Field Trips of North Carolina
 
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30 Acres and a Mule Farm --
125 McGowan Road, Jacksonville, NC
This unique farm offers tractor pulled hayrides,farm animals, picnic/play area, panning for gems in the indoor party barn with waterfall, outdoor gem panning in warm weather and Onslow County's 1st corn maze.
Ackland Art Museum --
101 South Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, NC
The Ackland Art Museum is on the campus of The University of North Carolina. They have a permanent collection and galleries that periodically change. They are happy to have walk in guests and will answer any questions you have about the pieces at the main desk. They also offer free art education classes for middle elementary and up homeschoolers. The art education classes happen once monthly during the traditional school calendar year.
The Airborne and Special Operations Museum --
100 Bragg Boulevard, Fayetteville, NC
Covers from 1940 and the US Army Parachute Test Platoon, Early Airborne, World War II, Korea and Cold War, Vietnam War, and through Present.
Asheville Art Museum --
2 South Pack Square, Asheville, NC
The Asheville Art Museum annually presents an exciting, inviting and active schedule of exhibitions and public programs based on its permanent collection of 20th and 21st century art. Any visit will also include experiences with works of significance to Western North Carolina's cultural heritage including Studio Craft, Black Mountain College and Cherokee artists. Special exhibitions feature renowned regional and national artists and explore issues of enduring interest. The Museum also offers a wide array of innovative, inspiring and entertaining educational programs for people of all ages.
The Barker House --
505 S. Broad St., Edenton, NC
The Barker House, was built in 1782 as the residence of Thomas & Penelope Barker. Penelope Barker was a principle figure in the famous Edenton Tea Party which occurred on October 25, 1774.
Bennett Place --
4409 Bennett Memorial Rd., Durham, NC
This simple farmhouse was situated between Confederate General Johnston's headquarters in Greensboro and Union General Sherman's headquarters in Raleigh, North Carolina. In 1865 the two soldiers met at the Bennett Place, where they signed surrender papers for Southern armies in the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Today James Bennett's reconstructed farmhouse, kitchen, and smokehouse give visitors a glimpse into the life-style of an ordinary Southern farmer during the Civil War years.
Bentonville Battlefield --
5466 Harper House Road, Four Oaks, NC
The Battle of Bentonville, fought March 19-21, 1865, was the last full-scale action of the Civil War in which a Confederate army was able to mount a tactical offensive. This major battle, the largest ever fought in North Carolina, was the only significant attempt to defeat the large Union army of Gen. William T. Sherman during its march through the Carolinas in the spring of 1865.
Bill Davis Racing --
300 Old Thomasville Road, High Point, NC
Stop by to see the cars being built and to get a true behind-the-scenes glimpse of what it takes to compete in the NASCAR Series.
Biltmore Estate --
1 Approach Road, Asheville, NC
A working estate that would sustain itself and benefit the community. America's largest home. Acres of gardens, parklands, and managed forests. A country retreat for friends and family. This was George Vanderbilt's vision for Biltmore Estate more than 100 years ago, and it lives to this day.
Blandwood --
Blandwood Avenue, Greensboro, NC
Blandwood is the restored home of Governor John Motley Morehead and a National Historic Landmark. Designed by Alexander Jackson Davis and built in 1846, it is America's oldest Italianate villa.
Blue Ridge Motion Pictures --
12 Old Charlotte Hwy., Asheville, NC
Blue Ridge Parkway --
301 N Wilmington Street, Raleigh, NC
The Blue Ridge Parkway is literally the "Backbone" of a great scenic mountain region embracing the Southern (and highest) portion of the Appalachian mountain range, an area of approximately 20,000 square miles.
Bodie Island Lighthouse --
eight miles south of US-158 and US-64 intersection, Nags Head, NC
The Bodie (pronounced body) Island Lighthouse was established in 1848, after hundreds of ships met their fate on the dangerous shoals off the waters of North Carolina's Outer Banks. So many ships were shipwrecked in this area, estimated over 600 in total, it was dubbed "The Graveyard of the Atlantic." The Bodie Island Lighthouse's history has been one of immediate difficulty and then perseverance.
Burwell School Historic Site --
P.O. Box 922, Hillsborough, NC
The Burwell School is a historic house museum located in Hillsborough, NC that preserves and interprets the history of its antebellum and Civil War era residents. The Burwell School Historic Site offers free docent-led and self-guided tours, a variety of cultural events, and engaging and innovative heritage education programs for children and young adults.
Cape Fear Museum of Science and History --
814 Market Street, Wilmington, NC
Oldest History and science museum in NC with emphasis on the lower Cape Fear region. Includes such areas as: Land of the Longleaf Pine; Michael Jordon Discovery Gallery; Maritime Pavilion; Giant Ground Sloth, etc.
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse --
at the junction of US-64 and NC-12 in Nags Head, Hatteras, NC
The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, known as "America's Lighthouse," is the tallest brick beacon in the World, standing 208-feet high. The substantial structure, built in 1870, is black and white spiral-striped and the international symbol of the North Carolina coast.
Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site --
81 Carl Sandburg Lane, Flat Rock, NC
Carl Sandburg, nationally renowned poet, biographer, lecturer, newspaper columnist, folksinger, author of American fairytales, and winner of two Pulitzer Prizes, provided broad and enduring 20th century insight into the circumstances, worth and spirit of the American people. This farm offered the peace and solitude required for his writing.
Carnivore Presentation Trust --
1940 Hanks Chapel Rd., Pittsboro, NC
Carnivore Preservation Trust is a wildlife sanctuary, offering unique opportunities to learn about these animals and their critical importance to our quality of life on Earth.
Carolina Raptor Center --
6000 Sample Road, Huntersville, NC
Carolina Raptor Center is dedicated to environmental education and the conservation of birds of prey through public education, the rehabilitation of injured, and orphaned raptors and research.
