Editor-in-Chief at Raleigh Family Adventure

Amy Hartle is the enthusiastic force behind Raleigh Family Adventure as its Editor-in-Chief and founder. She resides in the North Carolina Triangle area with her husband and their adventurous toddler. Amy has worked as a content creator since 2012, specializing in travel and lifestyle. On this site, Amy marries her expertise with her passion to bring Raleigh parents the best in local family fun.

🌻Fun Ideas for Every Day

1. Visit the Butterfly House at the Museum of Life and Science

2. Play in the Nature Play Area at Hemlock Bluffs

3. Go wild with paint splatter fun at Mad Splatter

4. Solve a mystery at an Escape Room — perfect for tweens and teens

5. Slide down a giant guitar at Notasium

6. Explore the Discovery Room and exhibits at the Museum of Natural Sciences

7. Spend the day at Marbles Kids Museum — plus IMAX movies

8. Relax at a kid-friendly coffee shop while your little one plays

9. Try indoor skydiving at Urban Air Morrisville

10. Find a free event at your local library

11. Pop into a cat café and give some love to feline friends

12. Summer time? Cool off at a splash pad

13. Do a playground + coffee shop combo adventure

14. Gem mining in Apex at Blue Diamond Gemstone Panning

15. Watch planes take off at RDU Observation Park

16. Stroll the paths at the NC Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill

17. Create something new at The Makery, Artspace, or Hello Yellow Art Studio

18. Visit the American Tobacco Campus in Durham and run around the lawn area

19. Browse books and play at Quail Ridge Books kids section

20. Check out the Nature Play area at Sugg Farm in Holly Springs.

21. Cozy up at Fable Bookshop afterward!

22. Grab a coffee at Jubala then enjoy the green space at Lafayette Village

23. Indoor mini golf at Partee Shack.

24. Play with goats at Spring Haven Farm.

25. Relax in the kids section at Barnes and Noble.

26. Ride the miniature train at Pullen Park

27. Visit Prairie Ridge Ecostation and explore the nature play space

28. Play and picnic at Downtown Cary Park

29. Visit Historic Oak View County Park and see the goats and farm exhibits

30. Take a day trip to Pittsboro to meet some alpacas.

31. Check out the aquarium at Bass Pro Shops.

32. Walk the boardwalk and look for wildlife at Lake Crabtree County Park

33. Watch the waterwheel and explore trails at Historic Yates Mill County Park

34. Explore the outdoor art and walking trails at the NC Museum of Art Park

35. Explore the American Tobacco Campus lawn and water features in Durham

36. Visit the Raleigh Fire Museum (Open 2nd Saturday of every month)

37. Ride scooters or bikes along the Neuse River Greenway

38. Go treasure hunting at the Raleigh Flea Market

39. Visit a garden center (Logan’s, Atlantic Gardening, etc.) and explore seasonal displays

40. Visit a downtown square (Apex, Wake Forest, Holly Springs, etc.) and do a mini scavenger hunt

41. Walk the trails and explore the lake at Shelley Lake Park

42. Visit Marbles’ outdoor play plaza (no museum admission required)

43. Fly kites or ride scooters at Dorothea Dix Park

44. Explore the huge adventure playground, Gipson Play Plaza at Dix Park

45. Find the huge trolls at Dix Park!

46. Walk around Moore Square and enjoy the downtown Raleigh green space

47. Grab treats at Videri Chocolate Factory and watch chocolate being made through the viewing windows

48. Visit Little Native Coffee + walk to John Chavis Memorial Park playground

49. Stop at Chanticleer Café and Bakery and explore nearby Lake Johnson trails

50. Pop into nearby Mister Mike’s Used Books to grab some new reads!

51. Play at a train-themed playground.

52. Visit a Five Below or toy store and let kids pick a small surprise item

53. Visit a local plant shop like Urban Pothos and let kids help pick a plant

54. Walk the easy trails at White Deer Park in Garner and visit the nature center

55. Visit Kids Together Playground in Cary (fantastic inclusive equipment)

56. Check out the alpacas at Holl & Stone farm in Garner

57. Visit Maple View Ice Cream in Hillsborough and watch cows nearby

58. Check out the indoor play space at Shops at Southpoint in Durham

59. Catch $5 Tuesday movies at Paragon Theaters in Fenton

60. Grab brunch at the Brier Creek Flying Biscuit – complete with play area!

61. Pretend to be astronauts at Over the Moon Play Space.

62. Book a pottery painting session at Color Me Mine (Cary or Durham)

63. Book a family bowling outing at Buffaloe Lanes (Raleigh, Cary, or Wake Forest)

64. Drop the kids off at a Parents Night Out and go have fun! 😉

65. Take a cooking class for kids at Flour Power Cooking Studios (multiple Triangle locations)

66. Go on one of the Triangle Treasure Hunt scavenger hunts!

67. Nerd out at the Morehead Planetarium

68. Visit Boxcar Arcade (Durham or Raleigh) during family-friendly daytime hours

69. Attend a Durham Bulls baseball game (seasonal)

70. Hike Sal’s Branch Trail in Umstead State Park.

71. Admire the Duke Gardens in bloom.

72. Grab a Krispy Kreme doughnut at one of the original locations.

73. Go to a Canes game!

74. Brave the gigantic slide at Pleasant Park.

75. Visit Book Harvest in Durham for a free kids book.

76. Book a ride on the Triangle Train in New Hill.

77. Grab coffee and treats at Caffe Driade in Chapel Hill, and feel like you’re in a magical woodland.

78. Book time in the salt spa – they have kid friendly sessions!

79. Enjoy a less crowded indoor playground: Rainbow Play of NC or Woodplay of the Carolinas. Hidden gems!

80. Take a day trip to the Greensboro Science Center. So worth it!

81. Visit For Garden’s Sake in Durham – animals, playground, and a beautiful setting

82. Explore the Sensory Garden at Durant Nature Preserve.

83. Eat at a secret kid-friendly diner inside a car dealership!

84. Check out a nostalgic wooden playground in Apex.

85. Play at a Carolina Panther’s themed playground.

86. Grab the kids’ bikes and head to the pump track at R.S. Dunham Park.

87. Pop into the Red Brick Trading Co and let your LEGO love soar.

88. Then go play at Wake Forest’s nature-themed playground.

89. Ride one of the historic carousels at Pullen Park or Chavis Park.

90. Walk through the sunflowers at Dix Park (July).

91. Play among the trees at TreeRunner Adventure Park.

92. Share an ice cream flight at JT’s Creamery.

93. Enjoy an hour of jumping for just $5 on Fridays at Altitude Cary.

94. Take a quick roadtrip to Low and Slow Smokehouse in Smithfield and eat delicious BBQ while watching airplanes land.

95. Dine at Dos Taquitos and let a train deliver your queso!

96. Grab sandwiches at East Cut in Raleigh Iron Works and then slide down the big metal slide!

97. Hop on the Amtrak for a quick day trip to Greensboro. Ps: the Children’s Museum is right near the station!

98. Visit one of a dozen farmers markets throughout the Triangle.

99. Ride the zipline at Laurel Hills Park.

100. Make a mess with the slime bar at Learning Express.