimney Rock makes each step worth it. Your kids will feel as if they’re flying high above the treetops when standing atop this 1,200-foot monolith, and you’ll be the one to thank for giving them this superpower. The 0.6-mile Great Woodland Adventure Trail was designed for kids, with 12 discovery stations and oversized animal sculptures along the way. Note: Strollers are not recommended for this trail.

Best when kids are: elementary age and up

Website(828) 625-9611Directions

18 Fishing at Lake Mattamuskeet

18 Fishing at Lake Mattamuskeet

Swan QuarterSee on map

Fishing for many families is a rite of passage. Baiting your first hook and reeling in your first catch makes you walk a little taller with the knowledge that you can, in fact, fend for yourself (even if it’s just a momentary illusion). This lake doubles as a national wildlife refuge, and it’s the largest natural lake in North Carolina. Parents can also relax since fast boats and jet skis aren’t permitted, guaranteeing a peaceful day on the water.

Best when kids are: any age

Website(252) 926-4021Directions

19 ACC Hall of Champions

19 ACC Hall of Champions

GreensboroSee on map

Your budding athlete – or enthusiastic fan – will get a kick out of walking the hall dedicated to this perennial powerhouse college sports conference. You all can pledge your allegiance to the Blue Devils, Demon Deacons, Tar Heels, Wolfpack and others (or realize there’s an in-family rivalry), and share stories with your kids of how you watched some of these legendary ACC games and players live.

Best when kids are: elementary age and up

Website(336) 315-8411Directions

20 Wright Brothers National Memorial

20 Wright Brothers National Memorial

Kill Devil HillsSee on map

Learning about the legendary Wright Brothers and the first successful powered flights will give your kids a thrill and perhaps spark their own desire to soar to new heights. Kite-building and flying also take place on the grounds.

Best when kids are: elementary age and up

Website(252) 473-2111Directions

21 Carowinds

21 Carowinds

CharlotteSee on map

Amusement parks were designed for kids, but the adrenaline rush that comes with a roller coaster ride doesn’t discriminate by age. And the pride that comes with “surviving” a ride at Carowinds rewards the courage it took your child to go on it – a great recipe for future acts of bravery. Chances are, your kids have heard about the record-breaking Fury 325 coaster. Bonus: Carolina Harbor is also full of water slides, wave pools and a 3-acre kids' area.

Best when kids are: elementary age and up

Website(704) 588-2600Directions