Catawba Science Center --
243 Third Avenue NE, Hickory, NC
Center of Scottish Heritage At Rural Hill --
4431 Neck Road, Huntersville, NC
Charlotte Museum of History and Hezekiah Alexander Homesite --
3500 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC
The Children's Museum and Science Center --
270 Gay Street, Rocky Mount, NC
Children's Museum At Old Salem --
924 S Main St, Winston Salem, NC
Old Salem Museums & Gardens is America's most comprehensive history attraction. The four museums - the Historic Town of Salem, the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA), the Old Salem Children's Museum, and the Old Salem Toy Museum - engage visitors in an educational and memorable historical experience about those who lived and worked in the early South.
The Children's Museum of Wilmington --
116 Orange Street, Wilmington, NC
The Children's Museum of Wilmington stimulates children's imagination, curiosity and love of learning. The Children's Museum of Wilmington celebrates the joys of childhood by providing magical and playful experiences for children of all ages. The Museum serves children ages 0-10 and their adult company. Our goal is for all our visitors to learn amazing things about themselves and the world where we live, through informal, playful hands-on and child-directed experiences. In our warm and inviting environment, children and the adults who bring them find ample opportunities to explore and better understand the arts, sciences, culture and more, through engaging exhibits and programs.
Children's Museum of Winston-Salem --
390 South Liberty Street, Winston-Salem, NC
The Children's Museum of Winston-Salem contains 26,000 square feet of fun! You and your family can "Step Into a Story" . The museum is largely based on children's books. Come climb Jack's Beanstalk, Do some grocery shopping at Food Lion, Visit Krispy Kreme and so much more!
The Children's Playhouse --
400 Tracy Circle, Boone, NC
Chimney Rock Park --
Chimney Rock Park, Chimney Rock, NC
Chimney Rock Park is the natural fulfillment of your trip to the mountains. Take a deep breath of refreshing mountain air, become invigorated by our hiking trails, and let your cares fade away in the cool mists of Hickory Nut Falls. This is the perfect place to reconnect with nature and spend time with family and friends. The Park, located 25 miles southeast of Asheville, North Carolina, offers the best of the mountains in one place-spectacular 75-mile views, hiking trails for all ages, a 404-foot waterfall, a variety of special events and much more. Not only is this a fantastic family field trip, but the park is also a big fan of educators. Throughout the year there are numerous activities that are not only educational but fun!
Chinqua-Penn Plantation --
PO Box 161, Wentworth, NC
Colburn Earth Science Museum --
2 South Pack Square, Asheville, NC
Kids delight in discovering many of the wonders of earth science. They learn how geodes are formed, why plate tectonics make mountains grow and how to measure the speed of the wind, and much more, all while having lots of fun! For educators a Teacher's Guide available and many homeschool programs are offered as well. Check out the Free Mineral Identification every Wednesday from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Cove Creek Gardens --
4505 Summit Ave, Greensboro, NC
A public display garden which promotes the art of horticulture and demonstrates the conservation of water and native plants, while providing the public with opportunities for research, learning and interaction with the natural world.
CSS Neuse State Historical Site & Gov. Caswell Memorial --
2612 W. Vernon Ave. (U.S. 70 Bus.), Kinston, NC
Glimpses into two of our nation's most pivotal wars can be found in one historic site within the city of Kinston. Here you will explore the celebrated life of Richard Caswell, the first governor of the independent state of North Carolina. You will also see up close the remnants of the ironclad gunboat CSS Neuse, a product of the Confederate navy's ill-fated attempt to regain control of the lower Neuse River and retake the city of New Bern during the Civil War.
Currituck Beach Lighthouse --
1101 Corolla Village Road, Corolla, NC
As it had reported in previous years, the U.S. Light-House Board in 1872 stated that ships, cargoes, and lives continued to be lost along the 40 miles of dark coastline that lay beyond the reaches of existing lighthouses. Southbound ships sailing closer to shore to avoid the Gulf Stream were especially in danger. In response, construction began on the Currituck Beach Lighthouse in 1873 with completion two years later. The Currituck Beach Lighthouse is known as a first order lighthouse, which means it has the largest of seven Fresnel lens sizes. The original source of light was a U.S. mineral oil lamp consisting of five concentric wicks; the largest was 4 inches in diameter. Like the other lighthouses on North Carolina's Outer Banks, this one still serves as an aid to navigation. The beacon comes on automatically every evening at dusk and ceases at dawn. The Currituck Beach Lighthouse was the last major brick lighthouse built on the Outer Banks.
Currituck National Wildlife Refuge --
North of NC Route 12 - no road - beach access only, Carova, NC
Currituck NWR, located on the northern end of North Carolina's Outer Banks, was established in 1984 to preserve and protect the coastal barrier island ecosystem. Refuge lands are managed to provide wintering habitat for waterfowl and to protect endangered species such as piping plover, sea turtles, and sea beach amaranth. A 4-foot-tall fence stretching a mile from sound to sea marks the southern barrier of this 1,800-acre sanctuary, where most of Corolla's wild horses still range. People can walk through the fence, however, and four-wheel-drive vehicles can cross over a cattle grate. Once Corolla's most popular tourist attraction, the wild horses no longer roam freely in the populated village. The only place they can be found today is in this refuge.
Dale Earnhardt, Inc. --
Dale Earnhardt Hwy 3, Mooresville, NC
Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens --
6500 South New Hope Rd., Belmont, NC
In 1991, retired Belmont, North Carolina, textile executive Daniel Jonathan Stowe bestowed a gift destined to provide beauty and joy to future generations. With the vision of a botanical garden to rival the world's best, Stowe set aside nearly 400 acres of prime rolling meadows, woodland and lakefront property. The Board of Directors of Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden approved a master plan for the garden in 1994. In 1999, the Visitor Pavilion, Formal Display Gardens and Perennial Gardens opened. Future development will be completed through public and private support over the next several decades.
