Top Things to do in North Carolina
Top Hotels in North Carolina
- 1. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Asheville Downtown, an IHG Hotel
- 2. Hampton Inn & Suites Asheville Biltmore Area
- 3. Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort
- 4. Hampton Inn & Suites Asheville Biltmore Village
- 5. Embassy Suites by Hilton Charlotte Uptown
- 6. Hampton Inn & Suites Outer Banks / Corolla
- 7. Tru by Hilton Fayetteville I 95
- 8. Drury Inn & Suites Charlotte Arrowood
- 9. Bridgepointe Hotel and Marina
- 10. The Dunhill Hotel
Things to do in North Carolina, United States: The Best Children's Museums
North Carolina has something for everyone, with the highest mountains in the eastern U.S., 300 miles of pristine coastline, quaint towns and vibrant cities. From the mountains to the sea, explore the natural, scenic beauty, discover outdoor adventure or try one of 500 golf courses, including the legendary Pinehurst No. 2. Discover a favorite among 100 wineries and 60 craft breweries, tour historic and cultural treasures, sample farm to table delicacies and get the thrill of motorsports in the "home" of NASCAR.
Restaurants in North Carolina
1. Sampson County History Museum
2. Zing Zumm Children's Museum of Jacksonville
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7 reviews
Zing Zumm® Children’s Museum of Jacksonville is a museum for children of toddler age and up. Zing Zumm® provides a safe and nurturing environment for families to spend quality leisure time together. The museum is located on New Bridge Street in downtown Jacksonville, North Carolina. Many museums are places to observe collections of objects that depict a specific theme. A children’s museum is interactive, hands-on, and unstructured to allow children to follow their own interests for as long as desired. Our mission is to be a special place to play, imagine, create, explore, and learn.
Reviewed By 207claudiaw - Springfield, United States
Visited with my two year old grandson. This place has everything for children of all ages and abilities. Fun and interactive play areas with a variety of activities - some physical, some sensory. Multiple areas of space for creative play. Available for parties on Sunday’s ????. All Worth the price for yearly membership if you live in the Jacksonville area, and a great value for daily play.
3. Over The Moon Play Space
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Brand new! Huge indoor playground featuring a rocket ship play structure, low ropes course, climbing domes, bouldering wall, STEM activities, baby/toddler zone with sensory activities. COVID-limited open play, private play, and birthday parties. Entry is per child, adults are free.
4. Discovery Place Science
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,467 reviews
This hands-on science Museum in Uptown Charlotte features exciting interactive exhibitions, a larger-than-life IMAX Dome Theatre and educational programs. We offer summer camps and birthday parties too.
Reviewed By drwhocooke - Talisay, Philippines
This facility is consistently one of my favorite "accessible science" venues! Entertaining, engaging, and educational displays and activities are suited for all ages, with an emphasis on sparking the curiosity and wonder of children. Don't miss it when you visit (or live in) Charlotte!
5. Marbles Kids Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,101 reviews
Marbles Kids Museum is a hands-on, interactive destination that inspires children to be creative thinkers, active learners and confident individuals in today's world. With five galleries and two outdoor escapes, there is no shortage of activity for kids birth to 12 and their families. The campus also features the Wachovia IMAX Theatre at Marbles Kids Museum. This 267-seat giant-screen experience is the only 3D capable IMAX theatre in North Carolina.
