Great Wolf Lodge
My husband and I, along with our 9-year-old son, are seated in an inner tube, zooming through the Howlin’ Tornado. Then we hit the Drop. We grip the handles as the tube quickly swirls down a 6-story plunge. When the slide ride is over, we’re ready for relaxed waters at the indoor water park in Concord, N.C. We race on slides and channel our inner “American Ninja Warrior” on an aquatic agility course. Other Great Wolf activities include MagiQuest (a role-playing activity), a beauty salon and a bowling alley. We paired our trip with a Charlotte Knights minor league baseball game; Charlotte Motor Speedway also is nearby.
10175 Weddington Road Extension, Concord, N.C. 704-549-8206, greatwolf.com/concord, @GreatWolfLodge.
Wright Brothers National Memorial
The Outer Banks attraction is one of the state’s most-visited each year. The grounds, in the town of Kill Devil Hills, N.C., include a visitor center with replicas of Wilbur and Orville Wright’s 1902 glider and 1903 flyer. There’s a monument to the brothers — who conducted their first flight in North Carolina in 1903 — and their accomplishments on the 90-foot tall Big Kill Devil Hill.
1000 N. Croatan Highway, Kill Devil Hills, N.C. 252-441-7430, nps.gov/wrbr, @WrightBrosNPS.
Historic Beaufort
Say “ahoy” to the town of Beaufort, N.C., another Outer Banks locale (not to be confused with Beaufort, S.C.) with activities such as walking tours led by pirate guides, ghost walks, shelling tours and wild horse sightings on the island of Shackleford Banks. The port town, founded in 1709, once played host to Blackbeard and embraces its infamous history with activities such as treasure hunts.
Crystal Coast Tourism Development Authority, 3409 Arendell St., Morehead City, N.C. 1-800-786-6962, crystalcoastnc.org, @CrystalCoast_NC.
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