The David Caldwell Historic Park --
3211 W. Cornwallis Dr., Greensboro, NC
Sharing Dr. Caldwell's legacy by teaching Early American History through Art, Science, Math and Literature. The Reverend Dr. David Caldwell (1725-1824) was a Presbyterian minister, a self-trained physician, and an early educator in colonial North Carolina. At this site in 1767, he opened an academy for young men. The Academy produced five state governors! Caldwell's home and school were in the area adjacent to Tanger Family Bicentennial Gardens. Archaeological investigations have found evidence of the foundations of the original Caldwell house. Stones now mark the foundation boundaries of the cellar and investigations continue on-site to determine other features on the Caldwells' land. The museum is a place to interpret the lives of David and Rachel Caldwell and their colonial neighbors, as well as a place to share our community's family stories.
Discovery Place, Inc. --
301 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC
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Dr. Josephus Hall House --
226 South Jackson Street, Salisbury, NC
Successful medical doctor and businessman, Josephus Hall purchased the house in 1859 and began work to make it the showplace it is today. This house remained a home to three generations of the Hall family.
Duke Homestead --
2828 Duke Homestead Road, Durham, NC
See the early home, factories, and farm where Washington Duke first grew and processed tobacco. Duke's sons later founded The American Tobacco Company, the largest tobacco company in the world. The tour includes Duke's restored home, an early factory, a curing barn, and a packhouse. The Tobacco Museum exhibits trace the history of tobacco from Native American times to the present.
Duke Lemur Center --
3705-B Erwin Road, Durham, NC
The world's largest sanctuary for rare and endangered prosimian primates. Part of Duke University.
The Elizabethan Gardens --
1411 National Park Drive, Manteo, NC
History, mystery and fantasy are combined in these special gardens, which are a memorial to the first English colonists who came to North America in 1584-1587 and 'walked away through the dark forest into history' as memorialized in Paul Green's symphonic drama, 'The Lost Colony'. For here and nowhere else, Sir Walter Raleigh made initial attempts to colonize the New World under Queen Elizabeth I. Truly this hallowed site is the birthplace of America. Garden highlights include a thatched roof, 16th century-style gazebo that overlooks Roanoke Sound, a marble statue of Virginia Dare carved in Italy by Maria Louisa Lander, an ancient live oak thought to be more than 400 years old, and much, much more.
Exploration Station --
104 North Chestnut Street, Lumberton, NC
Exploration Station where kids can learn while having fun. Where else can children play doctor and examine real x-rays in a make-believe hospital, look after babies in a nursery, milk a cow, put on a play or watch ducks cascade down a waterfall.
Fascinate-U Children's Museum --
116 Green Street, Fayetteville, NC
Fascinate-U is a place where children can explore their world the way they learn best-through creative role-playing, manipulation, and interaction with each other and the objects around them.
Fort Branch Civil War Site --
2883 Fort Branch Road, Hamilton, NC
Sitting 70 feet above a bend in the Roanoke River, this Confederate earthen fort provided a safe and clear view of Union gunboats approaching from down river. Today, the site is the winter headquarters for the First North Carolina Volunteers, a Civil War re-enactment group. A battle re-enactment is held annually at the fort on the first weekend in November and includes a unique Living History Program. The annual events schedule often includes a springtime Living History Program and a unique Civil War Christmas celebration, as well. Visit the site and you can see eight of the fort's original cannon, making Fort Branch the only earthwork fortification in the South with its original artillery in place. You can also see a restored late 1800s steam engine from The Ranger, and local Native American pottery and artifacts from Hoggtown, a nearby eighteenth century river community. Other attractions include rebuilt gun emplacements and an 1850s farmhouse which is being restored.
Fort Raleigh National Historic Site Visitor Center --
1401 National Park Drive, Manteo, NC
Fort Raleigh National Historic Site protects and preserves known portions of England's first New World settlements from 1584 to 1590. The stories of Roanoke Island are told by exhibits, artifacts and the 17-minute park video Roanoke: The Lost Colony. In the summer, park rangers offer interpretive programs and activities. This site also preserves the cultural heritage of the Native Americans, European Americans and African Americans who have lived on Roanoke Island.
Foscue Plantation House --
7509 Us Highway 17, Pollocksville, NC
There are many historic sites in or near Pollocksville, such as the Foscue Plantation House located on the Trent River. This multi-story farm house served as home to the Foscue family which operated a 10,000 acre plantation operated by slave labor. It was the first brick home in Jones County on the Trent River built in 1803-04 by Simon Foscue. During the war, it was used as a hospital which accounts for the fact that it was the only plantation house left standing along Highway #17 between New Bern and Scotts Hill in Wilmington. This beautiful historic house is open for tours.
Ghost Town in the Sky -- Homeschool Day --
16 Fie Top Rd, Maggie Valley, NC
Nestled at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains in Maggie Valley, Ghost Town offers rides fit for the youngest buckaroo to the bravest outlaw. Ghost Town also features staged gunfights, live music and shows, crafts, food and lots more fun. Step back into the Wild West at this timeless, family-fun destination located in a beautiful mountain setting surrounded with breathtaking views. Ghost Town in the Sky has something fun for all ages. Home School day is on September 27. They are offering a special rate for home school families ($22.00 for Adults and $18.00 for Children), and are working on an educational program and will have a fun scavenger hunt. To get the home school discount on tickets you will have to order in advance by calling 828 926-1140 x 336 and speak to Allison Montcastle. Keep checking the website for more information.
Grady-White Boats --
P.O. Box 1527, Greenville, NC
You will see the precision craftsmanship of a Grady-White boat come together at every step in production. You will meet the dedicated team that makes up the Grady-White family.
