Raleigh and kids

We%26#39;re planning a trip to Tampa in late March and have decided to drive back (we%26#39;re from NJ). We%26#39;re only staying a few days in Tampa and then plan to drive through/near Raleigh (via I-95)on the way back. We got a AAA tour book but have not found much that may be kid friendly.

The kids are 9 mos, 4, and 6 - yes we%26#39;re insane. ; )

Not looking for waterparks or anything like that as we%26#39;re getting our fill of that in Florida.

Any ideas that wouldn%26#39;t be too boring for a kid? Thanks in advance.

We%26#39;re also open to other areas around Raleigh - just not too far from I-95 as we%26#39;ll only be in for a day or so.

Thanks all.

Raleigh and kids

The best activities for kids in the Raleigh area are:

1. Museum of Life and Science in Durham

2. NC Zoo in Asheboro

3. Museum of Natural Science in downtown Raleigh

Raleigh and kids

Marbles Children%26#39;s Museum in downtown Raleigh may be a good option for those age ranges. It%26#39;s one of those hands-on type of places, with activities and such.

Also, there%26#39;s an IMAX theatre next door.

The butterfly house at the Museum of Life %26amp; Science is a great option.

Another suggestion is to get take out (Char-Grill burgers %26amp; shakes are a good option) and go to Pullen Park (in Raleigh near NC State University) for a picnic. They have a playground and a little train and paddle boats.

This link has a couple of additional suggestions: essortment.com/travel/thingskidschil_tulf.htm

Thank you all. Will check out these suggestions.

Wilson is northeast of Raleigh, just off 95. My niece and nephew loved Imagination Station when they were young. Wilson is much smaller than Raleigh, but its a beautiful town. You might also want to check out Rocky Mount (north of Wilson) and Smithfield (south of Wilson), both on 95. Also, on the last Saturday of March (I think - I%26#39;ll check it out), Fremont has its Daffodil Festival. Fremont is a VERY SMALL town, but I%26#39;m pretty blown away by the number of people who attend every year and the number of activities for such a small town. (Fremont is east of Kenly which is on 95.) Also, south of Goldsboro there is Cliffs of the Neuse. My sister is a 3rd grade teacher and she takes her kids there every year and says they love it. Also, if you%26#39;ll be driving through during Easter vacation, there will be some Easter egg hunts in the area on Saturday and some on Sunday morning. Oh...and if you WILL be traveling during Easter, call the malls to see if the Easter Bunny will be there...it%26#39;s free! Also, to add to a previous response, not only is the IMAX in Raleigh great, but they have a museum next door (caters to children) which is sponsored by the same group. It has recently changed hands, apparently, but go to exploris.org and it will take you there. Chapel Hill is a little farther away from 95, but the Morehead Planetarium is there...and if you go to Chapel Hill, you can%26#39;t leave without eating at Mama Dipp%26#39;s (I graduated from Chapel Hill and I still have to take a road trip back a couple of times per year!) If you want another true ';taste'; of eastern North Carolina while you%26#39;re driving through on 95, stop at Parker%26#39;s Bar-B-Que on 301 in Wilson. The atmosphere is terrible! The price is ultra reasonable. The food is good and true to the area (It will probably be heavy on a NJ stomach, but just eat alot of bread sticks and hush puppies and you%26#39;ll enjoy it!.) The tea is the best you can drink, and you know you can%26#39;t leave NC without some sweet tea!. You%26#39;ll be seated in no time and you%26#39;ll get your hot food in 5 minutes! One last thing...if you want to take a side trip to the coast (less than 2 hours from 95), the aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores is great! There%26#39;s also alot of pirate ';stuff'; in Beaufort. And if you travel toward the coast, stop somewhere for our Calabash style seafood.