Explore Fun and Educational Day Trips in the Triad!
- Maid in North Carolina
- Jun 10
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 15
During summer break, many kids spend their days video gaming and snapping selfies. Remember when summertime meant so much more? Now is your chance to show your kids (or grandkids, nieces, or nephews) how memorable summer can be. Here are some options for fun and educational day trips throughout the Triad and within driving distance. Let’s show our kids what FUN really is!
Exciting Destinations for Memorable Days
Here are several amazing destinations that combine fun and education. Each of these places offers unique experiences that kids will love.
Hanging Rock State Park - Danbury
Just a few miles north of Winston-Salem, you can spend the day on the trails of Hanging Rock State Park. Let nature put life's hectic pace in perspective. The views are breathtaking! You can splash in the waterfalls or swim in the lake. Additionally, picnic areas and campgrounds provide opportunities for quality time with family and friends.
Website | 336-593-8480 | The lake entry fee is $6 for adults and $4 for children. Hiking and visiting waterfalls are free.
Greensboro Science Center - Greensboro
Discover a world of wonder at the Greensboro Science Center. You can explore the aquarium, museum, and zoo, which makes for a fun-filled and educational experience for all ages. There's so much to see and do, making it a perfect day trip!
Website | 336-288-3769 | Tickets are $21 for ages 14 and up, and $20 for children aged 3-13. They also offer lower rates for families on SNAP, EBT, and WIC.
ACC Hall of Champions - Greensboro
At the ACC Hall of Champions, you can discover individual exhibits for each ACC member school. There are life-size ACC school mascot displays and a wealth of memorabilia, trophies, and historical event photos. This place celebrates the conference’s incredible players, coaches, and fans.
Website | 336-315-8411 | Admission is free.
Qubein Children's Museum - High Point
Climb through a chest of drawers and under a giant chair in the larger-than-life GiNormous exhibit! This exhibit pays homage to High Point’s home furnishing fame. Explore secret passages in the Hall of Mysteries and scale to the top of the two-story Courage Climber. This museum is also a Certified Autism Center, providing a welcoming environment for sensory-sensitive guests and their families.
Website | 336-888-7529 | Admission is $14 per person.
Beech Mountain
Beech Mountain may be best known as a winter destination; however, it offers plenty of summertime fun. Visit the Land of Oz, hike numerous trails, and enjoy the town's family-friendly atmosphere and special events.
Website | 828-387-9283
Natural Sciences Museum - Raleigh
General admission is free to the Natural Sciences Museum, the largest of its kind in the Southeast. Your family will enjoy unlocking some of the universe's mysteries—dinosaurs are awe-inspiring. As your family approaches the massive, three-story globe known as the Daily Planet, they'll be captivated. This centerpiece of the Nature Research Center inspires the next generation of young scientists. Don't miss the brand-new Dueling Dinosaurs exhibit, where you enter the world of a paleontologist and see dinosaur fossils still encased in sediment.
Website | 919-707-9800 | Free admission.
Museum of Life and Science - Durham
Although some of us outgrow our love for science, kids are always fascinated by it. The Museum of Life and Science spans more than 80 acres, featuring an outdoor playground, animal exhibits, and interactive stations. Kids can build flying objects, conduct lab experiments, or pretend to be astronauts.
Website | 919-220-5429 | Admission is $24 for adults and $19 for children aged 3-15.
Chimney Rock State Park – Chimney Rock
At Chimney Rock State Park, the 360-degree view at the top makes each step worth the climb. Your kids will feel as if they’re soaring above the treetops when standing atop this 1,200-foot monolith. The Great Woodland Adventure Trail was designed specifically for kids, with 12 discovery stations and oversized animal sculptures along the way. Note: Strollers are not recommended on this trail.
Website | 828-625-9611 | Admission is $17 for adults and $8 for children. Reservations are required.
Lake Lure
Spend a fun-filled family day about two hours from Winston at Lake Lure. Gaze up at Chimney Rock as you relax on the beach. The water park offers soaking games, water slides, bumper boats, and more. Be sure to stop for a bite or an ice cream cone at one of the lakeside restaurants. Note: Free entry for kids under 5, and construction is underway until 2025, so call ahead to ensure the park is open.
Website | 877-386-4255 | Entry fees apply.
Linville Caverns - Linville
Located at the southern gateway to western NC's High Country, Linville Caverns is an ideal destination for visitors of all ages. Experience the beauty of Humpback Mountain and explore the wonders of nature created "inside a mountain."
Website | 828-756-4141 | Admission is $14 for adults and $12 for children.
Camping and Stargazing in the Mountains
The area around Asheville and Brevard boasts over 500,000 acres of national forest. This region features whitewater rivers, waterfalls, hundreds of miles of trails, and popular campsites. Spend a day at the legendary Sliding Rock, a 60-foot natural water slide, and choose family-friendly campgrounds like Lake Powhatan or Davidson River. Reservations and permits are required.
Website | 877-444-6777 | Call for reservations.
Sliding Rock - Brevard
Take a refreshing dip in one of North Carolina's swimming holes, often found in forests and sometimes off the beaten path. The Sliding Rock swimming hole is a natural wonder, with lifeguards on duty from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Website | 800-648-4523 | Admission is $5; free for children under 5.
Hope you have a wonder-filled summer!
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