Sometimes, grown-ups need to just get away from all the noise, the chaos, the traffic and the meetings and get back to feeling like a kid again. Whether you’re doing it with your kids in tow, or you’ve managed to escape for some adults-only vacation time, these are some of the best family-friendly activities in North Carolina.
Carowinds - Charlotte
Carowinds amusement park in Charlotte is so large that it’s technically located in two states, with part of the park sitting just across the South Carolina state line. Although there are plenty of “kiddie rides” for the little ones to enjoy, there are also lots of rides for adults to enjoy and feel like a kid again. From old favorites like the carousel, bumper cars and the swings, to thrill rides like the Drop Tower and Fury 325 – the world’s tallest and fastest giga coaster. Plus, it’s the perfect excuse to throw that “adult” diet out the window for a day and enjoy some carnival fare like cotton candy, funnel cakes and ice cream.
O.P. Taylor's - Brevard
After you’ve loaded up on sugar at Opie’s in Mount Airy, why not hit the highway toward Brevard and get ready to go back in time at another NC treasure – O.P. Taylor’s, the “coolest toy store on the planet.” As an old-fashioned toy store, you won’t find any video games or other gadget-related toys here. But, what you will find is more than 6,000 square feet of imagination-driven, hands-on fun. In fact, USA Today named it one of the 10 best toy stores in the world. You’ll go back in time checking out all the Legos, blocks, trains, dolls, art supplies, board games and more.
Sliding Rock - Brevard
Also located in Brevard, NC, Sliding Rock in Pisgah National Forest, is a natural waterslide and swimming hole that will have you feeling like a kid again. The sixty-foot natural rock waterslide has a whopping eleven thousand gallons of water running over it every minute! Which means, it’s the perfect way to go for a ride down the rock and splash into the seven foot deep pool at the bottom, before getting out and walking back up to do it all over again!
Rockin' Jump Trampoline Park - Greensboro
The owners of Rockin’ Jump Trampoline Park started their unique gym as a place for people to have fun while getting their exercise. Guests of all ages, from children to adults, can bounce in giant open arenas, jump into big pits full of foam blocks, play a round of trampoline dodgeball or basketball, or just try out their best acrobatic skills with a few somersaults. If you do feel the need to “adult” while you’re there, they do have free Wi-Fi and an on-site café with specialty coffees.
Opie's Candy Store - Mount Airy
The small North Carolina town of Mount Airy is also known as “Mayberry,” since it is the real-life inspiration for the fictional town on the Andy Griffith Show. As Andy’s hometown, they take lots of pride in celebrating their beloved former resident and his famous show and have many attractions dedicated to both throughout the town. One of which is Opie’s Candy Store, located on Main Street in downtown Mount Airy. Here, you’ll find lots of your favorite candies from your childhood – no matter what decade you grew up in. Plus, they’ve got old-fashioned bottles of “pop” for sale, as well as a selection of ice cream, so why not grab a float too while you’re there?
Poppy's Palace Arcade - Carolina Beach
If you grew up near the beach or spent your summers there, you probably have memories of a beach arcade. And that’s exactly the nostalgia that the owners of Poppy’s Palace Arcade hope to bring back with their establishment in Carolina Beach. It’s a nod to the arcades of old, with plenty of pinball machines, air hockey, skee ball and of course, good old fashioned games like Pac Man.
