In addition to hiking, rafting, camping and general exploring, there are many other outdoor activities for families in North Carolina that are a lot of fun.Thirty Acres and a Mule Farm is an entertaining farm in Jacksonville that will keep your children occupied for hours. You can participate in a western town tour and hay ride, camp in tents by a small fish pond, and even go gem mining. The admission charge is $2 for adults and $1 for children. There are similar activities at a family farm in Cove City, aptly called A Day at the Farm. Here you can tour old dairy farms, visit a pumpkin patch, and take a hay ride.
Families with older children may enjoy walking along the decks of the North Carolina battleship in Wilmington. The ship is perfectly preserved from 1942. Admission charge is $12 for everyone 12 and up and $6 for children between 6 and 11. Children under 5 are free. An exciting adventure for the whole family is taking a jeep ride along the beach in Corolla. You can take a 2 ½-hour tour and see the wild Spanish ponies at the Outer Banks.
The Cape Fear Botanical Garden in Fayetteville is a 77-acre garden overlooking the Cape Fear River. You can visit an 1800s farmhouse and tour the flower-filled gardens at your leisure. Admission charge is $5. The Children's Museum of Wilmington is an educational and stimulating place for families to visit with children. Admission is $8 per person. The Carolina's Aviation Museum is a great experience for those interested in the history of flight and all things airplane.
Whether you're looking for a natural setting or an upscale mountain resort, North Carolina has every type of accommodation you and your family may want. The Fontana Village Resort is in Fontana Dam off of Highway 28. It's open year-round and is situated in the Nantahala National Forest, ideally surrounded by mountains and views of the Fontana and Cheoah lakes. You can stay at the lodge or in your own RV or tent. For children, there's a horse stable and miles of trails for bikes or walking, as well as an arcade room and basketball court, and other activities are offered for the young set on a regular basis.
Another family-friendly accommodation is the Carolina Beach Family Campground in Wilmington, which has a large playground and plenty of family activities. Another good choices is the Kerr Lake State Recreation Area in Henderson, complete with a 50,000-acre lake and many outdoor activities.
The Pisgah View Ranch is a dude ranch in Candler that the whole family can enjoy all weekend without having to leave. There are plenty of outdoor activities like horseback riding, hiking and whitewater rafting, but the best part about this place is that all three meals are included, and no minimum stay is required. The Chalet Club at Lake Lure is another all-inclusive destination to consider. Your family can stay in the chalet or in one of the private cabins and enjoy a variety of water sports.
