14 Things to Do in Raleigh With Kids (2024 Updated)

Raleigh is known for its warm weather and its beautiful coastal plain region, which provides a fantastic place to take your family on vacation.

Though it’s not incredibly well known as a tourist mecca, that makes it an even better place to check out: there will be fewer tourists than, say, Atlanta or Orlando!

Here are several things you can do with your little ones in this great city.

14 Things to Do in Raleigh With Kids

This list includes a pretty broad array of different fun things that you can do with your children!

For example, there are many outdoor destinations that will give you and your little ones the fun and exciting experiences that you deserve.

However, we also picked restaurants, museums, sports arenas, amusement parks, and more.

In this way, you should have little trouble having fun!

1. Pullen Park

Pullen Park is a historic place to visit, as it has been in operation since 1887!

That makes it one of the oldest still-operating amusement parks in the world.

While you’re here, you can ride their famous mini train, take paddle boats out on the lake, enjoy the carousel, or even take your kids to the playgrounds.

Its old-fashioned feel is a little more laid back than your modern high-speed amusement park, which makes it a unique place to check out with your family.

2. North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Science offers interactive exhibits over two different facilities.

These include the Nature Research Center and the Nature Exploration Center.

In these areas, your children will learn about the natural world and discover what makes it so unique and exciting.

Furthermore, there’s a fun 3D movie theater available where your children can learn even more about the world, including fossils, the environment, and hands-on exhibits.

3. Marbles Kids Museum

Marbles Kids Museum is designed as a kid-friendly place to hang out that will teach your young ones about all sorts of things.

For example, it features interactive exhibits, just like the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences!

These exhibits feature things like experiments and personalized lessons that make sense for your child’s learning style.

There’s even a 3D IMAX theater that will surround your child in the entertaining world of science and learning.

4. Adventure Landing Family Entertainment Center

Okay, so what if your children aren’t that excited about museums and want something a bit more outdoorsy to do without jumping into the forest?

Well, Adventure Landing Family Entertainment Center can provide you with the fun that you need!

This popular destination includes go-karts, mini golf, laser tag, arcade games, and batting cages.

It’s the kind of place where kids can be kids while their parents tap into their inner child and fall in love with mini golf again.

5. PNC Arena

Do you have a budding sports fan in your family that you want to encourage?

Well, PNC Arena is a great place to go during the hockey season because you can check out the Carolina Hurricanes and have fun in a professional sporting event.

Not interested in sports?

Don’t worry: there are many kid-friendly activities available at the center, including various concerts, comedy events, and much more.

There are even adult-oriented options if you want to leave the kids at home.

6. Transfer Co. Food Hall

Finding great food and restaurants is one of the best parts of visiting new parts of the country.

For example, Transfer Co. Food Hall provides you and your kids with a fun and exciting place to try out some of Raleigh’s greatest foods.

For example, you can try options like salads, burgers, bagels, fries, and even some pizza.

Here’s the biggest testament to this food hall: it’s the kind of place that Raleigh residents visit regularly and never get tired of checking out.

7. Morgan Street Food Hall

If you can’t find anything your kids like at Transfer Co. Food Hall, don’t worry: Morgan Street Food Hall is also available!

It actually made USA Today’s “Top 10 New Food Hall” list in 2018 and has remained heavily popular ever since.

Here, you can get foods like ice cream, lobster, macaroni and cheese, fish and chips, and much more.

It’s quickly become an NC institution and is the kind of place that your kids will want to go to multiple times throughout your trip.

8. Boxcar Bar + Arcade

How would you like to visit a place in Raleigh that lets you have a little adult fun while your kids relax and do their thing?

Boxcar Bar + Arcade might be a great option for you!

It features over 100 new and classic arcade games, as well as a bar where you can try delicious locally brewed beers or mixed drinks.

Even better: you can put down your drink and hold a pinball tournament with your kids.

Don’t be too embarrassed if they’re better than you: that’s not unusual with video games.

9. Daniel Dhers Action Sports Complex

Not all kids are going to be entertained with arcade games, delicious food, and museums.

Some will want something a lot more energetic to keep themselves pumped up during their visit.

