Carolina Raptor Center
Carolina Raptor Center ignites imaginations and inspires engagement in the natural world through the exploration and rehabilitation of birds of prey…see bald and golden eagles, owls, hawks and others at this center.
704.875.6521
Carolina Renaissance Festival
The Festival performs for seven weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) October through November. You can mingle with royalty, townspeople, equestrians and artisans; enjoy endless entertainment, tasty and savory foods, rides and games.
Carowinds
Carowinds is where the Carolinas come together for fun! For more than 45 years, families and friends choose Carowinds for an AMAZING day the Carolina way. Only at Carowinds will you find almost 60 world-class rides, the Carolinas’ best waterpark, live entertainment, Camp Snoopy and downhome Carolina cuisine. Family-friendly special events keep you coming back for new ways to play all season long. At their well-appointed on-site hotel and beautiful campground you can turn your Carowinds stay into a fun getaway.
704.588.2600
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, a garden for all seasons, provides guests a chance to reconnect with nature. The breathtaking visitor pavilion welcomes visitors to 110 acres of spectacular gardens including a children’s garden, a conservatory dedicated to the display of tropical plants and orchids, a dry piedmont prairie, annual and perennial displays, sparkling fountains, walking trails and more.
704.825.4490
Grandfather Mountain
Grandfather Mountain is a place of amazing biodiversity and scenic beauty that towers 5,946 feet above northwest North Carolina. A part of the United Nations’ Southern Appalachian Biosphere Reserve, the mountain is estimated to be 300 million years old — with certain rock formations dating back 1.2 billion years. The Mile High Swinging Bridge was built to give visitors easy access to the breath-taking view from Grandfather Mountain’s Linville Peak.
800.468.7325
Lazy Five Ranch
The Lazy Five Ranch drive-through safari takes you through gently sloping pastures as you watch more than 700 animals from six continents in a natural habitat. Feed animals from your car or take a horse-drawn wagon ride through the park. A truly unique experience for kids of all ages!
704.663.5100
Linville Caverns
Deep inside of Humpback Mountain lie the Linville Caverns, North Carolina’s only caverns open for tours. These natural limestone caverns feature stalactite and stalagmite formations and an underground stream. Guided tours (30-40 minutes long) begin at regular intervals. The caverns are located just a few miles from Linville Falls and four miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway.
828.756.4171
Reed Gold Mine
Reed Gold Mine is the site of the first documented gold find in the United States. From this discovery, gold mining spread gradually to nearby counties and eventually into other southern states. During its peak years gold mining was second only to farming in the number of North Carolinians it employed. The estimated value of gold recovered reached over one million dollars a year. North Carolina led the nation in gold production until 1848, when it was eclipsed by the great rush to California.
704.721.4653
Rural Hill
Rural Hill is an all-around great place to get away from one’s daily stresses in life. Stop by and enjoy the solitude of nature that only 265 secluded acres can provide while hiking our extensive network of trails. Step back in time as you step through our cabin’s doorway, smelling the delicious smells of food cooking over an open hearth. Hear the ringing of the blacksmith’s hammer, the chop of the woodworker’s adze, and the blast of the militiaman’s musket. Check out the seven-acre Amazing Maize Maze September through November.
704.875.3113
Treetop Adventures
Adventure course ziplining, camps and team building along the shoreline of Lake Hickory.
828.215.1914
UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens
While a garden is a very general term that includes a broad range of plant growing, botanical gardens are a purposeful collection of plants grown for more than just their beauty. Botanical gardens hold curated collections of plants for inventory, education, conservation, and research. The UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens partakes in all the aspects of being a botanical garden. They are a member of the American Public Gardens Association (APGA) and are dedicated to sharing the world of plants with people through their curated collections.
U.S. National Whitewater Center – Charlotte
Since 2001, Whitewater has been creating opportunities to bring people together outdoors at the U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Whitewater Center is designed and operated as an outdoor center offering over 30 different recreational activities. Every element and activity is focused on supporting an all-encompassing experience around the outdoor lifestyle. Additionally, the Whitewater Center hosts international competitions in a variety of sports along with numerous festivals and events on a recurring basis.
704.391.3900
Wing Haven
Wing Haven provides a natural oasis for reflection and study of its three public gardens. Wing Haven Garden & Bird Sanctuary is rich in Southern horticulture and a habitat for birds and wildlife. The Elizabeth Lawrence House & Garden is the site of a world-renowned garden writer’s living laboratory. The new SEED Wildlife & Children’s Gardens provide hands-on exploratory learning and a natural habitat for local wildlife. Together, these gardens welcome visitors of all ages to discover and learn. Wing Haven also offers more than 40 programs and special events each year.
704.331.0664
Zootastic Park
Zootastic Park has a wide variety of exotic animals such as tigers, lions, leopards, giraffes, monkeys, lemurs and more! They offer private animal encounters where you can be up close and personal with some of their baby animals. Camps, birthday parties and field trips also available.
704.245.6446