Your US Bucket List: Top Family-Friendly Destinations in North Carolina!

Top Family-Friendly Destinations in North Carolina!


Whether you’re looking for an Educational Field Trip or a Fun Day Out with the Kids…

Or if you are planning a Family Vacation for Spring, Summer, Fall, or Winter Break…

Or maybe you’re a Full-Time Family touring the US in your van or RV….

Perhaps you are an International Traveler planning your next major excursion into the United States…


Whatever your reason for exploring the world with YOUR Family…


SPGFAN has THE BEST LISTS of Top Family-Friendly Destinations in Each of the 50 United States!

Load YOUR Itineraries with THE COOLEST Kid-Centered Adventures and Create Fabulous Memories to Last Their Entire Lives!

Learn, Play, Experience, Relax, and Enjoy Yourselves with These Great National Parks, State Parks, Theme Parks, Museums, Zoos, Aquariums, Nature Centers, Factory Tours, Historic Sites, Notable Homes, Cultural Attractions, Art Events, Live Performances, Sporting Events, Beaches, Mountains, Cities, Towns, Farms, and MORE!

Dig even deeper to find awesome suggestions for Fun Eats, Sweet Treats, and Delicious Drinks along your route! Explore Educational Resources, Souvenir Ideas, and Money-Saving Hacks! Be sure to check out some of our family’s adventures in our Mini-Blogs! You just never know when inspiration might hit!


Bookmark These Lists and Check Back Often as We Continually Make Updates!


Maximize YOUR Family’s Fun Efficiency with SPGFAN!

The Smiles Per Gallon Family Adventure Network!


Top Family-Friendly Destinations in North Carolina!

