the staff came in the room and thought my two young six year old daughters were smoking.read more

Such a fun thing to do while at the beach! The kids absolutely loved it. The crew is great with…read morethe kids!

The main feature at this park is the Fairfield Recreation Center and with it, the sprayground and…read morewater park area (sponsored by Pepsi). The recreation center is ADA accessible and includes an aerobics/dance room, gymnasium and some multi-purpose rooms. Outside, there is a baseball diamond, basketball court, picnic shelters, playground and tennis court. There is street parking and in front of the recreation center is a Little Free Pantry and a bicycle repair stand. [Review 15479 overall, 983 of 2021, number 3022 in North Carolina.]

Fun place to play pickleball if you like to play indoors. There are 3 pickleball courts taped off…read moreon the basketball court which are available at designated times.

The Fuquay Varina Splash Pad originally opened the summer of 2015. It opened for the current year…read moreon May 18th, 2019 and is open daily from 10 am to 7 pm. July 3rd, 2019 hours are 6 to 8pm. Normal yearly hours are Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. The 6,000 sq ft pentagon-shaped splash pad features multiple jets of streaming water from 35+ water features (devices that spray, shoot, or dump water on you). There is a giant bucket that dumps gallons of water onto anybody that stand below it. Children who are not toilet-trained yet must wear a swim diaper. Water shoes are highly recommended. There are restrooms and there is a shelter that is perfect for relaxing in the shade while kids are still in view. Though, I would check before counting on hanging out in the shelter, as it can be reserved by other people for parties. There are a few benches, but I suggest bringing your own lawn chairs. There isn't much shade so you might want to wear a hat, carry an umbrella, and wear lots of sunscreen. There is no place to store your stuff, so make sure you bring a bag that is easy to carry. Really wish there were lockers. Make sure to bring your own towels. Residents (who live within town limits and pay Fuquay Varina property tax) can visit the splash pad for free, but must have a Resident Splash Pad card (which can be picked up at the Community Center during regular business hours of Mon-Fri 8 am-9 pm; Saturday 8 am-5 pm). You have to bring a proof of residency (driver's license, a utility bill, or some other proof of residency). A new card will be issued each year. If you do not live within city-limits of Fuquay Varina or if you live in another town, there is a $2 charge per person for all-day admission (which can be paid by cash or credit card). One parent will be admitted without charge. Children under the age of 2 are free of charge. All children under 13 are required to have parental/adult supervision.

Cliffs of the Neuse State Park is located in Seven Springs, NC. The park is named for the 90-foot…read morecliffs that overlook the Neuse River. I first stopped at the Visitor Center. I like visiting these as they are like a little museum in each state park. This visitor center was very interactive and had bright colors with the storyboards. I like that they covered the local ecology, the history of the river and also how we can help make better choices to keep the water safe. In the lobby, there are some taxidermies; you will see a black bear, an owl, a fox and a bobcat that lived in the area. When the fault formed, the water created the cliffs. The cliffs are unique in the layers formed. The white and yellow layers of sand and gravel are remnants of ancient beaches. The Atlantic Ocean once covered the area. Then the dark gray and black layers were made of clay likely deposited by ancient marshes. Between these layers are marine life, seashells, shale, and gravel. These got left behind as the sea levels rose and fell. These formations are 90 feet high and 200 feet underground. Native Americans gathered here, the Tuscarora and Saponi tribes. The river acted as a transportation route and a source of food. They used canoes to go from the coast to the inland forest. The high ground served as a lookout point, allowing them to see anyone approaching. They hunted deer and turkey. The museum has stone tools and other artifacts that were found in the area. During the Civil War, in the Battle of Whitehall (now Seven Springs), the Union soldiers used the higher ground to fight the Confederates. The Confederates were building an ironclad ship (the CSS Neuse). They thought being upriver would keep them safe from the Union ships. They had hoped to retake New Bern with it. The ship survived the battle with only minor damage and was moved to Kinston to have an engine and heavy iron armor added. (The ship can be seen at the CSS Interpretive Museum in Kinston, NC) I liked the phones available for a glimpse into the past from people who were part of the park, and the viewer glasses. The building is air-conditioned, and restrooms are available. There is a small gift shop too. The staff were friendly as they were expecting campers. There is an Overlook for a beautiful view. It is just steps away from the parking lot. The view was stunning. The signs make it easy to find from the visitor center. There are some trails to follow as well if you want to explore more.