Thankfully, Daniel Dhers Action Sports Complex is available for you!

Here, your kids can enjoy some BMX racing fun, including beginner-friendly areas, pump tracks, resi quarters, viewing areas, and foam pits where little ones can enjoy a little bike-free fun and excitement.

10. Go Ape Treetop Adventure

Here’s another activity that a high-energy kid will love!

Go Ape Treetop Adventure features a 2-3 hour outdoor aerial rope course with five zip lines, two Tarzan swings, obstacle courses, and much more.

This destination includes guided tours with professionals who will make sure your kids are safe.

The best thing about this destination is that you can enjoy it with them, meaning you can hang out high above the trees and have the kind of adventure that’s hard to get in any other part of Raleigh.

11. 311 Gallery

Got any budding artists in your family?

Well, 311 Gallery is a popular art destination in Raleigh that features a kid-friendly environment.

It includes 12 different artist studios and a storefront that changes every month to highlight different art styles.

Even better, there’s a small art shop and gift area where you and your kids can buy supplies and produce attractive designs.

In this way, 311 Gallery is the perfect destination for any kid with an artistic streak.

12. Chinese Lantern Festival

If you plan on visiting Raleigh from November through January, you can check out the Chinese Lantern Festival in nearby Cary!

This event includes large lanterns that create a beautiful look that your kids will love.

Many will want to take selfies here, while others will want to simply watch the nightly performances.

These feature acrobats, drummers, martial artists, and even dancers!

It’s an educational and exciting experience that no one in your family will forget.

13. RushHour Go Karting

Located just 15 minutes from Raleigh, RushHour Go Karting is one of the most popular destinations in Garner.

You’ll get the chance to race at nearly 40 miles per hour on a one-third-mile track with high-speed straightaways, curves, and much more.

All carts are carefully weighted to prevent turnovers, and every race must have a helmet.

Even better, there are ax-throwing competitions, video games, and even snacks available after you get done racing.

14. The Tower Escapes

Have you been interested in escape rooms for a few years but simply haven’t had the chance to go yet?

Or have you already solved several rooms and want a fun and unique challenge?

Well, The Tower Escapes provides a kid-friendly escape room that you can complete in less than 60 minutes.

You and your children (12 years or older, minimum) will work your way down from the tower, collect clues, solve puzzles, and work together to escape this historic location.

Raleigh Safety Overview

READ THE FULL REPORT: Raleigh Safety Review

Safety Index:

OVERALL RISK: LOW
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
MUGGING RISK: LOW
TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
SCAMS RISK: LOW
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Frequently Asked Questions

How many people visit Raleigh every year?

Raleigh typically gets about 15-17 million visits every year, meaning it’s likely one of the most visited cities in North Carolina.

That might sound intimidating to some people, but it’s nothing compared to the 40-50 million people that visit areas like Orlando.

So while it’s definitely not going to be a sleepy little suburb, Raleigh will be far less congested than places like that.

What’s the weather like in Raleigh?

Raleigh weather is typically pretty mild throughout spring, summer, and fall.

It typically has temperatures between the high 60s to the upper 80s.

Sometimes, temperatures will jump up into the 100s, but that’s rare.

Fall averages in the 70s, which makes it one of the most popular times to visit Raleigh.

Winters are between 20-50 degrees, with an average snowfall of 4.7 inches

Is Raleigh close to any other cities?

While there are many smaller villages and towns in the Raleigh area (including its many suburbs), the closest big city is Wilmington, which is 123 miles away.

Charlotte, which is likely the busiest city in the state, is just 143 miles away.

That means you’re at least 2-3 hours away from another major area, depending on how fast you drive and whether traffic decides to be nice.

Just how many parks are in this area anyway?

Here’s an amazing and staggering fact: Raleigh is home to over 9,000 acres of parkland and 1,300 acres of water!

Even better, it has 180 miles of hiking trails, meaning you can walk, jog, and even bike with your kids and have a lot of fun together.

Typically, these parks have some options for camping, though that will depend on the specific park that you end up visiting.

14 Things to Do in Raleigh With Kids