No matter how much of a grown-up you are, whenever you go to an amusement park or theme park, you remain a kid.
Speaking of being a kid, having fun, and amusement parks, let’s talk about North Carolina. After reading this article you don’t need to search on amusement parks near me or best children’s amusement parks near me.

The ninth most populous state between the Atlantic Ocean and the Appalachian mountains is the first choice of hikers and adventure lovers. But few people know there are hundreds of amusement parks that remain to explore by tourists.
For those who like thrills and roller coaster rides or big thrills, then North Carolina can give them the best travel deals in the face of amusement and theme parks.
Seeing these amazing rides will make you a kid again, and you won’t stop yourself from trying these rides.
You can experience a great thrill or meet Santa in the middle of summer and dive into the water park on a hot afternoon.
This guide will explore some themes and fun parks that you must visit once in your lifetime. So, scroll down to know theme parks near me or kids theme parks near me.
1. Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park, Carolina Beach
Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park is a small family fun park located in eastern North Carolina. One of the best amusement parks in North Carolina, Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park features a water park, mini-golf, go-karts, laser tag, and many more fun rides for kids.
Located near Carolina Beach, so many kids’ activities are available in the amusement park that the whole family can enjoy.
The Jungle Rapids also has a water park, which is considered to be one of the best water parks available in amusement parks in North Carolina. The prices of rides differ from each other and come in different packages.
All the amusement park rides are made in a way that they can be enjoyed by the whole family. That’s why it is a family-friendly amusement park. You also don’t need to worry about safety on the rides because attendants and lifeguards are available inside it the whole time to look out for you.
It also has free parking and provides free floats, picnic areas, and restaurants.
Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park has many cafes and restaurants available on its premises. You can stop by Big Splash Cafe and binge on burgers, pizza, hot dogs, and more if you are hungry. It has a Snack Shack corner where you can drink and cold brew.
Attractions of the Jungle Rapids
- Laser Tag / ToRMenT
- Spin Zone
- Arcade
- Mini Bowling
- Go-Karts
- Jungle Golf
- Kids Jungle
- Rocking Climbing Wall
- Sky Tower
- Water Park
Check out more activities available in Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park here.
Timing:
Mon-Sat 10:00 am – 11:00 pm; Sun 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Address:
5320 Oleander Dr, Wilmington, NC 28403

2. Frankie’s Fun Park
Frankie’s Fun Park, or Frankie’s of Raleigh, has everything in the park, making it a fun gateway. It is one of the best indoor amusement parks near me in North Carolina.
Frankie’s Fun Park has everything you need to make your experience great, from go-karts to mini-golf and flight simulators.
Along with the wonderful rides, there is excellent service here, where staff warmly greet kids and their parents.
There are several fun things to do inside. So, here you can enjoy indoor and outdoor attractions. If you get hungry while enjoying the rides, you can check out Frankie’s Cafe, which offers delicious food items.
Here you can find pizza, sandwiches, salads, Butterbean Hummus, and more. It also has seating arrangements in the arcade from where you can keep your eyes on your kids.
Frankie also hosts birthday parties, so don’t forget to consider Frankie if you plan to have a birthday party.
It also has a mini-golf course and bumper boats, which adds extreme fun to your experience while your stay.
The best part about Frankie is that it includes access to the park for free. Frankie has both indoor and outdoor activities available.
Just remember that outside food is not allowed on the inside premises.
Attractions of the Park
- Mini golf course
- Bumper cars
- Windstraz
- Batting Cages
- Sky trail
- Bumper boats
- Hologate
- Sidewinder
- Drop Zone
- Laser tag
- Hyperdeck
- Dark ride XD
- Arcade Room
Make your reservation at Frankie’s Fun Park from here.
Timing:
Mon-Thus, Sun 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm; Fri 12:00 pm – 12:00 am; Sat 11:00 am – 1:00 am
Address:
11190 Fun Park Dr, Raleigh, NC 27617
3. Carowinds
There are many rides and other attractions that attract children and their parents. It is one of the finest water parks in North Carolina.
Spread over 408 acres of land, the amusement park boasts 14 roller coaster rides and 13 water rides.
Its big roller coasters give a thrilling and fun experience If you are here, then don’t forget to ride Fury 325, which is the fastest Giga coaster where all the fun of Carowinds lies.
It also has family rides and awesome wave pools that will give you a long-lasting experience.
