When people think of theme parks near Raleigh, NC, they are usually thinking about Carowinds. It’s by far the most famous theme park with the tallest, longest, and fastest rollercoaster in the USA.
Although we loved Carowinds, there are many other theme parks and amusement parks that don’t get the bells and whistles that Carowinds does.
That’s why I wrote this guide, to help you decide which theme park or amusement park to visit from our home in Raleigh.
Best Theme Parks & Amusement Parks Near Raleigh
Carowinds Amusement Park in Charlotte, NC
- Hours: 10.00 am – 8.00 pm daily (unless there’s a special event)
- Address: 14523 Carowinds Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28273
- Distance from Raleigh: 179 miles (2 hours 45 minutes’ drive)
First, we cannot ignore the most recognizable theme park near Raleigh as our number one pick. Carowinds in Charlotte is a mecca for theme park lovers. It has 60 world-class rides, including a waterpark, and 14 roller coasters.
It’s most famous for the rollercoaster, Fury 325, which is currently standing as the tallest, fastest, and longest steel rollercoaster in the USA and is ranked the 3rd best rollercoaster in the USA according to rollercoaster enthusiasts.
This 32-rollercoaster reaches heights of 325 feet, followed by an 81-degree drop (just to tease you before making a 91-degree horseshoe turn later), and then travels at a speed of up to 95 miles per hour up into a 190-foot-tall barrel turn. It’s the ultimate thrill-seekers rollercoaster and not for the faint-hearted. It’s 3.25 minutes of pure adrenaline.
Another heart-pounding ride we loved was Copperhead Strike, which was North Carolina’s first double-launch roller coaster, which means you go from 0-42 miles per hour in 2.5 seconds, not once, but twice! I think Kalyra went on this ride about five times. Savannah is going to Carowinds in a couple of weeks with friends and plans to finally brave this ride!
Don’t worry, it’s not all about getting your blood pumping, there are some gentle rides for kids too. Charlie Brown’s Wind-Up is a swing ride that’s a popular one for young children.
If you need a middle-ground ride, Do-Si-Do is a mixture of thrill and family fun! It spins around and around from left to right but doesn’t go upside down, so it’s great for kids who are ready to try something more action-packed.
Although people come for the rollercoasters, people stay for the entertainment and facilities. You can make a weekend of it by opting to stay at Camp Snoopy, the onsite campsite, or at their family-friendly onsite hotel.
Carolina Harbor Waterpark is Carowinds water park, and a massive water park at that featuring giant slides, wave pools and a kid’s splash pool area. It was a very welcome break from the intensity of the 2pm afternoon summer heat, but lines were long.
In terms of water parks, we prefer Wet N’ Wild Waterpark. But it’s worth stopping in if you’re visiting Carowinds as it’s included in your ticket. But plan your time well to allow for time in the waterpark.
Carowinds is also famous for its events, hosting many huge events and festivals throughout the year, including Carowinds Summer Music Fest, Grand Carnivale International Festival, and our favorite, SCarowinds – the most fun Halloween event of the year. Save on Carowinds tickets by purchasing in advance via Undercover Tourist.
Wet n’ Wild Waterpark in Greensboro, NC
- Hours: 10.00 am – 5.00 pm Monday – Thursday, 10.00 am – 6.00 pm Friday and Sunday, 10.00 am – 7.00 pm Saturday (Open during the summer season only, from May 25th – September 2nd)
- Address: 3910 S Holden Rd, Greensboro, NC 27406, United States
- Distance from Raleigh: 80 miles (1 hour 30 minutes’ drive)
On a hot, summer’s day in Raleigh, there is nothing we’d rather do than pack our swimming towels and swimsuits and head to Wet N’ Wild Waterpark in Greensboro. Our two kids love it, and even us big kids are huge fans of the lazy river.
It’s often referred to as the Carolinas’ Favorite Waterpark and features over 40 rides and attractions such as tube rides, flooms, drop rides, a wave pool, and a lazy river.
There are also paddling pools, splash zones, and leisure lagoons for young kids and toddlers. No matter your age or size, there is something for everyone here.
Thrill seekers will love the Daredevil Drop and Bombs Away, which as the names suggest, are not for the timid type! Our favorite ride is the Edge, a huge half-pipe raft ride, where you sit in an inflatable raft and launch off the big drop and zoom back and forth on the half pipe! Daredevils will want to sit in the backwards position!
Related post
Read more – Our top tips for visiting Wet N’ Wild Waterpark in Greensboro.
Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, VA
- Hours: Hours differ every day and there’s no set schedule. You can view opening times via the Busch Gardens calendar, (it’s usually open between 10.00 am – 8.00 pm most days)
- Address: 1 Busch Gardens Blvd, Williamsburg, VA 23185
- Distance from Raleigh: 213.5 miles (3 hours drive)
If you’re looking for a theme park that’s a bit more “traditional” like a Universal Studios-type theme park, then Busch Gardens in Williamsburg is the place to be.
Busch Gardens is one of our favorite places in Williamsburg because it’s not just about rides here. There are award-winning theater performances, a rescue center for animals, and an educational experience all wrapped up in one.
It’s separated by themed areas, with each zone representing a European country. You can be walking down the streets of Paris one minute, or dancing and singing within the German hamlets designed to remind you of Oktoberfest.
It doesn’t have as many rollercoasters as Carowinds (only 9 thrill-seeking rollercoasters) but it does have more rides for small kids, including bumper cars and swing rides.
