Dive head first into the thrills of summer with a family adventure one of many east coast theme park destinations. Scream your way down lightning fast roller coasters, or beat the summer heat at a water park. You'll find everything you'll need to get there... all you need to do is bring the sunscreen.
Carowinds
14523 Carowinds Blvd.
Charlotte, North Carolina 28273
800-888-4FUN Toll Free
704-588-2600 Local
http://www.carowinds.com
Carowinds is a 105 acre theme park located on the borderline between North and South Carolina in Charlotte and Fort Mills, respectively.
The park offers more than 100 rides, including 12 roller coasters. Carowinds’ tallest coaster, “BORG Assimilator”, is the world’s first coaster with a ‘Star Trek’ theme. Other high-speed rides include the 50-mph stand-up “Vortex” coaster, the four-G “Jet Coaster” and the ominously named wooden roller coaster,”Hurler”. “Thunder Road” is another wooden coaster where one train runs forwards and the other backwards. The coaster is built over the North Carolina/South Carolina state line so you will actually travel through two states during the ride.
Carowinds offers a great selection of family rides including “Rip Roarin’ Rapids”, a white water rafting expedition down a rugged river course in a 6-person raft; “Scooby-Doo’sâ„¢ Haunted Mansion”, where you climb aboard interactive Mystery Machines and challenge your friends to see who can capture the most ghosts and Scooby Snacksâ„¢; and “WhiteWater Falls”, where you plunge down a 45-foot waterfall and then splash down through a 20-foot wave of water. Get a bird’s-eye-view of the entire theme park and downtown Charlotte from “Carolina Skytower”, as an air-conditioned cabin travels up a 320-foot tower.
Fun for the little ones is guaranteed at Nickelodeon Central. Ride, spin, twirl and hug the day away with your favorite characters from your favorite Nickelodeon TV shows!
Carowinds offers several live stage productions and plenty of characters, the whole park’s a stage.”Nickelodeonâ„¢ Celebration Parade” is highlighted by a colorful convoy of motorized floats, more than 20 Nickelodeon® characters and a cast of nearly 100 performers, the award-winning parade brings families to their feet as they get face to face with the stars of Nickelodeon.
“Boomerang Bay”, is Carowinds’ 16 acre water park and is included in the price of admission. Navigate a four-story rafting adventure; plunge through twisting tube slides; climb, spray, splash on a huge, flowing playground; relax in a heated lagoon; brave wild waves or let the world melt away with a float down a ramblin’ river!
Directions
From I-95 points north – Take I-95 south to I-85 (Virginia), then south on I-85 to I-77 (North Carolina). Take I-77 south to exit 90 (Avenue of the Carolinas) and follow the signs to Carowinds.
From I-95 points south – Take I-95 north to I-26 (South Carolina), then west on I-26 to I-77. Take I-77 north to exit 90 (Avenue of the Carolinas) and follow the signs to Carowinds.
Lodging
Click here for a list of area lodging
