Top 10 Amusement Parks And Theme Parks In North Carolina

Rienz Althron
Contributing Writer
Updated
| 4 min read
theme parks in nc

Going to a theme park is a great way to spend time with your family, friends and even your romantic partner. You can create memorable experiences filled with laughter and excitement with them. Maybe take pictures or record videos you can reminisce with them later on in your lives. If you live in North Carolina or nearby and you are looking for theme parks you can bring your loved ones to, we can certainly help you with that. We have compiled the top amusement parks and theme parks in North Carolina, USA, to give you a helping hand in deciding where to go. Let’s head straight to the list, shall we?

When you decide to explore more of this wonderful state, book your unique accommodation at the best yurts or luxury resorts too!

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1. Carowinds

Carowinds entrance sign and state flags
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Dough4872 used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Do you want to save a few bucks with your kids? Perfect timing! Carowinds is giving children from three to five years of age a free and unlimited visit for the whole year of 2019! You just need to register with them online before May 27, 2019, and take them to the park before June 16, 2019, with their valid birth certificate or passport to verify their age. They will surely enjoy the wide array of kiddie rides and activities here, like Woodstock Express and Snoopy’s Junction to name a few. This amusement park in North Carolina has adult rides too! But, just to confirm, the promo is exclusively for kids and not for the young at heart!

Carowinds

Address: 300 Carowinds Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28273, USA

Website: Carowinds

Opening hours: 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Price: 105 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 is your one-stop recreation center. They accommodate open swimming, birthday parties and they offer swimming lessons and other fitness programs too. This fun park in North Carolina has slides that both young and old will surely enjoy. In addition, they have sports programs like baseball, basketball, soccer, they even have summer camps filled with physical activities where kids can socialize with other kids. They also hold programs for senior citizens like Tai Chi, aerobics and other health programs.

Ray's Splash Planet

Address: 215 N Sycamore St, Charlotte, NC 28202, USA

Website: Ray’s Splash Planet

Opening hours: 10:00 AM - 7:30 PM

Price: 6 USD

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3. Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park

Family Fun Park
Source: Pixabay

Another great place to take your family to is the Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park, one of the best kids’ amusement parks in North Carolina. They almost have it all. From water parks, arcade, bowling center, and rock climbing and so much more. With so many activities to choose from, your kids will surely love it here!

Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park

Address: 5320 Oleander Drive Wilmington, NC 28403

Website: Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park

Opening hours: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Price: 22.99 USD

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4. Tweetsie Railroad

Tweetsie Railroad
Source: Photo by Flickr user Smart Destinations used under CC BY-SA 2.0

For some reason, kids love playing with toy trains. They are even more fascinated with real ones. In Tweetsie Railroad, they’ll have lots of opportunities to express their fascination with trains! Not only that, but they’ll also get the chance to watch cowboys, take pictures with cute and friendly mascots, and pet an adorable deer in the deer park.

Tweetsie Railroad

Address: 13021 N 300 Tweetsie Railroad Lane Blowing Rock, NC 28605

Website: Tweetsie Railroad

Opening hours: 9:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Price: 32 USD

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5. Woods of Terror

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

If you and your family love binge-watching horror flicks, and you suddenly felt like taking your thrill-seeking desire to the next level, come and visit this haunted woods for a horrifying, fun-filled experience. There are many supernatural events to expect here - be transported to The Third Dimension in 3D, watch a parade of otherworldly beings, participate in The Purge, and mingle with beautiful vampires, if you’re brave enough, that is! Oh, and don’t miss your chance of taking a groupie with Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees!

Woods of Terror

Address: 5601 N Church St, Greensboro, NC 27455, USA

Website: Woods of Terror

Opening hours: 7:30 PM - 11:30 PM

Price: 20-50 USD

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6. Wet'n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park

Water park
Source: Pixabay

Wet'n’ Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park is one of the largest water parks in North Carolina. They have 36 slides in total, and several themed swimming pools, so you can bring as many friends as you have! What’s crazy is that the more people you have in your group, the bigger the discount you will receive! They have cabanas for rent, in-house dining spots if you go hungry, and a shopping center where you can buy souvenirs and gifts.

Wet'n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park

Address: 3910 S Holden Rd, Greensboro, NC 27406, USA

Website: Wet'n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park

Opening hours: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Price: 29 USD

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7. Ghost Town In The Sky

2010 Ghost Town in the Sky
Source: Photo by Flickr user Mike Burton used under CC BY-ND 2.0

Ghost Town In The Sky is a wild west themed park open to kids and the young at heart. What’s unique with this theme park is that it is situated on top of a mountain, and can only be accessed via a 3,370 foot (1027.176 meters) long chair lift. This is probably one of those best scenarios where the journey is as good as the destination because you will get to enjoy the views along the way. Rides include bumper car, Gunslinger and Sea Dragon and many others. They were closed for a very long time, and they are scheduled to reopen in April 2019.

Ghost Town In The Sky

Address: 16 Fie Top Rd, Maggie Valley, NC 28751, USA

Website: Ghost Town In The Sky

Opening hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

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8. Santa's Land Fun Park & Zoo

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Santa’s Land Fun Park & Zoo gives your kids the chance to meet Santa even when it’s not yet Christmas! Kids will also be able to watch many animals here, like porcupines, monkeys kangaroos, and a wide variety of exotic birds. Enjoy watching, and participating in the magic shows, play in the arcade room, and enjoy the rides! The amusement park will be open in May 2019.

Santa's Land Fun Park & Zoo

Address: 571 Wolfetown Rd., Cherokee, NC 28719

Website: Santa’s Land Fun Park & Zoo

Opening hours: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Price: 23.25 USD

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9. H2OBX Waterpark

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

H2OBX Waterpark is an amazing place to be! They have a ton of activities and sights to see for kids and grown-ups alike. Watch the dolphins swim, be amazed at majestic horses and cute ponies, and many other animals. Get wet in their two wave pools, go on a parasailing adventure, helicopter tours, and rent jet skis. These are just a few of the exciting things you can expect when you visit.

H2OBX Waterpark

Address: 8526 Caratoke Hwy, Powells Point, NC 27966, USA

Website: H2OBX Waterpark

Opening hours: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Price: 28.99 USD

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10. Pullen Park

Pullen park pond - panoramio
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Scott Thompson used under CC BY 3.0

Pullen Park is the oldest public park in North Carolina. It was first opened in the year 1887. They have been making families happy for more than a hundred years. With their wide array of rides, children won’t be bored! It is also a great place to go picnicking. Sporty people can do baseball and tennis. The park isn’t just for kids though, as there are many romantic spots for couples, like boating for example.

Pullen Park

Address: 408 Ashe Ave, Raleigh, NC 27606-2149

Website: Pullen Park

Opening hours: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Price: 11.29 USD

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Time to enjoy

theme parks in nc | time to enjoy
Source: Pixabay

We’ve done our part, it’s now time for you to pick one of the best theme parks and amusement parks in North Carolina. Pack your stuff already and head to where the fun is! It’s time for you and your family to enjoy!

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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Rienz is a former office-based employee who entered the world of travel writing. His ultimate dream is to be able to travel the world and experience as much of it as he can. By pursuing his dreams,...Read more

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