Summer 2017 Family Bucket List

By Rachel Hoeing

We had such a great response to last year’s Summer Bucket list, that we decided to do it once again with even more exciting venues! I have compiled a “bucket list” below that you can bookmark on your phone or computer and use it throughout the summer to explore and discover new adventures throughout the Triad area and beyond!

In order to keep this list as concise as possible, details on each venue will be found by clicking on its name. This will take you to either a TMoM blog or the venue’s website for more information. I have noted the location for each idea so that you can easily tell if this will be a quick stop, day trip, or weekend excursion. Please check hours and dates that each business is open before making the trip. You can also use our Community Event Calendar and Directories page to find additional events, playgrounds, parks, day trips, summer camps and more!

Without further ado … your 2017 Summer Bucket list!

1. a/perture cinema – Unique movie theater, W-S NC
2. ACE Adventure Center – rafting, zip-lines, fishing, horseback riding, kayaks, Oak Hill WV
3. Adventure Landing – Putt Putt, Bumper Boats, arcade, W-S NC
4. Air Fun Trampoline Park -Wall-to-wall trampolines, dodgeball, basketball dunk lanes, Zorbs, Greensboro NC
5. All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm – Butterfly Farm & tours (schedule in advance), High Point NC
6. Aloha Safari Zoo – educational zoo & sanctuary, Cameron NC
7. AMF Bowling Lanes – bowl in W-S & Greensboro NC
8. American Girl Store – explore the shop and bistro and then walk around the mall, Charlotte NC
9. An Originals By You – Paint your own pottery studio, W-S NC
10. Angel Touch Salon – pedicure chairs for kids, W-S NC
11. ArtQuest Studios at Greenhill Center – create art, Greensboro NC
12. Babyland General – home of the Cabbage Patch Kids, Cleveland GA
13. Beanstalk Ziplines – zipline, rock climb, ropes course, disc golf, playgrounds, biking, Morganton NC
14. Biltmore – estate, winery, tours, shops, Asheville NC
15. Black Mountain Chocolate – chocolate factory, W-S NC
16. Bog Garden at Benjamin Park – walkways, greenery, Greensboro NC
17. Bouncin’ Around – indoor inflatables and arcade room, Burlington NC
18. Bowman Gray Stadium – NASCAR short track racing, W-S NC
19. Breakout – live escape game where you and your friends/family try to crack codes, find clues, and escape, Greensboro NC
20. Bumper Jumpers – indoor playground, Greensboro NC
21. Bur-Mil Park Par 3 Golf Course – great way to enjoy golf if you have family members who may not make it for 18 holes, Greensboro NC
22. Burlington City Park – amusement area, walking trails, aquatics facility, greenway, Burlington NC
23. Burlington Royals Baseball – take the family out for a classic game at the ballfield, Burlington NC
24. Camel City BBQ Factory – fun restaurant with an attached game room, W-S NC
25. Carolina Raptor Center – environmental education center, Huntersville NC
26. Carolina Ziplines – zipline tours for the whole family, Westfield NC
27. Carowinds – amusement park and water park, Charlotte NC
28. Celebration Station – arcade, bumper boats, mini golf, batting cage, go-karts, Greensboro NC
29. Center City Park – music, exercise, food trucks, events, Greensboro NC
30. Charlotte Nature Museum – discover animals, plants and more, Charlotte NC