It also has a Sesame Street Forest where young kids can meet some of their favorite characters, as well as a “Land of the Dragons” which is full of low-thrill rides for small children.
Our favorite rides included The Griffon (possibly the most terrifying ride I’ve been on but the most fun!), The Alpengeist (Kalyra’s favorite ride), and The Verbolten (there’s an awesome surprise on this one!)
The only thing that’s really annoying about Busch Gardens is it doesn’t have set opening times, and sometimes will open at 3.00 pm! It does mean you need to check the opening times before you visit, otherwise, you could turn up and only have an hour to spend in the park.
Kings Dominion
- Hours: 11.00 am – 8.00 pm
- Address: Kings Dominion, 16000 Theme Park Way, Doswell, VA 23047
- Distance from Raleigh: 194 miles (2 hours 50 minutes drive)
Although it’s located in our neighboring state of Virginia, it takes the same amount of time to get to Kings Dominion in Doswell as it does Carowinds in Charlotte. So many of the people we meet in Raleigh ask us, which is better? Kings Dominion or Carowinds?
They are both owned by the same company, and so on the surface, they are quite similar theme parks, but they do have their unique rides and attractions and I feel cater to different audiences.
Carowinds is definitely all about the thrill. It does have some small child-friendly rides, but if you have small kids, there isn’t anything that’s truly WOW or unique here. Our kids have been to many theme parks, and swing carousels and bumper cars are fun but not anything new.
Kings Dominion has some of the thrill-seeking rides that Carowinds has, such as the Dominator, Drop Tower, and Delerium, as well as family-friendly rides like Charlie Brown’s Wind Up.
However, it has more of the child-friendly rides, in my opinion. The Great Pumpkin Coaster is a great child-friendly rollercoaster, and the kids will love the Kite Eating Tree ride which is the perfect level of thrill for kids.
Kings Dominion also has a waterpark, which is also complete with a lazy river and several waterslides. The Paradise Plunge is a high-speed, vertical drop waterslide that gets the blood rushing to your head, and our whole family enjoyed riding down the Zoom Flume, a raft waterslide that fits four people.
I personally think the waterpark at Kings Dominion is better than Carowinds, but for thrill-seeking rollercoasters, Carowinds comes up top!
Best Theme Parks and Amusement Parks (IN Raleigh)
If you want to visit a theme park closer to home, then here are some of our favorite amusement parks in Raleigh that are less than 30 minutes from downtown.
Adventure Landing
- Hours: 11.00 am – 10.00 pm Sunday-Thursday, 11.00 am – 11.00 pm Friday and Saturday.
- Address: 3311 Capital Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27604
- Distance from Raleigh: 4 miles from downtown Raleigh (10 minutes’ drive)
If you’re not looking to drive too far, I hear ya! You’ve probably already heard of Adventure Landing, and while it’s nowhere near on the level of Carowinds or Busch Gardens, it’s one of the most popular amusement parks in Raleigh for families.
If you’ve never been to Adventure Landing in North Raleigh before, this amusement park has fun for every age, offering a wealth of attractions from go-karting, miniature golf, laser tag, batting cages, and an arcade.
Our girls’ often go here for birthday parties, because it’s one of the most popular things to do in Raleigh for teens and tweens.
Frankie’s of Raleigh
- Hours: 12.00 pm – 11.00 pm Sunday – Thursday, 12.00 pm – 12.00 am Friday, 11.00 am – 12.30 am Saturday
- Address: 11190 Fun Park Dr, Raleigh, NC 27617
- Distance from Raleigh: 14.7 miles (30 minutes’ drive)
If you’ve already been to Adventure Landing, then Frankie’s of Raleigh is your next best thing. It’s pretty similar in what it offers, from go-karts to mini golf, fairground rides, and arcades.
The girls always have a good time here, and the attractions cater to all ages and levels of thrill. There’s also a good mix of indoor and outdoor recreation so you can visit rain or shine.
Personally, Frankie’s of Raleigh has a more modern and laid-back atmosphere. Adventure Landing is older and is a little run down now (though I do still like the nostalgia of it).
It’s also widely considered as THE amusement park of Raleigh, but Frankie’s of Raleigh is fresher and cleaner. I do still love Adventure Landing though, which is why it’s earned a spot on this list.
Galaxy Fun Park
- Hours: Closed Monday & Tuesday, 12.00 pm – 7.00 pm Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, 12.00 pm – 9.00 pm Friday, 10.00 am – 9.00 pm Saturday
- Address: 14460 New Falls of Neuse Rd, Raleigh, NC 27614
- Distance from Raleigh: 13.4 miles (26 minutes’ drive)
If you’re looking for an indoor amusement park for a rainy day, then Galaxy Fun Park is a great place to go in Raleigh with kids.
This huge indoor amusement park has a vast trampoline park, a rope course, laser tag, and go-karts, as well as soft play for little ones. Whether you’re into mini golf or VR experiences, there is something for everyone at Galaxy Fun Park!
DON”T FORGET ABOUT…
Pullen Park in Raleigh, the first public park in North Carolina, and the fifth oldest operating amusement park in the United States. In terms of amusement parks in 2024, there isn’t a lot here to do, but younger kids will love the carousel, train ride, and pedal boats. Read our guide to Pullen Park here….
Our Top 3 Theme Parks Near Raleigh Podcast
Want to know which are our top three theme parks near Raleigh? Listen to us discuss our favorite amusement parks that we love to visit with our kids in our podcast episode:
