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When asked, “what are the best things to do with kids in Raleigh“, a visit to Pullen Park is always one of my number one answers. Free to visit with a few low-cost attractions and a beautiful space…what’s not to love?! It’s a perfect option for a day out with kids and adults alike.
If you’re planning a trip to this iconic Raleigh spot with kids, here are the things you’ll need to know as a parent.
Why Raleigh’s Pullen Park is a Local Favorite
It might surprise you to know that Pullen Park is one of the oldest amusement parks in the entire country. The park was established on March 22, 1887, when Richard Stanhope Pullen donated his farmland to the city to create North Carolina’s first public park and one of the oldest operating amusement parks in the U.S.
While the park is modern and fun, it absolutely still retains some of that Victorian-age charm. My favorite is the entrance sign which has a lovely vintage look.
The Attractions That Make It Magical
The 66-acre park itself is gorgeous to stroll around. Walking paths surround a lake with a fountain. In the spring, the flowering trees blooming around the lake make it extra enchanting.
But when visiting with kids, you’ll want to know about the main attractions. Please note, while these attractions are typically open, you may want to check to be sure of the latest status. For daily updated ride operations, please call 919-996-6472. The information on the phone line will be updated around 10:30 a.m. daily.
🚂 Miniature Train Ride
This may be most kids’ favorite thing to do at Pullen Park: ride the train! The C.P. Huntington miniature train is a one-third size, near-replica of the famous locomotive of the same name.
This shiny red train picks up passengers and brings them in a loop around the park. And it’s a steal at $2 per person per ride. Children under 1 ride for free with a paying adult. Kiddos can ride without a parent if they are 42 inches tall.
The train doesn’t go too fast. Most toddlers will find it very exciting! One adult and two kids can fit per row, but one adult and one kid is the most comfortable arrangement. For kids with noise sensitivities, there is a quick blast before the train departs!
🎠 Historic Carousel
Who doesn’t love a classic carousel? This enclosed carousel dates from 1911 and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Its official name is the Gustave A. Dentzel Carousel. It boasts 52 hand-carved animals and 2 sleighs you can sit in to ride, plus music by a Wurlitzer #125 band organ made in 1924. It’s a timeless experience!
Tickets for the carousel are also $2 per person per ride, with kids under 1 free with a paid adult. Kids must be 42 inches tall to ride alone.
🛶 Pedal Boats on the Pond
One thing I’ve not had the opportunity to do yet is to ride on one of the lake’s pedal boats. These are available seasonally, typically beginning in late March. A pedal boat rental is $7 for a half hour.
🎡 Kiddie Boats
The littlest kids will want to check out the Kiddie Boats. This ride set under a canopy takes kids in a small circle atop water in a fun red boat that is just their size. Riders must be between 30″ and 54″ to ride, so adults cannot ride along with kids.
As with the carousel and train, kiddie boats are $2 per ride.
The Epic Playgrounds
The playgrounds at Pullen Park are great. There are a few different play areas designed for different age groups and abilities, offering lots of variety and making it good for families with kids of different ages. Lots of options for swinging, too: the swing area includes nearly a dozen swings, including an accessible molded swing, and a tire swing.
For school-aged kids (ages 5–12), there’s a climbing and sliding area with two accessible slides, six different climbing features, a see-saw, and a shaded spot to cool off.
Younger kids (ages 2–5) have their own preschool playground with three slides, swings, a see-saw, stepping stones, and shade structures. While this isn’t a fully-fenced playground, it is fenced on multiple sides with a decent amount of natural barriers, too. I have always felt good taking my son there as it helps keep him in one place (as much as you can with a toddler/preschooler!)
There’s also a fun sand play area for ages 2–12, featuring sand diggers (including one that’s accessible), a playhouse, musical play elements, a stage, and a spring platform.
These playgrounds are not fully shaded, but there is a decent amount of tree cover and some shade structures to help ward off the worst of the North Carolina sun on a hot day.