CITY / ATTRACTION

Morrow Mountain State ParkAlbemarle
Stanly County MuseumAlbemarle
Gourd MuseumAngier
American Classic Motorcycle MuseumAsheboro
North Carolina Aviation MuseumAsheboro
Antique Car Museum at Grovewood VillageAsheville
Asheville Art MuseumAsheville
Asheville Museum of ScienceAsheville
Asheville Pinball MuseumAsheville
Asheville Radio MuseumAsheville
Biltmore EstateAsheville
Biltmore Industries Homespun MuseumAsheville
Black Mountain College Museum + Arts CenterAsheville
Folk Art CenterAsheville
Level 256 Classic Arcade BarAsheville
MoogseumAsheville
Smith-McDowell HouseAsheville
Southern Appalachian Radio MuseumAsheville
Thomas Wolfe HouseAsheville
University of North Carolina at Asheville GalleriesAsheville
YMI Cultural CenterAsheville
Aurora Fossil MuseumAurora
Badin Historic MuseumBadin
Country Doctor MuseumBailey
Old Baldy Lighthouse & Smith Island Museum of HistoryBald Head Island
Big Ivy Historical ParkBarnardsville
Historic BathBath
Palmer-Marsh HouseBath
Beaufort Historic SiteBeaufort
Fort Macon State ParkBeaufort
North Carolina Maritime MuseumBeaufort
Belhaven Memorial MuseumBelhaven
Belmont Historical SocietyBelmont
Benson Museum of Local HistoryBenson
Tarkil Branch Farm’s Homestead MuseumBeulaville
Black Mountain Center for the ArtsBlack Mountain
Swannanoa Valley MuseumBlack Mountain
Bladenboro MuseumBladenboro
Blowing Rock Art and History MuseumBlowing Rock
Flat Top ManorBlowing Rock
Mystery HillBlowing Rock
Catherine Smith GalleryBoone
Children’s PlayhouseBoone
Hickory Ridge HomesteadBoone
Turchin Center for the Visual ArtsBoone
Allison-Deaver HouseBrevard
Cradle of ForestryBrevard
Transylvania Heritage MuseumBrevard
Smoky Mountain TrainsBryson City
Swain County Heritage MuseumBryson City
Lundy-Fetterman MuseumBuies Creek
Pender County MuseumBurgaw
Penderlea Homestead MuseumBurgaw
Alamance Battleground State Historic SiteBurlington
Alamance County Historical MuseumBurlington
Whistlestop Exhibit at Company Shops StationBurlington
Mount Mitchell State ParkBurnsville
Rush Wray Museum of Yancey County HistoryBurnsville
Cape Hatteras LightBuxton
Hatteras Histories and Mysteries MuseumBuxton
Camden County JailCamden
Canton Area Historical MuseumCanton
Bryant House and McLendon CabinCarthage
Carthage MuseumCarthage
Page-Walker Arts & History CenterCary
Zachary-Tolbert HouseCashiers
Oak Island LightCaswell Beach
Catawba County Firefighters MuseumCatawba
Chadbourn Depot MuseumChadbourn
Ackland Art MuseumChapel Hill
Carolina Basketball MuseumChapel Hill
Horace Williams HouseChapel Hill
Kidzu Children’s MuseumChapel Hill
Morehead Planetarium and Science CenterChapel Hill
North Carolina Collection GalleryChapel Hill
Bechtler Museum of Modern ArtCharlotte
Billy Graham LibraryCharlotte
Carolinas Aviation MuseumCharlotte
Charlotte Museum of HistoryCharlotte
Charlotte Nature MuseumCharlotte
Discovery PlaceCharlotte
Harvey B. Gantt CenterCharlotte
Historic Rosedale PlantationCharlotte
Levine Museum of the New SouthCharlotte
Light FactoryCharlotte
McColl Center for Art + InnovationCharlotte
Mint Museum RandolphCharlotte
Mint Museum UptownCharlotte
NASCAR Hall of FameCharlotte
Second Ward Alumni House MuseumCharlotte
UNC Charlotte GalleriesCharlotte
Wells Fargo History MuseumCharlotte
Mountain Farm Museum and Mingus MillCherokee
Museum of the Cherokee IndianCherokee
Oconaluftee Indian VillageCherokee
C. Grier Beam Truck MuseumCherryville
Clemmons Educational State ForestClayton
Darshana Hall PlantationCleveland
Sampson County History MuseumClinton
Shook MuseumClyde
Coats MuseumCoats
Museum of ColerainColerain
Coffey’s General StoreCollettsville
Columbia Theater Cultural Resources CenterColumbia
House of Flags MuseumColumbus
Polk County History MuseumColumbus
Backing Up Classics Auto MuseumConcord
