Charlotte is never short of thrilling attractions. It is the home city to the famed NASCAR Hall of Fame, the ever-charming Lake Norman, and the breathtaking trails of Little Sugar Creek. It is a destination whose range of attractions will delight the heart, minds, and souls of nearly every kind of traveler, ranging from hot-blooded outdoors enthusiasts to reserved indoor lovers. If you are planning to visit with your family, along with the best hotels and vacation rentals in Charlotte, you might wonder about the theme parks and amusement parks where you can be treated to some wholesome family fun. Charlotte has plenty of them for you to choose from. Scroll down for our recommendations on the best amusement and theme parks in and near Charlotte, North Carolina.
Why Trust Trip101?
✅ Over 50,000 articles reviewed and published by our experienced team
✅ Over 50 years of combined experience researching, writing and reviewing travel articles
✅ Over 40,000 hours spent on research and fact-checking from credible sources (last year’s data)
✅ Optimizing content from data-driven insights collected directly from users on our platform
✅ Focus on authentic and up-to-date information by collaborating with local guides, global travelers and other industry experts
✅ Long-standing partnerships with credible brands like Airbnb, Booking.com, Agoda, Expedia, GetYourGuide, Viator, RVShare and more
✅ Full disclosure on any partnerships or sponsored content
Trip101’s team of writers, editors, and content managers oversees the publication of all travel content, including destination guides, accommodation recommendations, and travel tips. They have extensive experience in the travel industry and no content, written or visual, gets published without a review. Many of our team’s work has also been featured in Travel+Leisure, National Today, The Indian Express, The Telegraph (India), Robb Report, The Adventure Handbook, Tripoto, Korea Tourism Organization, and Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Some of them are also members of professional organizations like the Society of American Travel Writers and the International Travel Writers and Photographers Alliance.
Each member of the team follows Trip101's methodology and strict editorial guidelines to ensure accuracy, authenticity, and relevance.
1. K1 Speed
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
We're still operating as normal. Come visit K1 Speed Concord and race indoors
Posted by K1 Speed on Monday, September 17, 2018
For a thrilling time, visit K1 Speed - Indoor Go Karts near Charlotte’s city center. The indoor amusement park in Charlotte, North Carolina, boasts a Go-Kart track, the longest of all the K1 Speed branches that will challenge even experienced racers.
This place is great if you’re looking to unwind with co-workers after a long day or spend some quality fun time with family. There are meeting rooms with AV facilities you can use and a pit cafe serving snacks and drinks. The nightclub-style lighting creates a relaxing, chill vibe for hangouts.
K1 Speed - Indoor Go Karts
Address: 800 Derita Road #K, Concord, NC 28027
Website: K1 Speed Concord
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 12pm - 10pm; Fri: 12pm - 12am; Sat: 10am - 12am; Sun: 10am - 10pm
Price: From 25.95 USD
2. Ray’s Splash Planet
Ray’s Splash Planet, commonly known as Ray’s, is one of the very first recommendations you will get when searching for the best theme parks and amusement parks in Charlotte, North Carolina. It is a one-of-a-kind water park with interesting features that promise lots of funs.
Some of the amenities of this theme park in Charlotte for adults and kids include a water playground, a vortex pool, a lazy river, and a gigantic slide. Also featured is a modern fitness center, complete with an aerobics studio and a cardiovascular theater.
Ray's Splash Planet
Address: 215 N Sycamore St, Charlotte, NC 28202, United States
Website: Ray’s Splash Planet
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 7am - 8pm; Sat: 9am - 7pm; Sun: 1pm - 7pm
Price: 3 USD
3. Carowinds
Carowinds is the biggest and the most popular theme park in Charlotte. This huge park is reputed for being the home to the largest collection of rollercoasters in the world and this is a subtle indication of the kind of fun that awaits your family in this park. Apart from the thrilling rollercoasters, access to this theme park also comes with access to Carolina Harbor Water Park, where you will find more thrilling opportunities for fun in the water.
Book Tours : Carowinds General Admission Ticket
Nearby theme parks and amusement parks
4. Burlington City Park Amusement Area
Lake Mackintosh's closure for maintenance has been extended for the rest of this week. It will reopen Saturday, January...
Posted by Burlington Recreation & Parks on Tuesday, 14 January 2020
The Burlington City Park Amusement Park brings Charlotte’s residents and visitors more than 75 acres (30.4 ha) of activities suited for all family members. It is one of only three municipal operated theme parks in Charlotte. One of its major features is the Dentzel Carousal, which is known to attract thousands of visitors every year. It is also well-endowed with miniature trains, boats, a kid’s playground, a year-round aquatic center, five softballs fields, a tennis court, an indoor fitness center, and several amusement rides for kids.