Junior Conductor Adventure
Here’s a unique Pullen Park activity I just discovered: the Junior Conductor Adventure! This is geared towards kids ages 5-12. Using a smart compass, kids will guide their family on a fun, self-guided adventure through the park with history facts and activities discovered along the way. It takes about 30–45 minutes to complete.
Tickets for this activity are just $7 per family and must be purchased in person at the park booth.
Amazing Events
In addition to all of the attractions you can enjoy throughout the year, Pullen Park is the site of many terrific family-friendly events. One of the most popular and beloved events is the Pullen Park Holiday Express. This event takes place during the holiday season for several weeks.
This event has such a big demand that scoring tickets is a big deal! Ticket sales for 2025 will open Tuesday, Oct. 14, at 10 a.m.
I could write a whole post on getting tickets for Holiday Express, but my best tip is to set aside a fair amount of dedicated time the morning sales open if you are wanting to get tickets. The process is all done online and usually involves getting into a randomized queue. Once you’re let in to purchase tickets, do so as quickly as possible. There are limits on how many you can purchase (I believe the limit is 8).
It’s wise to have a handful of dates that you know you’ll be able to attend, as weekend dates fill up incredibly quickly. They also offer a handful of Sensory Friendly nights.
Last year we were lucky enough to get tickets, but I waited in the online queue for 2 hours. I’m telling you, this is serious business! But the event is super cute and definitely worth it for little ones.
What if I can’t get tickets?
If the tickets are sold out and you are unable to snag any, your best bet is to ask in local Facebook groups. Plans often change, and every year, I see folks selling their tickets throughout the season. There are even groups that pop up just for ticket sales and exchanges.
In addition, many local influencers and sponsoring businesses host ticket giveaways throughout the season. So, don’t worry, all is not lost!
Bonus Features Parents Love
- Clean restrooms, plenty of parking
- Café with snacks and coffee
- Greenways and walking paths nearby
- Close to NC State’s campus and downtown Raleigh
There are a lot of things to love about Pullen Park. I’ve always had a good experience here and the park always feels clean and accessible. I’ve never had trouble parking either, with plenty of options right outside the entrance.
Tips for Visiting
Now let’s dive into my tips for visiting with kids. First of all, the essentials:
- Park Hours & Restrooms: 7 days per week 7am-9pm
- Attractions (train, carousel, etc): Typically open around 10am. For daily updated ride operations, please call 919-996-6472 and listen to their automated message.
When to Go
When is the best time to go to Pullen Park? As with almost any kid-friendly attraction, weekdays tend to be the best time to visit, as these are typically less busy. Mornings may also be a better time to go, especially during the warmer months, although it is likely the playgrounds might be slightly busier with fellow parents who had the same idea!
Honestly, I have never gone to Pullen Park and felt it was too busy or crowded. However on weekends or popular days, be prepared to wait in line for the carousel or train (not too long of a wait).
Amusement Tickets
You can buy tickets for the attractions at Pullen Park itself (at their ticket window) or using your smartphone. They have QR codes set up around the park so you can easily scan and buy tickets. This is what we’ve tended to do on each visit. However, I think going forward I would plan ahead and buy my tickets online in advance. You can do so here.
To me, I found the purchasing system a little clunky and slow, and it was frustrating trying to buy the tickets with an impatient toddler raring to go. So, learn from my mistakes and consider grabbing those tickets before you head out!
Is There Food Available?
Yes, there is a cafe at Pullen Park serving a variety of items like burgers, sandwiches, chicken tenders, and more. They even have kids meals available. You can see the menu here.
You can also bring in your own food. There are plenty of benches and covered pavilions for picnicking, so don’t hesitate to bring snacks for your kiddos. And definitely bring water to keep everyone hydrated!
In Case of Rain
Need to head elsewhere due to weather? Here are a few options nearby that could be a good option:
Marbles Kids Museum
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Other Indoor Playgrounds in the Triangle