If you are planning a move to Raleigh, and you have or are planning to have children, they will feel as though they hit the jackpot here! The way kids feel about this city is the way singles feel about Las Vegas or surfers feel about California. Although there is plenty for adults to do, it is almost as if this place was designed for children. If your Raleigh movers have children of their own, they will likely be able to point you in the direction of a long list of attractions. Otherwise, this list of Raleigh attractions for kids will keep you busy for a while.
Frankie’s Fun Park
You may be able to get your kids to clean their room, do the dishes, take out the trash and ace their math test all in the same week if you bribe them with Frankie’s Fun Park! You will find laser tag, a funhouse, arcade, batting cage, mini golf, bumper boats, rides, go-karts and a whole lot more. Seriously, you could come here every day and never get bored, and this is a place where adults can have fun too!
Raleigh IcePlex
Kids can ice-skate here year-round and Tuesdays are only $3, which includes skate rental. So, if you are on a budget after the move, this is a great place to take the kids to burn energy, without spending much money. There are hockey teams and figure skating lessons to get involved with as well.
Jelly Beans Skate Center
This is the best place around for roller and in-line skating. There is music and a light show, and the maple hardwood surface is a lot easier to skate on than the uneven sidewalk. There is a video game room and snack bar here too.
Adventure Landing
Similar to Frankie’s, this place also has go-karts, batting cages, laser tag, miniature golf and an arcade. This is a popular place for birthday parties!
Go Bananaz
This place has everything from mechanical bull rides to indoor bumper cars to a swinging pirate ship. Of course, like most other venues here in Raleigh, you will also find an arcade suitable to keep anyone occupied for a while.
North Carolina Museum of Natural Science
One of the coolest places to visit in the entire state! Here you will find a dinosaur with a fossilized heart! There are tons of hands-on exhibits, a two-story waterfall and even a conservatory full of butterflies and hummingbirds. There are rotating exhibits, but there are also permanent ones that you will want to visit over and over, such as the Arthropod Zoo, Protecting Freshwater, Exploring the Deep Sea, Investigating White Whales, Building a Greener Future, Astronaut Space Observation Lab, Science Panorama, Ice Age Giants and even a Living Conservatory filled with birds and butterflies.
In addition to the exhibits, there are countless programs to participate in that are also always changing, so every time you come there is bound to be something new. There are workshops, science talks, family programs, summer camps, youth programs and a ton of educational opportunities.
Marble Kids Museum
If you ask your Raleigh movers where you can take your kids for a fun yet educational experience, they will likely recommend the Marble Kids Museum. There is so much to take in when you first walk through the doors, kids tend to just stop and marvel for a few minutes before proceeding. There are countless interactive exhibits that inspire imagination.There is something truly special about a place that manages to be educational without making kids feel like they are in school, or actually being taught something. There are fun exhibits to interact with and a huge IMAX theater with more than 20 million tiny holes!
Pullen Park
This is a hot spot for spring and summer. Pullen Park has swimming pools, kiddie boats, a carousel, mini train, tennis courts and softball fields.
Historic Yates Mill County Park
If you ask your Raleigh movers where to go so your kids can indulge in nature and fresh air, they will likely send you here. Not only is there a historic mill here to tour, there are also walking trails and plenty of wildlife and waterfowl to watch too.
Museums Galore
In many other cities, a museum is nothing but an afterthought. Sure, there may be one or two, but even residents who are native to the area have likely never been to them. This city is different! In fact, if you ask your Raleigh movers if they can recommend a good museum, they will likely be able to write you a list. Culture and history are important here, so there are plenty of museums for both adults and children to indulge in.
North Carolina Museum of Art
One of America’s largest Renoir sculptures can be found here, as well as more than a dozen monumental sculptures. There are both permanent and rotating exhibits, plus an amphitheater that hosts concerts, classes, performances, and films.
Raleigh City Museum
To preserve the city’s history, Raleigh City Museum was finally opened in 1993. It houses artifacts and exhibits that highlight Raleigh’s history and heritage. There are core exhibits as well as rotating ones, plus educational programs. The city even hosts adult walking tours of the area.