Here you can also enjoy Wagon rides on five ranches and a safari which is only available in Carowinds, North Carolina.
Carolina Harbor
Carowinds houses one of the largest water parks in North Carolina, Carolina Harbor. This includes one of the finest water rides, slides, and wave pools, which is children’s favorite part.
It is one of the best water parks in North and South Carolina. The waterpark is the newest addition to the Carowinds.
The waterpark boasts giant slides and a wave pool spread over three acres for kids. The kiddie slides are also available here.
If you are here, then don’t forget to ride at Boogie Board Racer, which is the highest and most thrilling mat racing slide.
Another fun place is Blackbeard’s Revenge, one of its own kinds of adventure inside Carowinds; here, you can see a six-storey water slide.
You can also opt for a four-person raft ride if you don’t want to slide from the six-story building alone.
Ask your friends and family to get in a water gunfight with spray jets. You can also take a float across the coast in a thousand-foot lazy river that swirls in North and South Carolina.
It gives one of its kind experience that cannot be found anywhere else.
Carolina Skytower
Carolina Skytower is one of the finest rides in Carowinds. North Carolina’s major attraction, the Sky Tower, is perfect for all families and kids.
Its air-conditioned cabin rotates up at 262 feet and gives a panoramic view of North and South Carolina.
You can enjoy the view of the whole amusement from sitting inside it. The Charlotte skyline with high mountains can be easily seen from here.
By sitting at 252 feet, you can take a break from the thrilling rides, enjoy its view, and click pictures. You will not find this kind of experience in any other place.
Boo Blasters on Boo Hill
There is an on-site horror house present in the Carowinds. A small dedicated ghost town of its own.
Boo Blasters on Boo Hill brings all the monsters in the world to reality. The evil Boocifer has taken over the plantation you need to save. But the rescue will not be that easy as the city is full of ghosts and ghosts and creatures that have never been seen before.
Your mission would be to capture the Booocifer from the Boo Hill and bring society to peace.
This is a supernatural, super fun experience of the scary world with lots of challenges and a thrilling adventure.
You will get a laser gun and a guide who will guide you throughout the Hill. Be ready to face graveyards, spooky dungeons, and corridors where anything would happen.
You have to shoot your target with a laser gun. Although the dungeon was dark, a light would guide you through the whole experience. Be aware of its spine’s spooky sounds, which is not for the faint-hearted.
Your main goal is to hit as many targets as possible and collect points. You can join on the mission with your friends and capture Boocifier and save Boo Hill from the evil creatures.
It won’t be easy, and the experience couldn’t be made more awesome 3D glasses than a Coca-Cola kiosk counter, which will make your experience even more exciting.
This is an interactive ride in which you have to play along and make the highest score. You can check your score on the computer.
Attractions of Carowinds
- Barracuda Blasters
- Afterburn
- Beagle Scout Acres
- Boo Blasters on Boo Hill
- Boogie Board Racer
- Blackbeard’s Revenge
- Carolina Cyclone
- Carolina Goldrush
- Charlie Brown’s Wind-up
Timing:
Thu-Sat 9:00am – 6:00pm; Sun 10:00am – 6:00 pm
Address:
300 Carowinds Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28273
Theme Parks in North Carolina
4. Tweetsie Railroad
Tweetsie Railroad Park features all the thrill rides you will ever see in North Carolina. Here you will find a tilt-a-whirl Ferris wheel, a three-mile ride that takes you through North Carolina mountains on a narrow coal steam train.
It is a theme park based on the Wild West theme and has exciting carnival rides. Located in the famous Blowing Rock, Tweetsie Railroad has classic rides like tornado rides, steam engines, and many more.
There are several food outlets in the park where you can enjoy delicious snacks and have a roller coaster ride.
Tweetsie Railroad is also a small zoo where you can meet different animals, including deer and goats. This makes it one of the best places for kids and parents.
The park also hosts live music shows where you can groove on the dance floor. If you are here, don’t forget to watch the magic shows in summer all day.
The park is open from April to October. So if you’re visiting North Carolina, don’t miss the Tweetsie Railroad.
Attractions of Tweetsie Railroad
- Chair Lift to Miner’s Mountain
- Ferris Wheel
- Planes and Helicopters
- Round-Up
- Free Fall
- Tornado
- Turnpike Cruisers
- Bikes and Buggies
Timing:
Fri-Sun 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Address:
300 Tweetsie Railroad Ln, Blowing Rock, NC 28605
5. Galaxy Fun Park
Galaxy Fun Park in North Carolina is one of the best theme parks in the city. There are many attractions in the Galaxy that you can enjoy with your full family.