The name caught my eye, and despite this being far away from the mountainous part of the state…read morethere are indeed cliffs. The river was at flood stage due to heavy rains throughout the region when I visited, but there was no danger of getting wet at the top of the cliffs. You can pretty much drive right up to where the views are, and this being a NC state park, you can simply motor on in without paying a fee, which is not the case in neighboring states like SC and VA. Trails take one from the cliffs down to the riverside in fairly short order, and there were plenty of interesting sights to see in the short time I spent there, another on my list of sights seen in a fascinatingly diverse state.

This fabulous park is "inclusive" which means that it's available for children who are abled and…read morechallenged! Lots of ramps throughout for those who are playing in the park in wheelchairs or who have trouble walking. Awesome. Lots of climbing frames and slides and fun things to do, all of it in bright primary colors. The park is in excellent condition with lots of shade. The park is in a small depression area which means that it's really easy for parents to keep an eye on their kids and harder for the kids to wander off. [Review 2423 of 2024 - 3879 in North Carolina - 23436 overall]

Public pool with nice play area large deck with chairs covered tables and concessions. Registration…read moreis online and allows nonresidents of Wake Forest. Sessions are for 3 hrs and limited to a total of 200 people. At least 2 lifeguards always on duty. A nice way to spend a lazy hot day.

Don't bother calling them for service work on your spa. They won't give you an appt and won't call…read moreyou back. I wasted 8 days waiting on them.

Such a fun place to take kids or if you wanna be a big kid yourself! I like how they have teenagers…read more(maybe some college kids) working there. They're all so friendly and welcoming! Gives them an opportunity to earn some money during the season. We got the aquabana as they call it, for half a day (4 hours) and it was worth it ! We didn't swim but the kids did and they had a blast! You're able to bring a cooler with food and drinks ( juice, tea, soda, water. No alcohol) they have a food truck on site, as well as a "dirty soda" stand. Flavored sodas with cream (very popular in Utah but slowly making their way to the east coast) as well as a first aid bungalow. Everyone gets a life vest but kids under 18 MUST wear theirs at all times! I like that rule! Keeps the kids safe. Of course the teens working there are certified lifeguards just in case! They also offer scuba classes/lessons at the quarry. Would I come back? YES! Maybe one day I would try the courses and swim or paddle board but the go around it was nice relaxing and letting the kids live carefree in the lake!

Me and my husband had such a fun time here! It was just enjoyable sitting in our beach chairs…read morelistening to the music after running and swimming around out there. The inflatables are so much fun and you get tired out after about an hour. They had a food truck that had some great options as well we enjoyed. I would say this is a great spot for all ages.

Amazing place to walk, grab a drink, get something to eat, and soak up some history while people…read morewatching. Public bathroom was locked, but ample restaurants and bars if you need a comfort station. Look across the river at The USS North Carolina battleship or grab an ice cream. Cool section of town!

Decided to stop here on our way from Myrtle Beach to Raleigh, choosing Wilmington over…read moreFayetteville, which I heard didn't offer much in terms of attractions. The Riverwalk is a beautiful and scenic spot that offers stunning views of the Cape Fear River. As you stroll along, you can do some reading about the area's rich history, which is beautifully shared through informational plaques and signs along the way. Wilmington also offers several guided history tours, there's a boat tour that explores the river and its surroundings, and a horse-and-carriage tour that takes you through the historic downtown area. It's a great way to learn about Wilmington's past while enjoying the charming scenery. While there, be sure to visit the local coffee shop for a quick caffeine boost, browse the Spice Merchant for unique spices and flavorings, and take a walk around to explore local shops. For lunch, we enjoyed a meal at Anny Bonney's, a popular spot known for its casual vibe and tasty seafood. Overall, Wilmington's Riverwalk is a lovely stop that combines scenic beauty, history, and good eats, definitely worth a visit if you're passing through!