11 Best Family Vacations in North Carolina
It can be challenging to plan a weekend trip or a family vacation that everyone will enjoy.
Fortunately, North Carolina is home to a wide variety of family-friendly activities and attractions.
For the best family vacations in North Carolina, consult this list the next time you’re arranging a trip.
Our suggested North Carolina travel destinations offer everything from relaxing spas to exciting outdoor adventures.
- The Omni Grove Park Inn – Asheville
The Omni is widely regarded as one of the finest resorts in North Carolina, making it ideal for families.
This resort is well-known for its breathtaking scenery and high-end amenities, making it perfect for a memorable family vacation.
Who should vacation here
For a relaxing and luxurious vacation in North Carolina, the Omni Grove Park Inn is an excellent option for families.
This exceptional resort provides a restful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life with its breathtaking scenery, first-rate service, and luxurious accommodations.
The resort also features a variety of activities that are fun for the whole family, such as swimming pools, a playground, a tennis court, and a golf course.
Expert tip
Plan on taking along a few toddlers or infants on your trip?
To take a break from your constant duty, you can use the resort’s babysitting services.
The resort’s spa and championship golf course are just two ways you can unwind in this way.
- Pisgah National Forest
Pisgah National Forest teems with family-friendly outdoor activities and fascinating natural sights.
Who should vacation here
If you and your loved ones enjoy being outside, a visit to Pisgah National Forest is a must.
This national forest has numerous opportunities for exciting outdoor adventures with children, including innumerable waterfalls, whitewater rivers, and trails.
Expert tip
We suggest staying in one of the family compounds in the forest, such as Davidson River or Lake Powhatan, despite the proximity to Asheville (less than an hour by car).
Your children’s night under the stars will be one of the highlights of their young lives, I can promise you that.
- Charlotte
Are you looking for some fabulous family-friendly activities in North Carolina?
Charlotte’s world-class theme park and other family-friendly attractions will keep you and yours entertained all day long.
Who should vacation here
Visitors and their children are enticed to Charlotte by its many thrilling attractions.
Start your family vacation at Carowinds, a world-famous amusement park with thrilling roller coasters and fun attractions for younger visitors.
The Discovery Place Museum and the NASCAR Hall of Fame are two additional family-friendly attractions in the city that you can visit afterward.
Expert tip
While in Charlotte, don’t miss out on a trip to ImaginOn.
This is a one-of-a-kind learning library with designated spaces for young adults and children.
In addition, multimedia workstations, recording studios, animation studios, and theater make education exciting.
- Durham
Are you looking for a budget-friendly family vacation destination?
Durham can provide a memorable family vacation with cheap hotels and free or low-cost attractions.
Who should vacation here
Durham is an inexpensive vacation spot that will not disappoint any gang member.
Free and excellent art galleries and a botanical garden can be found in this city.
Family-friendly vacationers can take advantage of the hotel’s low rates and the restaurant’s family-friendly menu.
Expert tip
We recommend visiting the Duke Lemur Center and the Museum of Life + Science in Durham.
The Duke Lemur Center has the world’s largest collection of lemurs, and the Museum of Life + Science offers a wide range of interactive exhibits.
- The Outer Banks
Your family will have a wonderful time at the Outer Banks, where beach activities and peacefulness go hand in hand.
Who should vacation here
If you want an active beach vacation that still leaves you with time to relax, the Outer Banks are the place to go.
You won’t have much chance to sit around and do nothing, especially with the abundance of water activities and the fascinating history of the area.
Additionally, it is conveniently located close to some of North Carolina’s top family vacation destinations, including Virginia Beach.
Expert tip
You can see many wild horses in Corolla. It’s possible to have a life-changing encounter by going on a guided tour.
But if you have your 4-wheel-drive vehicle, you can do the Corolla tour on your own and save some money.
- Boone
Boone, North Carolina, is one of the best and most underrated weekend getaways for families with children.
Who should vacation here
Boone is an excellent place for a family vacation because of its beautiful scenery, an abundance of outdoor activities, and amusement park.
The Tweetsie Railroad’s iconic kid-friendly steam train is a huge draw for families.
And, of course, the breathtaking views from Grandfather Mountain and the Blue Ridge Parkway are sure to please the grownups in your group.
Expert tip
Are your children somewhat choosy eaters?
The Coyote Kitchen is a great local eatery. This restaurant offers a wide variety of tasty foods, from burgers to salads.
They can also adjust their recipes to suit your needs if you have specific dietary restrictions.
- Asheboro
If you’re a nature or animal lover, you’ll think Asheboro is paradise on earth.
Who should vacation here
Asheboro, North Carolina, is home to the North Carolina Zoo, the largest walk-through zoo in the world and a top destination for families.
However, Asheboro is home to more than just a protected wildlife area.
The city is home to numerous family-friendly museums and tourist hotspots.
The North Carolina Aviation Museum, Sunny Slopes Farm, and North Asheboro Park are some of our favorite local attractions.
Expert tip
Make an excursion out of it and start in Asheboro.
The neighborhood has many picturesque small farms and country churches, making for a relaxing day trip with the family.
The bus-turned-house in Erect is just one of many wonderfully bizarre sights to behold in the area.
- Grandover Resort Golf and Spa
I hope to take your family on a thrilling and relaxing vacation someday.
Your wanderlust can be satiated by the luxurious amenities and comfortable rooms at Grandover Resort.
Who should vacation here
The Grandover Resort is the ultimate destination for rest, recreation, and family fun, thanks to its luxurious accommodations and friendly, attentive staff.
Sports fans will enjoy the volleyball court and tennis facilities and the two 18-hole championship golf courses.
A kid-friendly arcade, restaurants, and carefully manicured lawns are also available.
Expert tip
One will be provided free if you are traveling with a child younger than two years old and would like a crib.
Also, their queen room is large enough to accommodate four adults and two children.
- Raleigh
The city of Raleigh is a vibrant example of Southern hospitality.
Who should vacation here
For a family vacation in North Carolina, we highly recommend visiting Raleigh.
It offers a dynamic medley of entertainment that appeal to people of all ages and preferences.
The city’s college sporting events and concerts are huge draws for the city’s teen population.
In addition, family-friendly Pullen Park and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences will keep the kids entertained for hours.
Expert tip
Additionally, Raleigh is home to the Marble Kids Museum, which is widely regarded as one of the best children’s museums in the United States.
The museum has many interactive displays that fascinate your kids and give them plenty of room to use their imaginations.
- Asheville
In Asheville, you can easily find activities suitable for the whole family.
Who should vacation here
There is something for everyone in Asheville.
Take the kids to the Asheville Museum of Science to learn about minerals.
Then, take your adolescent to the Asheville Adventure Center to get their blood pumping.
In addition, when planning your trip, don’t forget to stop by the Biltmore Estate.
The estate features a farm, maze, trails, and horseback riding arena.
Expert tip
Asheville’s Crowne Plaza Resort is our preferred place to stay while in town.
The Executive King is perfect for our family of four, so it’s our favorite room type.
A bonus is a partition in the room that can be used to keep the older and younger kids apart.
- Wilmington
Wilmington, North Carolina, is an excellent destination for families thanks to its abundance of outdoor activities.
Who should vacation here
Vacationing in Wilmington is a great option for families who enjoy the water.
You can spend the day at the beach or paddling along the Intracoastal Waterway.
Plus, you can take a boat trip to the beautiful Masonboro Island.
Expert tip
While the city’s beaches and water activities are undoubtedly appealing, Wilmington is home to much more.
Visit the Wilmington Railroad Museum, Defy Gravity, and Fort Fisher State Historic Site if you need a break from water activities.
