Planning your next trip to the Carolinas? Check out these top spots the whole family will love
From pristine beaches to scenic mountains, the Carolinas offer family-friendly attractions for every kind of vacation. Thrill seekers will love the amusement parks, while those looking for downtime will appreciate the gentle waves at the shore. Find out why North and South Carolina are the perfect destinations for your next family trip.
Relax at a stunning beach
The Carolinas boast some of the best family-friendly beaches on the East Coast. With a long season of warm weather, visitors can enjoy the beaches almost year-round. Plus, the nearly 500 miles of coastline provide serene and peaceful options in addition to popular hotspots.
Myrtle Beach is one of the top family-friendly beaches in the country. As the golf capital of the world, the area has more than 90 championship courses and over 30 mini-golf courses with fun themes such as pirate ships, Atlantis and dinosaurs. With a vibrant boardwalk, live shows and local amusement parks, there are endless opportunities for fun.
Hilton Head Island, also well known for its golf courses, offers a more upscale beach experience. Stay at a family-friendly luxury resort and simply soak in the sun. Or find an adventure such as a boat ride with mermaid encounters, ziplining through the trees, or racing go-karts.
The Outer Banks are a string of barrier islands in North Carolina. The popular beaches of Nags Head, Kitty Hawk and Duck offer scenic beaches with unique shops and restaurants. Check out Jockey’s Ridge State Park, home of the tallest living sand dune on the East Coast, where you can watch or join in parasailing off the dunes. Or visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial to learn about the history of aviation and see where the brothers first took flight.
Have a blast at an amusement park
Carolina’s amusement parks offer thrilling adventures and opportunities to create fun family memories.
Carowinds, on the border of the Carolinas, is home to some top-rated roller coasters, including the fast and tall Fury 325 and the Vortex, where passengers ride standing up. Families with younger kids will love Camp Snoopy with its smaller rides and plenty of shaded areas for hot days. The water park, open in the summer, is perfect for cooling off.
$40 to $75 per person, depending on the season and age
Visit for 1-2 days
Tweetsie Railroad, in the North Carolina mountains, has a Wild West theme and is known for its historic and scenic steam locomotive ride. Visitors will enjoy the rides, petting zoo, and musical or magic shows.
$60 for adults, $40 for children (3-12), and free for children under 3
Visit for 1 day
Reconnect with nature
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with more than 800 miles of trails and 18 waterfalls, is a wonderland for hikers and family adventure seekers. Take a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway, spot wildlife, and catch the spectacular views of fall foliage.
Free entry
Visit for 2-3 days
Congaree National Park is home to the largest intact expanse of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the Southeast. Visitors can enjoy kayaking, fishing, hiking and camping among these trees. Lucky lottery winners get the chance to experience the display of synchronous fireflies flashing as they search for mates in May or June.
Hunting Island State Park offers 5 miles of pristine beaches, thousands of acres of marsh and maritime forest, a saltwater lagoon and an ocean inlet. Visit the lighthouse or nature center, camp, fish or take a ferry for a naturalist-led tour of St. Phillips Island.
Explore the historical sites
The Biltmore Estate, the largest private home in the United States, was built by George Washington Vanderbilt II. Take a tour of the opulent home or explore the horticultural paradise of the six formal and informal gardens with connecting nature trails. Check the calendar for concerts and seasonal events.
Tickets range from $70 to $114 for adults
Visit 1-2 days
Historic Charleston, a city with well-preserved antebellum architecture, plantations and museums, offers tours by carriage, boat, bus and foot. Learn about the area’s history related to the start of the Civil War, buildings, ghosts and Southern cuisine.
Costs vary by site or tour
Visit for 1-3 days
Battleship North Carolina, a World War II ship located on the Cape Fear River in Wilmington, is now a museum open for tours. Visitors can walk through the crew quarters, engine room and decks while learning about the ship and the war’s history.
Admission is $14 for adults and $6 for children (6-11)
Visit for 2-3 hours
Take in one of the zoos or museums
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is the largest natural history museum in the Southeast. Its exhibits feature animals, rocks and other natural treasures from prehistoric times through the present. The living conservatory has plants, butterflies and animals including a sloth.
Free admission
Visit for 2-3 hours
Children’s Museum of the Upstate is one of the largest children’s museums in the country. It offers interactive exhibits, including an animation studio and musical marsh for STEM learning and exploration.
$10 for adults and $9 for children (1-15)
Visit for 2-3 hours
Greensboro Science Center is a combination zoo, aquarium and science museum. Kids will love exploring the treetop adventure park.
$19.50 for adults and $18.50 for children (3-13)
Visit for 3-4 hours
From relaxing on the beach to learning about the world’s history and natural wonders, the Carolinas offer family-friendly activities for every budget and type of vacation.