Day & Weekend Trips

Burlington City Park
This state of the art park features five athletic fields, an amusement area featuring an extensive playground and courtyard, Historical Dentzel Carousel, a walking track, lighted tennis courts, a year-round aquatics facility, three enclosed shelters with grills, two open air shelters with grills, picnic tables throughout the park, a peaceful stream which winds its way through the park, and a greenway. Hours are Saturday, 11am-9pm and Sunday, 1pm-7pm.
S. Church Street
Burlington, NC 27215
(336) 222-5030

Cabin Lake Recreational Park
A 167 acre county park located in the eastern part of Duplin County near the town of Beulaville. A 69 acre lake provides canoeing, fishing and swimming. RV hookups, camp sites, nature trail, picnic shelter and a bathhouse.
220 Cabin Lake Rd.
Beulaville, NC 28518
(910) 298-3648
cabinlake@intrstar.net

Chatham County Bicycle Trails
198-mile system of bicycle trails that cover lightly-traveled country roads to connect the towns, crossroad communities, and points of interest in Chatham County.
Pittsboro, NC 27312
(800) 316-3829
visitchatham@earthlink.net

Hill Ridge Farms
Hill Ridge Farm has tons of fun for the kids including hayrides, petting barn, fish-feeding pond, kiddy park, and old-time farm equipment and exhibits. Open from March-December, Mon.-Sat. 9am-5pm and Sun. 1-5pm.
703 Tarrboro Rd.
Youngsville, NC 27596
(919) 556-1771
hillridgefarms@mindspring.com

Jubilee Amusement Park
Family fun park at Carolina Beach offering over 20 rides, 3 go-cart tracks arcade, 3 water slides, arcade, snack bar, bingo parlor and much more!
1000 N Lake Park Blvd.
Carolina Beach, NC 28428
(910) 458-9017
jubileegbs@aol.com

Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park
Water park with wave pool, lazy river, tube slide, kiddy splash pool, and slides. Dry activities include a go-kart track, mini golf, kid’s indoor playground, arcade, laser tag arena, and restaurant.
5320 Oleander Dr.
Wilmington, NC 28403
(910) 791-0666

Mountain Gateway Museum
Museum highlights include an introductory video presentation, self-guided tours, living history exhibits, collections of photographs, tools, and house wares. Muse programs are featured several times a year and the Pioneer Day festival is held on the grounds. The site also houses two 1800s log cabins, an outdoor amphitheater and a picnic area along the banks of Mill Creek.
The corner of Water and Catawba Streets
Old Fort, NC 28762
(828) 668-9259
gateway@wnclink.com

Museum of the Albemarle
Tells the story of the people who have lived in the Albemarle region -- from Native Americans to the first English-speaking colonists to farmers and fishermen. Open Tuesday-Saturday, 9-5 and Sunday, 2-5. Closed Mondays and state holidays.
1116 U.S. 17 South
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
(252) 335-1453
moa@ncmail.net

NC Zoo
Come and explore more than 500 acres which will allow you to see everything from Polar Bears to an authentic African marketplace. The country's largest and finest walk-through, natural-habitat zoo. Open April-September 9am-5pm daily and October-March 9am-4pm daily. $10 for adults and $6 for kids, students, and seniors.
4401 Zoo Parkway
Asheboro, NC 27205
(800) 488-0444

North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher
The Aquarium includes indoor and outdoor exhibits, auditorium, classrooms, meeting rooms, and a gift shop. In addition, there are daily programs featuring live animals, marine life videos and special activities. Open year-round from 9am-5pm daily. Admission prices are $7 for adults, $5 ages 6-17, and free to kids 5 and under.
900 Loggerhead Rd.
Kure Beach, NC 28449
(800) 832-3474

North Carolina Maritime Museum
Seeks to preserve and interpret all aspects of North Carolina's rich maritime heritage through educational exhibits, programs and field trips. The Maritime Museum is open 360 days each year from 9am to 5pm weekdays, 10am to 5pm Saturdays, and 1 to 5pm on Sundays, closing only for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day holidays (call for exact dates).
315 Front Street
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 728-7317
maritime@ncmail.net

Paramount Carowinds Theme Park
Offering more than 100 rides, Paramount's Carowinds has something for everyone. Nickelodeon Central features miniature rides for the younger kids, while the water rides guarantees a good time for the older ones. Open from May to September, water park admission is included in the cost of the theme park.
14523 Carowinds Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28273
(704) 588-2600