The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum --
End of Hwy. 12, Hatteras, NC
A unique museum dedicated to preserving and interpreting the rich maritime history of the Outer Banks and the more than 2,000 known shipwrecks that rest off the Outer Banks. Interior construction continues behind the scenes while a section of the museum is open and a portion of its collections is on display. These include artifacts from diverse sources: the "Lost Lens" from the first Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the Enigma machine from the U-85 (the first U-boat sunk by the Allies), Billy Mitchell's historic bombing achievements off the Cape Hatteras coast, the Union gunboat Huron, the famous Ghostship Carroll A. Deering, ship models and many other exhibits.
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad --
226 Everett Street, Bryson City, NC
Mystique of an era gone by, guests on board the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad will enjoy scenic train journeys across fertile valleys, into tunnels and through river gorges in a spectacular region called The Great Smoky Mountains. This section of western North Carolina offers a wide array of ever changing vegetation and fantastic landscapes. The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad is truly spectacular with 53 miles of track, two tunnels and 25 bridges. Choose from a variety of round trip excursions departing from depots in Dillsboro and Bryson City.
Green Hill Center for North Carolina Art, ArtQuest --
200 North Davie Street, Greensboro, NC
Greensboro Children's Museum --
220 North Church Street, Greensboro, NC
The Greensboro Children's Museum (GCM) is a wonderland place offering 20 hands-on and interactive exhibits, educational programming and special events all year long for children newborn through age ten. The Museum provides rich play experiences and a dynamic learning environment for children to explore, discover, learn, create and imagine. It's where Play is a Smart Adventure!
Greensboro Historical Museum --
130 Summit Ave, Greensboro, NC
Here you'll discover first hand the rich history of the Piedmont area. The museum's 17,000 square feet of exhibition space offers hours of entertaining, educational enjoyment. Visit the museum and view a vintage moving picture in the Crystal Theatre, listen in on a conversation at the local Telephone Exchange, become a pharmacist at the Richardson-Fariss Drugstore. You can also learn about short story writer O. Henry, First Lady Dolley Madison, the Greensboro Sit-ins, war, work life and much more. While you're here, make sure to take a stroll through homes built in the 1700s or visit the First Presbyterian cemetery and see the graves of North Carolina Governor John Motley Morehead or family members of William Sydney Porter (O. Henry). Make the Museum Gift Shop your final stop and purchase hard to find antique recreations, colonial toys, a fascinating book or a piece of Seagrove pottery.
Greenville Museum of Art --
802 South Evans Street, Greenville, NC
The Health Adventure, Inc. --
P.O. Box 180, Asheville, NC
The Health Adventure, founded in 1968, is a health and science museum for children and today's families dedicated to improving health awareness, promoting wellness lifestyles, and increasing science literacy through programs and exhibits. The Health Adventure features a hands-on, interactive approach and utilizes exciting, dynamic exhibits to teach guests, school and community groups from all over the region.
Hendrick Motorsports --
4400 Papa Joe Hendrick Blvd, Charlotte, NC
Hezekiah Alexander Historic Homesite --
3500 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC
The house on the grounds of the Charlotte Museum of History is the Revolutionary Era home of Hezekiah Alexander. Built in 1774, it is the oldest surviving structure in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Historic Hope Plantation --
132 Hope House Road, Windsor, NC
The restored home of former North Carolina Governor David Stone (1770-1818). Located four miles west of Windsor, NC, the plantation complex offers unique insights into the late 18th- and 19th-century rural life in eastern North Carolina and the South.
Historic Latta Plantation --
5225 Sample Road, Huntersville, NC
In 1799, James Latta purchased Moses Hayes' 100 acres containing a log cabin. In 1800, he built the Federal style home that is now known as Latta Plantation. Latta made additional purchases of adjoining lands in 1800, 1813, 1816, and 1817, eventually owning more than 700 acres, much of which was planted in cotton.
Historic Rosedale Plantation --
3427 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC
Originally part of a 911 acre plantation, Rosedale was built in 1815 by Archibald Frew, who was a merchant, postmaster and tax collector.
Historic Stagville --
5828 Old Oxford Highway, Durham, NC
The plantation holdings of the Bennehan-Cameron families were among the largest in pre-Civil War North Carolina, and among the largest of the entire South. By 1860, the family owned almost 30,000 acres and nearly 900 slaves. Stagville, a plantation of several thousand acres, lay at the center of this enormous estate.
Imagination Station --
224 East Nash Street, Wilson, NC
Slither and slide, hop and bop, run and jump, explore and discover Imagination Station where Science rocks and kids rule! Imagination Station is where science comes alive!
ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center --
300 E. Seventh Street, Charlotte, NC
Founded in 1948, Children's Theatre has been opening young minds to the wonders of live theater for over half a century. Today, it continues to be one of the most technically imaginative and resourceful theatres in the country. Annually, it reaches more than 320,000 young people and families from preschool to late teens, with four strong program areas: MainStage productions; Tarradiddle Players, the professional touring company; Community Involvement Program, and a full scope of education classes for both community and schools. Children's Theatre also works in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, with programs that address important issues in the lives of young people.
Ingram Planetarium --
7625 High Market Street, Sunset Beach, NC
Stimulating the general public's interest and understanding of natural science, environment, and cultural history of the coastal region of the Carolinas as well as a broader understanding of our Earth, solar system, and universe by providing quality educational facilities for the public and school students through activities and exhibits.
Iredell Museums, Inc. --
PO Box 223, Statesville, NC
James K Polk Historic Site --
12031 Lancaster Hwy. Box 475, Pineville, NC
This site is located on land once owned by the parents of James K. Polk, the 11th U.S. president. The state historic site commemorates significant events in the Polk administration: the Mexican-American War, settlement of the Oregon boundary dispute, and the annexation of California. Reconstructions of typical homestead buildings a log house, separate kitchen, and barn are authentically furnished. The visitor center features a film on Polk's life and exhibits on his family and tumultuous presidency.
