Last updated: 2026 | By Sarah Marchwiany

Pullen Park is holds a genuinely remarkable distinction in American history: it is North Carolina’s first public park, the 5th oldest operating amusement park in the entire United States, and the 16th oldest in the world. Generations of Raleigh families have grown up here, and the park has somehow managed to stay exactly as charming as it was a hundred years ago while still feeling completely current.

What makes Pullen Park special isn’t just its age — it’s the combination of genuine, gentle, old-fashioned fun (a hand-carved 1911 carousel, a miniature train, paddle boats on a quiet lake) with everything a modern family needs for a full day out: excellent playgrounds, an aquatic center, an arts center, and a cafe. And at just $2 per ride, it remains one of the best values for a family outing anywhere in North Carolina.

This guide covers everything you need to plan the perfect Pullen Park visit — the rides, the playgrounds, ticket pricing, hours, and practical tips for making the most of your day.

Address: 520 Ashe Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27606 (Pullen Park Welcome Center)
Phone: (919) 996-6468 Daily ride hours info line: (919) 996-6472 (updated daily around 10:30am)
Website: raleighnc.gov/parks-and-recreation/places/pullen-park
Drive time from Triad: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes

About Pullen Park

Pullen Park’s history begins in 1887, when philanthropist Richard Stanhope Pullen donated his farmland to the city of Raleigh to create a public park — making it North Carolina’s very first. Pullen himself was famously humble about it; he initially opposed naming the park after him, wishing the gift to remain anonymous. The park sits on 66 acres between Western Boulevard and Hillsborough Street, directly adjacent to NC State University, and just minutes from both Dorothea Dix Park and the NC Museum of Natural Sciences — making it incredibly easy to pair with other Raleigh attractions in a single day.

Park grounds hours: Daily, 7:00am – 9:00pm
Ride and amusement hours: Vary by season, and may close early due to darkness or inclement weather. Call the ride info line at (919) 996-6472 for the most current daily hours, updated around 10:30am each morning, or check the city website before heading out — especially in winter, when hours run shorter.

Admission to the park grounds is completely free. Rides require individual tickets.

Rides and Attractions

The Historic Carousel

The crown jewel of Pullen Park is the Gustave A. Dentzel Carousel, built around 1911 and recognized as one of the foremost surviving works of the Pennsylvania Carousel Company — one of the very earliest Dentzel carousels still in operation anywhere in the country. It’s a designated Raleigh Historic Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which is a genuinely remarkable thing to experience up close with your kids.

The carousel features a menagerie of 52 hand-carved wooden animals — ostriches, cats, rabbits, pigs, a lion, a tiger, and a goat among them — all the work of master carver Salvatore Cernigliaro. The animals are housed in a permanent wooden-beamed shelter with a tent-like design, and the whole experience has a warmth and craftsmanship to it that modern amusement rides simply don’t have.

Height requirement: Riders must be at least 42 inches tall to ride alone. Children under 42 inches must ride with a parent or guardian, and both rider and accompanying adult require a ticket.

The Miniature Train

A beloved one-third-size near-replica of the famous C.P. Huntington locomotive, the Pullen Park train carries riders on a scenic one-lap journey around the park — running parallel to Western Boulevard and passing through a tunnel near the front entrance. It’s the kind of simple pleasure that never seems to get old; kids ask to ride it again and again, and most parents don’t mind one bit.

Don’t miss the Pullen Park Caboose near the playground area — an authentic retired Norfolk Southern Railway car complete with its original bay window and Southern Railway paint scheme. It’s a popular photo spot and a fun bonus stop even if you’ve already done your train ride for the day.

Seasonal bonus: Each December, the Pullen Park Holiday Express transforms the train ride into a festive Christmas-themed experience — and it is consistently one of the most popular events of the entire year at the park. Tickets sell out fast, so if you want to ride it, plan and purchase well ahead of the season.

Paddle Boats and Kiddie Boats

Lake Howell, the small lake at the heart of the park, offers seasonal pedal boat rentals for a relaxing ride around the water. Rental periods typically run about 30 minutes — enough time for a couple of unhurried laps around the lake, taking in the park’s architecture and watching for the resident Canadian geese.

For younger children not quite ready for the full lake experience, the Kiddie Boats near the train station entrance offer a gentler version — a chance to “ride a boat” in a safe, controlled setting.

Playgrounds for Every Age

Pullen Park has four distinct play areas, thoughtfully designed for different stages of childhood:

Preschool Playground (ages 2-5) — fenced and surrounded by vegetation for a contained, secure feel; includes three slides, a full-basket preschool swing, an accessible molded bucket-seat swing, a see-saw, stepping stones, and shade structures.

Sand Play (ages 2-12) — two sand diggers (including one accessible option), a playhouse, music-making equipment and a small stage, and an accessible spring platform.

School-Age Climb and Slide (ages 5-12) — bigger, more challenging structures for older kids who have outgrown the preschool area.

Swing Area — a dedicated swing zone separate from the other play areas.

More to Explore

Carnival games — test your luck at themed games like The Great Carousel Race, The Mega Wire, and The Trail Runner.

Pétanque and bocce courts — a fun, low-key activity for a relaxed afternoon.