Wilmington Children's Museum
The Wilmington Children’s Museum is a hands-on learning-through-play center that stimulates children’s imagination, curiosity, and innate love of learning. Hours are Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm and Sundays 1-4pm.
1020 Market St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 254-3534
museuminfo@wilmingtonchildrensmuseum.org

Weekend Trips

Falls Lake State Recreation Area
For fun in the sun or just a place to get away from it all, escape to Falls Lake and leave behind the pressures of urban life. Moments away from the hustle and bustle of the Research Triangle, this 12,000-acre Lake and 26,000 acres of woodlands offer a variety of activities. Come for the day and bring along your fishing gear and picnic basket. Put your boat in the water. Take a dip in one of the designated swimming areas. Or spend a few days in the family or group campgrounds.
13304 Creedmoor Rd.
Wake Forest, NC 27587
(919) 676-1027
falls.lake@ncmail.net

Family Kingdom Amusement and Water Park
Myrtle Beach's most popular Amusement Park has over 30 fun-filled rides to choose from! Enjoy a state of the art Log Flume, two Go-Kart tracks, bumper cars, and a historical carousel. At the water park children can enjoy splash pools with two refreshing rain trees, a uniquely designed waterfall and eight kiddy slides.
300 South Ocean Blvd.
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
http://www.family-kingdom.com/

Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park
Make sure to bring the whole family to this fun-filled park! Jungle Rapids has Grand Prix go-karts, laser tag areas, the largest indoor playground in Wilmington, an 18 hole miniature golf course, a climbing wall, and to top it all off - a water park that includes a lazy river, a million gallon wave pool, waterslides, and a children's pool. This park is a great weekend trip for you and the family.
5320 Oleander Dr.
Wilmington, NC 28403
(910) 791-0666

Outer Banks, NC
The Outer Banks is brimming with historic attractions -- the 16th century history of our first settlers is celebrated on Roanoke Island. Even the site of man’s first powered airplane flight is found on The Outer Banks. Don’t miss the trademark lighthouses that dot the coastline. The Cape Hatteras is probably the most well-known and beloved. Elizabeth Gardens is a nice relaxing place to visit, even though you will find wonderful relaxation just strolling along the water's edge one any number of gorgeous beaches.
http://www.outerbanks.org/

Paramount's Carowinds
There's a lot a family can see and do at Paramount's Carowinds. In Nickelodeon Central, loaded with more than 20 attractions, children can take a train ride with Dora the Explorer’s Azul or fly, dip and swirl with Danny Phantom. It's a great way to spend your summer, with twelve action-packed roller coasters, dozens of thrill and water adventures, and the Waterworks water park.
14523 Carowinds Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28273
http://www.carowinds.com/

Santa's Land
Amusement rides for all ages and live entertainment throughout the park or hop aboard the train for an unforgettable three-mile journey through the scenic mountains.
Blowing Rock, NC
(800) 526-5740

Tweetsie Railroad
This Wild West theme park is designed to entertain and delight families with young children … and all adults who remain young at heart. Visit Tweetsie's western town and hop aboard an historic steam locomotive for a thrilling trip into the days of the Wild West. Enjoy live music and shows, visit the friendly animals in the Deer Park, and take in the breathtaking scenery of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Highway 321
Blowing Rock, NC 28605
(800) 526-5740
http://www.tweetsie.com/

Wet 'N Wild at Emerald Pointe
Visit the largest waterpark in the Carolinas featuring over 34 rides and attractions.
3910 South Holden Rd.
Greensboro, NC 27406
(800) 555-5900

Williamsburg, VA
Come see where America began. Visit Jamestown established in 1607 and site of the first permanent English settlement in the “New World.” Walk the road to revolution at Yorktown where our independence was won when General Cornwallis surrendered to General George Washington, during the American Revolutionary War.

A must for every family is a trip to Colonial Williamsburg, where you will step back more than 220 years in time. Colonial Williamsburg is the nation’s largest outdoor living history museum encompassing 173 acres including nearly 500 public buildings, homes, stores and taverns reconstructed and restored to their 18th-century appearances; tradesmen practicing 30 historic trades and domestic crafts; historical interpreters and character actors; and 90 acres of gardens and greens. Shopping here is fantastic, pottery and soaps being tow of our favorite small items to bring back.

Known for its cultural museums and nationally recognized historic sites, Williamsburg also home to two Anheuser-Busch theme parks, Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Water Country USA.
http://www.visitwilliamsburg.com/