Jockey's Ridge State Park --
US 158 Bypass, Milepost 12 1/2, Nags Head, NC
This 426-acre park has the largest natural living sand dune on the East Coast. Two self-guided trails and nature programs available year-round. Hang gliding, kite flying, hiking, visitor's center, small gift shop, museum, picnic facilities and restrooms.
Joe Gibbs Racing --
13415 Reese Blvd. West, Huntersville, NC
KidSenses, Inc. --
172 N. Main St, Rutherfordton, NC
Kidzu Children's Museum --
105 E. Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, NC
Kidzu Children's Museum is a hands-on museum in the heart of downtown Chapel Hill where children 0-8 years old and the adults in their lives can safely discover, pretend, and play to their heart’s content.
Korner's Folly --
413 South Main Street, Kernersville, NC
Latimer House Museum --
126 South Third Street, Wilmington, NC
The Latimer House, built in 1852 by local merchant Zebulon Latimer, has housed the Historical Society since 1963 and is currently open to the public as a house museum exemplary of upper-class life in Wilmington during the Victorian period.
Lazy 5 Ranch --
15100 Mooresville Road, Mooresville, NC
The Lazy 5 Ranch is a privately owned exotic animal drive thru park that offers a 3.5 mile safari through the gently sloping pasturelands of Piedmont, North Carolina. While visiting the Lazy 5 Ranch you will have the opportunity to view over 750 animals from six different continents. You can see these animals from the safety of your own car or call for reservations on their horse drawn wagons. And be sure to bring your camera! This is a drive-through experience unique to North Carolina. There is no other collection of animals like this in the Southeast.
Light Factory --
Spirit Square, Suite 211, Charlotte, NC
Linville Caverns --
19929 Highway 221 N, Marion, NC
Deep inside of Humpback Mountain lie the Linville Caverns, North Carolina's only caverns. These caverns were first explored by the white man over 100 years ago. It is said that in 1822 a fisherman noticed trout swimming in and out of the mountain and he began looking for a way to see where they were going. While visiting the caverns you can experience the awe this fisherman felt upon viewing the inside of his discovery. Linville caverns remain active as mineral deposits continue to form the stalactites and stalagmites. During the winter and early spring you may get to view an Eastern Pipistrelle Bat, which hibernates here, hanging from the ceiling, but be sure you don't disturb it because this would be fatal to the bat.
The Lost Colony --
1409 National Park, Manteo, NC
Millions have seen the compelling story that celebrates the 117 English men, women, and children whose dream still lives on in this American original. First staged in 1937, The Lost Colony is the nation's premier and longest-running symphonic drama. Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paul Green, The Lost Colony's 70th anniversary season opens June 1 and plays nightly except Sunday through Aug. 20, 2007 at Manteo's Waterside Theatre, on North Carolina's Outer Banks. The Lost Colony is the "grandfather" of all outdoor dramas and is produced by the Roanoke Island Historical Association (RIHA), a non-profit whose mission is to celebrate the history of the first English colonies on Roanoke Island, North Carolina, and to honor the founders of The Lost Colony symphonic drama through drama, education, and literature.
Louise Wells Cameron Art Museum --
3201 South 17th Street, Wilmington, NC
The Cameron Art Museum provides a cultural gathering place which enriches the lives of museum visitors and our community through high quality exhibitions, dynamic public programs, unique events and educational opportunities in the visual and performing arts.
Lowe's Motor Speedway --
5555 Concord Pkwy. South, Concord, NC
Marbles Kids Museum --
201 East Hargett Street, Raleigh, NC
Marbles Kids Museum is a hands-on, interactive museum that inspires children to be creative thinkers, active learners and confident individuals in today's world
The Mint Museum of Art --
2730 Randolph Road, Charlotte, NC
The Mint Museum Randolph initially served the region as the first branch of the United States Mint, coining $5 million in gold from 1836 to the outbreak of the Civil War. Today it is a rich and diverse resource with noted collections of American Art, Ancient American Art, American and European ceramics, American Decorative Art, historic costume and fashionable dress and accessories, African Art, Asian Art, historic maps, Contemporary Art and photography. Enhancing the permanent collections is an active schedule of changing exhibitions and education programs.
Montfort Point Marines National Museum --
building M101 - East Wing, Jacksonville, NC
The Montford Point Marine Museum was established to preserve the legacy of the Montford Point Marines. Their primary mission is to collect, record, preserve and display, in a museum setting for public education and viewing, the largest collection of photographs, documents, papers, and artifacts, forever capturing the unique history of African American Marines from 1942 to 1949. In additional to the museum primary mission, the role of the museum is to display memories of the past and show the public how significant those experiences have influenced events of today, for the next generation.
Morehead Planetarium and Science Center --
CB#3480, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
The Mount Airy Museum of Regional History --
301 North Main Street, Mt. Airy, NC
For many years there has been a fascination with the history and tradition of this back country region at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Accounts of the beauty of the area and the unique culture of the people have been recorded in diaries, letters, and books for more than 150 years. So the development of a museum to collect, preserve, and interpret the natural, historic and artistic heritage of this region was inevitable. Your visit will be a memorable occasion. The former W.E. Merritt Hardware Company building, now home to The Mount Airy Museum of Regional History, is located at 301 N. Main Street, in historic downtown Mount Airy. Records indicate Mr. Merritt purchased the site in 1903. Construction of the building began the following year. The building in and of itself is a historic gem. An enclosed courtyard and a stair tower, with an illuminated 8-foot clock and an observatory, are recent additions that have enhanced the charm of the entire facility.
Mrs. Hanes Moravian Cookie Factory --
4643 Friedberg Church Road, Clemmons, NC
Mrs. Hanes is the 7th generation of Moravian cookie makers and is followed in the family business by her children, Mona and Mike. The Moravian Cookie Factory is a small factory in Clemmons, NC, that currently has over 50,000 mail order customers.