Cabarrus County Veterans MuseumConcord
Concord MuseumConcord
Hendrick Motorsports MuseumConcord
Sam Bass GalleryConcord
Textile Heritage Center at CooleemeeCooleemee
Corolla Wild Horse MuseumCoroLLA
Currituck Beach LightCorolla
Outer Banks Center for Wildlife EducationCorolla
Whalehead ClubCorolla
Museum of American PotteryCreedmoor
Somerset PlaceCreswell
Crossnore Fine Arts GalleryCrossnore
Mountain Heritage CenterCullowhee
Western Carolina University Fine Art MuseumCullowhee
Gaston County MuseumDallas
Stokes County Historical MuseumDanbury
Van Every/Smith GalleriesDavidson
Averasboro Battlefield and MuseumDunn
General William C. Lee Airborne MuseumDunn
Bennett Place State Historic SiteDurham
Duke Homestead State Historic SiteDurham
Historic StagvilleDurham
Hugh Mangum Museum of PhotographyDurham
Museum of Life and ScienceDurham
Nasher Museum of ArtDurham
North Carolina Central University Art MuseumDurham
West Point MillDurham
Barker HouseEdenton
Cupola HouseEdenton
Historic EdentonEdenton
Museum of the AlbemarleElizabeth City
Port DiscoverElizabeth City
Foothills Arts CouncilElkin
Richard Gwyn MuseumElkin
Rankin Museum of American HeritageEllerbe
Erwin History RoomErwin
Fair Bluff Depot MuseumFair Bluff
Buckner Hill PlantationFaison
Faison MuseumFaison
May Museum and ParkFarmville
Airborne & Special Operations MuseumFayetteville
Fascinate-U Children’s MuseumFayetteville
Fayetteville Area Transportation MuseumFayetteville
Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry Armory and MuseumFayetteville
Museum of the Cape Fear Historical ComplexFayetteville
Whippoorwill Academy and VillageFerguson
Carl Sandburg Home National Historic SiteFlat Rock
Graham County Museum of Prehistoric RelicsFontana Dam
Bennett Classics Antique Car MuseumForest City
Rutherford County Farm MuseumForest City
82nd Airborne Division War Memorial MuseumFort Bragg
John F. Kennedy Special Warfare MuseumFort Bragg
Franklin Gem & Mineral MuseumFranklin
Macon County Historical MuseumFranklin
Ruby City Gems & MineralsFranklin
Scottish Tartans MuseumFranklin
Wilderness Taxidermy and Wildlife MuseumFranklin
Aycock BirthplaceFremont
Fremont Heritage MuseumFremont
Frisco Native American Museum & Natural History CenterFrisco
Fuquay-Varina Museums ComplexFuquay-Varina
American Military MuseumGastonia
Schiele Museum of Natural HistoryGastonia
Gibsonville MuseumGibsonville
Textile Heritage MuseumGlencoe
Gold Hill Mines Historic ParkGold Hill Township
Arts Council of Wayne CountyGoldsboro
Cherry Hospital MuseumGoldsboro
Old Waynesborough ParkGoldsboro
Wayne County MuseumGoldsboro
Cedarock Historical FarmGraham
Children’s Museum of Alamance CountyGraham
Graham Historical MuseumGraham
Granite Falls History & Transportation MuseumGranite Falls
Pamlico County History MuseumGrantsboro
African American AtelierGreensboro
Blandwood Mansion and GardensGreensboro
Brock Historical Museum of Greensboro CollegeGreensboro
Elsewhere Artist CollaborativeGreensboro
Green Hill CenterGreensboro
Greensboro Children’s MuseumGreensboro
Greensboro College Art GalleriesGreensboro
Greensboro Historical MuseumGreensboro
Greensboro Science CenterGreensboro
Guilford College Art GalleryGreensboro
Guilford Courthouse National Military ParkGreensboro
International Civil Rights Center and MuseumGreensboro
Tannenbaum Historic ParkGreensboro
Weatherspoon Art MuseumGreensboro
Eastern Carolina Village & Farm MuseumGreenville
Greenville Museum of ArtGreenville
Walter L. Stasavich Science and Nature CenterGreenville
Wellington B. Gray GalleryGreenville
Grifton Historical MuseumGrifton
Presidential Culinary MuseumGrover
Historic Halifax State Historic SiteHalifax
Fort BranchHamilton
National Railroad Museum and Hall of FameHamlet
Core Sound Waterfowl MuseumHarkers Island
Graveyard of the Atlantic MuseumHatteras