Along with rides, there is no shortage of food. From pizza to grilled chicken sandwiches, everything is available inside. Inside the theme park, you will get different beverages and enjoy while riding a ride.
Galaxy is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and hosts birthday parties, so if you want to give a different experience to your friends through a party, here.
Attractions of Galaxy Fun Park
- Mario karts
- Aliens Armageddon DLX
- Spinning bumper cars
- Boxer gloves
- Indoor go-karts
- Cruising blast
- Laser tag arena
- Jurassic Park
- Soft play
- Storm
- Mini Golf
- Superbike
- Virtual reality
Timing:
Wed-Fri & Sun 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm; Sat 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
Address:
14460 Falls of Neuse Rd, Raleigh, NC 27614
6. Wet’n Wild Emerald Pointe
Wet’n Wild Emerald Pointe is the largest waterpark, with five pools available. There are several rides available here. From Daredevil Drop to Thunder Bay, every ride has its share of fun.
Dining, cafes, and shopping centers are present inside the complex. So after playing in the water, don’t forget to dine in one of the best cafes and buy some gifts for your family and friends afterward.
You will get several outfits for yourself at the gift shop, from swimsuits to sunscreen, jewelry to goggles, souvenirs, and many other items. So do stop at the shop and buy some souvenirs for a way back home.
In Wet’n Wild Emerald Pointe, you will also have allotted lockers, so you need not worry about your personal belongings’ safety.
The theme park also has parking available at varying prices.
Things To See in Wet’n Wild Emerald Pointe
- Bombs Away
- Thunder Bay
- Daredevil Drop
- Soak Zone
- Twin Twisters
Timing:
Mon-Sun 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Address:
3910 S Holden Rd, Greensboro, NC 27406
7. Santa’s Land Fun Park & Zoo
Santa’s Land Fun Park & Zoo is one of the fun places in North Carolina, where you not only get to use rides but also see a zoo. This is the best search result for an amusement park near me.
In the Smoky Mountains, the finely nestled zoo in Cherokee is open seasonally from May to November.
Based on the Santa Claus theme, there are different rides, gift shops, lake with a boat where you can enjoy the whole day.
The best part about the zoo is its Santa town, where along with kids, adults also enjoy fulfilling their childhood dreams.
You can reach Santa’s land by reaching his house in the mountains and also receive some goodies.
The other fun part about here is its zoo, where you will some exotic birds and where animal exhibits in their natural states. You can explore the place with some bears, monkeys, kangaroos, and many more animals.
You can also feed the baby bear here. But whatever you feed to animals, make sure it is under the guidance of the zookeeper.
Each day Santa’s Land hosts three shows where you can watch and feed animals and click pictures with them. It is an amazing experience to see these cute animals playing in their natural habitat.
Magic shows also take place here, adding to the wonderful experience you have during your stay at Santa’s Land. The show runs Gene and Bobini show, where you can get a chance to play the assistant to the magician.
There are several rides from boats, helicopters, trains, and motorcycles that you can enjoy with your whole family.
Not only this but there are arcade rooms where you can play basketball or experience the fun of air hockey.
There are amazing cafes and restaurants inside the complex from where you can get pizza, and candies, jelly beans.
If you are here, do not miss tasting the freshly homemade sandwich from Mrs. Claus’s Kitchen. You can also get snacks like popcorn, and pork rinds.
There is a gift shop inside the premises. So don’t forget the gifts and souvenirs you collect along the way. You can also buy Christmas gifts, T-shirts, and some accessories from the Magic Store.
Timing:
Mon-Sun 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Address:
571 Wolfetown Rd, Cherokee, NC 28719
Here we come to the end of our list. Hope you have found the best amusement and theme park in North Carolina.
If you plan to visit North Carolina or are already taking a vacation there, don’t miss visiting these parks and having a great time with your kids and friends.
Some of the parks will require you to make reservations as their timings vary. So make sure you don’t miss out on the fun and book well in advance.
Some parks also have a dress code, so check them before you plan to go there. It is recommended to wear shoes while visiting the amusement parks to enjoy the full ride without any problem.
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Last Updated on by Pragya Chakrapani