Family fun and new adventures at Carowinds and beyond

Carowinds and the Carolinas are buzzing with change and family fun. Carowinds introduces new rides in Camp Snoopy, such as Snoopy’s Racing Railway and Charlie Brown’s River Raft Blast, plus an adults-only pool with a swim-up bar at Carolina Harbor Waterpark. Big shifts are happening too, with the removal of classic rides like Nighthawk and staff layoffs following the merger of Cedar Fair and Six Flags, which brought the new headquarters to Charlotte.

Look for fresh events like Summerbration and Viva La Fiesta, and don’t miss top family stops across the Carolinas—like Myrtle Beach, the Outer Banks for outdoor adventure, or North Carolina’s scenic and historic sites. Whether you’re seeking concerts, new thrills, or beach relaxation, these articles point to what’s fresh and memorable for families this year.

Peach trees bloom in the Spring at the Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill. By Tracy Kimball

NO. 1: GET THE INSIDE SCOOP ON 5 COOL THINGS ABOUT FORT MILL SC. (PLUS ONE THAT’S ACTUALLY HOT)

Find out some of the best things about living in the SC suburb from someone who lives there. | Published June 5, 2024 | Read Full Story by Heidi Finley

The Scream Weaver ride at Carowinds is one of three attractions that will close as the amusement park plans new construction in its children’s area.

NO. 2: CHARLOTTE LANDS NEW HEADQUARTERS AS $8B MERGER OF CEDAR FAIR AND SIX FLAGS WRAPS UP

Cedar Fair is the parent company of Carowinds amusement park. | Published June 20, 2024 | Read Full Story by Catherine Muccigrosso

Poison lead singer Bret Michaels leaps into the air during one the band’s songs at The Stadium Tour 2022 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC on Tuesday, June 28, 202. The concert featured Classless Act, Joan Jett and The Blackhearts, Motley Crue and Def Leppard. By JEFF SINER

NO. 3: AFTER A LONG HIATUS, CAROWINDS IS GETTING BACK INTO THE CONCERT BUSINESS. WILL IT SUCCEED?

The Paladium once had a rich tradition as a concert venue. Nine years after its last “mainstream” show flopped, the park is attempting a big comeback. | Published July 2, 2024 | Read Full Story by Théoden Janes

NO. 4: PLANNING YOUR NEXT TRIP TO THE CAROLINAS? CHECK OUT THESE TOP SPOTS THE WHOLE FAMILY WILL LOVE

The Carolinas’ family-friendly attractions include everything from pristine shorelines to scenic mountains. Adventures or relaxing getaways await your family in North and South Carolina. | Published September 19, 2024 | Read Full Story by JP Schaffer

NO. 5: CAROWINDS MAKES ‘TOUGH DECISIONS’ TO END 3 RIDES TO MAKE WAY FOR NEW ATTRACTIONS

One of those rides has been a staple of the amusement park since its earliest days. | Published December 19, 2024 | Read Full Story by John Marks

The Fury 325 rollercoaster at Carowinds can reach speeds of up to 95 mph during its 81-degree plunge. By Alex Slitz

NO. 6: CAROWINDS LAYS OFF WORKERS AHEAD OF SEASON OPENING, SIMILAR TO ANOTHER SIX FLAGS PARK

The cuts come six months after the mega-merger of Six Flags and Cedar Fair. | Published January 30, 2025 | Read Full Story by Catherine Muccigrosso

Carowinds amusement park straddles the border of South Carolina and North Carolina.

NO. 7: CAROWINDS REVEALS 2025 SEASON REOPENING DATE, PLUS NEW EVENT CELEBRATIONS

This will be the Carolina amusement park’s first season under Six Flags Entertainment Corp., headquartered in Charlotte. | Published January 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Catherine Muccigrosso

On Friday nights through October, you can listen to live music and DJ sets while enjoying bites from vendors at Camp North End. By Juan Ossa Photography

NO. 8: PLANNING A DATE NIGHT IN CHARLOTTE? HERE’S YOUR COMPREHENSIVE GO-TO GUIDE

Here are the date-night options in Charlotte from the expensive to the affordable, from the romantic to the just-plain fun. Dig in! | Published May 9, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alex Zietlow

The adults-only section of Carowinds waterpark features a 27,280-square-foot retreat area with a swim-up bar.

NO. 9: CAROWINDS SWIM-UP BAR OPENING IN ADULTS-ONLY ‘OASIS.’ AND KIDS GET NEW RIDES

The 27,280-square-foot retreat area with a swim-up bar opens Saturday. | Published May 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Catherine Muccigrosso

Six Flags announced a new pass Thursday with access and parking to all parks in 2025. By Jordan Sternberg

NO. 10: CAROWINDS HIT WITH NEW LAYOFFS. PARENT COMPANY CUTS 10% OF JOBS AT AMUSEMENT PARKS

Full-time jobs at Carowinds were impacted by latest round of layoffs. | Published May 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Desiree Mathurin

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.