Havelock Tourist & Event CenterHavelock
Haw River Town MuseumHaw River
Clay County Historical & Arts Council MuseumHayesville
Henderson Institute Historical MuseumHenderson
Vance County Historical MuseumHenderson
Arts Council of Henderson CountyHendersonville
Center for Craft, Creativity and DesignHendersonville
Fifth Avenue Mask MuseumHendersonville
Hands On!Hendersonville
Henderson County Heritage MuseumHendersonville
Hendersonville Antique Toy MuseumHendersonville
Hendersonville DepotHendersonville
Historic Johnson FarmHendersonville
Mineral and Lapidary MuseumHendersonville
Western North Carolina Air MuseumHendersonville
Newbold-White HouseHertford
Catawba Science CenterHickory
Catawba Valley Furniture MuseumHickory
Harper House/Hickory History CenterHickory
Hickory Aviation MuseumHickory
Hickory Museum of ArtHickory
Houck’s ChapelHickory
J. Summie Propst HouseHickory
Maple GroveHickory
Hiddenite CenterHiddenite
High Point MuseumHigh Point
Museum of Old Domestic LifeHigh Point
Rosetta C. Baldwin MuseumHigh Point
Sechrest GalleryHigh Point
Theatre Art GalleriesHigh Point
The BascomHighlands
Highlands Historical VillageHighlands
Highlands Nature CenterHighlands
Museum of American Cut & Engraved GlassHighlands
Ayr MountHillsborough
Burwell School Historic SiteHillsborough
Orange County History MuseumHillsborough
Hudson Depot MuseumHudson
Discovery Place KIDSHuntersville
EnergyExploriumHuntersville
Historic Latta PlantationHuntersville
Hugh Torrance House and StoreHuntersville
Rural Hill FarmHuntersville
Northampton County MuseumJackson
Montford Point Marines MuseumJacksonville
Museum of the MarineJacksonville
Mendenhall HomeplaceJamestown
Museum of Ashe County HistoryJefferson
Curb Museum for Music and MotorsportsKannapolis
GI Memorial House MuseumKannapolis
North Carolina Music Hall of FameKannapolis
Cowan Museum of History and ScienceKenansville
Liberty HallKenansville
Tobacco Farm Life MuseumKenly
Kernersville MuseumKernersville
Korner’s FollyKernersville
Wright Brothers National MemorialKill Devil Hills
Kings Mountain Historical Fire MuseumKings Mountain
Kings Mountain Historical MuseumKings Mountain
Caswell Center MuseumKinston
Caswell No.1 Fire Station MuseumKinston
CSS Neuse State Historic SiteKinston
Cultural Heritage MuseumKinston
Harmony HallKinston
Kinston Arts CenterKinston
Neuseway Nature ParkKinston
Harnett County Indian MuseumKipling
World Methodist MuseumLake Junaluska
Right Track Toy Train MuseumLake Lure
Lake Waccamaw Depot MuseumLake Waccamaw
John Blue ComplexLaurinburg
Lumbee Indian MuseumLaurinburg
Scottish Heritage CenterLaurinburg
Lawndale MuseumLawndale
Caldwell Arts CouncilLenoir
Caldwell Heritage MuseumLenoir
Fort DefianceLenoir
Davidson County Historical MuseumLexington
Hammerstone Scout MuseumLillington
Lincoln County Museum of HistoryLincolnton
Grandfather Mountain Nature MuseumLinville
Locust Historical Society and MuseumLocust
Louisburg College Art GalleriesLouisburg
Edwards-Franklin HouseLow Gap
Robeson County History MuseumLumberton
Madison Dry Goods MuseumMadison
Wheels Through Time MuseumMaggie Valley
Dare County Regional Airport MuseumManteo
Outer Banks History CenterManteo
Roanoke Island Festival ParkManteo
Carson HouseMarion
Rural Heritage MuseumMars Hill
Weizenblatt GalleryMars Hill
Matthews Heritage MuseumMatthews
Maxton MuseumMaxton
Reed Gold MineMidland
Carl J. McEwen Historic VillageMint Hill
Memory Lane MuseumMooresville
Mooresville MuseumMooresville
North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of FameMooresville
Welcome Home Veterans Living Military MuseumMooresville
History Museum of Carteret CountyMorehead City
Burke Arts CouncilMorganton
Burke Heritage MuseumMorganton
History Museum of Burke CountyMorganton
McDowell House at Quaker MeadowsMorganton
