Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around the Triangle - 2021
2021's Best Places for Kids in the Triangle!
2021'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.
1. 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.
2. Marbles Kids Museum
At Marbles Kids Museum, kids are encouraged to use their marbles - learning new things through imagination, discovery and play.
3. 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!
4. North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is the most-visited museum in the state and is the largest museum of its kind in the Southeast. Through our permanent and special exhibits, hands-on labs, educational programs and outdoor experiences, we provide guests of all ages with opportunities to get up close and personal with science and nature, from 67-million-year-old dinosaurs to day-old butterflies. General admission is free.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Pullen Park
This public park has it all! Experience paddle boat rentals, kiddie amusement park rides, outdoor theater, swimming, and a fantastic playground.
8. 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.
9. Urban Air Adventure Park
The new Urban Air Raleigh offers a huge selection of unique attractions that bring a one-of-a-kind experience to thrill seekers of all ages! From trampolines and virtual reality adventures to a Warrior course and flipping bumper cars with an attitude, there is something for everyone! And, don’t forget our Sky Rider that lets you soar over the entire park. At Urban Air, we take fun to new heights!
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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 #12 in best places to take kids this year!
13. CAM Raleigh
CAM Raleigh is the non-collecting contemporary art museum that provides an environment for transformation through educational programs, cultural experiences, and bold, non-traditional exhibitions by living artists.
14. Galaxy Fun Park
Raleigh's largest indoor family fun park! Come have a blast that is out of this world with trampolines, go-karts, laser tag, birthday parties, and more! 60,000 sq ft of INDOOR FAMILY FUN!
15. Adventure Landing
Featuring Miniature Golf, Go-Karts, Laser Tag, Batting Cages and Mega Arcade! We specialize in birthday parties and group outings!
16. Prairie Ridge Ecostation
Prairie Ridge boasts a Nature PlaySpace, Outdoor Classroom, a native plant garden and native tree arboretum, a series of ponds and vernal pools, and a trail system winding through the prairie and forest. Museum staff offer a multitude of public programs to educate visitors about nature and science. The Nature PlaySpace for young children has become a safe, popular space for nature-based play; programs offered here include Nature Stories, Nature Creators and Nature PlayDays. Prairie Ridge is also a hub for researchers who conduct citizen science onsite, affording visitors numerous opportunities to participate in real scientific research.
17. Go Ape Zipline and Treetop Adventure
Blue Jay Point County Park is on a mission to further environmental education for the greater Raleigh-Durham community. Right at home on the shores of Falls Lake, this 236-acre park provides stellar outdoor recreation opportunities for Wake County, including picnicking, hiking fishing and ziplining!
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 ziplines.
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. Puzzle junkies can also challenge themselves with Forest EscAPE, Go Ape’s unique take on outdoor escape rooms.
18. 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!
19. Imagination Station Science Museum
Imagination Station Science & History Museum exists to stimulate an interest in science, technology, and history while improving the quality of informal science education through dynamic hands-on science learning.
20. North Carolina Botanical Garden
The North Carolina Botanical Garden (NCBG), part of the University of North Carolina, is a 1,000-acre assemblage of display gardens and natural areas in and around Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Garden celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2016 and is nationally known as a center for the study, display, interpretation, and conservation of southeastern native plants. Through its educational, recreational, therapeutic horticulture, and research programs, it extends opportunities for connection with nature to people of all abilities and backgrounds.
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.Top Arts Educator
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.
Top Sports Educator
United Thai Boxing & MMAUnited Thai Boxing & MMA offers Muay Thai Boxing (Thai kickboxing) classes 6 days a week for students of all levels from beginners to professionals fighters. Classes taught: Muay Thai, Boxing, MMA, Kickboxing, BJJ/Grappling, Kids Class and Yoga. Our classes focus on teaching proper technique and provides a great workout regardless of your skill level or goals.
Top STEM Educator
Imagination Station Science MuseumImagination Station Science & History Museum exists to stimulate an interest in science, technology, and history while improving the quality of informal science education through dynamic hands-on science learning.
