Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around the Triangle - 2019
2019's Best Places for Kids in the Triangle!
2019's best places to take kids in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area, based on KidsOutAndAbout's annual reader survey. But there is LOTS more to do around the Triangle...Get great ideas here at KidsOutAndAbout.com! What is listed below are just the starting point: Browse through our site and packed daily calendar, sign up for our free weekly e-newsletter, and be sure to visit our Everything That's Free page.
Museum of Life and Science
Located less than five miles from downtown Durham, the Museum of Life and Science is one of North Carolina’s top family destinations. Situated on 84-acres, our interactive science park includes a two-story science center, one of the largest butterfly conservatories on the East Coast and beautifully landscaped outdoor exhibits which are safe havens for rescued black bears, lemurs, and endangered red wolves. Other popular attractions include over 60 species of live animals, Dinosaur Trail, Ellerbe Creek Railway, and Into the Mist.
North Carolina Zoo
The North Carolina Zoo is your wildlife destination in 2020! Nestled in the heart of North Carolina, on, we provide 1,800 animals room to roam on 2,600 acres. All kinds of animals call the Zoo home!. Marvel at a herd of African elephants in their expansive habitat complete with a natural wading pool. Spend the day exploring the Zoo along shaded walking trails while feeding giraffes, watching playful seals and sea lions and creating new friends at our expansive Kidzone play area. Your visit also supports the Zoo’s animal conservation efforts in North Carolina and around the world. The Zoo is closer than you think!
Frankie's Fun Park
Attractions include Go-Karts, Miniature Golf, Bumper Boats, Batting Cages, Arcade, and MORE! Enjoy great food too, like Johnny Rockets at the Greenville Park, and Frankie's Restaurant at the Raleigh Park.
Marbles Kids Museum
At Marbles Kids Museum, kids are encouraged to use their marbles - learning new things through imagination, discovery and play.
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
The NC Museum of Natural Sciences is the largest institution of its kind in the South East and one of the nation’s most amazing museums about the natural world. This Museum asks four basic questions about the natural sciences—what do we know?, how do we know?, what’s happening now?, how can you participate?—with an integrated suite of onsite, offsite, online and outdoor experiences.
My Local Library
Of course, the libraries in the Research Triangle area are not really ONE place, but MANY places... but it's important to emphasize how valuable libraries are for family learning and fun. The libraries in our area are wonderful about posting their events to the KidsOutAndAbout calendar so you always can get ideas for free things to do with your kids that celebrate education and imagination. KidsOutAndAbout.com takes this opportunity to salute the wonderful children's librarians who serve our community with such dedication. They're proud that locals voted them #3 in best places to take kids this year!
Pullen Park
This public park has it all! Experience paddle boat rentals, kiddie amusement park rides, outdoor theater, swimming, and a fantastic playground.
North Carolina Museum of Art
The North Carolina Museum of Art serves the people of North Carolina and all visitors as a premier destination for compelling encounters with art.
DefyGravity Durham Trampoline Park
DefyGravity is a cutting-edge Trampoline Sports Arena that is part entertainment venue and part sports gym. It is a 13,000 sq. ft. facility with wall-to-wall steel-frame trampolines including the world-famous Angled Wall Trampolines, an expansive Olympic Foam Pit and one of the largest Trampoline Dodgeball cages in America.
Morehead Planetarium and Science Center
The Morehead Building houses the GSK Fulldome Theater, as well as the Science Stage, exhibits, and Morehead classrooms. The UNC Visitors Center, Morehead-Cain Foundation and UNC Morehead Observatory are also in the Morehead Building.Morehead's programs include classes for adults and children, special courses for teachers, summer camps for children, afterschool programs, memberships, public viewings of astronomical events and public lectures.
North Carolina Central University Art Museum
The NCCU Art Museum is a vital teaching resource and cultural institution on the campus of North Carolina Central University. It houses one of North Carolina’s leading collections of works by African-American artists and by others dealing with the black experience.
