• Updated with new information since originally published.
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  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Catawba Science Center ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Kids & Family Fun
© Catawba Science Center

2. Children's Museum of Alamance County ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Kids & Family Fun
© Children's Museum of Alamance County

3. Children’s Museum of Wilmington

Category: Kids & Family Fun
© Children’s Museum of Wilmington

4. Chimney Rock State Park

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Moonborne/stock.adobe.com

5. Fascinate-U Children's Museum

Category: Kids & Family Fun
© Fascinate-U Children's Museum

6. Frisco Native American Museum

Category: Museums & Culture for Couples
© Frisco Native American Museum

7. Gem Mountain Gemstone Mine

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Gem Mountain Gemstone Mine

8. A Time for Science

Category: Kids & Family Fun
© Arkady Chubykin/stock.adobe.com

9. Gray Line Trolley Tours of Asheville

Tours in the Area
© Gray Line Trolley Tours of Asheville

10. Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

Category: Kids & Family Fun
© digidreamgrafix/stock.adobe.com

11. Greensboro Children's Museum

Category: Kids & Family Fun
© Greensboro Children's Museum

12. Hands On! Children's Museum

Category: Kids & Family Fun
© Hands On! Children's Museum

13. Imagination Station Science Museum

Category: Kids & Family Fun
© Imagination Station Science Museum

14. Linville Caverns

Category: Affordable Local Attractions
© Mario/stock.adobe.com

15. Lynnwood Park Zoo

Category: Kids & Family Fun
© Lynnwood Park Zoo

16. Morehead Planetarium and Science Center

Category: Kids & Family Fun
© Morehead Planetarium and Science Center

17. North Carolina Zoo

Category: Kids & Family Fun
© Vladimir Wrangel/stock.adobe.com

18. Reed Gold Mine

© Zack Frank/stock.adobe.com

19. The Lazy 5 Ranch

© Shiva3D/stock.adobe.com

20. Winterpast Farm

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Winterpast Farm

21. Zootastic Park

Category: Kids & Family Fun
© Zootastic Park

Summary and Frequenly Asked Questions:

You may know North Carolina as the Tar Heel State, or the Old North State. Either way, this state offers a laundry list of things to do with children. It is awash with outdoor adventures, starting with Linville Caverns. This limestone walled dwelling was discovered on a fluke during a fishing expedition – to all our advantage. Chimney Rock State Park, features breathtaking, panoramic views of up to 75 miles. North Carolina, with its long mining history, is also home to the country’s first documented gold find. Here are 25 fun-filled things to do with kids in North Carolina.

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