North Carolina School for the Deaf Historical MuseumMorganton
Senator Sam J. Ervin Jr. Library and MuseumMorganton
Andy Griffith MuseumMount Airy
Dr. Robert Smith HouseMount Airy
Gertrude Smith HouseMount Airy
Mount Airy Museum of Regional HistoryMount Airy
Old City JailMount Airy
Town Creek Indian MoundMount Gilead
David John Aaron MuseumMount Olive
Eastern Cabarrus Historical Society MuseumMount Pleasant
Agriculture and Transportation MuseumMurfreesboro
Brady C. Jefcoat MuseumMurfreesboro
Chowan University Green Hall Art GalleriesMurfreesboro
Murfreesboro Historical AssociationMurfreesboro
Cherokee County Historical MuseumMurphy
Bodie Island LighthouseNags Head
Jockey’s Ridge State ParkNags Head
Outer Banks Beachcomber MuseumNags Head
New Bern Firemen’s MuseumNew Bern
Tryon Palace Historic Site & GardensNew Bern
New Hope Valley RailwayNew Hill
New London MuseumNew London
Avery County Historical MuseumNewland
Catawba County Museum of HistoryNewton
Murray’s MillNewton
Norlina Train MuseumNorlina
Black Cat StationNorth Wilkesboro
Wilkes Art GalleryNorth Wilkesboro
Norwood MuseumNorwood
Oakboro Railroad MuseumOakboro
Oakboro Regional Museum of HistoryOakboro
Museum of Coastal CarolinaOcean Isle Beach
Ocracoke MuseumOcracoke
Teach’s Hole Blackbeard Exhibit and Pirate Specialty ShopOcracoke
Mountain Gateway Museum and Heritage CenterOld Fort
Old Fort Railroad MuseumOld Fort
Oriental’s History MuseumOriental
Granville County History MuseumOxford
Harris Hall MuseumOxford
Pantego Academy Historical MuseumPantego
A.D. GalleryPembroke
Museum of the Southeast American IndianPembroke
North Carolina Cotton MuseumPikeville
President James K. Polk State Historic SitePineville
Wilbur A. Tyndall Tractor MuseumPink Hill
Horne Creek Living Historical FarmPinnacle
Pisgah Center for Wildlife EducationPisgah Forest
Chatham Historical MuseumPittsboro
Port O’ Plymouth MuseumPlymouth
Foscue PlantationPollocksville
Things From Yesteryear MuseumPollocksville
Bentonville Battlefield State Historic SitePrinceton
Raeford-Hoke MuseumRaeford
African American Cultural ComplexRaleigh
ArtspaceRaleigh
Centennial Campus Center for Wildlife EducationRaleigh
City of Raleigh MuseumRaleigh
Contemporary Art Museum of RaleighRaleigh
Gregg Museum of Art & DesignRaleigh
Haywood HallRaleigh
Historic Oak ViewRaleigh
Historic Yates Mill County ParkRaleigh
Joel Lane Museum HouseRaleigh
Legends of Harley Drag Racing MuseumRaleigh
Marbles Kids MuseumRaleigh
Meredith College GalleriesRaleigh
Mordecai MansionRaleigh
North Carolina Museum of ArtRaleigh
North Carolina Museum of HistoryRaleigh
North Carolina Museum of Natural SciencesRaleigh
North Carolina State CapitolRaleigh
Pope House MuseumRaleigh
Raleigh Fire MuseumRaleigh
Richard Petty MuseumRandleman
St. Paul MuseumRandleman
Red Springs MuseumRed Springs
Chinqua Penn PlantationReidsville
Onslow County MuseumRichlands
Fort Raleigh National Historic SiteRoanoke Island
North Carolina Maritime Museum on Roanoke IslandRoanoke Island
Roanoke Canal MuseumRoanoke Rapids
Junaluska Museum and Memorial SiteRobbinsville
St. James Place MuseumRobersonville
Historic Rockwell MuseumRockwell
Imperial Center for the Arts & SciencesRocky Mount
North Carolina Wesleyan College GalleriesRocky Mount
Rocky Mount Fire MuseumRocky Mount
Stonewall ManorRocky Mount
Twin County Museum and Hall of FameRocky Mount
Chicamacomico Life-Saving StationRodanthe
Kirby GalleryRoxboro
Person County Museum of HistoryRoxboro
Rural Hall DepotRural Hall
KidSensesRutherfordton
Rutherford Hospital MuseumRutherfordton
Dr. Josephus Hall HouseSalisbury
Rowan MuseumSalisbury
Waterworks Visual Arts CenterSalisbury
House in the HorseshoeSanford
Railroad HouseSanford
Ben Owen PotterySeagrove
Jugtown Pottery and MuseumSeagrove
Museum of North Carolina Traditional PotterySeagrove