Adventure Landing
Featuring Miniature Golf, Go-Karts, Laser Tag, Batting Cages and Mega Arcade! We specialize in birthday parties and group outings!
Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts
Set amongst the backdrop of our Capitol, the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts has stood as a historic and cultural focal point in Downtown Raleigh since 1932. It has played host to Broadway classics, rock legends and major political figures while maintaining an emphasis on education of the arts and artists housed within our own community. With four separate event spaces available, the breadth and depth of events past, present and future has made this Raleigh’s Premier Arts Venue.
Sky Zone Trampoline Park
Jump into Sky Zone - the world's first all-walled trampoline playing court! Sky Zone features an array of fun, fit and low-impact activities ranging from Freestyle Jump, Ultimate Dodgeball and SkyFit fitness classes to birthday parties!
Cary Arts Center
The Cary Arts Center is the downtown hub of arts activity for Cary. Featuring staged performances in our beautiful 400 seat theater and art classes for all ages. The Cary Arts Center offers visual, performing, and cultural arts classes and camps for all ages. Classes and camps are taught by experienced instructors who create fun and rewarding experiences for participants. Come play in the arts with us in downtown Cary!
Wheels Fun Park
Wheels Fun Park has been a family owned and operated facility in Durham, NC since 1980. Join the fun with 8 attractions in the park including roller skating, play gym, go karts, batting cages, mini golf, and maze. There are also 2 snack bars, 2 video game areas and a full menu grill. We specialize in events such as birthday parties, private parties, company outings, team parties and family reunions.
YMCA of the Triangle
Since 1857, YMCA of the Triangle has provided facilities, programs and services that positively influence the quality of life throughout our community. Today, the YMCA of the Triangle is one of the largest YMCAs in the country. The YMCA of the Triangle offers resident camping, after school care, sports, fitness, mentoring and outdoor programs for children, teens, adults and families.
JC Raulston Arboretum
The JC Raulston Arboretum is a nationally-acclaimed garden with one of the largest and most diverse collections of landscape plants adapted for landscape use in the Southeast. Plants especially adapted to Piedmont North Carolina conditions are collected and evaluated in an effort to find superior plants for use in southern landscapes.
City of Raleigh Museum
As part of its mission to “Preserve Raleigh’s Past for the Future,” the museum collects and cares for artifacts, curates exhibits, and provides educational programming that all highlight and interpret Raleigh’s history and heritage.
Go Ape Zipline and Treetop Adventure - Raleigh
The Go Ape Treetop Adventure and Treetop Journey courses create a one-of-a-kind outdoor experience. These exciting high ropes courses include suspended obstacles, rope ladders, Tarzan swings and some truly epic zip lines. More than a simple canopy tour, the Treetop Adventure takes between 2-3 hours to complete. Treetop Journey is a 1-hour activity, appropriate for all ages and a terrific introduction to an aerial adventure course.
Winners in Special Categories
In the second part of our survey, we asked readers to select their favorites in six categories. Here were their choices.Favorite Place for Arts Education
Music Beyond Measure StudiosMusic Beyond Measure Studios is a unique, family-owned music school highly dedicated to planning educational strategies for the future of committed musicians and artists alike. Whether you desire to pursue a musical career, record your next project, build your repertoire, prepare for an audition, or you just want to take music lessons for the sake of enjoyment, our services are very beneficial and rewarding. We offer a plethora of services: Music Lessons (to children and adults, ages 4 and up), Summer Camps, Birthday Parties, Recording Sessions, Arranging, Mixing & Mastering, Songwriting, Performance Opportunities, and Artist Development. Call our Music Hotline to book your FREE Trial Lesson today, no obligation: (919) 294-8413.
Favorite Place for Sports/Physical Education
YMCA of the TriangleSince 1857, YMCA of the Triangle has provided facilities, programs and services that positively influence the quality of life throughout our community. Today, the YMCA of the Triangle is one of the largest YMCAs in the country. The YMCA of the Triangle offers resident camping, after school care, sports, fitness, mentoring and outdoor programs for children, teens, adults and families.