Burlington City Park Amusement Area
Address: 1388 S Main St, Burlington, NC 27215, United States
Website: Burlington City Park Amusement Area
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 1pm & 5pm - 8pm; Sat: 10am - 8pm; Sun: 1pm - 8pm
Price: 1 USD
5. Adventure Landing Winston-Salem
Adventure Landing is the perfect place for Group Events: Church Events, School Field Trips, Graduation Nights, Company Picnics and more! For more details or to book your event now, visit https://drg.io/2w5J708
Posted by Adventure Landing Winston-Salem on Tuesday, 22 May 2018
Adventure Landing Winston-Salem is another great theme park ideal for family fun and celebrations, such as birthday parties. It has three different putt-putt courses, bumper boats, and an arcade with a variety of interesting games. The putt-putt course, however, seems to be the major attraction in this theme park.
Adventure Landing Winston-Salem
Address: 1600 S Stratford Rd, Winston-Salem, NC 27103, United States
Website: Adventure Landing Winston-Salem
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 10am - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 10am - 11pm; Sun: 11am - 10pm
Price: 7.50 USD
6. Wet’n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park
Only 108 days until we open! Not that we are counting or anything. Who has their Season Passes or tickets purchased already? https://bddy.me/2SjRk8S
Posted by Wet 'n Wild North Carolina on Thursday, 6 February 2020
The Wet’n Wid Emerald Water Park in Greensboro has been consistently ranked among the top 10 water parks in the United States, and, if you are looking for the best family friendly theme park near Charlotte, then this is one of the best recommendations you will ever get. The park covers a massive 41 acres (16.5 ha). The millions of gallons of water in this park is nicely distributed across 36 rides and attractions, which features a soak zone, wave pools, kiddie slides, tube slides, and several body slides. As such, the park comes with every kind of amenity you may wish to have in a theme park for the ultimate in fun and relaxation.
You can choose to relax and watch the rest have fun at the leisure lagoon or you can enjoy a ride on a raft down the lazy river. If you prefer something more dramatic or adrenalin-inducing, you can try a ride on the Twin Twisters. This a pair of enclosed water chutes that will twist and turn in the complete dark and rise for over 350 feet (106.7 meters) before dropping into a pool. Simply put, there is something for everyone at this amusement park.
Wet'n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park
Address: 3910 S Holden Rd, Greensboro, NC 27406, United States
Website: Wet'n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park
Opening hours: 10am - 9pm (daily)
7. Frankie’s Fun Park
Frankie’s Fun Park has at least four locations in South and North Carolina and it is one of the top recommendations that will keep coming up when you ask about the best theme parks and amusement parks in Charlotte. Their facility in North Carolina is in Raleigh and it features a variety of unique rides, slides, and a sky trail – a unique course involving balance and steps beams that have been suspended up to four stories high.
The park also has a mini-golf course, a batting cage, bumper boats, and a kart track to ensure that no one will ever run out of things to do. Depending on your adrenalin tolerance, you are always free to choose the attractions that you feel most comfortable with.
Frankie's Fun Park
Address: 11190 Fun Park Dr, Raleigh, NC 27617, United States
Website: Frankie’s Fun Park
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 10am - 11pm; Fri - Sat: 10am - 12am; Sun: 11am - 11pm
Price: 7 USD
8. Tweetsie Railroad
If you love trains and you want to visit a railroad-themed park, you have every reason to check out the Tweetsie Railroad. Visiting this park will make you feel as if you are back in the days of the Wild West, when narrow gauge, coal-fired steam trains were the most advanced mode of transportation. You will be presented with the unique chance to ride a historic train on a 3-mile (4.8 km) journey that will take you through some of North Carolina’s mountains.
Apart from the train rides, the park also has other attractions, such as chairlift rides, a carousel, covered wagon rides, a Ferris wheel, and a small zoo, among others.
Tweetsie Railroad
Address: 300 Tweetsie Railroad Ln, Blowing Rock, NC 28605, United States
Website: Tweetsie Railroad
Opening hours: Hours vary depending on season – check website for details
9. Land of Oz Theme Park
Posted by Bryson Scott on Friday, 1 November 2019
This theme park is in Beech Mountain and is themed after L. Frank Baum’s classic novel, “The Wonderful Land of Oz”. Unlike most of the theme parks and amusement parks on this list, the Land of Oz Theme Park is not open throughout the year and only on specific dates, so check their official website for details. It is a nice place with plenty of fun and interesting activities for both kids and adults, especially those who love witch-themed fun.
Land of Oz
Address: 1007 Beech Mountain Pkwy, Beech Mountain, NC 28604, United States
Website: Land of Oz
Enjoy ultimate family fun in Charlotte
With all the fun theme parks in Charlotte, you won’t have a boring day, irrespective of your likes and preferences. For the ultimate in outdoor family fun, consider any of the above best theme parks and amusement parks in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Frequently asked questions about amusement and theme parks in and near Charlotte, North Carolina
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data