Guide To Visiting Pullen Park Raleigh: Classic Fun For Kids!

As one of the oldest public parks in the United States, Pullen Park is not just an enticing amusement park for kids, it’s a piece of history, etched in nostalgia: the original carousel still twirls to organ music, paddle boats bob on the surface of the tranquil lake that Canadian geese call home, and shaded paths lead to playgrounds that may have experienced an upgrade or two, but still carry that timeless connection to nature that you can only find in the City of Oaks.

While Raleigh is not short of playgrounds and amusement parks, none are more historic and iconic than Pullen Park. It’s a park that has special memories for us; we would take our eldest daughter, Kalyra, there to play when she was two years old when we moved back to Raleigh in 2008, and then again with our youngest daughter, Savannah.

Our daughters are older now and too old for Pullen Park, but they still remember the thrill of the attractions for kids there, and other local families for generations have been finding family fun at Pullen Park. If you’re thinking of visiting Pullen Park, here is everything you need to know…

History of Pullen Park

Pullen Park opened way back in 1887, making it the first public park in North Carolina and the fifth oldest operating amusement park in the United States (and the 16th oldest amusement park in the world) – pretty cool, huh?

Pullen Park is the brainchild of Raleigh philanthropist, Richard Stanhope Pullen, who donated 80 acres of land in 1887 to the city for use as a public park. It has since become an important component of Raleigh life, providing citizens with a variety of recreational opportunities.

As the oldest of park in Raleigh, it offers recreational opportunities for all members of the family. Besides the Pullen amusements, it’s a great place to have a picnic on the large grass area or under one of the picnic shelters (we held Kalyra’s 1st birthday here).

Plus there are nearby softball fields, baseball fields, 6 tennis courts, an arts center, live performance theater, and you can even go for a swim at the Pullen Aquatic Center (Kalyra has had lessons in the Pullen park pool).

It doesn’t have high speed thrill rides, but more gentle amusement rides like the historic carousel, the iconic miniature train, paddle boats, and playgrounds. As a young kid, Kalyra loved riding that train, being taken for a spin on the lake in the paddle boats, running around the grass area and swinging on the swings and riding down the slides in the playground.

Getting to Pullen Park

Pulled Park is located on 520 Ashe Ave, Raleigh, close to downtown Raleigh, and sits on 66 acres of land between Western Blvd and Hillsborough Street, and adjacent to North Carolina State University. You will find the main parking to the North of the park off 520 Ashe Avenue, though it fills up quickly. If you find it’s full, there are more designated spots for Pullen Park visitors along the park side of Cox Avenue, as well as at the Pullen Arts Center or the Gregg Museum (free on Sundays).

Pullen Park Opening Hours and Entrance Fees

Pullen Park and restrooms are open from dawn until dusk daily (about 7am – 9pm), though certain rides and attractions close early due to darkness or increment weather.

Pullen Park Raleigh is free to enter, they only charge a small fee to ride the carousel, train, and kiddie boats. Tickets can be purchased for rides at the ticket booth at the entrance to the park, and now in advance online to help cut down on the wait time to get tickets at the park.

• Ride tickets are $2.00 each, and each ride requires just one ticket per person.
• Children under 1 years of age ride for free with an adult
• Tickets are valid for any day and do not expire!
• You can get a 10% discount if you buy 100 tickets or more!

Things to do at Pullen Park

Below are some of the most iconic attractions and amusements to make sure you check out at Pullen Park…

Ride the Carousel

The younger kids will get a thrill out of riding the historic Pullen Park Carousel. Recognized as one of the foremost surviving works of the Pennsylvania Carousel Company, it was founded by Gustav A. Dentzel who emigrated from Germany in 1860 and set up a cabinet making shop in Philadelphia.

It dates from about 1900, making it oneof the earliest Dentzels still in operation. Its paramount feature is a menagerie of 52 hand-carved wooden animals, the work of chief carver Salvatore Cernigliaro. Animals include ostriches, cats, rabbits, pigs, a lion, a tiger and a goat. The 24-foot diameter carousel is housed in a permanent wooden-beamed shelter of tent-like design, and music originally was produced by a Wurlitzer band organ.

The Pullen Park Carousel is a designated Raleigh Historic Landmark, and a must-do in the city of Raleigh with kids! Must be 42 inches tall to ride alone, if under 42 inches a parent/guardian must ride with them and both require a ticket.

Ride the Miniature Train

What kid doesn’t enjoy a miniature train ride? This is a one-third size near-replica of the famous locomotive, C.P. Huntington. Housed in the park’s station, which extends through the tunnel at the front of the park, the trains one lap journey of Pullen Park runs parallel to Western Boulevard, around the picturesque Pullen Park lake, and then through the woods that back up to the NC State campus.

The train closes around sunset each day, and you must be 42 inches tall to ride alone, if under 42 inches a parent/guardian must ride with them and both require a ticket. One ticket per person.

Go on the Pedal Boats

Getting out on Lake Howell (the lake within Pullen Park) on a pedal boat is classic family fun! It’s a bit of a workout on the legs, but a fun way to spend 30-minutes with your kids and get a new perspective of the park. The pedal cruisers require four tickets for a half hour boat rental and up to 4 people can fit in a boat.

