From seeing natural wonders and geological anomalies to challenging yourselves with outdoor sports, you and your children will have a blast adventuring through North Carolina on these outdoor spring day trips.
Mountains
Adventure Center of Asheville
Asheville
(877) 247-5539
Your brave adventurers will have a bird’s-eye view of Asheville when they visit the Asheville Adventure Park. Zip on the Canopy Zipline Tour with two 1,200 foot lines or the KidZip for younger kids.
The Blowing Rock
Blowing Rock
(828) 295-7111
Ripley’s calls the Blowing Rock — North Carolina’s oldest travel attraction — “the only place in the world where snow falls upside down.” Your kids will learn legend of the Chickasaw Indian who jumped from the rock only to be blown back, proving he was meant to marry his beloved girlfriend.
Linville Caverns
Marion
(800) 419-0540
Introduce your children to life inside a mountain with a day trip visit to Linville Caverns. They will see the native trout in the subterranean world along with the hanging stalactites and cathedral-like “rooms.”
Oconaluftee Village
Cherokee
(828) 497-2111
Your family will be swept back to the 18th century at Oconaluftee Village. Kids will experience finger-weaving, basket and pottery making, Cherokee dancing, and other facets of everyday life of the Cherokee centuries ago. The Museum of the Cherokee Indian spotlights interactive displays educating children of all ages about Cherokee history and legend.
Piedmont
Carolina Raptor Center
Huntersville
(704) 875-6521
Over more than 40 years, the Carolina Raptor Center has treated and rehabilitated more than 8,000 endangered birds and released them into the wild. The avian patients include raptors, owls, osprey, falcons and vultures. Now the Raptor Center has partnered with Mecklenburg County to create the Quest Adventure Center at the Latta Plantation Nature Preserve.
North Carolina Zoo
Asheboro
(800) 488-0444
A new continent will soon be emerging at the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro. Animals from Asia will join the Zoo’s animal population from North America and Africa. Included will be tigers, red pandas and Komodo dragons.
U.S. National Whitewater Center — One Of The Best Outdoor Spring Day Trips In NC!
Charlotte
(704) 391-3900
The Whitewater Center is a 1,300 acre playground with recreational adventures for your kids year-round. Among the offerings are ice skating, whitewater rafting, ziplines, flatwater kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, deep water polo and mountain biking.
Coast
Pullen Park
Raleigh
(919) 996-6468
The fun never stops at North Carolina’s oldest public park. Pullen Park in downtown Raleigh park features the historic Dentzel Carousel, kiddie boats, the fabulous C.P. Huntington miniature train, pedal boats and lots more.
Wilson Whirligig Park and Museum
Wilson
(252) 243-8440
This one-of-a-kind Wilson Whirligig Park provides fascinating artistic, educational and recreational opportunities as students gaze in wonder at a collection of 30 whimsical whirligigs. The colossal and impressive sculptures were the creation of Vollis Simpson, a retired repairman.
What’s Next?
As spring turns to summer, where do you bring your children? We’d love to hear about your family’s favorite outdoor experiential learning activities! Contact us to make recommendations.