Mueseum of North Carolina Minerals --
Blue Ridge Parkway at NC 226, Spruce Pine, NC
Small museum - great for a short field trip or a short stop when traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway. Located at milepost 331 on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Gillespie Gap, the Museum provides an introduction to the importance of mining in the region and the mineral and gem wealth found here. Work is continuing on new interactive displays that will take you deep inside a mountain to see how gems and minerals are formed. The Museum also hosts a visitor center for the Mitchell County Chamber of Commerce, where you can pick up information on local businesses, attractions, lodging, food and more. A gift shop featuring souvenirs and books on Western North Carolina is also located in the museum.
Museum of Life and Science --
433 Murray Avenue, Durham, NC
The Museum of the Cherokee Indian --
Intersection of Tsali Blvd. and Drama Rd., Cherokee, NC
The Museum of the Cherokee Indian takes visitors all the way back to the beginnings of human existence here in these glorious, storied mountains of western North Carolina. The museum provides an educational and interactive experience where concise, chronological stories retrace the 11,000 year documented history of the Cherokees. An excellent and factual museum of the Eastern Band of Cherokee and their history in the Great Smoky Mountains. Combine it with a trip to the Oconaluftee Indian Village and/or the Unto These Hills Drama. Call in advance to receive the school group rate even for a small group of homeschoolers.
Nasher Museum of Art --
2001 Campus Drive, Durham, NC
The museum is a major new center for the arts on Duke University's campus and in the Research Triangle area, with leading-edge art exhibitions and dynamic programs, including Family Days, performing arts events, lectures, film series and social gatherings.
Natural Science Center of Greensboro, Inc --
4301 Lawndale Drive, Greensboro, NC
NC Estuarium --
223 East Water Street, Washington, NC
The North Carolina Estuarium, located in Washington on the Pamlico River, lets visitors explore the ecology of North Carolina's estuaries (especially the Tar-Pamlico River and Pamlico Sound), some of the threats facing our vital coastal rivers and sounds, and ways humans have used this ecosystem for thousands of years. As one of North Carolina's most innovative environmental centers, the Estuarium houses more than 200 scientific and historic exhibits that the whole family will enjoy.
NC State University College of Veterinary Medicine --
4700 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC
The NC State College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) provides opportunities to foster and encourage students to consider careers in science or veterinary medicine. Tours will be composed of three segments: A tour through the CVM Teaching Animal Unit, allowing students to go on a walking tour of the live animal production facility that raises farm animals for the purpose of teaching veterinary students.; A visit to the Anatomy Lab, showing students interesting anatomical models and discussing how domestic species are alike and different.; A discussion of careers in veterinary medicine/science demonstrating the wide range of exciting career opportunities available to those who get a degree in veterinary medicine.
Neuseway Nature Park --
401 W. / 403 W. Caswell Street, Kinston, NC
At Neuseway Nature Park there is much more than just nature. There is a Planetarium, a Science and Health Museum, and an Exchange Nature Center. Lots to offer. See the website for more details.
Noah's Landing Non-Profit Nature Preserve --
1489 Live Oak Rd., Coats, NC
Noah's Landing is a non-profit nature preserve that provides many hands-on opportunities with many species of animals in their collection. With a menagerie that includes more than 60 species of animals - from kinkajou and coatimundi to African crested porcupines - we teach science and conservation using all the senses. Visitors can feed carrots to a grinning zebra or touch the giant ears of a fennec fox. It's a rare opportunity to get eye to eye with animals from around the globe!
North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher --
900 Loggerhead Road, Kure Beach, NC
The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher takes visitors on a journey from freshwater rivers and swamps to saltwater marshes and estuaries and into reefs and the open ocean. The 84,000 square foot facility includes a large ocean tank offering two-story, multi-level viewing of large sharks, groupers, barracudas, and loggerhead turtles and a 20,000 freshwater conservatory showcasing the varied ecosystems of the Cape Fear River.
North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores --
1 Roosevelt Blvd. , Pine Knoll Shores, NC
The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores takes you across the state on an aquatic journey “from the mountains to the sea.” Five galleries depict the aquatic habitats and inhabitants of each major zone – Mountain, Piedmont , Coastal Plain, Tidal Waters a nd Ocean. The Aquarium recently underwent a $25 million renovation that tripled its size to 93,000 square feet. The remodeling brought nearly 40 new exhibits and many new programs. You can watch – and talk to – divers in the Living Shipwreck exhibit, meet an alligator or other animal face to face in daily programs in the theater and participate in a number of other fun activities. Outdoors, the Aquarium has two nature trails, a marsh overlook, a Fossil Hunt and a beautiful bronze spadefish sculpture and reflecting pool. The Aquarium also has a snack bar and a gift shop. Boat cruises, marsh explorations and other adventures are available for a small additional fee.
The North Carolina Aquarium at Roanoke Island --
374 Airport Road, Manteo, NC
The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island presents the aquatic environments of coastal Carolina through its theme "Water of The Outer Banks." The aquarium's variety of exhibits promises to educate and entertain visitors. Journey through coastal freshwaters to see river otters, turtles, and American alligators. Explore saltwater habitats from grass flats to Gulf Stream waters. Gently stroke a stingray or touch a hermit crab at the touch tanks. Watch as fish and sharks cruise by the 35-foot long viewing window of the 285,000-gallon "Graveyard of the Atlantic" tank. History buffs will marvel at the one-third scale replica of the USS Monitor.
North Carolina Maritime Museum --
315 Front St, Beaufort, NC
North Carolina Maritime Museum on Roanoke Island --
104 Fernando Street, Manteo, NC
Interpretive exhibits include examples of traditional small watercraft built and sailed on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Featured at the Museum is a North Carolina Shad boat and early commercial fishing exhibit featuring the 1883 Shad boat Ella View, and exhibits on regional boat building. The museum's education programs focus on the use, construction and celebration of traditional watercraft and related maritime activities. During the summer months sailing, traditional boat handling, and boating safety courses are offered as part of the museum’s Outer Banks Community Sailing Program.