Reviewed By Tizzer11 - Raleigh, United States
This is one of the best kids museums in the country. They have all sorts of neat things to play with. My family is always engage and excited when we go. And it is huge! The first time we went we only made it to most of the stuff on the first floor. The 2nd time we concentrated on the 2nd floor. And then other times we've finally seen all areas, but even then they change stuff up and there are new exhibits. My absolutely favorite is the mo eypalooza. There's only one way in and out so it's easier to keep track of your kids. And it's got a mini skiball game and a game where you launch the plastic balls and watchit roll through the track. The giant pig breaks open every so often too. It's so much fun. The hockey rink on the 2nd floor is pretty fun too or even the exercise section! We were going once a month before the pandemic. I highly suggest getting a membership. It pays for itself if you have a family of 4 and go just quarterly. It's so worth it. The staff is always super friendly and they'll walk around and talk with the kids about what they're doing or help them. I havent3eaten at the new cafe, but I hear it's supposed to be an upgrade from the previous one and the previous one was already really good and affordable. If you're a member, you get a discount at the cafe. The only downside to Marbles is that it needs more space. I know they use the building next to it for bday parties so maybe they'll expand into there as well, but then they need more room for bday parties. We have been to Kidzu in Chapel Hill, NC (this is good for under 5 and is a lot smaller more intimate than Marbles, but sometimes they'll play the guitar or do yoga with the kids and they have a craft bar where some items you pay extra for), the Madison, WI kids museum (eh, not a lot for little kids, but sometimes they have UW students come and show you actual parts of the body), the Sioux City kids museum (this is a good one too and I'd recommend it), the Magic House in St. Louis (this is a great one too, huge), City Museum in St. Louis (highly recommend, adults and older kids will love this), and the Betty Brin Children's Museum in Milwaukee, WI ( this one is better than Madison's, and comparable to Sioux, but I feel like a lot of stuff was broken.). Marbles is in our top three. It's got a lot of stuff that under 5 can do. I think Magic House might be better for older kids. I know they have a small area for 18mo or under 24 to crawl and I've been there several times, but I don't think I've seen it all. City Museum is better for older kids, teens, and adults. I think they might have a floor or two for under 5, but I'm not positive.) And then Marbles is wonderful and has a lot for 5 and under. Older kids will get enjoyment too, but I've heard that older kids that have gone since they were little have gotten bored with the exhibits.
6. Greensboro Children's Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 255 reviews
Designed to inspire hands-on learning through play, GCM offers a fun, energetic and safe environment for all ages!
Reviewed By darrenwY1064TK - Greensboro, United States
My kids love it here! So many interactive activities! They especially love the water areas and the hospital section.
7. Museum of Life + Science
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 903 reviews
Located just blocks 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, Into the Mist, Hideaway Woods, and Earth Moves. The Museum of Life and Science is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Reviewed By amyaR2514XT - Herndon, United States
Took my 2 kids on a vague recommendation from a friend. We were going to check out Raleigh and she suggested we do this museum in Durham instead. My kids, 9-year old boy and 12-year old girl, had a wonderful time. At first I thought it was only the inside part but the outside attractions are FANTASTIC! Inside: many hands on science experiments and space exhibits like a moon lander. Outside: train ride, fossil dig, dinosaurs, bears, wolves, lemurs, farm animals, RC sail boats, mist play area, amazing climbing tree houses, butterfly exhibit, etc. We stayed until the last possible minute!
8. Children's Museum of Winston-Salem
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 203 reviews
The Children's Museum of Winston-Salem is a 26,000 square foot facility allowing children and adults to IMAGINE, CREATE and PLAY!Our MissionTo create a compelling destination for our community to play and learn by experiencing literature, storytelling and the arts.Our VisionNurturing children’s imaginations, creativity and love of reading by bringing stories to life.Our Values:We Believe and Affirm that:Every child has value and deserves respect.Effective parenting resources give every parent/family the opportunity to play a primary role in their child’s development.Storytelling bridges all cultures and generations.Collaborations strengthen our diverse community.Our Central location provides accessibility to the whole community.Every child deserves access to the Children’s Museum of Winston-Salem.
9. Exploration Station
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 32 reviews
Exploration Station is a Children's Museum that hosts several interactive, imaginative learning exhibits for children.
10. Hands On! Children's Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 131 reviews
Hands On! is the place where LEARNING comes into PLAY! Located in Downtown Hendersonville, Hands On! is a children's museum that provides educational exhibits and science programs to children ages 1-10, along with their caregivers. More information can be found at their website on special programs and classes, memberships and birthday parties.
Reviewed By GrayG_12 - Norfolk, United States
We were staying in Brevard and hit a very rainy afternoon. We needed to keep our 4 year old entertained and this was the ticket! He was in HEAVEN and we spent 3 hours there (and he would have stayed longer if we had let him). I loved how the back had a lot of things to do, but was also in one "space" so I could have eyes on him at all times. I highly suggest this activity on a rainy day when being outside isn't an option.
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