Taking the Raleigh Activities for Kids Outdoors
In our previous post, we ran through several fun-filled Raleigh Activities for Kids that children of all ages can enjoy. However, each of those events and activities was one that takes place in an indoor setting. As the weather begins to cooperate more and more with us here in Rocky Mount and the surrounding areas, it becomes easier to bring them for a fun day outside. Given the close proximity of your new home at Belmont Lake Preserve to the city of Raleigh and its seemingly endless great kid activities, we continue with our second of two posts on the topic. These six activities though, on the contrary to the previous post all take place outdoors.
Now, given the protocol that we spoke of in the last post and despite being Outdoor Raleigh Activities for Kids there still are regulations to be followed regarding social distancing and so forth. You will want to check each individual park or establishment on the list to see what their guidelines are. This way, all will be safe and once that is out of the way, we can get to the most important part of our journey into Raleigh…the fun!
Fresh Air and Great Times to Share: Outdoor Raleigh Activities for Kids
Raleigh, as you can see from the distance listed from each of the destinations below, roughly sits about one hour from your new home in Rocky Mount. Traveling this quick trip down the highway from Belmont Lake Preserve not only gives you and your children a short road trip to have some fun, but it also creates memories that can last a lifetime. In a generation seemingly consumed by technology and devices that many times keep our youth indoors staring at a screen, these Raleigh Activities for Kids are all outdoors and all in spots of beautiful natural scenery.
Dorothea Dix Park
2105 Umstead Drive, Raleigh
Called on its own official website as a “Park for Everyone, Built by Everyone,” Dorothea Dix Park is the first Raleigh Activities for Kids we will look at in this post. The park is open seven days a week from sunrise until sunset. Bullet pointed below are the five separate areas at the huge park and a brief description of each.
- The Big Field- 35-acres of open meadow combining rolling hills and flat open spaces surrounded by a mixture of spectacular trees. A popular area for picnics, kites, or just running and playing as you like.
- The Grove- 16-acres of shaded hillside with an incredible view of the Raleigh skyline.
- Flowers Field- 11-acres of open rolling lawn. Feature gorgeous daffodils in the early Spring. A very popular spot for family and friend meet-ups
- Harvey Hill- Another 4-acre, conveniently shaded grassy hillside. This is always a great place to meet up and for the kids to play.
- Williams Field- 3-acres flat grassy area with a beautiful, high pine-grove backdrop
Distance from Belmont Lake Preserve: 61.8 Miles (1 hour)
Pullen Park
520 Ashe Avenue, Raleigh
Pullen Park was the very first-ever public park in North Carolina. Likewise, it is one of the oldest amusement parks in the world. For these reasons and so many more, Pullen Park has remained one of the most iconic settings for Raleigh Activities for Kids Outdoors for over a century. On top of the park itself and an on-site restaurant, when working at full capacity Pullen features the C.P Huntington miniature train and paddle boats.
Distance from Belmont Lake Preserve: 62.0 miles (1 hour, 2 minutes)
Laurel Hills Park/Sassafras All Children’s Playground
3808 Edwards Mills Road, Raleigh
This next stop for Raleigh Activities for Kids boasts the largest playground in the entire city of Raleigh. The Sassafras All Children’s Playground is one just as described…for ALL the kids. The playground area even features an area accessible for special needs children. In addition, it is an amazing wooden structure with tunnels, bridges, towers, swings, and rings, all set over soft sand that lies beneath. Also at Laurel Hills is a 50-foot zip line feature, basketball courts, and therapeutic, independent play areas and elements for the children too.
Distance from Belmont Lake Preserve: 63.3 miles ( 1 hour, 4 minutes)
TreeRunner Adventure Park
12804 Norwood Road, Raleigh
Here is an outdoor stop for the family with a bit of a more adventurous side. Located in North Raleigh, Tree Runner Adventure Park has the perfect Raleigh Activities for Kids who are seeking a thrill. The Adventure Park has seven different courses, with 70 obstacles, and three different difficulty levels. This is a full-day trip, as it takes some time to get harnessed and go through the orientation process. But once you are there, literally, the sky is the limit.
Distance from Belmont Lake Preserve: 68.1 miles ( 1 hour, 5 minutes)
Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve
2616 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary
A great spot to bring the kids, especially in the summertime, as Hemlock Bluffs boasts many shady areas to enjoy in the heat. This 140-acre park was established over four decades ago. It is highlighted by three miles of mulched walking and hiking trails for all ages that lead to several amazing views from the on-site overlooks.
Distance from Belmont Lake Preserve: 71.8 miles (1 hour, 10 minutes)
Frankie’s Fun Park
11190 Fun Park Drive, Raleigh
Now here is a classic stop among Raleigh Activities for Kids that take place outdoors. Almost every kid and adult in the area has at some point enjoyed this classic amusement park. Features include mini-golf, batting cages, arcade games, bumper cars and boats, go-karts, and laser tag. They also have some rides for the older or more daring children on the trip including a four-story ropes course and local favorite rides the “Sidewinder,” “Drop Zone,” and “Windstarz.”
Distance from Belmont Lake Preserve: 72.9 miles (1 hour, 10 minutes)
Running Free with Outdoor Raleigh Activities for Kids
These Raleigh Activities for Kids are maybe easier to appreciate than ever before after the past year of out of the ordinary happening limiting our outdoor time. Between these and the indoor options included in our first of this two-part series, you can see why so many people, yourself included, are moving to the surrounding Raleigh area. The short drive from BLP to any of these venues is just that a short drive. But the childhood memories of playing throughout these spacious fields and activity parks are ones that will last much, much longer.
For more information or any details on the Belmont Lake Preserve new home community, visit belmontlakepreserve.com.
Photo Credit: visitraleigh.com
