When my son and I had been invited on a press journey to Raleigh, North Carolina, I used to be so focused on experiencing the assorted family-friendly points of interest within the space. Though I’d been to North Carolina up to now for a really brief go to, I actually hadn’t skilled every little thing that they’ve to supply, particularly for households. There are such a lot of issues to do in Raleigh with youngsters – you may simply spend a number of days there.
Throughout this current journey, my son and I had been solely there for a weekend go to, however we had been so impressed with all the unbelievable Raleigh youngsters’ actions. Listed here are some issues to do with youngsters in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Disclosure: We attended this Raleigh with youngsters press journey for gratis. All opinions are my very own. This submit accommodates affiliate hyperlinks. A click-through or buy via one among these hyperlinks might end in a small fee paid to us.
Issues to Do in Raleigh NC With Youngsters
North Carolina Museum of Pure Sciences
Situated proper in downtown Raleigh, the North Carolina Museum of Pure Sciences is a superb and utterly free museum (charges do apply for some particular reveals and films). It’s open from Tuesday–Sunday, 10 am–5 pm.
Two buildings comprise the museum – the Nature Exploration Middle and the Nature Analysis Middle. With a lot to see, you may simply spend the day right here.
We began our go to with lunch on the Every day Planet Cafe, which is positioned within the newer constructing (the Nature Analysis Middle). This isn’t your common museum cafe, nonetheless! It options scrumptious, contemporary, and native delicacies. There’s additionally the newer Acro Cafe.
After lunch, we explored the Nature Analysis Middle. This 80,000 sq. foot constructing presents youngsters the chance to do some hands-on exploration.
My son particularly liked studying about animals within the naturalist middle, which homes preserved specimens, fossils, furs, and a lot extra. In my view, the North Carolina Museum of Pure Sciences is likely one of the high issues to do in Raleigh with youngsters. It’s spectacular that it’s free!
After trying out that constructing, we headed to the adjoining Nature Exploration Middle, which is related by way of a pedestrian bridge. This constructing options extra conventional museum reveals, together with a dwelling conservatory stuffed with butterflies. I’d completely suggest saving a minimum of a half day for a go to.
Getting Outside on Jordan Lake
When the climate is sweet, I all the time like spending a while outdoor throughout our household holidays. Jordan Lake, the third-largest lake in North Carolina, is a reservoir that was created as a part of a flood management mission.
It’s a pleasant, quiet place to discover as a result of there are 9 completely different entry factors over the 14,000-acre, undeveloped reservoir. As an alternative of seeing large homes and developments alongside the shore, there are a number of public areas and a great deal of bushes and inexperienced house.
We took a fast pontoon boat experience from Triangle Boat Excursions, which was the proper strategy to see the shore. We even noticed a bald eagle within the bushes, in addition to a cormorant and a blue heron. Households can select to lease the boats (with a captain), as a part of their household trip. It’s a pleasant strategy to discover nature throughout a trip that features a number of indoor spots.
Marbles Youngsters Museum
Though we didn’t try the Marbles Youngsters Museum throughout our journey to Raleigh, it’s a terrific possibility for youthful youngsters. This kids’s museum (finest for youths below the age of 10) is simply $9 per particular person, making it an reasonably priced trip possibility. Buy your timed tickets upfront on-line.
The North Carolina Museum of Artwork
On our final day, we stopped on the North Carolina Museum of Artwork, one other free Raleigh museum that’s nice for youngsters. It options various each touring and everlasting reveals, in addition to a stupendous out of doors park that connects artwork and nature.
The North Carolina Museum of Artwork presents various packages for households in Raleigh. Throughout our go to, we borrowed a park pack, which is complementary to make use of and is stuffed with exercise guides and different enjoyable gadgets that assist youngsters discover the park. My son liked utilizing the included supplies to search out the assorted art work positioned all through the park.
Along with the park pack, there are different actions and occasions for households, together with weekend household excursions, Saturday workshops (pre-registration required), and pop-up artwork actions.
Go Ape!
