Off the Beaten Path Family Attractions in NC

The Road Knott Taken has teamed up with Family Adventure for All, residents of North Carolina, to bring their expertise and insight to you. Learn all the inside knowledge perfect for planning your adventuring and exploring in North Carolina. Be sure to also check out their post featuring a North Carolina Bucket List for the Adventurous Family.

Visiting North Carolina? Want to skip the touristy places and find unique hidden gems? In this post, I will share some off the beaten path family attractions that you must see on your family’s next trip to the Tarheel State.

I have lived in North Carolina for my entire life (except for that year that our family traveled full-time across the U.S.) Though I love other states and regions of the country, I have come to appreciate the beauty, culture, and climate my home state offers. There are plenty of popular tourist attractions in all three regions of NC, but there are also plenty of lesser-known spots that the locals love. Those are the places I’m sharing with you today. 

Off the Beaten Path in the NC Mountains

Off the Beaten Path in Central NC

Off the Beaten Path at the NC Coast

Off the Beaten Path in the NC Mountains

The NC Mountain region is known for the Blue Ridge Parkway, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, numerous waterfalls, beautiful Asheville, and Grandfather Mountain. These spots are great to visit, but there are also some nearby attractions your family will love that will keep you out of the crowds. 

Slide Down a Natural Water Slide at Sliding Rock

Sliding Rock is a natural water slide located outside of popular Asheville, NC just north of Brevard, NC. Sliding Rock can be accessed via US-276; no matter where you are coming from, the drive to get here is beautiful! Your family will love taking the plunge down the slippery rocks and into the 7-foot deep pool at the bottom that never gets above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s a thrilling rush! Kids of any age can slide, but those under age 7 must slide with an adult. Non-swimmers are welcomed to wear a life vest. Sliding Rock only costs $4 per person. Parents will be happy to know that restrooms and changing rooms are available on-site, and lifeguards are on duty between Memorial Day and Labor Day. 

Ride a Train or go Rafting in Bryson City

Located not too far from both Asheville and Cherokee, Bryson City is my favorite small mountain town. It is beautiful, charming, and kid-friendly! The kids will love hopping aboard the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. If your family is extra adventurous, try one of their raft-and-rail adventures where you ride the train upriver and traverse the rapids of the Nantahala River back to the depot! Families will also love exploring the quaint downtown area and eating lunch at one of the many stellar restaurants here. We recommend Nate and Nick’s Pizza. If you’re looking for a scenic drive that’s not the Blue Ridge Parkway, check out Bryson City’s “Road to Nowhere,” which ends at the mouth of a tunnel your family can walk through! 

Visit the Mast General Store in Valle Crucis

Valle Crucis is an adorable small town located just a few minutes from the more crowded university town, Boone, NC. Valle Crucis is the perfect place to get away for a half day outside in the mountain air. The Valle Crucis Community Park should be your first stop. The kids will love spending the morning playing on the awesome playground and walking or biking the mile long loop that encircles the park. Bring along a picnic lunch to enjoy under the picnic shelters, or picnic by the banks of the Watauga River, which stretches along the northern border of the park. Bathrooms are available so the kids can change into swimsuits and take a dip in this shallow section of the river after lunch. After wading, don’t miss the Mast General Store and Annex in Valle Crucis. There are several Mast General Store locations, but this one is the original site, and it’s always been my favorite. Letting the kids fill a pail with candy and treats from the store is one of our favorite things to do.

See how Cheese is Made at the Ashe County Cheese Factory

Located in West Jefferson, a smaller town outside of Boone, NC, the Ashe County Cheese Factory is a fun place for families to see the process of how cheese is made. Check out their website for a cheese-making schedule and come to watch the process for FREE. Then, visit the shop to purchase your favorite local cheese, fudge, or curds. 

Off the Beaten Path in Central NC

Central North Carolina is also referred to as the Piedmont. It’s home to NC’s largest cities: Charlotte, Winston-Salem, Greensboro, and Raleigh-Durham. These cities boast many popular attractions, but there are also loads of lesser-known attractions in this region that your family will enjoy on your next trip. Here are some of our favorite attractions:

Tour a Weird House at Korner’s Folly

Korner’s Folly is a historic Victorian home located in Kernersville, NC that is described as whimsical, weird, and fascinating. School groups take field trips here to learn about history, architecture, and art, so plan your trip for mid-to-late afternoon in order to miss these large school group tours. Be sure to pick up a scavenger hunt challenge before you begin your tour; the kids will love inspecting the maze of rooms for unique items. Parents will love reading the informational signs that tell a little history and background on each room. After your visit, explore the cute downtown Kernersville and stop for a pretzel snack at the Patriotic Pretzel Company.