Note: The pedal boats are closed until Spring 2027 due to renovations on Lake Howell. Hours vary during the seasons.

Ride the Kiddie Boats

Although the pedal boats are out of action, if your child really wants to enjoy the experience of riding in a boat, the kiddie boats are still in operation. The ride only requires one ticket per person, and riders need to be between 30″ – 54″ tall to ride. Only one rider inside the fenced area when the ride is in motion.

Take the kids to the playgrounds

There are various playgrounds and equipment for kids to play on for differing ages and abilities. 

• Swing Area: (All ages) 10 traditional belt swings, 1 preschool full-bucket seat swing, 1 accessible molded bucket swing, and 1 tire swing.
• School Age Climb and Slide: (5-12 years old) 2 universally accessible slides, 6 climbing opportunities, 1 see-saw, and 1 shade structure.

• Sand Play: (2-12 years old) 2 sand diggers, 1 accessible sand digger, 2 shade structures, 1 playhouse, Music making equipment and stage, and 1 accessible spring platform.
• Preschool Playground: (2-5 years old) Enclosed by a positive barrier of fence and vegetation, 3 slides,1 preschool full-bucket seat swing,1 accessible molded bucket swing, 1 see-saw, stepping stones, and 2 shade structures

Play Pétanque or Bocce

If you prefer to get active, or you have older children, you might enjoy playing on the petanque or bocce courts located at the Upper Shelter Area. They are free to use, but you need to make a reservation at the Welcome Center or Kiosk. If you don’t have equipment, you can rent it for $7 per hour.

Play carnival games

There are a handful of carnival games you can play in the warmer seasons. Each game requires tickets to play, or you can enjoy unlimited plays for $2. The carnival games are themed around Pullen Park attractions, such as The Great Carousel Race, The Mega Wire, and The Trail Runner.

Fuel up at Pullen Park Cafe

If you don’t bring your own snacks or picnic lunch and use the picnic facilities, then the Pullen Cafe is an outdoor cafe located within the park near the amusement area and main entrance to the park. 

It offers local and organic foods made in-house using fresh ingredients and supporting local farmers. They have gluten free and vegetarian options. It has been under new ownership since 2019, so I’m keen to get back and test it out, as reviews are much better. I wish they had some craft coffee here, as it would be a great spot for it.

Some nearby dining options are Irregardless Cafe and Trophy Brewing & Pizza on W Morgan St, or Jubala Coffee on Hillsborough St.

Cafe Hours

• Sunday -Thursday 11:00am – 5:30pm
• Friday – Saturday 11.00am – 6:00pm

Note: Pullen Park also rents a variety of outdoor shelters so you can grill out. Email: [email protected] or 919-996-6468 for rentals.

Learn at Pullen Arts Center

Pullen Arts Center is an event space and studio that hosts regular programs and workshops, including drawing, pottery, jewelry making, painting, printmaking, fiber arts, glass arts and weaving, and much more. They also host regular gallery exhibits throughout the year.

• Opening hours: 9:00am – 10:00pm Monday-Thursday, closed Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm Saturday and Sunday

Watch Theatre in the Park

Nestled inside Pullen Park, this iconic venue is best known for producing A Christmas Carol starring Ira David Wood III—an annual holiday tradition for many families. It’s not gotten so popular that it’s now held at the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts and the Durham Performing Arts Center. (We’ve seen it and found it hilarious and unique to Raleigh)

It began back in 1947 as The Children’s Theatre of Raleigh, Inc., but changed its name in the 70s to reflect its new home in The National Guard Armory building in Pullen Park (now known as the Ira David Wood III Pullen Park Theatre after Founder and Executive Director, Ira David Wood III).

Although you’d think it was an outdoor theatre, it is in fact an indoor venue with a capacity of approximately 250 seats and puts on theatrical performances throughout the year. It’s known to put on well-known classics such as Shakespeare plays, as well as musicals and comedy performances. It’s also a wonderful place to discover new playwrights and watch independent theatre. You can see what’s on at Theatre in the Park here.

Discover more creative arts experiences on Hillsborough St.

Ride the Holiday Express at Pullen Park

Several events are held at Pullen Park each year, with the most popular being the annual Holiday Express. This Raleigh Christmas attraction is definitely for the kids. There is the train ride with Holiday lights, an appearance from Santa, a Blizzard Boogie dance party, arts and crafts, and carnival games and inflatables. This is where you find the magic Raleigh. Tickets for this are harder to get than a Taylor Swift concert and they go on sale in October. We also attended Luminocity light show that was held here one year. It’s a beautiful venue for events so keep an eye out for any others that are happening.

Check out the caboose

As well as riding on the miniature railway, Pullen Park also has a historic caboose, specifically the Southern 380, which is a static attraction you can use as a backdrop for photos.

Walk around the gardens

A stroll through Pullen Park’s gardens is just as exciting as the attractions. The meandering paths wind past seasonal flower beds that bloom throughout the year. There are shaded lawns and quiet pockets where you can unravel a picnic or throw a frisbee.

It’s an easy, unhurried wander. No matter what season you visit, the gardens offer plenty of respite.

FAQs about visiting Pullen Park