North Carolina Museum of Art --
2110 Blue Ridge Rd, Raleigh, NC
North Carolina Museum of History --
5 East Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC
History of North Carolina from 1587 to present. The Division of State History Museums collects and preserves artifacts and other historical materials relating to the history and heritage of North Carolina in a local, regional, national, and international context to assist people in understanding how the past influences the present. The Division interprets the state’s history through exhibitions, educational programs, and publications available to the visitor on-site or through distance-learning technologies.
North Carolina Museum of Life and Science --
433 Murray Avenue, Durham, NC
The Museum is home to almost 150 animals, a rideable replica of a classic train, and hands-on exhibits about everything from the nanoscale to outer space.
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences --
11 West Jones Street, Raleigh, NC
Every day the Museum presents a variety of free programs for the public, often featuring live animals. People of all ages are welcome. For more information on special events, please see the calendar online, or call the front desk at 733-7450 for the most up-to-date information.
North Carolina Transportation Museum Foundation --
411 S. Salisbury Ave., Spencer, NC
North Carolina Zoological Park --
4401 Zoo Pkwy, Asheboro, NC
With more than 500 acres in its African and North American continental regions, this Zoo is a place of wonder and discovery. It is the country's largest and finest walk-through natural habitat zoo. It was the first zoo designed from its inception as a natural-habitat zoo, which means that the animals and plants in its exhibits are seen in settings that closely resemble the habitats in which they would live in the wild. Its 37-acre African Plains exhibit alone is as large as many entire zoos
Oconaluftee Indian Village --
Drama Rd beside Mountainside Theatre, Cherokee, NC
Journey through re-creation of a 1750's Cherokee village. See demonstrations of beadworking, blowgun darts, canoe building and more. They honor school group rates for homeschool groups if you call ahead, and as long as you don't try to have more parents then students. Plan on extra "chaperones" paying a different rate.
Old Salem Museums and Gardens --
900 Old Salem Rd, Winston Salem, NC
Old Salem Museums & Gardens is America's most comprehensive history attraction. Their four museums - the Historic Town of Salem, the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA), the Old Salem Children's Museum, and the Old Salem Toy Museum - engage visitors in an educational and memorable historical experience about those who lived and worked in the early South.
Onslow County Museum --
301 S. Wilmington St., Richlands, NC
Discover a pathway to the history of Onslow County, one of the oldest & most diverse maritime counties in North Carolina. See the longest Native American dugout canoe found in North Carolina. Learn about the Museum's growing artifact collection and research room. See the website for more great stuff for kids to see and do here. .
The Orchard At Altapass --
1025 Orchard Rd, Little Switzerland, NC
A one hundred year active apple orchard high atop the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 328. You can pick apples, check out the butterflies in the butterfly garden and listen to live music, but the best part is to take a hayride through the orchard and listen to the stories of the Overmountain Victory Men, the Clinchfield Railroad and Charlie McKinney and his 48 children. Combine a trip to the Orchard with a trip to the NC Minerals Museum just 2 miles down the Parkway. Go in the fall and pick your own apples from 100 year old apple trees. Do not miss taking a hayride with Bill Carson and hearing his stories. There are regularly scheduled hayrides on the weekends and on Wednesdays, but if you have a group, you can book a hayride just for your group.
Pope House Museum --
511 S. Wilmington St., Raleigh, NC
Built in 1901 by Dr. M.T. Pope, an important African American citizen of Raleigh, North Carolina. The Pope House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Reed Gold Mine --
9621 Reed Mine Rd., Midland, NC
Take a tour of Reed Gold Mine, the site of the first documented gold find in the United States. North Carolina led the nation in gold production until 1848, when it was eclipsed by the great rush to California. This tour is free. They have walking trails, and picnic areas along the trails. The cost of panning is $2.00 per pan, or $1.50 for groups of 10 or more.
Replacements Inc. --
1089 Knox Road, Greensboro, NC
Reynolda House Museum of American Art --
2250 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem, NC
Discover Reynolda House, a National Historic Property and the centerpiece of the Reynolda Mile cultural corridor in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Explore the restored 1917 mansion of Katharine and R.J. Reynolds showcasing treasures of American art in both the historic house and new exhibition wing. Stroll landscaped grounds, formal and informal gardens, and wooded walking trails.
Richard Childress Racing --
425 Industrial Drive, Welcome, NC
Roanoke Island Festival Park --
Across from the Manteo Waterfront, Manteo, NC
An interactive family attraction that celebrates the first English settlement in America. The centerpiece of the 25-acre island park adjacent to Manteo, is, Elizabeth II, a representation of one of the seven English ships from the Roanoke Voyage of 1585. Costumed Elizabethan sailors greet visitors and help them experience sixteenth century seafaring life. Also visit the Settlement site, Roanoke Adventure Museum and see "The Legend of Two-Path" film.
The Rocky Mount Children's Museum & Science Center --
270 Gay Street, Rocky Mount, NC
The Schiele Museum of Natural History --
1500 East Garrison Blvd., Gastonia, NC
The Schiele Museum offers unique program experiences for all ages. There is a museum, planetaruim and a changing featured exhibit. Science, nature and history come to life in engaging learning experiences. Museum programs provide live information from professional educators and access to collections and resources that an exhibit visit alone cannot match.
School House of Wonder --
West Point on the Eno Park, Durham, NC
Schoolhouse of Wonder is a Durham, NC based non-profit organization dedicated to providing opportunities for people of the Triangle region to connect with the Earth, offering summer camps, outdoor school and nature school - see website for details.
SciWorks, The Science Center and Environmental Park of Forsyth County --
400 West Hanes Mill Road, Winston-Salem, NC
Enjoy interactive hands-on special exhibits and programs, come face to face with river otters, travel the solar system and more at SciWorks!