The Smart Compass adventure — for $7 per family, pick up a wearable smart compass that syncs to your phone and guides kids through fun historical facts and self-guided activities around the park. The adventure takes about 30-45 minutes and is a wonderful way to add a little extra structure and discovery to your visit.

Ticket Pricing

Tickets cost $2.00 per person, per ride (this covers the carousel, train, and kiddie boats). One ticket is required per rider, per ride. Children under 1 year of age ride free when accompanied by a paying adult. Tickets are valid any day and never expire, so it’s worth buying a few extra if you know you’ll be back.

Buying in bulk: Purchase 100 or more tickets at once for a 10% discount — a smart option for larger groups, school outings, or families who visit often.

How to buy: Purchase tickets online in advance through the city’s RecLink system (scan the barcode on your phone at the park, or print at home) to save time, or buy in person at the Welcome Center ticket booth.

Beyond the Amusements

Pullen Park is genuinely more than just rides and playgrounds — the surrounding campus includes:

Pullen Aquatic Center — an indoor pool open year-round, with swim lessons available.
Pullen Arts Center — studios and classes in pottery, jewelry making, painting, printmaking, bookmaking, drawing, fiber arts, weaving, and glass arts, plus gallery exhibits and special events throughout the year.
Theatre in the Park — an internationally acclaimed community theater located at the northern end of the park, drawing more than 40,000 attendees annually for its productions.
6 tennis courts with push-button lighting, available dusk to 10pm year-round, first-come first-served.
Softball and baseball fields, available for reservation through RecLink.
Pullen Place Cafe — fresh, local, and seasonal food located in the amusement area near the Welcome Center, perfect for a casual lunch without leaving the park.
Shaded walking paths throughout the property — even without riding a single thing, Pullen Park is a beautiful place for a slow stroll under century-old trees.

Practical Tips for Visiting Pullen Park with Kids

Visit on a weekday if you can. Weekends and summer days get busy, and the parking lot off Ashe Avenue fills up quickly during peak times.
Buy ride tickets online ahead of time. It saves time at the park and means you can scan straight in rather than waiting in a ticket line.
Plan for 2-4 hours for a typical visit. If you’re adding the Aquatic Center, an Arts Center class, or a Theatre in the Park show, plan for a half day.
Pair it with Dorothea Dix Park and Gipson Play Plaza. The two parks are very close together, and combining them makes for one of the best full days of free-and-low-cost family fun in all of Raleigh. See our Dorothea Dix Park & Gipson Play Plaza guide for everything to do there.
Bring a picnic or grab lunch at Pullen Place Cafe. Shelters are available to rent if you want to bring your own food for a larger group.
Watch for the Holiday Express in December. If a Christmas train ride is on your family’s wish list, get tickets early — this is one of the most popular annual events at the park and it sells out.
Parking note: Main parking is located off 520 Ashe Avenue, north of the park. Arrive early on weekends to make sure you get a spot close to the Welcome Center.

FAQs About Pullen Park Raleigh NC

How much are tickets at Pullen Park?

$2.00 per person, per ride for the carousel, train, and kiddie boats. Children under 1 year ride free with a paying adult. Buy 100+ tickets at once for a 10% discount.

What are Pullen Park’s hours?

The park grounds are open daily from 7:00am to 9:00pm. Ride and amusement hours vary by season and may close early for darkness or weather — call (919) 996-6472 for the current day’s ride hours, updated around 10:30am.

Is Pullen Park free?

The park itself is completely free to enter and explore. Only the rides — the carousel, train, kiddie boats, and seasonal paddle boats — require $2 tickets.

How old is Pullen Park?

Founded in 1887, Pullen Park is North Carolina’s first public park, the 5th oldest continuously operating amusement park in the United States, and the 16th oldest in the world.

How tall do you have to be to ride the Pullen Park carousel alone?

42 inches. Children under that height must ride with a parent or guardian, and both the child and the accompanying adult need a ticket.

Is there food at Pullen Park?

Yes — Pullen Place Cafe, located in the amusement area near the Welcome Center, offers fresh, local, and seasonal food. You’re also welcome to bring your own picnic, and shelters are available to rent for larger groups.

How far is Pullen Park from Greensboro?

Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes via I-40 East — a very manageable day trip from anywhere in the Triad.

Can you combine Pullen Park with other Raleigh attractions in one day?

Absolutely — Pullen Park sits very close to Dorothea Dix Park and Gipson Play Plaza, as well as the NC Museum of Natural Sciences and Marbles Kids Museum, making it easy to build a full day of Raleigh family fun around this part of the city.

Is the Pullen Park Holiday Express worth it?

Yes — it’s one of the most beloved annual traditions at the park, transforming the train ride into a festive Christmas experience each December. It’s also one of the most popular events Pullen Park hosts all year, so tickets sell out — plan and purchase early if you want to ride it.

Looking for more Raleigh family adventures? Check out our guides to Dorothea Dix Park & Gipson Play Plaza, Marbles Kids Museum, and the NC Museum of Natural Sciences, or visit our complete Visiting the NC Triangle With Kids hub for everything Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill have to offer.

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