9 Best Amusement And Theme Parks In And Near Charlotte, North Carolina

Victor
Contributing Writer
Updated
| 4 min read
theme parks in charlotte nc

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.

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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

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2. Ray’s Splash Planet

Ray's Splash Planet Waterpark and Slides
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user DOOLEYCE used under CC BY-SA 3.0

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

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3. Carowinds

theme parks in charlotte nc | carowinds
Source: www.viator.com

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.

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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

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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

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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)

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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

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8. Tweetsie Railroad

Tweetsie Railroad
Source: Photo by user Government & Heri... used under CC BY 2.0

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

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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

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Enjoy ultimate family fun in Charlotte

Afterburn - Carowinds
Source: Photo by user nannersaurus used under CC0

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


Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Victor firmly believes that writing is a skill anyone can develop, and he is a living testament to that philosophy. With a genuine love for writing, he finds it to be a powerful means of sharing...Read more

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