31. Children’s Museum of Alamance County – interactive children’s museum, Graham NC
32. Childress Vineyards – winery, bistro, outdoor events, Lexington NC
33. Chimney Rock State Park – hiking and attractions, Chimney Rock NC
34. Chuck E Cheese’s – indoor arcade, Concord, Winston-Salem & Greensboro NC
35. City Lake Park – playground, carousel, mini golf, train rides, pool, water slides, Jamestown NC
36. Cliff Hangers – indoor climbing facility with speed climbing, intro classes, yoga, fitness, Café, kid’s climbing area, Mooresville NC
37. Color & Coffee – painting parties, walk-ins, W-S NC
38. Conservators Center – animal conservancy, Burlington NC
39. Crowder’s Mountain State Park – fishing, canoeing, camping, rock climbing, bouldering, museum-quality exhibits, Kings Mountain NC
40. Dan Nicholas Park – water play, playground, mini golf, carousel, gem mining, aquarium, mini train, Salisbury NC
41. Denton Farmpark – historical park, general store, grist mill, church, plantation house, blacksmith shop, log cabin, full-size steam train, events,  Denton NC
42. Discovery Place – interactive children’s museum, Charlotte NC
43. Discovery Place Kids – interactive children’s museum, Huntersville NC
44. Eden Drive-In – drive-in movie theater, Eden NC
45. Edward McKay Used Books and More – books, video games, electronics, Greensboro & W-S NC
46. Emerald Hollow Mine – gen mining, Hiddenite NC
47. Epicentre – dining, movies, bowling, nightlife, shopping, Charlotte, NC
48. Fairgrounds Skate Park – ramps, quarter pipes, grinding rails, & bank ramps for skateboarders, W-S NC
49. Frankie’s Fun Park – amusement rides, mini golf, laser tag, fun house, arcade, go carts, Raleigh NC
50. Galaxy Fun Park – go karts, tampoline park, ropes course, soft play, laser tag, Raleigh NC
51. Game Over Comics – Comic Books, video games, Magic the Gathering, Pokemon and More, Burlington NC
52. GameT1me – more gaming systems than you can imagine, all under one roof, plus board games, lock-ins, parties, Clemmons NC
53. Geeksboro – unique cinema and coffeehouse, Greensboro NC
54. Get Air – trampoline park and ninja course, High Point NC
55. Gnarwall Bouldering Gym  – bouldering training facility for beginners to elite, Pfafftown NC
56. Gorge Zipline – zipline canopy adventure, Saluda, NC
57. Grandfather Mountain – wildlife, swinging bridge, trails, nature museum, Linville NC
58. Great Smoky Mountains Railroad – train ride excusions through the smoky mountains, Bryson City, NC
59. Great Wolf Lodge – indoor waterpark, MagiQuest, Concord NC
60. Greensboro Children’s Museum – interactive children’s museum, edible schoolyard, Greensboro NC
61. Greensboro Grasshoppers Game – enjoy a baseball game with the family, Greensboro NC
62. Greensboro History Museum – historic buildings, museum, gardens & cemetary Greensboro NC
63. Greensboro Ice House – indoor ice skating, Greensboro NC
64. Greensboro Science Center – aquarium, museum, zoo, Greensboro NC
65. Grove Winery – winery, concerts, art classes, outdoor events, Gibsonville NC
66. Guilford Courthouse National Military Park – visitor’s center, live action theatre, trails, Greensboro NC
67. Hanes Mall – shopping, food court, trampoline area, toddler play area, mini rides in play areas, W-S NC
68. Hanging Rock State Park – swimming, hiking, canoes, Danbury NC
    