The Scrap Exchange --
548 Foster St., Durham, NC
This facility combines art, environmentalism and frugality all in one! The main focus of the scrap exchange is to take waste products and offer them for use in artistic creation or for sale. For example, they have a room that contains thirty barrels full of random items. You pay a flat fee and put the items together to create all sorts of things. They also offer classes on making items from used goods and have a section of the store that is dedicated to items that have been repurposed. We love to go and create while talking about reusing versus throwing away. It is an inspirational place. Call ahead to reserve the special room for groups.
Shook Museum --
178 Morgan Street, Clyde, NC
A 200 year old frame house restored to show the original 200 year old construction and the 1890's Victorian remodel. The third floor is a chapel where tradition says the famous Circuit Rider preacher Francis Asbury preached. A gift shop is next door. All tours are conducted by docents who know plenty of stories of the previous residents. The quilting room upstairs and the restored chapel on the third floor are worth the climb.
The Smith-McDowell House Museum --
283 Victoria Road, Asheville, NC
Built by one of antebellum North Carolina's most influential citizens, this National Register property was once the home of mayors, a Confederate Major, and friends of the Vanderbilts at nearby Biltmore Estate. In addition to restored period rooms spanning 1840 through 1900, the Museum also features special history exhibits in its Gallery Rooms.
Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park & Eco-Center --
4963 Hwy 258, Scotland Neck, NC
Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park & Eco-Center, home to the worlds largest collection of waterfowl, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to conservation, education, research and wholesome outdoor fun. They offer lots of educational programs. Check the website and see all they have to offer!
The Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden --
1105 Hobbs Rd., Greensboro, NC
A long-time Greensboro favorite, the Bicentennial Garden features flowering and deciduous trees, shrubs and annual beds containing mass and design plantings that bring color to the garden throughout the year. This Garden was created in 1976 to commemorate our nation's bicentennial. The Bicentennial Garden includes a wealth of plantings from ground covers, shrubs, mass plantings of annuals and perennials, to flowering and canopy trees. To complement the natural beauty, a man-made recirculating stream provides texture, movement and sound, and a Sensory Garden engages visitors in an interactive landscape experience. A variety of sculpture placed throughout the garden provides artistic and historic interest.
Tarkil Branch Farm's Homestead Museum --
1198 Fountain Town Road, Beulaville, NC
Come touch History at Tarkil Branch Farm's Homestead Museum. This museum features an 1830's Dog trot style house, completely furnished. We have 9 other vintage buildings containing exhibits with over 850 artifacts from the past. Visit a local 1925 country store. See a fully furnished smokehouse and learn how hog killings were carried on generations ago. See horse-drawn plows almost 100 years old and a 60+ year old working tractor. Participate in a farm wagon tour that will show the turpentine collection process of a century ago or other interesting things on the farm. See a wine making process, and home cooking/food processing equipment before electricity. The museum is located on on our 375 acre working farm.
The Thomas Wolfe Memorial --
52 N. Market St., Asheville, NC
The sprawling frame of the Queen Anne-influenced house was originally only six or seven rooms with a front and rear porch when it was constructed in 1883 by prosperous Asheville banker, Erwin E. Sluder. By 1889, massive additions had more than doubled the original structure, but the architecture changed little over the next 27 years.
Tobacco Farm Life Museum --
on Highway 301 North,, Kenly, NC
Come visit and step back in time to a turn-of-the-century homestead, including a restored house and detached kitchen, smokehouse, log tobacco barn, and even an outhouse. The 6,000 square foot museum features both permanent and rotating exhibits on farm life, southern medicine, domestic skills, rural social life, and artifacts.
Triangle Sportsplex --
One Dan Kidd Drive, Hillsborough, NC
Ice Skating, Swimming, Fitness. Available for group events and classes.
Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens --
610 Pollock Street, New Bern, NC
Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens' mission is to engage present and future generations in the history of North Carolina from early settlement and development of statehood through the mid twentieth century by collecting, interpreting and preserving objects, buildings, landscapes and events that enrich understanding of the making of our state and nation. Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens demonstrates that history is dynamic. An active research program provides the foundation for continual changes in interpretation, exhibits and educational programs. Visitors can choose from a changing menu of choices including interactive programs, historical demonstrations, first person interpretation and participation in activities of the past.
Tweetsie Railroad --
300 Tweetsie Railroad Lane, Blowing Rock, NC
Tweetsie Railroad is a unique attraction that allows children and families to explore their imaginations and a whole lot more. Be a cowboy, Indian or an engineer. And of course, every guest will want to take a ride on the historic steam locomotive, Number 12, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Be sure to visit the Tweetsie Jail on Main Street, the Arcade and Shooting Gallery or the Games and rides in the Country Fair, and while on Miner's Mountain, enjoy the Deer Park, playground and face painting, and the thrill of gem mining or panning for gold.
Western North Carolina Nature Center --
75 Gashes Creek Road, Asheville, NC
The WNC Nature Center, located in beautiful Asheville, North Carolina, is an educational center exhibiting plants and animals native to the Southern Appalachian Region. From wild animals like the Cougars, Bobcats, Red and Grey Wolves, Black Bear, Otters and more to Pygmy Goats, Red Devon Steer, Chickens and Sheep, we promise an interactive, educational, fun-filled visit the whole family will enjoy. If you have any questions when you visit, ask their friendly staff.
Wright Brothers National Memorial --
1401 National Park Drive, Manteo, NC
Exhibits on the Wright brothers' background and the development of their gliders as well as the 1903 Flyer, the crankcase of the original 1903 Flyer, and a flyable 2003 replica of the 1903 Flyer. The Wright Brothers Bookstore operated by Eastern National. The Paul E. Garber First Flight Shrine - established in 1966 by the First Flight Society, the shrine honors individuals and groups that have achieved significant firsts in the development of aviation. Many other thinsg to see!