Throughout our Raleigh household trip, my son was most excited to take a look at Go Ape!, a treetop ropes course with zip traces that’s positioned at Blue Jay Level County Park. Go Ape! presents two separate programs – a daily course and a junior course. My son, who’s slightly below 4 toes 7 inches, was only a bit too brief for the common course, so we did the junior course as a substitute.
The junior course, which doesn’t really feel too small in any respect, presents two zip traces and three loops with twenty completely different obstacles. My son accomplished the course the primary time, and after we headed again for the second time, he was given a problem – to do the course backward. It’s undoubtedly enjoyable for youthful youngsters (below age 10), and as an grownup, I didn’t suppose it was boring or too straightforward in any respect.
The common course runs about three hours and options 5 completely different sections, together with 42 crossings. A part of our group did that course and stated it was enjoyable but additionally difficult.
For those who do go to Go Ape!, keep in mind to deliver hair ties to carry again your hair, and put on closed-toed and closed-heel sneakers.
Pullen Park
Pullen Park is the first public park in North Carolina and is the fifth oldest working amusement park within the US. It’s positioned adjoining to the North Carolina State campus and contains a number of kiddie rides, together with a carousel, practice, and kiddie boats.
Households will discover numerous house for youths to run round and play on varied play constructions and playground tools. As well as, there are coated picnic areas that may be rented, in addition to paddle boats.
Tickets for the three rides are simply $2 per ticket. Whereas we had been there, we noticed so many little youngsters having fun with rides on the practice, carousel, and kiddie boats.
Videri Chocolate Manufacturing unit
Willy Wonka followers will love a visit to this enjoyable chocolate manufacturing facility. We visited within the night after the chocolate-making was completed, nevertheless it was nonetheless a enjoyable journey. Along with a chocolate counter (the place you possibly can pattern among the specialties), there’s additionally a counter the place you possibly can order chocolate drinks.
I used to be particularly comfortable to see that the power is nut free. I’d suggest visiting through the day when you possibly can see the chocolate being made.
North Carolina Museum of Historical past
This free museum is dwelling to a number of different reveals, together with the Story of North Carolina. The museum is free to the general public, though there could also be a charge for particular reveals (the one we noticed was free). No reservations are required.
What are the Free Issues to Do in Raleigh With Youngsters?
Throughout our journey, I used to be so impressed with all the free issues to do in Raleigh with youngsters. In case you are on a funds, it’s a terrific place to go to for an reasonably priced household trip.
Some free issues to do embrace the North Carolina Museum of Historical past, the North Carolina Museum of Artwork, and the North Carolina Museum of Pure Sciences. Simply understand that there could also be an additional charge for particular reveals and/or films.
The place to Eat in Raleigh With Youngsters
Eating on the Pit in Raleigh
An already brief journey coupled with a delayed flight meant that we solely had one dinner in Raleigh. Fortunately, it was a terrific one! We dined at the Pit, an upscale BBQ restaurant that’s positioned only a brief stroll from the lodge we stayed in (and throughout the road from the Videri Chocolate Manufacturing unit).
The Pit serves genuine North Carolina BBQ, and diners can select both a conventional Japanese or Western North Carolina sauce. I attempted each the Carolina-style ribs (which they’re well-known for) and the Chopped BBQ, and each had been scrumptious. In addition they have unbelievable sides and completely scrumptious desserts.
Breakfast at Large Ed’s
We liked breakfast at Large Ed’s, which is thought for its enormous hotcakes. My son solely managed to eat a small proportion of the one he ordered, however he stated that it was scrumptious. I opted for the farm contemporary nation breakfast, which included eggs, meat, seasoned rice, and an enormous biscuit. It was so good – the most effective breakfasts that I’ve had.
The place to Keep With Youngsters in Raleigh for Your Household Trip
We stayed on the Sheraton Raleigh, which was the proper spot for a weekend Raleigh household trip. It’s positioned inside strolling distance of the North Carolina Museum of Historical past, the North Carolina Museum of Pure Sciences, and the Videri Chocolate Manufacturing unit. It additionally presents an indoor pool. You’ll be able to see evaluations of different Raleigh inns right here.