69. Hebron Rock Colony – hiking and park, Blowing Rock NC
70. Hi Toms Baseball – enjoy an evenign at the ballfield with the family, Thomasville NC
71. High Gravity Adventures – aerial adventure course, Blowing Rock NC
72. High Point Museum – historical park, exhibits, High Point NC
73. Hill Ridge Farms – farm, train rides, hay rides, Youngsville NC
74. Homeland Creamery – farm, tours, ice cream, hayrides, Julian NC
75. Horizons Park – dog park, disc golf course, shelters, playground, trails, Rural Hall NC
76. IKEA – Fun shopping day for kids of all ages, but if yours are too little, they will love the child drop off play area, Charlotte NC
77. Ingram Farm – pick your own berries, High Point NC
78. International Civil Rights Center & Museum – museum and teaching facility devoted to the struggle for civil and human rights, Greensboro NC
79. Jump-N-Fun – indoor inflatables, Greensboro NC
80. Kaleideum Downtown – (formerly the Children’s Museum of Winston-Salem) interactive children’s museum, W-S NC
81. Kaleideum North – (formerly SciWorks) interactive science museum, exhibits, planetarium, W-S NC
82. Keely Park – splash pad, playgrounds, trails, Greensboro NC
83. Kersey Valley – high ropes course, zip-lines, lazer tag and more Archdale NC
84. KidSenses Children’s Interactive Museum – numerous exhibits, discovery garden, and more, Rutherfordton NC
85. Kinetic Heights – Ninja Warrior Course, warped wall, Parkour training area, indoor high ropes course, Charlotte, NC
86. Korner’s Folley – museum, home tours, Kernersville NC
87. Lake Mackintosh Park & Marina – paddleboats, kayaks, fishing, playgrounds, sailing, row boats, Burlington NC
88. Lake Norman State Park – bike trails, camping, beach & bath house, Troutman NC
89. Laser Tag of Archdale – laser tag, arcade, Archdale NC
90. Laser X Burlington – “The Family Zone” with laser tag fun for all ages, Burlington NC
91. Lazy Five Ranch – animal park, petting zoo, Mooresville NC
92. Level Up – ninja warrior obstacles, indoor rock climbing, obstacle courses, Thomasville, NC
93. Linville Caverns – explore caverns, Marion NC
94. Little Blank Canvas – children’s art studio, High Point NC
95. Marbles Kids Museum – interactive children’s museum, Raleigh NC
96. Marketplace Cinemas – $2.50 movies all day, Winston-Salem NC
97. Mast General Store – do some fun shopping while your kids peruse the candy barrels and classic toys, W-S NC
98. Millstone Creek Orchards – pick your own fruit, apple barn, activities, Ramseur NC
99. Monkey Joe’s – indoor inflatable play  Raleigh NC
100. Morehead Planetarium and Science Center – interactive museum and planetarium, Chapel Hill NC
101. Moses Cone Memorial Park & Manor – manor house, walking trails, horseback riding, Bass Lake, Blowing Rock NC
102. Muddy Creek Greenway – family friendly trail to walk, ride bikes, roller skate, W-S NC
103. Museum of Anthropology – educational museum dedicated to the study of global cultures, W-S NC
104. Museum of Life and Science – interactive science museum, exhibits, live animals, Durham NC
105. Mystery Hill – fun and educational tour of optical illusions, Boone NC
106. NASCAR Hall of Fame – interactive entertainment attraction honoring the history and heritage of NASCAR, Charlotte, NC
107. Natural Bridge State Park – caverns, trails, natural bridge, Rockbridge Center, water activities, Natural Bridge VA
108. NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher – aquatic wildlife, dive shows, animal encounters, outdoor adventures, Kure Beach NC
109. NC Museum of History – museum, exhibits, Raleigh NC
110. NC Museum of Natural Sciences – exhibits, programs, and field experiences, Raleigh NC
111. NC Transportation Museum – exhibits, train rides, Spencer NC
112. NC Zoo – animals galore, Asheboro NC
113. Old Salem – museums and gardens, W-S NC
114. Omni Homestead Resort – hot springs, hiking, segway tours, spa, zip-lining, horseback riding, golf, biking, pools, tennis, fishing, kids club, Hot Springs, VA
115. Paintball Central – paintball and airsoft, Sedalia NC
116. Patterson Farm – pick your own strawberries, Mount Ulla NC
117. Piedmont Environmental Center – nature trails and small animal exhibits, High Point NC
118. Pigtails and Crewcuts – make getting a haircut an adventure at this amazing kids salon, Greensboro NC
119. Pilot Mountain State Park – trails, camping, climbing, canoe trail, camping, rock climbing and rappelling, Pinnacle NC
120. Pink Spa Nails – nail salon with kids services, Greensboro NC