Swim Under a Waterfall at Hanging Rock State Park

Hanging Rock State Park is one of our family’s favorite state parks located in central NC, near the Virginia border. The park’s main hiking trail that leads to the summit can get pretty crowded, especially in the summer. Visit on a weekday for lighter crowds, or try out one of the lesser-known trails like the Lower Cascades Trail. To access this trail, travel to 2143 Hall Road, which is outside Hanging Rock’s main parking area, and you’ll spot a small gravel lot on the right. Park and take the short hike through the woods and up and down A LOT of stairs. You’ll find yourself at a beautiful waterfall spilling into a perfect swimming hole. Be sure to wear swimsuits and let the kids enjoy wading into the pool at the base of the falls. This spot is fun for dogs too, so bring your 4-legged friends along. Be aware that the center of the swimming hole is deep, so non-swimmers should stay on the rocky shore or wear floaties. After a day at Hanging Rock State Park, you’ll surely be hungry. Be sure to check out the Hillbilly Hide-Away in nearby Walnut Cove, a local favorite spot for family-style country dining.

Walk Through a Bog in the Middle of a City

Greensboro, NC is a large city in central NC that is home to many gorgeous parks. One of the most unique is the Bog Garden nature preserve located at Benjamin Park right in the heart of the city. I absolutely love walking along the trails, paths, and boardwalks admiring the bog and looking out for turtles, frogs, and birds. This park is a great place to let the kids run off some energy and experience a really unique wetland habitat. It’s also a great place to have a family picnic. If you’d rather hit up a restaurant, we recommend Hop’s Burger Bar for one of the best burgers NC has to offer. 

See a Historic Covered Bridge

Asheboro, NC is a medium-sized city located in the NC Piedmont. Its main attraction is the NC Zoo, which I highly suggest visiting. The zoo can be crowded with school groups and tourists, so if you’re looking for something a little more off the beaten path while you’re in the area, check out the Pisgah Covered Bridge, located right outside of town. The bridge is one of only two covered bridges still standing in NC. Though some not-so-courteous visitors have tagged this historic site with graffiti in recent years, the bridge is still a cool thing to see and photograph. The walk to get to the bridge is short and easy enough for kids of any age. There’s also a creek under the bridge, and large rocks to play on. 

Off the Beaten Path at the NC Coast

The NC coast is a beautiful and popular vacation spot for people who live all along the Eastern U.S. Pristine beaches, dolphins, sea turtles, wild horses, surfing, quaint towns, and the Outer Banks can make the NC coast a crowded place in the summer months. However, there are still a few places you can visit with your family that are less crowded and off the beaten path. Here are some of our favorites:

Stay on the Quiet & Peaceful Topsail Island

This 26-mile long barrier island off the coast of NC is the perfect place to stay for a few days on your next family vacation, especially if you’re wanting to get away from the summer beach crowds. Enjoy the not-so-crowded Topsail Beach or North Topsail Beach, do a little shopping in nearby Surf City, eat some great fish, chips, and hush puppies at The Breezeway Restaurant, and just kick back and relax at your rental house or hotel. Kids will enjoy visiting the Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Surf City. Families who love the water can rent a boat, jet skis, or reserve a charter sunset cruise while visiting Topsail. 

See Venus Flytraps Up Close at Carolina Beach State Park

Carolina Beach State Park is a great place to camp for a few days or visit for a day adventure. Located near popular Wilmington, NC, this state park is the perfect place to get away from the hustle and traffic of the city and immerse your family in nature. The park offers a great family campground and nine miles of easy kid-friendly hiking trails that traverse through swamps, dunes, and forests. The Flytrap Trail may be especially interesting to your little ones as they will get to see native Venus Flytraps up close and personal while exploring the trails. The bodies of water in the state park can be rough at times, so swimming is not recommended, but kayaking and SUPing is a popular activity here. Paddle NC offers kayak and SUP rentals for your family to enjoy!

Relax in the World’s Largest Hammock

If you are heading to NC’s Outer Banks along NC-158, be sure to stop at this family-friendly attraction. Located on the beach overlooking the Albemarle Sound just before crossing the Wright Memorial Bridge, the world’s largest hammock will only take a few minutes to see, but it’s a family photo opp that’s worth stopping for. After relaxing in this hammock made from more than 10,000 feet of rope, head on over the bridge and begin your tour of the popular Outer Banks sites like Nag’s Head, Kitty Hawk, and the Wright Brothers National Memorial. 

Looking for Even More Things to do in NC?

Check out our itinerary for a 10 day family-friendly road trip that will take you through all three regions of NC stopping at both popular and lesser-known attractions. 

Author Bio

Shelly is co-founder of Family Adventure For All, a special needs family RV travel blog. She and her family traveled full-time coast to coast for a year, but they now reside in her home state of North Carolina. Shelly is the author of ebook, Parents’ Survival Guide to Full-time RV Living. Her book helps parents manage the challenges that come with living and traveling in a small space with kids. The ebook can be purchased from her website: www.familyadventureforall.com. Follow her on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram @familyadventureforall.