North Carolina Pottery CenterSeagrove
Charlotte Hawkins Brown MuseumSedalia
Cliffs of the Neuse State ParkSeven Springs
Earl Scruggs CenterShelby
International Lineman’s MuseumShelby
Ava Gardner MuseumSmithfield
Johnston County Heritage CenterSmithfield
Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic SiteSmithville Township
Orton PlantationSmithville Township
Greene County MuseumSnow Hill
Creation Museum & Taxidermy Hall of FameSouthern Pines
Shaw House PropertiesSouthern Pines
Weymouth Woods-Sandhills Nature PreserveSouthern Pines
North Carolina Maritime Museum at SouthportSouthport
Old Brunswick County JailSouthport
Alleghany Historical MuseumSparta
NC Museum of Dolls, Toys & MiniaturesSpencer
North Carolina Transportation MuseumSpencer
Spring Hope Historical MuseumSpring Hope
Museum of North Carolina MineralsSpruce Pine
Penland School of CraftsSpruce Pine
Brevard Station MuseumStanley
Fort DobbsStatesville
Historic Vance House & Civil War MuseumStatesville
Iredell MuseumsStatesville
Ingram PlanetariumSunset Beach
Old Bridge Preservation Society MuseumSunset Beach
Blount-Bridgers HouseTarboro
Edgecombe County Veterans Military MuseumTarboro
Old Jail MuseumTaylorsville
Mitchell House MuseumThomasville
Thomasville Railroad Passenger DepotThomasville
History House MuseumTillery
Missiles and More MuseumTopsail Beach
Linbrook Heritage EstateTrinity
Neal John Deere Tractor MuseumTrinity
Tryon Arts & Crafts SchoolTryon
Old Rock School Railway MuseumValdese
Rock School Art GalleriesValdese
Trail of FaithValdese
Waldensian Heritage MuseumValdese
Alexander-Little WingWadesboro
Ashe-Covington Medical MuseumWadesboro
Boggan-Hammond HouseWadesboro
Wake Forest Historical MuseumWake Forest
Duplin County Veterans MuseumWarsaw
North Carolina EstuariumWashington
JAARS Museum of the AlphabetWaxhaw
Mexico-Cardenas MuseumWaxhaw
Museum of the WaxhawsWaxhaw
Red Barn Mountain MuseumWaynesville
Shelton HouseWaynesville
Dry Ridge Historical MuseumWeaverville
Vance BirthplaceWeaverville
Richard Childress Racing MuseumWelcome
Museum & Archives of Rockingham CountyWentworth
Wright TavernWentworth
Harmony Hall PlantationWhite Oak
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences at WhitevilleWhiteville
Stone Mountain State ParkWilkesboro
Wilkes Heritage MuseumWilkesboro
Bellamy MansionWilmington
Burgwin-Wright HouseWilmington
Cameron Art MuseumWilmington
Cape Fear MuseumWilmington
Children’s Museum of WilmingtonWilmington
Fort Fisher State Historic SiteWilmington
Latimer HouseWilmington
Moores Creek National BattlefieldWilmington
Museum of World CulturesWilmington
Poplar Grove PlantationWilmington
USS North Carolina Battleship MemorialWilmington
Wilmington Railroad MuseumWilmington
Barton College Art GalleriesWilson
Imagination Station Science MuseumWilson
North Carolina Baseball MuseumWilson
Oliver Nestus Freeman Roundhouse MuseumWilson
Vollis Simpson Whirligig ParkWilson
Wilson Arts CenterWilson
Historic Hope PlantationWindsor
Roanoke/Cashie River CenterWindsor
Jesse Helms CenterWingate
Children’s Museum of Winston-SalemWinston-Salem
Delta Arts CenterWinston-Salem
Diggs GalleryWinston-Salem
Hanes Art GalleryWinston-Salem
Historic Bethabara ParkWinston-Salem
Museum of Anthropology at Wake Forest UniversityWinston-Salem
Museum of Early Southern Decorative ArtsWinston-Salem
Old Salem Museums & GardensWinston-Salem
Old Salem Toy MuseumWinston-Salem
Reynolda House Museum of American ArtWinston-Salem
SciWorksWinston-Salem
Southeastern Center for Contemporary ArtWinston-Salem
START GalleryWinston-Salem
A.W. Ange HouseWinterville
Century Post Office MuseumWinton
C. S. Brown Regional Cultural Arts CenterWinton
Wrightsville Beach Museum of HistoryWrightsville Beach
Richmond-Miles History MuseumYanceyville

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