121. Pisgah National Forest – hiking, waterfalls camping, Asheville, NC
122. Psycho60 – interactive, real life and immersive escape room adventure, Kernersville NC
123. Pullen Park – kiddie rides, train, pedal boats, aquatic center, art center, Raleigh NC
124. Reboot Arcade Bar – authentic 1980’s arcade, featuring over 60 classic arcades and pinball, W-S NC
125. Reynolda House Museum of American Art – museum, home tours, gardens, W-S NC
126. Richland Creek Zip Line Canopy Tour – 14 station zipline with over a mile and a half of cable, Asheboro NC
127. Rockin’ Jump Trampoline Park – indoor trampolines, W-S & Greensboro NC
128. Rudd Farm – pick your own berries, Greensboro NC
129. Salem Lake – walking trails, boats, fishing, W-S NC
130. Saltshaker Marine – rent a pontoon boat for the family, Mooresville, NC
131. Sea Life Aquarium –  indoor aquarium with interactive experiences, activity trail, and soft play area, Concord, NC
132. Shallowford Farms Popcorn – gift shop, processing plant, tours, Yadkinville NC
133. Sharkey’s – kids haircuts and glamour parties, Greensboro & Burlington NC
134. Skateland USA – Roller skating, Greensboro, Winston-Salem & Clemmons NC
135. Skate South – Roller skating, High Point NC
136. Sky Wild – challenge ropes course, part of Greensboro Science Center, Greensboro NC
137. SkyZone – trampoline park, Greensboro NC
138. Sliding Rock – natural water slide with plenty of waterfalls nearby, Pisgah National Forest by Asheville NC
139. Smiley’s Golf and Learning Center – driving range, miniature golf course, W-S NC
140. Southside Recreation Center – playground, picnic, splashpad, High Point NC
141. Spare Time – bowling, arcade, laser tag, Greensboro NC
142. Splashparks and Water Slides – click the link to find a great list of all Triad NC locations
143. Stone Mountain State Park – camping, hiking, climbing, fishing, picnicking, horseback riding, Roaring Gap NC
144. Summerfield Farms – visit the farm & market and check the website for fun summer events, Summerfield NC
145. Surge Trampoline Park –  Maincourt, Battlebeam, Ninja Course, Laser Maze, Climbing wall, W-S, NC
146. Tanglewood Park –  swimming pool, golf, playgrounds, picnic, gardens, tennis, Clemmons NC
147. Ten Little Monkeys – indoor entertainment facility with bounce houses, slides, obstacle course, W-S NC
148. The Escape Room – locked in a room for 1 hour and must figure out how to get out, Ages 13+, W-S NC
149. The Mad Platter – pottery and canvas painting, Greensboro NC
150. The Pit – go-karting, laser tag, rock climbing, arcade, bumper cars, mini golf, Moorseville NC
151. Three Bears Acres – recreational farm with kids activities, Raleigh NC
152. Tiger World – animal conservation and educational center for exotic animals, Rockwell, NC
153. Toys & Co – toy store with play items set up, events as well, W-S & Greensboro NC
154. Triad Eco Adventures – segway tours, paddleboarding, W-S NC
155. Triad Park – disc golf, shelters, picnic areas, playgrounds, trails, rock climbing playground, Kernersville NC
156. Tweetsie Railroad – amusement park, train rides, Blowing Rock NC
157. US National Whitewater Center – whitewater rafting, kayaking, paddle boarding, zip lines, ropes course, Charlotte NC
158. Virginia Creeper Trail – easy biking trail great for families, almost all downhill, Damascus, VA
159. W Kerr Scott Damn and Reservoir – camping, hiking, swimming, fishing, boating, bird watching, Wilkesboro NC
160. Western North Carolina Nature Center – over 60 species of animals, Asheville NC
161. Wet ‘n Wild – waterpark, Greensboro NC
162. Wine and Design/Art Buzz Kids – kids painting parties, Greensboro & Jamestown NC
163. Winston Cup Museum – experience the fabulous Winston Cup Series era of NASCAR, W-S NC
164. Winston-Salem Dash Baseball – take your family to a ball game and enjoy the kids play area with bounce houses, W-S NC
165. Winterpast Farm – farm and petting zoo, Wake Forest NC
166. Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Camp – camping and water activities, Marion NC
167. Zaloo’s Canoes – canoeing, kayaking, tubing, Jefferson NC
168. Zootastic Park – animal park, Troutman NC

Be sure to bookmark this page, or click on the “Directories” icon on the homepage of our website to find this list when you need it.

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Related Links:
Splash Pads & Water Slides
99 Ways to Reply to I’m Bored
Summer Camps in the Triad
VBS in the Triad
Swim Clubs & Pools
Favorite Parks & Playgrounds
Event Calendar